Episode 5:Rising Amidst Chaos

At Lab 404 headquarters, the atmosphere of the room was filled with large monitors with the appearance of coordinates, pulse charts, and satellite recordings. Technicians and analysts are busy at their respective work stations. The lights of the room are bluish, giving the impression of cold and tense. In the middle of the room, the captain stood staring at the main screen that displayed Shin's last position before his signal disappeared.
A long table is full of files and project blueprint. On it lying a small device sparkling red - a tracker that was biologically embedded in Shin's body. The technician rotates the lever and the tracker begins to emit a faint pulse, indicating he starts actively.
Command from the captain:
Reactivate Shin tracking with a satellite signal amplifier
Send special search units with temperature scanner drones and movements
Prepare the execution scenario secretly if the target is found in a civilian location

A screen displays the name of the mission: "Eclipse Operation - Reception of Subjects 404."
None of them know, Shin is now far different from the subject they used to catch.


# 1
Captain: Prioritize Shin's object above everything. Don't waste time with secondary targets.
Technician: The last coordinates have entered, but the signal is still fluctuating, captain.
Captain: Use thermal and infrared scanners, look for unnatural patterns. He is not an ordinary child.
Analyst: The ground and drone team is ready to depart. Need a launch permit?
Captain: Launch now. If you find it, don't wait for instructions. Secure or eliminate according to the protocol.
Technician: understood, active tracking is full in the count ... three ... two ... one ... Locking Target.



# 2
Analyst: captain, stable signal. Shin's object is detected at the same coordinates - old houses in the middle of the forest.
Captain: That house? Haven't we executed before?
Technician: Right, but it seems that someone survives there ... or disguises his existence well.
Captain: Send an elite team. Don't fail this time. I want certainty.
Analyst: The elite team is moving now. Estimated time arrives, 40 minutes.
Captain: Don't let him escape again. Not for the third time.



# 3
(Meanwhile at Soutarou's house, in the morning greeted with fresh air. Sunlight entered through an open wooden window. Akuro was relaxing on the verge of the window, staring at other birds flying in the distance. In the house, Soarutarou just finished bathing and looked at Shin who was huddled behind a chair with a towel still slided into the head.)
Soutarou: (Drying Hair with a Towel, Smiling)"Well, the second morning and you are still hiding from the bathroom? Come on, it's just water, not a monster."
Shin: (hiding face, shudder)"Still ... the water is cold ... evil ... wet ..."
Soutarou: (approaching, squatting in front of him)"You got yesterday. And you even look fresh after that. Besides, don't want to be a smelly cat, right?"
Shin: (looked a little, face annoyed)"It's better to be a smelly cat than entering the water trap again ..."
Soutarou: (chuckled, standing while opening the bathroom door)"Okay, I'm not forced. But the bathroom remains open, who knows you change your mind."
(Shin just glared at the bathroom door as if it was the portal to hell, while Soungarou walked away while shaking his head slowly, smiling amused.
(Akuro turned a moment and raised one of his wings as if to give up.)



# 4
(Soutarou was already in the kitchen, preparing breakfast. He turned on firewood fires, and put a few pieces of fish from yesterday's rod at a flat iron pan. The scent of fish began to fill the room, making the atmosphere warm and comfortable.)
(Meanwhile, Shin was still sitting not far from the bathroom. He continued to stare at the bathroom door with anxious expression, debate in himself.
Shin: (whispering to yourself, moody face)"I don't want to ... But ... if I don't take a shower, I will keep itchy ... and he will tease me again ..."
(He began to rise slowly, his feet trembled slightly as he approached the bathroom door.)
Shin: (sighed deeply, surrender expression)"Okay ... it's just fast ... don't get too wet ... I can."
(Door. The bathroom door is closed. A few seconds later ...)
Shin (from the bathroom):"Nyaaaaaaaaa !! COLD!! WET!!! Stop !!! "
(Soutarou who was turning the fish in the kitchen stopped immediately, holding back laughter.)
Soutarou: (staring at the bathroom while laughing softly)"Hahaha ... he started again ... even though he just hit a little water ..."
(The sound of screams and noise from the bathroom increasingly becomes - the hitch of splashing water, the clink of the dipper falls, and the sound of the cat roots as if it has been doused with rain water.)
Shin (shouting again):"I hate this! Bentenciii !! But I have to do it!"
(Soutarou just shook his head slowly while continuing to cook, while Akuro just looked away with the expression "again" before flapping his wings and sat on the kitchen cupboard.)




# 5
(Shin came out of the bathroom with half wet hair and his body wrapped in a towel. He seemed to shiver a little but managed to overcome his fear. A few moments later, he was wearing a clean clothes - still of Soutarou's loose shirt - and walked into the living room while rubbing his hair with a towel.)
(Soutarou was sitting in the living room with two plates of rice and grilled fish, as well as a simple soup bowl. He turned his head when he saw Shin in.)
Soutarou:"Oh, you're still alive. I thought the water had killed you just now."
Shin: (sitting, still upset)"I take a shower because I want. Not because you forced."
Soutarou: (grinning)"Yes, yes. But the screaming, made one forest think there was a disaster."
Shin: (staring intently)"Shut your mouth and give the soup."
(Soutarou handed the soup bowl at him while laughing softly. They began to eat calmly.)
Soutarou:"You know, the longer you look like normal humans."
Shin: (Eat slowly, while looking down)"I'm still a cat ... it's just ... a little adjusting."
(Akuro enters from the window and landing near the table, immediately staring at the fish on the plate.)
Akuro:"... for a little?"
Soutarou: (Take a small piece of fish and put it in a small bowl for akuro)"Take this, greedy bird."
(The three of them eat in a comfortable silence. Only the sound of nature from the outside and clinking the plates that accompanied that morning.)

# 6
Soutarou:"So ... after bathing twice, you are still alive. Great too."
Shin:"Don't be as if it's an achievement. I'm just ... trying to adapt."
Soutarou:"Adaptation? Wow, a cool word for a cat."
Shin:"If I can adapt, then I'm not an ordinary cat, right?"
Soutarou:"That's right. But your screams were ... not really."
Shin:"... do you want me to go back to the closet now?"
Soutarou:"Ng ... no, no. Sit. Eat. You need energy for ... scream tomorrow morning."
Shin:"Huh."
(Akuro just staring at the two of them then continued eating it yourself.)

# 7
Shin:"Soutarou ... why do you stay in an old house like this?"
Soutarou:"I like a place to calm down. There is no city noise. There is no one either."
Shin:"... except me."
Soutarou:"Yes, except you. But you ... not too noisy. Except when bathing."
Shin:"Why did everything go back to bath? Huh."
Soutarou:"Because it's the most noisy moment since this house was established, maybe."
Shin:"I can reply harder, you know?"
Soutarou:"I believe. But after eating, don't waste energy first."



# 8
Shin:"Why do you keep cooking yourself? Isn't it tired?"
Soutarou:"I'm normal. Besides, if not, who else? Akuro? He is just good at carrying fish."
Shin:"... if I learn to cook, you teach?"
Soutarou:"Hm? Sure. But don't let the kitchen flood."
Shin:"I'm not a child ..."
Soutarou:"You said while afraid of bathing water. You're so funny."
Shin:"Grrr ... I learned to cook so I can reply!"

# 9
Soutarou:"Hahaha, then I'll wait for your first cooking, Chef Shin."
Shin:"Don't call me Chef, I can't do anything ..."
Soutarou:"Well, all chefs also start from not being able to, right?"
Shin:"... you're right too."
Soutarou:"Then, after this we start the cooking lesson. But don't forget to wash your hands first."
Shin:"Ugh ... water again ..."
Soutarou:"Hehe, excited!"

# 10
After finishing eating, Soutarou and Shin began to clean up the cutlery together. Akuro sat near the door while cleaning his fur, looking relaxed and not interested in helping. Soutarou washed the dishes while Shin dried him. After everything was clean, they sat for a while in the living room, enjoying the calm atmosphere.
Suddenly…
A bip sound ... Bip ... heard from Shin's body. A small red light flickering faintly from behind his shirt.
Shin:"H-h-? What was that?!" (Staring confused at his body, panic)
Soutarou:"There is a sound ... from your body?" (rise quickly and approach)
Shin:"Perhaps...!" (lifting his shirt a little and seen a small thin plate embedded in the skin of the abdomen)
Soutarou: (his face hardened)"That ... tracker?! Since when did it stick to your body?"
Shin: (his voice began to tremble)"I-I ... I don't know! Maybe when I was in the lab ... they—"
Soutarou:"Damn ... they can track you now!"
The tracker brought brighter, making the sound of a beep that was getting faster. Shin began to panic, his body trembled a little. Soutarou immediately moved quickly, took his bag and started getting ready.
Soutarou:"We don't have much time ... we have to leave here immediately."


# 11
Soutarou:"Shin! Let's get out quickly! Take whatever you can!"
Shin: (Still panic, holding the tip of his shirt)"But ... what was the sound earlier?!"
Soutarou: (Stop for a moment, his eyes sharpened out the window)"... it's not an ordinary voice."
(Outside, the sound of WHOOSH from the sky - like something sliding at high speed. Soungarou immediately opened the door and looked out. His eyes widened.)
Soutarou:"No way! That's a rocket?!"
Shin: (running towards him, afraid)"WHAT?!"
Soutarou:"They want to bombard this house again?! As fast as this?!"
Shin:"K-we have to leave now, Soungarou!"
Soutarou: (gritting his teeth, then pulled Shin away from home)"Don't ask anything else-a day, now!"
(From a distance, the rocket sounds louder. Akuro flying low, following them from behind. The old house began to look small from behind them, and Siul's sharp sound from the sky began to sound in the direction of the building.)


# 12
(A fierce explosion was heard, the old house was broken.
Hunter 1:"The target has been moving! Tracks show a quick movement, with one other individual!"
Hunter 2:"Coordinates are accepted! They move northwest, 400 meters from the location of the explosion!"
Captain:"Hmph ... they think they can run away?"
Hunter 3:"Instruction, captain?"
Captain:"Direct all rockets to their movement path. Destroy everything in that path. We don't need caution anymore."
Hunter 1:"All rockets are prepared, the coordination of the path is locked."
Captain: (Crazy smile)"Starting in a row. This earth will vibrate until they have no place to run."
Hunter 2:"Rocket is launched in 3 ... 2 ... 1 ..."
(There was a series of rockets launching a rocket that split the air, towards the run of Shin and Soutarou's escape.)


# 13
Soutarou:"Shin! Strong grip! Don't look back!"
Shin:"W-what's just now!? Why is there a rocket!?"
Soutarou:"They are really crazy ... they don't care anything, the important thing is you are caught!"
Shin:"I don't understand ... why did they do this to me?"
Soutarou:"Because you are important. It's too important until they are willing to burn this forest for one living creature."
Shin:"If I keep with you ... you will—"
Soutarou:"Don't think about that! I'm already decided. I take care of you. So, just run with me, okay?"
Shin:"... o-oke ..."


# 14
Shin:"That voice ... the closer! They ... they won't stop huh!?"
Soutarou:"A heavy type of rocket ... crazy, this is no longer an ordinary pursuit. They really want to erase our footsteps."
Shin:"The t-the love starts to tremble ..."
Soutarou:"I know! The left direction, hurry! We have to get out of the explosion path!"
Shin:"Ugh—! The air behind is hot ...!"
Soutarou:"We almost get to the hills! Hold on a little more!"
Shin:"Soutarou ... I'm afraid ..."
Soutarou:"Me too. But we have no choice. I'll take you out of this hell!"


# 15
The explosion is getting closer. The ground trembled violently, the heat began to creep. The sound of a loud boom came from behind. Shin looked at Soutarou who kept pulling his hand while running. Suddenly, the sound of a heavy rocket drove very close and ...
Shin:"Soutarou ... you know, you are the only one who helped me ... why did you-why did you do this all?"
Soutarou: (glancing at Shin with a weak smile)"Because ... there is no reason for leaving someone who just wants to live quietly. Especially if he is your entire."
Shin:"I ... I don't want you to get hurt ..."
Soarutarou: (Tone seriously suddenly)"Close your eyes, Shin."
Shin:"What - eh? Why?!"
Soutarou immediately lifted Shin's body and without giving time to think, he threw Shin with all his might at the valley far in front of them, away from the falling point of the rocket that was too close.
Shin:"SOUTAAROUUUU !! NOOOOOOOOOO !!!"
The rocket exploded. Big fire and dust blared into the air. The figure of Soutarou was no longer visible among the kobaran. Only Shin's sound echoed between the sky and smoke that swallowed everything.





16
The hot wind is still blowing from the direction of the fire that burned the trees and the land where the house had stood. Shin sat on the ground, his knees trembled, and his body was full of dust. He looked at the burning flame with eyes that began to glaze over. Akuro flapped his wings, landed not far from him, but did not dare to approach.
Shin:(with a hoarse voice, almost whispering)"... why are you ... why do you have to do that ...?"
He clawed the ground with his own nails, his voice began to tremble.
Shin:"I'm nobody ... I'm not even a full human ... I'm just ... just the object of experimental ... why you ... why do you have to protect me?"
The tears began to break. He looked down, his body trembled strongly.
Shin:"Why don't you just run away ... why do you have to stay ..."
Shin turned a little towards Akuro who was just silent.
Shin:"He - he is still alive right ... right ... right ... he just ... falls ... or ..."
There is no answer. Only the sound of fire that burned and a small boom leftover rocket.
Shin:(tears restrained)"Soutarou ... if you hear ... return ... I don't care if you are evil or not ... as long as you live ..."
He sat there, did not want to move. Tears fell slowly to the ground which began to turn black due to ash.


# 17
The heavy steps of the hunters were heard from behind the smoke and fire that began to subside. Shin, who was still sitting, was not yet aware of their presence until the sound of mechanical devices was heard - sharp metal clicks through the air.
Shin:(glancing with red eyes)"...You guys..."
Without warning, a long metal hook slid quickly, hit his neck and locked tightly. Shin coughed hard, his body flinched back by the sudden pull of the steel cable.
Shin:(pain, shouting)"Akh! —Lemin! Let me go !!"
Hunter 1:(Locking Target)"Object #404 is in a stable condition. The lock is successful."
Shin:(stretching, trying to release the hook)"Damn ... you think I'm going to surrender?! I'm not your tool anymore!"
Hunter 2:(cold)"The object is too noisy. Prepare a sedative if necessary."
Shin:(bulging, gritting teeth)"You ... who killed him ... !!!"
He kicked wildly, clawed, but his body continued to be pulled roughly towards the small plane not far from there. Akuro, who hid behind the ruins, could only stare in silence - the head and wings moved restlessly.
Shin:(in a broken voice)"I won't be quiet. I'll come out again ... and I'll ... I'll repay everything !!"
The hook was pulled even harder, making Shin dragged, his face turned back towards the last flame. His eyes were still looking for one figure - even if he knew that hope was fading.


# 18
Shin was dragged to the helicopter stairs of the hunters. His body was half dragged, his neck was still bound by metal hooks. He still continued to stare at the flames, his steps were heavy, his gaze was empty.
Hunter 1:"Raise now. We have to leave before this region cannot be secured."
Hunter 2:(The target is still in a stable condition)"Prepare additional safety once he enters the helicopter."
Shin looked down, his hands clenched weakly. But when one step he touched the first step, a voice that he knew was heard from a distance - emphasized and full of anger.
Soutarou (shouted loud):"Now, Akuro !!"
Shin widened, his body reflexively turned to the sound. The hunters turned around, surprised because the voice should be impossible again.

# 19
The atmosphere changed drastically. From a distance, the fire burned was bigger, but it was precisely from there that a large silhouette that hovered in the air.
Akuro has now changed drastically - his body was enlarged, his wings were burning with the aura of blue fire, the eyes light like coals. On his back, it appeared that Soutarou was standing with a shiny black-red war.
Shin (stunned, soft):"S-Soutarou ...?"
Captain (shouted):"What is that ... that creature, how can him—?!"
Soarutou (cold):"You think I will die that easily? Attack formation ... active."
In an instant, the sky above they changed. Six giant magic circles appear like the gate in the sky, and the red lasers are burning from each center. Akuro lifted his body higher, gathering fire in his mouth.
Soutarou:"Laser Inferno ... Shoot!"
Booom !!Air laser hit a helicopter with brutal precision. Large explosions soared, two of the helicopters were immediately destroyed, the debris was flying, hunters bounced.
Hunter 3 (panic):"This is not an ordinary human! We are attacked by high -class magic creatures!"
Captain (shouting angry):"All troops, attack back! Don't let them run away!"
But the power of Soungarou and Akurou looked too big. They floated above, untouched, dominating battles with magical pressure that made the hunters tremble.


# 20
The sky is full of flames. Two helicopters fell on fire again, exploding in the air after unable to withstand the Laser Inferno. Debris falling down the ground.
Captain (shouted on the radio):"The two and three helicopters were destroyed! Activate the defensive mode - don't let them approach!"
Soutarou glanced at Akuro and nodded quickly.
Soutarou:"Akuro, formation two. Activate."
Akuro (heavy voice, change shape):"Two formation ... Human fashion, active."
In dazzling light, Akuro changes. His human form appeared - a tall young man with his eyes burning fire, dark red hair lights up, and a long coat waved.
He floated for a moment, then spread his hand towards the hunting troops. The series of fire arrows came out of his hand - the sake of the arrow was red, dancing in the air and then stabbed the ground and enemy vehicles, exploding loudly.
Hunter 1:"Fire arrow !! Hiding !!!"
The explosion threw them back. Cracked soil, smoke soaring. When the smoke hasn't completely disappeared—
Soutarou:"We go down."
They both slid down in a cool style. Dust and broken stones flying as they landed with a strong pounding.
A series of shots welcomed them, bullets fluffed. But Soungarou raised a prism -shaped energy shield that held all shots without a single shot.
Hunter 4:"Shot everything you have! Hajar him !!"
Soarutou (firm):"Nobody escaped this."
Akuro ran fast, a large fire sword appeared in his hand. In one slash, two hunters bounced, their weapons were destroyed. The heat from the slash made the burnt soil black.
Captain (furious):"Hold on position !! They are only two people !! Hold it !!"
But the pressure of the battlefield has now changed. The two figures are not just two ordinary people - they are storms.



# 21
Explosions and smoke are still left in the battle area. Soutarou took a deep breath, then released it slowly.
Soutarou (serious):"The third formation ... absolute sealing."
His body began to be surrounded by blue fire that rotates like a vortex. In an instant, he disappeared from sight. What looks only a flash of light and fast slash like wind.
Hunter 1 (panic):"Where is he?!"
Hunter 2 (shouted):"He ... he moves too fast !!"
In a matter of seconds, all hunters one by one collapsed - they were broken, and their bodies were unconscious, only minor injuries. Nobody died, but no one was able to rise.
Soutarou reappeared in the middle of the field with his sword lowered to the ground, the flames went out slowly from his body.
Soutarou:"It's finished."
He raised his hand, whispered the spell.
Soutarou (weak):"Water spell ... Purpose Rain."
Black clouds are formed quickly over the field, and it rains heavily to extinguish all the fire of the rest of the war. Wet soil, dead fire, air feels calmer. But Soutarou fell to his knees, fatigue.
Shin (surprised, his eyes widened):"They ... this op ...?"
Soutarou got up slowly, then walked towards Shin. Akuro, still in its human form, follows from behind with a sharp gaze.
Akuro (cold):"Tracking kit."
He raised his sword and in an instant—
Shin:"W-what?! Wait-aaaagh !!"
The sound of metal is cut down, a little blood appears on the side of Shin's body. He gritted his teeth because of pain. But before he could complain - Akuro's hand touched his wound, emitting a soft blue light.
Shin (silent, panting):"Eh ... it's gone? It feels gone ..."
The wound disappeared in an instant, not leaving a mark.
Akuro:"Heal is over."
Akuro's body began to shine, flakes of light like stars came out of his body. He looked at Shin for the last time, then his body shrinked and turned back into a small -winged animal.
Soutarou (smiling tired):"Let us go home..."
The three of them stood under the rest of the light rain, slowly away from the former battlefield which was now quiet.


The rain slowly stopped, leaving a thin fog that covered the destroyed forest area. The land that had been scorched was now starting to cool by water. In the midst of the ruins and bodies fainted the hunters, only three figures still stand: Shin, Soutarou, and Akuro in his small form.
They walked slowly leaving the location, past the war scar that had just occurred. Their footsteps are light but silent, only the sound of droplets of water and the winds of wind accompanying.
Shin occasionally looked back, staring at the rest of the destruction and smoke that was still steaming. His face was still a little shocked, but now there is a new light in his eyes - the light of a new sense of security.
Soutarou led in front, his body was slightly shaken because of fatigue, but a faint smile remained drawn on his face. On his shoulders, Akuro fell asleep, fatigue due to draining great energy.
In the sky, clouds began to move away. The sun penetrated the thin fog, creating a faint rainbow between the burning trees. Without words, they left the battlefield ... but not as an escape, but as a survivor who would face their next destiny.

The view looks broad from the forest that is scraped by fire and water, leaving an adventure shadow that has not ended.
- to be continuous.