Normal

Sayaka wiped the sweat from her brow, her breathing steady as the darkness slowly dissipated from the Spatial Zone.  Carcasses lay in her wake, vanishing with the distortion until no evidence of battle remained. 

The moon brightened once more, reflected on amber eyes. The creatures she had slain were low level demons. She was aware they were once human, but her gaze on the now empty space was cold, unremorseful.

"Unlucky of them to have fought me."   

Her fingers still tingled from the residual energy, and a faint glow of the Leveling Up notification flickered before her eyes.

She studied the screen, scrolling through her stats. 

Sayaka Kurosawa 
Level: 5
Age: 21
Race: Seraph
Class: Novice Mage
HP: 140
MP: 1
Strength: 1
Magic: 4 
Agility: 1
Intelligence: 1
Faith Points: 1

“It’s nice that my health increases passively as I level up,” she whispered to herself.

A soft hum rippled through the air as she called out, “Rafael.”

A figure shimmered into view beside her, wings folding slightly as he approached. The familiar presence brought a sense of calm.

“Congratulations on your victory,” Rafael said, his voice gentle but firm.

“Sure,” Sayaka replied, her eyes shifted toward his direction before returning toward the screen. A breath of reflection traced her mind. 

“Why did it feel like I was unable to cast near the end?” she finally asked.

“That is because you lacked the mana capacity to wield the amount you desired,” Rafael responded, eyes hidden behind a white blindfold. “If you wish to cast more freely, I recommend allocating a point or two to MP.”

"MP, huh?" 

Sayaka paused for a moment. The sound of sirens could be heard in the distance. Her normal life was over, the least she could do was adapt with it. If the world was under attack, she wasn't going to just watch.

"Fine." A hand angled toward the screen, pressing a button on its interface. "I'll put one into MP."

Sayaka exhaled quietly, lowering her hand. The glow on her fingertips dissolved into the moonlight.

Rafael’s wings shimmered faintly beside her, untouched by the human eye. “A wise decision,” he said. “More mana means more endurance, and control.”

“Control, huh…” She looked down the empty street. She didn't know whether to pity or envy those who weren't chosen, but it didn't matter, maybe it was best they remained unaware of what lingered between worlds.

“Let’s go home,” she murmured.

Rafael inclined his head. “As you wish.”

Sayaka turned. A final whisper left her lips.

“Wait for me, Ren… Mom.”

Her footsteps echoed softly on the pavement as her figure vanished into the quiet neighborhood streetlights.

__________

Morning light cracked through closed curtains, illuminating a dark room. Ren stirred awake to a silenced alarm at his bedside. Rubbing his eyes into focus, he paused, staring at the fan spinning faintly above him. 

It was quiet. Too quiet. 

Ren lifted himself upright, swinging his feet over the edge of the bed. He studied the room.

No Aira.

Was it really all a dream?  He thought, as he lifted his hand toward the thin light.

A sigh snuck out his lips. His Seraph mark, still clear, etched into his skin.

"Aira?" He questioned as he brought himself up to his feet.

All though he thought it was odd she wasn't responding, he wasn't going to beg for a response. He thought she probably exhausted herself trying to get him to fight. Ren wasn't going to let this blissful silence go to waste.

Carefully opening his room's door, he made his way through a quiet home. Reaching the sink, the mirror caught his figure, light muscles that weren't there before, toned his body. 

"This is a cheat code." He said as he cupped his hands under the running water. He let it spill over into the sink, his eyes lost in the ripples.

"This isn't normal." He muttered as he splashed his face clean.

When he was finished with his morning rituals, he angled toward the stairs down. A mother's muffled voice, could be heard below. As he descended closer toward her, her conversation became clear. 

 “Yes… I understand. Don’t stop until you’re through. Call me right away if you have any problems at the first gate. Keep your ID ready. Please, Sayaka... just be careful.” Her voice trembling near the end.

Ren froze mid-step. The name hit him like a pulse.

Sayaka.

He leaned closer to the door, the words blurring together until only fragments reached him. Then a long pause. A soft, “Okay… I’ll be waiting,” and the call ended.

Ren stepped into the living room. His mother turned, startled, clutching her phone like she’d been caught doing something forbidden.

“Ren! You scared me how long were you standing there?”

“Just woke up,” he said, wiping his face with a towel. “Was that…?”

She hesitated, eyes flickering down to the phone. Then she nodded.

"Your sister. She said she finally is allowed through the checkpoints."

"Checkpoints?"

"I'm not too sure myself with all this." She placed her phone down on the table next to her. "Apparently, the Japanese government partnered up with a newly established organization. I think it’s called the Seraph Legion.”

"And?" Ren held his stare from the doorway.

"And they collectively issued checkpoints across every city." She continued quietly. "Something about they only let people who register with the Seraph Legion and have reached level five or higher. I think that's what she said."

Ren blinked. He remembered briefly skimming past a few news posts about Seraphs establishing an independent organization.

"What." His head shook as a hand covered his eyes. "Do they think this is a game?" He muttered. 

His mom tilted her head in confusion. "What do you mean?" She asked.

"A guild. A common plot device in games and anime." He let out a small chuckle. 

"I don't see the harm. They are trying to protect us from those things..."

"Life's not a game, Mom!" He snapped. 

His mother lowered her eyes, confused at what she said wrong.

"Sorry," Ren looked at her, he regretted letting his emotions take control over him. "I just want us to be happy. I want us to be normal."

His mother looked at her worried son. She walked over, wrapping her hands around him. A breath of silence aired between them.

"When will she get here?" He finally asked.

"This afternoon." 

The room fell silent. Morning light stretched across the living room floor, tracing over quiet memories that once felt normal.

_________

Somewhere far south...

Sayaka tightened the strap of her duffel bag, exhaling as the automated announcement echoed across the station. The sleek body of a bullet train waited beyond the glass, doors sliding open with a hiss.

Osaka to Tokyo. One-way.

Rafael hovered silently behind her as they found their seat inside.

Her eyes wandered to the guards pacing along the platform, directing and confirming last-minute passengers. The letters on their pressed uniforms caught the light...“SL.”

Her gaze lifted to the sky, the faint shimmer of light reflecting in her eyes.

“I’m coming home,” she whispered.