We see a special forces squad entering a house that seemed to be emitting very dark smoke, yet without any fire causing it. This was because the source wasn't fire. The squad moved in silence until the leader signaled them to stop.
Leader: Did you hear that?
Suddenly, the smoke began to take the shape of deformed and aggressive creatures, which lunged at the agents. The squad started shooting at the creatures.
Leader: The host! Where is he?!
Agent: Upstairs!
Leader: Logan, with me! The rest of you, cover us!
The two agents rushed upstairs, where more shadows surrounded them, but they neutralized them. Finally, in a room barricaded by furniture, they found the source.
Host: P...please... I don't want to hurt anyone else!
Leader: Logan!
The squad leader saw a shadow attacking his partner, but Logan managed to eliminate and restrain it. Without hesitation, the leader struck the host unconscious with the butt of his gun. As the host collapsed, the shadows disappeared.
Logan: You okay, Adam?
Adam: Yeah. Host neutralized.
Authorities arrived shortly after to take the boy away. He didn't seem older than 17. Outside, the team leader, Adam Blackthorn, smoked a cigarette to relax.
Meanwhile, he spoke with another team member, Lucas Alonso.
Lucas: Damn, I hope they lock that kid up somewhere where he can be alone with those shadows.
Adam: He's still just a kid, Lucas.
Lucas: Yeah, a kid who killed his parents and younger sister.
Adam: …It's strange the press hasn't shown up yet.
Lucas: Ever since someone shoved a knife through a camera lens, they haven't been showing up much.
Adam: They had it coming when they cornered him.
The person they were talking about approached them: the most brutal and aggressive member of the team, Logan Walker.
Lucas: Speak of the devil.
Adam: You okay? One of those things attacked you from behind.
Logan: I'm fine. You know I've dealt with worse hosts.
Not long after, the press arrived to cover the scene, making headlines about yet another incident
The news was broadcast early in the morning at the Blackthorn household. The family was getting ready for their respective daily routines. Adam seemed to still be half-asleep, but his wife had already prepared coffee for him and was dressed for work.
Kaede: Someone had a long night.
Adam: Yeah, the press gave us hell like you wouldn't believe.
Kaede: It's to be expected. Cases involving young hosts always attract the most attention, especially when there are deaths involved.
Adam: Speaking of which… Are we visiting Nick today?
Kaede: Sighs That's the plan.
Adam: Do you think he's ready to see her?
Kaede: The psychologists say it's still not the right time.
Adam: I understand…
A somber tone filled the air as the couple sat in silence for a few seconds. Then, footsteps could be heard on the stairs.
Yumi: Mom, Dad, I'm ready!
Coming down the stairs was a girl with white hair and heterochromatic eyes, exuding a cheerful and positive demeanor that seemed to brighten the couple's spirits a little.
Kaede: Good morning, sweetheart.
Adam: Hey, snowflake.
Yumi: Is something wrong?
Adam: Nothing, your mom and I were just talking about…
Yumi: About?
Kaede: Nothing important, dear. Listen, today you'll be going to school with Wendy, okay?
Yumi: Sure! She'll probably be here any minute.
Adam: Logan told me Fuyu will be going with you too.
Yumi: Great! The three of us together!
The young girl's excitement was evident, as she loved spending time with her friends.
Adam: Don't let it go to your head riding in that fancy car with them, okay?
Yumi: Don't worry, Dad, it won't.
Kaede: Alright, I need to prepare my client's case.
Adam: Please tell me you're representing someone with a normal problem this time.
Kaede: Sorry, love, but you know cases involving parasite hosts pay the best.
Adam: sighs
Just then, a car horn sounded outside the Blackthorn house. It was the vehicle carrying Yumi's friends, and the driver was waiting for her.
Yumi: They're here!
The girl quickly grabbed her things and gave her parents a kiss goodbye.
Kaede: Take care, sweetie.
Adam: Let us know if anything happens.
Yumi: I will! You take care too. See you later!
The excited girl ran out to the car, where her friends were waiting. It was a small limousine, reflecting the status of Wendy's father, a renowned actor. Despite their differing backgrounds, Yumi's friends were far from being like her. While Yumi was cheerful, adorable, and quite feminine, Wendy dressed in plain, unkempt clothes and constantly had an e-cigarette in her mouth.
Fuyuki, the adopted daughter of Logan Walker, Yumi's father's coworker was just as different. She sported gothic and punk attire, with a body covered in scars.
Yumi: Hi, girls!
Wendy: Morning, Yumi. Yawns
Fuyuki: You seem chipper today, Yumi
Yumi: And you two seem more cheerful than usual!
Wendy: Sure
Fuyuki: If you say so.
Driver: All set, ladies?
Wendy: Yeah, we're good to go
The driver took the girls to their school, Luftmensch Academy, a regular institution except for its acceptance of young people carrying the Umbra parasite. However, the school only allowed those whose parasite was dormant or could control its shadowy powers. Among the three girls, only Wendy and Fuyuki carried the parasite; Yumi never tested positive, making her the "healthy" one. Despite this, all three were occasionally subjected to insults or pranks from their classmates.
The girls entered the bustling school hallways and headed to their lockers.
Wendy: Yumi, did you finish your math homework?
Yumi: There was homework?
Wendy: Why am I not surprised?
Fuyuki: What about biology?
Yumi: We had biology too?
Wendy: Yumi, you really need to stop being so irresponsible
Fuyuki: Your adorable face won't always work with teachers
Yumi: B-but I only forgot those two…
Wendy: And physics?
Yumi: three...
As they sighed at Yumi's lack of responsibility, she glanced at a vandalized locker belonging to her friend David, often bullied for being weak and nerdy.
Yumi: Has David recovered yet?
Wendy: Nope. His parents refuse to send him back with that broken arm. Seems like
Victor went too far this time
Fuyuki: You'd know more about it—you're his only friend
Wendy: his only one
Yumi: He hasn't replied to my messages since he stopped coming last week
Fuyuki: He's probably busy catching up on homework, especially since Victor broke his dominant arm
Yumi: I'll visit him after practice—
Yumi's words were cut short by a ball slamming into her head, leaving a mark on her pale skin. It had been thrown by Victor Owens, the school bully.
Victor: Morning, grandma hair
Yumi: H-hi, Victor…
Victor: Oops, your stupid face got in my way
As he approached to intimidate her, his ball was suddenly pierced by sharp shadows. Wendy and Fuyuki, unlike Yumi, didn't shy away from confrontations. Their experience in martial arts and the added advantage of their Umbra parasite powers made them formidable.
Victor: You don't scare me, freaks
Wendy: Sure about that?
Fuyuki: I can smell your fear
Victor backed off slightly, but the tension was interrupted by heavy, commanding footsteps. Silence fell as a tall, intimidating student with blue skin, glowing orange eyes, and white hair entered. Frank Harrison, feared and respected, was part of the school's football team.
Yumi: "Hi, Frank!"
Frank: "Blackthorn."
Frank returned Yumi's cheerful greeting—a rare occurrence. Upon noticing her red face, he turned to Victor, who quickly fled.
Frank: Take better care of her
This was directed at Wendy and Fuyuki, who said nothing but glared at him. The bell rang, signaling the start of classes. The girls took Yumi to the bathroom to wash her face and apply ice.
While everything seemed like a normal day at Luftmensch Academy, someone unexpected had entered the school, their intentions unknown