3 Chapter 3

Hiro's brain constantly buzzed as he witnessed all the violence that was being caused. But He knew that these people hadn't really done some kind of serious crime as they were as frightened as him after seeing their wounded ally, so he decided to show them some leniency.

"I don't know who all of you work for but I believe you aren't murderers or serious offenders. I have already informed the police about this robbery and they should be here any minute now. I suggest you flee as soon as possible." Hiro knew that these people had been forced or manipulated somehow to do this robbery, so e decided to give them a warning. They showed fair amount of hesitance in performing the robbery which is unlikely for professionals. The gang-members became immediately disheartened after hearing his words and some of the members had already flew as soon as he mentioned the police.

Many of the members had already fled or had started seriously considering the idea after Hiro's speech. However, they had come very far to return empty handed and showed reluctance. But they didn't want the police to catch them and as if to prove they had made a mistake, police sirens started blaring off and some sounds of movement of various vehicles followed. A voice of a man announced on a mic, "We already have surrounded you. Surrender peacefully or prepare for the use of force."

Not having any other option to leave the area unscathed, the robbers dropped their weapons and walked out only to get quickly arrested. The wounded man was also taken care of and sent to the hospital. However one woman in the group didn't like how things were progressing and decided to fire at the hostages and them demand her freedom in exchange of the hostages. Unfortunately the chosen hostage was a 3-4 year old kid that was crying. While the arrest of the robbers followed, Hiro walked towards the hostages while pointing his gun and watching out for any sudden movement. However, as the woman began firing mindlessly, Hiro, being the closest, dived in front of the people to protect them.

As Hiro watched bullets escape the woman's gun heading straight towards the hostages, he felt fear creep into his mind. He was going to let innocent people die in front of him again and on his own birthday no less. These people would have lived a happy life and it was all wasted by a woman who seemed afraid to accept her punishment. At this, Hiro felt extreme hatred and anger towards not the woman but towards the corrupt and evil society. However, all of a sudden Hiro noticed a peculiar abnormality. The surrounding world had completely turned grey and all the things in it were moving rather slowly. He suddenly felt that he had started watching those slow-motion and for a second felt that he was still in his bed sleeping soundly while dreaming about this bad day. But reality had other plans for him, though he was moving very fast, he practically had no control of his body. Thus he could not stop to save the hostages but instead crashed into them pushing them away from the bullet's path. Hiro really wished for a moment he didn't have to do this and somehow avoid this outcome. But after thinking for a while he decided that someone like him who had no past or purpose in life was better off dying in the place of people who have found their happiness and peace in their life...

Crimson filled his senses and suddenly thought he could not see the other colours. But he neither felt pain not regret as he was overcome by a warm feeling and comfort. Hiro couldn't help but smile even in this dire movement because he had been finally successful at giving something to someone. He had been able to protect their smiles that he had been unable to in the past. Hiro felt like he had finally fulfilled his purpose in this world. As his legs gave in and he began faling down, he couldn't help but think,

"Guess this is it huh. <Sigh!> can't say I haven't enjoyed myself as long it lasted. But I guess I could use some peace now." As he was about to close his eyes and accept his death in open arms, he heard two voices speak simultaneously inside his mind.

"We are afraid that is not possible young one. You still have a lot of work left to do."

Before Hiro could interpret anything, he felt excruciating pain as he felt what could only be described as the feeling of one's soul being ripped off from one's body. As he eventually felt the pain encompass his whole body, he gave in to the sweet urge of sleep.

For what felt like an eternity, Hiro finally gathered enough strength to open his eyes but he was surprised to find himself in a void of darkness that seemed to stretch infinitely. He felt like he had gone blind and could not see and desperately searched for any source but wherever he moved he couldn't find anything. After searching for a very long time he gave up. He thought a very long time had passed but deep inside him, something was telling him that not even a second had passed since he started searching.

"I am surprised you can deduce that on your own"

Hiro immediately turned, clearly heard what the voice had said. But he couldn't find anybody. He began to get frustrated as fear gripped his heart as he felt that he would be trapped here forever.

"Is this the afterlife? Am I dead? I thought guilty were punished in hell but I didn't expect the silent treatment" Then as if to answer his question, a small light shined amidst the void. Hiro wasted no time and ran towards it completely ignoring the fact that he had been standing on practically nothing earlier. He just wanted to get out of this place so much that he would even accept hell's punishment but as he reached the small blob. He immediately regretted doing so.

As he reached for the orb of light, an immense pain encompassed his while being. He felt as if he was living a lifetime worth of pain in single moment. His brain was flooded with information and vague glimpses as he tried to focus. After a few moments the speed seemed to slow down as the content became clear to him, but what horrified him was that he could link all the glimpses(memories) as if he had lived them himself. At this point he had given up on trying to find a way out and decided to uncover the mysteries of those memories.

Two black-clad figures watched Hiro as he tried to understand the meaning behind those strange scenes.

Unable to cope with his frustrations, a deep voice called out to the other figure and said, "Do you think he is ready? I can't help but get worried about him often. He has been sitting there for the past 6 years. I think we should tell him everything and let him decide his future"

As if having enough of the man's foolishness, a womanly voice called out, "Can you keep quite for a single moment ? You very well know when he is supposed to get out. So shut it or else I will make you regret ever annoying me. "

The man as if realizing the underlying threat from the relatively dangerous woman became so quite, people would think he had lost his voice. But this time the world seemed to have taken pity on the man and a <DING> sound spread through the surroundings(the void).

Hiro was startled when suddenly the memories stopped popping up. But before he could stabilize, he heard a sweet voice call at his side. A womanly figure appeared before him with what seemed like a man. Pointing towards the lace where he countless small orbs of memories had gathered, the woman said, "Are you satisfied with those?". At this, Hiro felt he knew the woman somehow and said yes without thinking.

Immediately the man called out happily, "See that! I told you we would be successful! pay me now!"

Meanwhile Hiro felt a strange green light pass through his body, Hiro closed his eyes and waited for the pain only for it to never come to him. He slowly opened his eyes and was surprised to see the dark-clad figure he had imagined to be a woman had truly turned into a woman only this woman was far more beautiful and had a very calming aura. However as he looked beyond, he could see her frowning obviously annoyed by the man. However as the man asked her to pay him, an imaginary fire lit up in her eyes as a demon mask appeared behind her. Hiro could only pray for the fool and he gave the man his last respects. Suddenly in blink of an eye , the woman teleported before the man and punched him so hard that the air near his face compressed to the extreme and a shockwave was created. Hiro could smoke wafting from her hand as the man was sent flying into oblivion. He crashed so hard on the cold hard ground(Hiro assumed that the surface they were standing on was the ground) that the ground cracked. But suddenly he started laughing and exclaimed, "He is in such perfect condition that you have gone crazy from happiness right?"

This time the woman answered as a bonk sound was heard and the man started shouting in pain while holding his head, "No you idiot! Your so called plan has failed you yet again! He has become a completely different persona and doesn't remember a thing!"

Suddenly Hiro's body moved in between the two and started speaking, "Where am I? Wait that's not important! Who are you guys? Didn't I die in the store? Is this hell and are you the guardians?"

"Whoa kid slow down a bit. We can't answer all of your questions at once. We are just as confused as you, but for your first question, you did die out there." answered the man.

"So I did die. For a second I thought tha- Wait what!? Then how am I here and not in heaven or hell? "

"You should take a breath and calm down before we explain your situation further. We don't want any harm to befall you. "

Then as if all his inhibitions had been an illusion, Hiro felt like he had woke up after getting enough sleep preceded by all-night long anime binge watch(Yeah... That's the kind of refreshment our mc likes so bear with me) Hiro firmed his heart for any kind of bad news he was going to recieve from the two. "Ok I am ready now. You ought to start explaining anytime soon....."

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