Grey: Monsters

Her size wasn't as big as a Nephilim, gigantic in nature. Rather, she looked human, with an average height of seven feet.

Her entire existence was a shock to Ryuma, and his facial expression was a testament to that. While on the outside he looked stupefied, it was the same inside. His mind replayed different memories he had never experienced. Whose memories were these? he wondered. In all of them, one individual was constant—Nera, the being standing in front of him.

Nera looked over to Anix's direction, where Anix was still on her knees.

"You have done well, Anix. You can take a rest now."

"I wish to stay by your side, my master."

"..."

Nera remained quiet after hearing Anix, then moved her gaze to Ryuma, locking her auburn eyes with his.

"Make sure to remove that device planted in you."

"Yes, my master."

Anix touched her neck and removed a small tracking device Leonard had placed on her. She then crushed it with her fingers.

Nera walked majestically to Ryuma. She raised her hand, and an orb appeared from thin air.

"Brace yourself. This might hurt a little."

"Huh?"

She placed the orb on Ryuma's chest, and immediately he began to shout as a black, slimy substance was drawn into the orb. The slime took form and emerged as a clone of Ryuma, except his clothes weren't cloned along with him.

"Wh-What did you do?!"

Ryuma grunted, sweating profusely and panting.

Nera kept quiet and stared at the clone, who was busy examining himself. He clenched his fists and touched his skin.

"This…"

"It's a temporary vessel, Xeno. I wouldn't advise you to get your hopes up," Nera explained briefly.

"B…? Is that you?" Ryuma asked softly.

"It's me, but…what is this strange feeling?" B looked at Ryuma's chest. "I can feel my energy from you. It's like I've been cut in half."

"That's the same trick as Wolot's…" Ryuma said and then looked at Nera. "How are you able to do that?" he asked.

"Surely I split his energy in two, but I have no control over the appearance he took. But that aside, my reason for bringing you out is simple, Xeno."

Nera wrapped her arm around B's neck, hugging him tightly.

"I've missed you so much, Xeno," she whispered, holding him for some time.

Ryuma watched them attentively before speaking.

"I know I might be interrupting some reunion, but can you explain what's going on?"

"Hmm, that's right. Permit my sudden behavior, but I couldn't help feeling happy to see Xeno once again," Nera said, releasing her embrace.

"Once again?" Ryuma asked.

"That's right. Ryuma—or should I call you Hybrid? Well, either way, I've called you here because we need each other."

Nera's appearance was unique. Perhaps "unique" wasn't the right word, but there wasn't one to classify her. If there were, it would have to mean different.

'Is she an alien? Does she eat humans like those other Nephilims?'

So many questions ran through Ryuma's head.

"Erm…let's rephrase that. How about saying you kidnapped me? I think that sounds a little more relatable to the event."

"Take it however you please. I couldn't care less. What's more important is that you are here, and so am I. Nothing more, nothing less."

"So why did you bring me here?" Ryuma asked, looking at the cuffs holding his hands together and hindering his transformation.

"I summoned you here to give you the answer you most deserve."

Nera's words triggered Ryuma's interest.

"Everything?" he asked.

"Yes, everything. About my home, why we came to your planet, and more about yourself. I'm sure you haven't realized it yet, but you have less than five calendar months left."

"Eh?"

Ryuma sat there in shock. Her message was vague yet clear. There were many ways to interpret it, but for some reason, his thoughts moved toward one harsh interpretation.

***

In an office with a round table leaving an opening at the center, several people sat around, looking at Leonard, who stood in the opening.

The air in the room was thick—so thick that a mere Ranger couldn't stand the pressure. Yet Leonard remained unfazed, staring at the man in front of him.

Mark Redstone, a man in his sixties with gray hair, wrinkles decorating his face, and an unpleasant expression, was the head of captains in the United States. Seated around him were captains from different regions of the States.

"So, you are saying that a young lady stepped into the helicopter, snatched the Nephilim, and ran away–"

"He is not a Nephilim. He's a human," Leonard interrupted Mark with a calm look.

"The worst part of this is the way this motherf***er stands for that monster. I think there's a connection here," one of the captains voiced.

"Yes! There is a connection…" Another opened a tablet displaying Squad Seven members. "...he goes by the name Tokita Ryuma, a member of Squad Seven, which our friend here is in charge of."

Mark sighed and glanced at Leonard, his eyes showing concern.

"Captain Leonard, please remove sentiment from this and tell us the truth. What happened back there?!"

"With all due respect, Chief, I want you to give me one reason I should lie about this."

Both Mark and Leonard locked eyes for some time.

"If you don't want to speak, then I have no choice but to put you in detention until you decide to open up. Herbert Leonard, here on out, you are stripped of your rank and relieved of your duty in charge of Squad Seven in the Japanese base. You will be held in the cell until you decide to come clean."

Mark's voice thundered.

"Wait a minute, Chief. Don't you think it's a little too much? I mean, it's Leo. Why should he lie about this? What's his gain?"

One of the captains stood up from his chair. He looked rather young compared to the rest, with brown, shoulder-length hair and defined facial muscles, emphasizing his well-shaped jawline.

"Alann!" Mark called out to him.

"Yes, Chief?"

"Take Leonard to his cell. This meeting is over."

"Yes, Chief."