Another

The crowds of Okubo continue to enjoy the nights warm weather. The joyful symphony reaches Cato’s ears, but his eyes focus on the skies above.

“What do you think?” Tenki said as he hopped onto the same roof as Cato.

“Your world is beautiful. There are as many stars here as there are back home. There is so much I would like to see here, but this may not be a world that wants me here.”

“I’m sorry about all that has happened. I never expected that they knew about magic and the other world.”

“You’ve spoken with your wife now. Where does your mind sit?”

“I’m unsure about what we should do. I don’t want to put everyone in danger.”

“May I ask Aimi some questions? Gathering information on what they know will be crucial to keeping our homes and people safe.”

“I’m sorry, I can’t ask that of her.”

“I know. You love your woman as much as I love mine.”

“I will help of course; we know that there have been others at least.”

“That is true. Stella’s idea that people are disappearing to another world was right, we must find why and how to stop it. After we finish, it will be best to close the passage between our worlds and stop the disappearances.”

“It could mean goodbye.”

“As painful as it may be, the safety of our worlds is a fair exchange for our parting. Although, I will miss you.”

“As will I, all of you. Do you think it would be possible for us to coexist?”

“No.” Aimi said, “Our worlds would tear each other apart.”

“My people are not as violent as you believe them.” Cato said.

“Self defense is often used as an excuse to hide violence. Tenki, if we can close the passage, we should. You can return to us at last. Everyone has missed you, and I don’t want to lose you again.”

“Of course, I would love to. But could I live a normal life here? Your organization knows who I am, and it can be difficult to hide my magic.”

“If you lay low it will be fine.” Aimi stops, answering a phone call on a strange, small phone, “Aimi speaking… another?” She looks at Cato and Tenki, “Ok. I’m leaving now.”

“What is it?”

“I have to go. Tenki, Cato, don’t follow me.” Aimi waits for a response that never comes, “You’ve changed, Tenki.”

“How so?”

“I was once your entire world, but you have so much more now.” Aimi wipes a tear away, “I wanted nothing more than to find you these past six years, but time has drifted us apart. I’m not even sure how to speak to you anymore.”

“I still love you, but I cannot agree with what you do. I’m sorry.”

“I know. One day you will understand, the dangers of magic are too great.”

After Aimi leaves, Cato scans the area for her. She’s lost in the crowd, even his great eyes are unable to track her within the massive crowd.

“Are you coming with me?” Cato said.

“May I ask you to return home with me?”

“Home? They could be going after one of our own.”

“Causing any more trouble at this moment could be dangerous.”

“I’m sorry, Tenki, leaving them alone in this is not an option. Furthermore, if it is someone like Alba or Stella, they’ll be far more trouble for this world.”

“I won’t stop you, but I can’t go.”

“I understand.” Cato holds his hand out.

“This isn’t goodbye.”

“Indeed. Unfortunately, we both understand what may come. I’ve enjoyed our adventures together.”

“You will not be my enemy.” Tenki shakes Cato’s hand, “I promise to make this better.”

“You’re the hero, I shouldn’t doubt you now.”

Small blinking lights fly in between the clouds. Six in total, belonging to high speed helicopters designed to chain a target or rip it apart should the need arise.

Within each helicopter are six soldiers ready for their mission. A captain or one of similar level in each, the other soldiers inside look to their strongest for courage as they head to face a power unlike anything they wield. Their power is in numbers and strategy, but even that can fail against powers almost divine.

“One minute from target… Ms. Aimi?”

“Sorry? Oh, yes. Remain high until instructed otherwise. Everyone else, we will be jumping from the clouds, prepare your suits.”

Blue lights from the suits of armor inside the helicopter brighten the area. Fuel harvested from Mundi native’s magic, it gives the soldiers supernatural strength, though only the handful at the top of their organization has displayed great power from the power source.

“Any word on the escapees, Aimi? Could this be one of them?”

“I doubt it. They wouldn’t be so careless as to be caught after just escaping.”

“Ready?!”

“Open!”

At her command, the doors of the helicopter swing open. Within a second, 36 soldiers in shining armor jump.

Their target is just below, walking amongst the trees towards the tall buildings that are the only signs of life for a great distance. They continue forward, unaware of soldiers approaching from above.

The soldiers land, surrounding their target within an instant and pointing their weapons. They wait for their command, each soldier on edge after report of their strongest being overwhelmed by two. For those far weaker, they fear being mauled while helpless.

“Who are you? Do you know where we are?”

A young lady, she clutches at her skirt as those around her approach in silence. She turns, searching for a way to escape as she now understands what they are here for.

“Remain still, and we won’t hurt you.” Aimi said.

“Where are we?”

“We can explain that later. Please, come with us.”

“No. I don’t even know who you are.”

“That’s enough, ready.” Tosen said, “Fire.”

“Ahh!”

The electrical bullets are fired, a swarm of hornet-like bullets moments away from hitting their target. They never reach; each bullet falls to the ground as a tall man appears by the woman.

“Switch to kill!”

Tosen’s order is immediate, recognizing the new arrival and leading the charge with a switch to regular bullets. In the second that it takes to switch their weapons, however, their guns are sliced in two.

Everyone apart from the leading five are stunned by the sudden display of power. Should they move, they risk facing a similar fate as their weapons.

“I got you.” Chika slices at Cato from behind, missing as he spins away with the Mundi woman in his hands.

“You, I know you.” She said as she hangs from Cato’s shoulder.

“An honor to be recognized even in another world, what is your name miss?”

“Lydia.”

“Well, Lydia. Don’t worry, I’ll keep you safe.”

“Please, make sure you aren’t hurt.”

“Don’t worry, they have no idea how to use magic. Still, it’s best if I end this in one move. Taking out their strongest will be of use to us as well. Hm?”

Cato jumps back, the next attack led by Aimi. The five leaders follow, their strikes well coordinated as each swing of their blades aim for a different limb. A careless step will end with Cato losing a larger piece of his body.

“It can be difficult to fight like this. Wind storm.”

“Woah!”

The next attack of the AMDO soldiers is intercepted by a powerful gust of wind that sends them flying back. They all brace, the force of the wind like that of a crashing wave they can only resist by digging their fingers into the dirt.

“They’re gone.” Ino said.

“Unbelievable. That guy was playing with us.” Ichigo said.

“Get scouting groups within the vicinity, even he must make a careless move.” Tosen said.

“I’m going home.” Aimi said.

“What? We need to hunt that one down.”

“Someone as skilled as that won’t allow himself to be found, not with what we have. I’ll be on call; searching isn’t my expertise anyway.”

“Fine. The rest of you prepare to leave.” Tosen waits for everyone to leave the area, “Aimi, is something wrong?”

“No. I just need to rest before jumping into action once more. I will be ready.”

“Very well. Get the rest you need.”