LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 16: Memories
The street, so lately a maelstrom of cacophony and bloodshed, is now silent.
The shattered bricks and splintered wood of what remains from the monstrous attack are cast about the street.
Hiro approaches his eyes, full of wonder and thanks, catch Akira standing amidst the destruction, unmoved and firm.
Hiro: sounds astonished in his voice.
"I...I don't believe it, Akira."
"That power...you really awakened didn't you?"
Akira: He nodded a little firmly and his face was tranquil as an intense flame.
"Yeah"
"It is real as you see now."
"This gate was D-Rank it was one of the lowest levels."
He looks around, his gaze sweeping across the ruined street and the eerie silence that has seized it.
Akira:
"They where just some minor pests."
Hiro still in awe, nodding to analyze Akira's expression
"Minor pests, huh?"
"I mean, I'd be dead if you hadn't been here."
"Thanks, Akira."
Akira he turns to Hiro.
"Forget it, Hiro."
"You are the real hero"
"You did great protecting that girl; most wouldn't have reacted leaving her behind."
"But Akira..."
Akira raised his voice stopping Hiro for contiune any further.
"Just don't be reckless anymore."
"Hiro if you didn't run to protect that girl i won't have lifted a finger to protect the others so you are the one they should be thankful" - Akira thought
One final glance is cast down the street, in the direction of his grandmother's residence.
Akira turning to look back at Hiro.
"I really need to go now."
"Here is my number if anything happens don't mind to call me any time"
He says, nods briefly to Hiro, and turns away; in going down the street, his figure melts as though he never existed.
As the last faint echoes of the battle die, night descends heavily upon the scene.
Hiro stands near the wreckage, still shook but his eyes set, his mind racing with how he will protect Akira's secret.
He's barely caught his breath when the unmistakable sound of boots hitting pavement draws his attention.
A team of operatives from T.E.R.R.A.
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TERRA or Terrestrial Emergency Response and Research Agency is the powerful organization formed in order to deal with these threats on Earth-be it dungeons or monsters. Events are studied for their origin and pattern, believing that they are part of some larger cosmic plan. Such an agency operates through specialized divisions:
R&D: Develops the technology and equipment to analyze and contain the threats of the dungeons.
Field Investigation: On-site data gathering and first-line response.
Containment & Control: Trained in the neutralization or containment of high-risk monsters or awakens who abuse their superpowers.
Historic & Arcane Studies: Studies the mystical origin of dungeons.
They collaborate with STARS, the elite awakened fighters, in their mission for the safety of citizens and investigations into newly arising threats.
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They show up with angular, commanding steps, in neat uniforms emblazoned with the logo of their company.
A person Tall, clean-cut, he steps forward.
His eyes cut onto Hiro with an innate, acumen-filed stare.
T.E.RR.A Agent 1:
"Excuse me, sir."
"We need to ask a few questions about the incident here."
Hiro:
"Sure… I-I'll help however I can."
T.E.RR.A Agent 1 noting the scene with practiced calm
"Can you tell us who was responsible for taking down these monsters?"
Hiro looks toward the wreckage-the memory of Akira's power still fresh in his mind.
"I can't afford to tell him about his identity he told us to keep it quiet for a while"
Hiro trying not to have his voice quiver
"I don't really know much , I… I fainted during the attack."
"It was confusingly chaotic."
He stops for a moment, then says,
"I can only remember some powerful person came in and handled the situation."
T.E.RR.A Agent 2: raising an eyebrow, incredulous
"Somebody powerful, huh?"
"Anything special you can tell us about them?"
Hiro swallows and chooses his words.
I'm sorry, I didn't see very well."
"It was all so quick..but… the power they used… it was tremendous."
"He moved as if he had dealt with those monsters countless time"
The first agent simply nods and makes some incomprehensible notes.
T.E.RR.A Agent 1:
"Understood."
"We'll investigate this matter further."
He turns to Hiro for a moment.
"Thank you for your cooperation."
"If you remember anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us."
Just as Hiro is about to let out a sigh of relief, a sleek, black vehicle glides up to the curb.
Its door opens, and out steps
Daichi Gean an imposing figure, his controlled presence intimidating.
An A-Rank STAR
His gaze pierces the street as if he were already reading off the remnants of this battle.
Daichi walks up to the agents, speaking in a low tone, laced with calm authority.
"What have we got here?"
He says, his eyes wandering across the aftermath, curiosity sharpening his expression just a tad.
"Who cleaned this outbreak so fast?"
T.E.RR.A Agent 1 bowing his head slightly
"Sir, we spoke to a witness who said he saw one powerful person that took care of the monsters before he passed out."
Daichi's frown deepens, his eyes narrowing again as he looks back to the scene.
"A Single powerful person, huh?"
He drums his fingers contemplative.
"Low-rank monsters or not, to shut down an outbreak that fast means they're either incredibly skilled or they're concealing a higher rank."
He turns back to the agents.
"I want everything on this person."
"Ask around...I want to know exactly who they are and what they're capable of."
T.E.RR.A Agent 2:
"But the problem is because the energy unleashed from the outbreak the cameras around the area are useless"
Daichi:
I don't give a crap find him.
T.E.RR.A Agent 2:
"Yes sir."
"We'll start the search immediately."
The agents fan out, faces set in determination as they begin to comb the area for clues.
Daichi stays behind, scanning the scattered evidence and attempting to piece together the scene.
Daichi watches as his team gets to work; meanwhile, his mind races.
Out there, someone managed to handle these creatures so decisively, and he's intent on finding him.
His instincts scream that whoever it is, they're no ordinary fighter.
Meanwhile, Akira is away from all that, utterly unaware of the stir his actions had, and the attention he has gotten himself in
After his long day, Akira checks into a small, quiet hotel on the outskirts of town.
His room was moderately sized but comfortable; the bed was made with care, and a window let out onto the glowing skyline some distance away.
He lands at the bed then, he is fast asleep, drifting into one of the precious memories of his life.
He finds himself again at his family's villa in a farm: this modest, beautiful farmhouse nestled in a valley, with rolling hills and fields filled with sunlight with tints of gold.
Himself, no more than eight years old, runs round the garden, full of overwhelming laughter.
The late afternoon warmth bathes all in gentleness.
He is light, utterly without care.
"Catch me if you can!"
He calls his father out, the deep, joyful voice carrying across the fields as he makes after him.
Akira bursts into a fit of giggles as he runs across the lawn, his father's laughter joining his.
Shiro Shoto, ever smiling, made a point to run just slow enough so Akira could stay ahead and feel that he outran his dad.
"Daddy, you're too slow!"
Kid Akira teases over his father
"Oh, is that so?"
His father laughs, picking up speed for a moment to close the gap.
Akira squeals at the thrill of his dad's playful "threat.".
His mother, upon the porch, watches them both with a soft smile, her hands wrapped round a mug of tea.
Her hair catches the soft light of the sun; it outlines her gentle face in an oaken frame.
Clapping her hands, she cheers on both, her voice full of pride.
"Akira, keep going!"
"Don't let him catch you!"
She calls out, laughing, shining eyes full of love.
Akira runs around the tree, trying to get out of his father's reach, who then swoops in, picking him up with ease.
He squeals again, and his father spins him in the air-twirling him around, his grip firm yet so full of warmth.
Finally, he sets Akira down, and Akira's laughter is joined by his father's, their sound melting into one perfect harmony of happiness.
Out of breath and grinning, young Akira runs to his mother, hugging her tightly.
She kneels down, embracing him softly as her fingers run through his hair, soothing and loving.
"Mom,"
He says, softer now,
"Why do you and Daddy always make me laugh so much?"
She looks down at him, her gaze tender.
"Because, Akira,"
She says, brushing a lock of hair out of his face,
"We want you to know that no matter what happens in the world, you have a place where you're safe, loved, and happy."
His father steps forward, swooping an arm around them both.
"Family is everything," he says, his voice firm and proud.
"And we are always here for each other."
"Always."
Akira nods as a young boy, the warmth of both his parents around him. In this moment, he feels invincible-protected, cherished, complete.
The world beyond their little farm doesn't matter.
His heart was full, his smile effortless.
"Thanks for taking care of me and making me laugh daddy and mommy when i grown up i will be the one to protect and make you happy" - Kid Akira said laughting as his parents start to laugh at their kid cheerful words
As the memory fades, Akira's chest feels tight, a bittersweet ache filling the space where his parents once stood.
The innocence of those days, that pure happiness, feels like a world away.
Lying there in the quiet of the hotel room, Akira closes his eyes tighter, his fists clenching.
That memory of his parents, of laughter and safety, is a reminder of everything he's lost—and everything he's fighting for.
He vows again,
"I promised to protect you and here we are atleast i will make sure everyone pays."
"I'll make them pay for every single thing i swear on every cell i have they will regret they where born into this world"