The static ran through Reiji's body, a cold shiver that paralyzed him in the face of the imminent danger. His heart hammered against his chest, and his muscles were completely rigid, trapped by fear. Before he could react, a strong, firm hand grabbed his arm.
Mr. Chan pulled him forcefully, dragging him beneath the Astrostone transport carts. Reiji fell face-first, gasping for air, his lungs burning as though the air itself were fire. The metallic scent of space dust filled his nostrils, mingled with the stench of panic and destruction. The roar of explosions echoed through the tunnels of Kael like relentless thunder. Screams. The distorted sound of metal being torn apart. And then, as suddenly as it had started, the chaos ceased.
Silence took over the environment. The deafening blast gave way to a tense calm, thick as lead. The miners, still gasping for breath, exchanged confused glances before they took off in a frantic run toward the mine's exit. They needed to see with their own eyes what had truly happened. They needed to understand the true power of an Awakened.
When they emerged, they were faced with a grotesque scene. The floor at the entrance of the star was covered in blood and plasma remnants, forming a macabre path leading to a group of four Awakened, positioned in a semicircle. The smell of burnt flesh filled the air, a nauseating mix that made stomachs churn. Along the path, pieces of bodies were scattered—arms and legs severed, some still covered in plasma residue and shimmering dust. The presence of this dust indicated something alarming: those who had fallen had tried to use Astrostone to merge technology with organic matter.
It was a reckless risk. The underground cyber-surgery clinics offered counterfeit implants for those wanting power quickly, but the quality was poor and unstable. The Cyberpsychos knew this, but still, they had attacked. And now, seven bodies lay on the ground, mutilated and unrecognizable. But there was one problem.
Where was the eighth member of the gang?
In the center of the Awakened semicircle, a figure kneeled, trembling uncontrollably. His breath was erratic, and his body sweated so intensely that it seemed to be melting under pressure.
- Please! Please, don't kill me! - he whimpered, his voice choked with panic. - I was forced to participate! I had no choice!
The man at the center of the Awakened group took a step forward. His voice, cold and sharp as a blade, cut through the air with deadly precision.
- Everyone has choices. You just made the wrong one. - His eyes gleamed with a threatening intensity. "But I can ease your sentence… if you tell me who ordered this attack.
The criminal swallowed nervously, his wide eyes pleading for mercy.
- I… I don't know the name! - he stammered, desperate. - I never saw his face… He wore a skull mask! He never attended the meetings, always sent a spokesperson!
The Awakened sighed, the sound low and impatient, as if dealing with a child.
- You didn't help much.
In a move so fast it seemed unreal, the man extended his hand and grabbed the criminal by the neck, with his other hand firmly on his shoulder. Then, with a brutal gesture, he split the criminal's body in half, top to bottom, as though tearing a piece of paper. The sound of flesh being torn filled the deadly silence, followed by the dull thud of the corpse halves hitting the ground.
The miners held their breath. None of them dared to move. The Awakened raised his eyes, and his fierce gaze swept across the crowd as if he could see into each of their souls. His eyes glowed with a deep red, tinged with amber, like embers burning in the dark. He was ready to attack anyone who dared question him.
But then, the fury on his face dissipated, as if a storm had calmed. Gradually, the red glow faded, giving way to a deep blue, like the sky before a storm. He took a deep breath, relaxing his shoulders.
- Forgive me for what you've just seen, - he said, turning to the miners. His voice was deep and firm, and despite the apology, there was no regret in his tone. He wiped the dust and blood from his cloak, maintaining an impeccable posture. "We thought no one was nearby because of the explosions."
His eyes scanned the crowd for a moment before continuing, his imposing presence unmistakable.
- Let me introduce myself. I am Ryūga Ch…
Before he could finish his sentence, a roar of excitement erupted from the miners. His name echoed through the space, and within seconds, the crowd ran toward him, surrounding him and the group of Awakened. Questions tumbled over each other. They wanted to know about his strength, about the fight, about the other Awakened with him.
The admiration was palpable. Even after witnessing a brutal murder, the miners did not see Ryūga as a monster. He was a hero. And Reiji felt the same. His weak body prevented him from fighting, but he dreamed. He dreamed of awakening, of becoming someone capable of protecting others. Like Ryūga.
And Ryūga Cho was not just any Awakened. He was a living legend. One of the founders of the Aurora Awakened Association. His stories had never been exaggerated. Now, before them, he proved that all the rumors were true.
His gray, unkempt hair contrasted with his severe expression. His penetrating eyes exuded authority, and the dark cloak he wore, inspired by traditional Eastern attire, only reinforced his image as an unrelenting warrior. He was not a man who bowed to threats. He was not someone who could be bought.
Farther back, Daiki and his companions watched in silence, their eyes fixed on the Awakened. Their plan for that night was compromised. Ryūga was an obstacle that couldn't be circumvented. He could not be deceived, he could not be bribed. If they were caught stealing, their fate would be the same as the Cyberpsychos dead on the ground.
Sweat ran down Daiki's forehead. His confidence was disintegrating, his hands trembling. He had never believed the rumors that Awakened could sense fear… but now, he was reconsidering everything he had heard.
Despite the miners' excitement, the Awakened ended the interaction politely and left. Ryūga was the last to go, leaping with a single push and disappearing into the air, as if he were part of the storm itself.
Silence reigned for a moment, as everyone looked up at the sky, awestruck. The emotion was palpable. This encounter would be remembered for months.
But soon, reality returned to Reiji. A hand on his shoulder made him turn. It was Mr. Chan, with his impassive gaze.
- Time for the extra shift, - he said, his voice firm.
Reiji nodded, his heart racing. This was the perfect moment. No one would notice his disappearance.