"The Black Storm" (001)

- Unknown City, Monday, 3:00 pm -

On "that" day, a lonely structure stood far from the city center, with the minimum effort put into its construction but a modern appearance.

The sound of the keyboard being pressed echoed throughout the large room, as static continued to be heard in the present.

A man walked in from the side, near a desk.

"How is his physical adjustment going?"

"We're now investigating the specifics of his "Time Shifting" talent, sir. It appears to have been acquired from the God of Time, whose name we do not know."

"The details indicate mild weariness of this boy's physique, as well as many limbs that have been separated from their correct position. This child looks to have been slain for a long time, possibly over 3 years, yet the corpse has yet to replenish or scatter."

"Is there a way to speed up the adjustments? We must have it completed as quickly as feasible..."

"Other than utilizing the Oil, I'm afraid there are no other options for speeding up. However, combining the oil with this water poses a risk that we should avoid. It has the potential to damage this boy's body and entirely obliterate his Time Shifting."

"Those changes must be done as quickly as possible, therefore we must accept that risk. For the time being, that should suffice."

"Yes, sir, but... If we accept the risk, the reward will be more than expected. The entire world's time is coming to an end. There may be huge havoc if we fail and the power goes crazy..."

"We don't have time to wait for his body to be ready; we need to modify his sequential potential and suck out the Talent of Time Shifting."

"Yes, but the Planet's degradation may be fatal!"

"If I command you to do so and insist on it, then pay attention and accept those risks. We'll restore his Soulless body before annihilating it. It is vitally important to transfer his strength to our 'Project 099.' The entire project might be squandered if the modified Time Shifting isn't passed across, and we'll gain nothing. Now hurry up and return to work."

"O-Okay! Sir, I understand; please accept my apologies! We'll start making changes right now. Back to programming and absorption, everyone!"

The guy moved away, entering the next-door chamber, directing the expert scientists.

A capsule was laying on the floor in front of the man.

The guy closed in on the simple bottom, where a man had been sleeping nude in his underpants.

"Of course, no steps will be taken by you... Oh, my goodness. I recall a 'Project 099'... I needed to use your body and access your memories, but the ripped body looks to be more adequate than the shattered bodies I had previously. I was able to rebuild your limbs using stationary technology, and the mechanical heart implanted in your chest stays quiet."

"Considering you've been lying, asleep for more than a year now, you've made history... to awaken your body and harness its strength, you'll need to process some type of Talent... The main stage in regaining your activation code is to adjust the murdered guy by a God. And if the "Time Shifting" isolation isn't heavy enough on your body, there are no other options except to separate your body and burn it..."

"'Project 099', please rest now. By the hopes, you'll soon have independence and limitless strength." Finally, the guy took a step back and passed by a 'Spiritual Blade.'

- Yashikami City, Monday, 3:05 pm -

The dazzling sunshine was a sparkling star, curving over the City and passing through the windows, and who else than our Hero was seated on the carpet, showing a map of the World?

He was pointing down at the map while the small girl sat on his legs.

"This is America, and down here is Japan. This is where we are right now."

"Oooh? I had no idea we were surrounded by such a large body of water!"

"This isn't named 'Body of Water' for nothing. In a nutshell, we name it Ocean, and as you can see..." Tim got up, raised his daughter towards his shoulder, and headed toward the apartment's opened door.

Tim pointed into the distance from the 50th level of the skyscraper, where the balcony bulged out, indicating that Yashikami City was completely encircled by the ocean.

Tim remarked that this World is formed of water when the wind passed past. "What? Is it true that 70% of the earth is made up of water? But, this City is already enormous."

"That's right, Ayou. However, this World is far larger and more expansive than what you perceive. There are cities on the extreme edge of the world and cities on the opposite side of the globe from where we are. And, don't forget, there's Arctica and Antarctica on both sides, but there's also deserts, woods, mountains, ravines, lakes, and rivers everywhere, and there's still so much we need to understand."

"Does it imply we can pay them a visit one day?"

"However, of course! We can go to a beach so you can see what it's like!"

"A beach? That would be fantastic! When are we going, when are we going! Come on, dad, tell me!"

"Now, now, calm down. Don't worry. We can go tomorrow if you like. I'd better show you the docks!"

"Yay! That would be fantastic, Dad!"

"Now then, why don't you go relax for a while, and I'll come over to read you a book as soon as I'm free?"

"Okay!" Finally, Ayou was gently lowered to the floor, and Tim straightened up.

Tim yawned as Ayou dashed inside her bedroom, and the door to the apartment's main entry was opened on instinct.

The white jacket was put on the rack, and the dazzling white hair shone.

"Take a look at it. Ayuka, you arrived sooner than you said."

"We just had a few maintenances to complete instead of more, but don't worry, everything was taken out... I should, however, take a shower. It did become a little hot in there..." Ayuka's black turtleneck sweater was fixed after she explained her circumstances.

"I'm guessing you have more free time now. Congratulations."

"Speaking of leisure time, how are you doing? Have you two been up to something you weren't supposed to?"

Tim flinched as dew poured down his right chin, much to his pleasure.

"Erm... I've just started showing Ayou the World map a tiny bit. When I mentioned geography, she became interested, so I merely gave her the fundamentals.

"Great!" Ayou dashed out of the bedroom and onto Ayuka's waist, quickly embracing her. "Woah! You've appeared out of nowhere, Ayou!" Her mother flashed an unforgettable laugh.

"Good day, Mom! "I'm glad you're back!"

"Yes, indeed! We completed faster than we could have imagined! How about you? How has your day been going?" Ayuka was puzzled as she knelt in front of her daughter, embracing her.

"Everything has been going swimmingly! Dad taught me a lot of fundamental geography facts! When I'm old enough, I've heard we'll have it in Primary School!"

"You most certainly will! I believe you should express gratitude to your father for spending time with you and assisting you." When Tim said it, Ayuka looked up at him and smiled, instantly making him embarrassed.

"Of course!" Once Ayuka giggled, she went near Tim and thanked her father. "I suppose it's not an issue..." Tim groaned, scratching the back of his neck.

"So, I'm a little soiled from the assistance, so I'd best go take a quick shower. I hope you two can wait another five minutes without me."

"Without a doubt! I'm going to have to do something in my room anyhow! Mom, I hope you'll be as fresh as always!"

"Don't worry, I'll take care of it. When I'm finished, I'll cook a late but delicious lunch."

"Yay! My mother's food is delicious! I can't wait any longer; I'm already hungry! Isn't that right, Dad?"

He turned to face her. "Yes, your mother's food was always the finest. She made my stomach stop grumbling in a matter of seconds. That's how talented she is."

"I know, I know!"

"Ahaha, come on... It's nothing. Save your compliments until later; if you tempt me, I could end up spoiling the meal." After a brief pause of her family, she giggled again and entered the bathing room, collecting her fresh clothing.

- Unknown City, Monday, 3:10 pm -

The dangers were overestimated.

"Sir! We've reached the pinnacle of our difficulties! We took a terrific risk! We were successful in securing his Talent, but we were unable to regulate the construction of his body! We should condense them and solve the problem! It is not appropriate for us to proceed with this procedure! Sir!"

"No! We can't give up now! We need to explain it, and then we'll provide this power to 'Project 099!' There will be no turning back; the process must be continued!"

"But, sir!"

"Sure, the stakes are great and his talents are limited, but it must be cast and raised insufficient! Continue to make adjustments!"

Finally, those working on the mysterious project requested and resumed their activation.

However, things were not going well, and the room was being filled with tremendous gust, even criticizing its hues. "Please recover the modifications as soon as possible! Please recover the modifications as soon as possible! The physical situation is precarious. The mental capacity is erratic. Repeat..."

"Sir! We just cannot! We can't help ourselves! Please, while we still have the opportunity, let us back down!" The built-in things, furniture, wallpaper, and gadgets were being blown away.

"No! We're not going to be allowed to stop! Continue the procedure! That's a command!"

"We'll get through this! I guarantee it!" But it was too late.

The wild consequences were flashing and gusting forth until suddenly a gigantic glow of grey transparency began to storm up in the air, conjuring a massive bubble that had slowly been expanding across the World.

People in cities were looking up at the Black Storm, and they could see how construction sites and buildings were being vaporized inside the brilliant light, with people stuck in it.

But their screams were ineffective, and the flash continued to span the World, eventually reaching Yashikami City.

And, while our Hero's family looked to be content, they were wiped, smoothened out by the light, and captured, quickly disappearing when a gigantic beam berserked up, above the erased clouds.

The World vanished into nothingness.

- Kingdom of Holy Arches, Monday, 3:10 pm -

"Lady Zero! We've come face to face with the unknown! The mysterious flare is vaporizing the planet Earth! Is there anything we can do to prevent this?" A man said something.

"What about the planet Earth? That is the home of my daughter! What exactly is going on down there?!"

"We are unable to respond to your inquiry! Lady Zero! We must hurry quickly or we may be trapped in the storm as it moves over the clouds!"

"This is abominable... I see what you mean! Call the Holy Light Reinforcements right away! I'll join them to observe the status of Planet Earth! Now, hurry!"

"Ma'am, yes! Immediately! Beta forth Holy Guard! Notify the Holy Knights' remaining reinforcements! Our Lady Zero will join them on their expedition to Planet Earth! We may be facing the annihilation of the human race!"

"Yes, commander, I understand!"

Zero took a step forward and looked down at the floating sphere, her 'Holy Light' clothing reflecting the wind. "What exactly is going on down there...?"

["And just like that, my family, friends, and citizens were caught within the Unknown Era, the devotion of an unwanted occurrence, the probable extinction of the World, and the unknowable fissures of people's fate had been encountered. The threat of extinction had been recognized, and even the Holy Light herself had succumbed to dread."

Everything that happened, the unknown reason and demise upon us - we named, the Black Storm."]

To be continued...