Fragments of Hope

One month later, inside an apartment, the entire scout team stood behind Akai, watching the person in front of them. She was a pale white woman dressed in otherworldly clothes, with long white hair and dead eyes, holding two babies in her arms.

As she took a few steps forward toward the scouts, they tensed, sensing danger. However, Akai signaled them to stop. The woman advanced closer, her gaze fixed on Akai. The emptiness in her eyes seemed almost palpable. For some reason, Akai felt no hostility from her.

"Hold your attack," Akai said. "She might need help."

The scouts obeyed her command. The woman gave Akai a slight nod of approval.

"Your holiness," the woman whispered. Akai was taken aback. Was she calling her 'your holiness'? The woman's sweet smile widened as she moved closer to Akai.

All the scouts remained on high alert, ready to draw their weapons at any moment, but they waited for Akai's signal.

When the woman finally stood directly in front of Akai, she looked deeply into her eyes. The emptiness in the woman's gaze faded, replaced by a spectrum of emotions. Akai was captivated by her ethereal beauty up close. Her delicate features seemed sculpted by an artist.

Akai glanced at the twins in the woman's arms. They were beautiful, with striking features. As she focused on the babies, the woman gently handed them over to Akai.

"What the..."

Before Akai could fully react, the woman began to fade away, her form dissolving into nothingness.

"Save my children, your holiness," the woman's voice echoed as she disappeared, leaving Akai stunned and speechless.

"What just happened? The woman vanished, leaving the babies with us," Marc said, his voice breaking the silence. The others looked equally confused and concerned.

"She has passed away," Akai said, gazing at the twins in her arms. "I'll take these children to the station," she instructed. "I'll bring Drake with me and send Rayden here."

"Be careful on your way," Kiara said.

"Don't get hurt," Sky added, surprising Akai. It was rare for Sky to express such concern.

With the babies secured in her arms, Akai mounted Drake and began the ride to the station. The journey wasn't smooth. She faced a series of monster attacks on the way, the first time she had encountered such danger alone in the town.

Despite the overwhelming number of monsters and beasts, Akai fought fiercely. Her training with the skilled fighters at Kiara's home had prepared her well. With determination and skill, she fought her way through and finally reached the mansion. Both she and Drake were covered in the blood of the monsters.

Sliding down from Drake's back, Akai held the twins, their white hair stained with droplets of blood from the battle.

"Maria," she called out.

From the crowd of people, a young girl with blonde hair and blue eyes emerged. She was an underclassman of Akai's.

"Please take care of the twins," Akai requested. "They need special care. Make sure they're not harmed in any way. I'll send Dr. Yagi later to check on them."

"Of course," Maria replied.

"There's nothing to worry about, everyone," Akai addressed the small crowd that had gathered, "I've returned early with the babies. Please don't be concerned." She reassured them with a smile.

As the crowd dispersed, Lily approached, her worry evident.

"What happened?" she asked.

Akai sighed, her sadness palpable. Lily's concern deepened. It was clear something significant had occurred.

"Tell me," Lily urged with a gentle smile.

"The mother of these babies," Akai began, pausing to compose herself, "she passed away while holding onto me." She pinched the bridge of her nose, the grief overwhelming. It reminded her painfully of her own parents and her longing to hear their voices again.

"Our lives are going to get tougher from now on," Lily said softly. There was little she could say to comfort Akai. Sometimes, silence and presence were all that could be offered.

"Yeah," Akai said. "By the way, Lily, something else happened. The babies' mother called me 'your holiness,' not once, but twice."

"Were you a 'saint' in your previous life?" Lily teased with a laugh.

"I'm serious," Akai replied, annoyed, but she soon dismissed the topic.

Both looked out at the view from the room, the empty streets and houses below.

Later that day, Akai checked the news online, her anxiety growing. The reports were shocking—five percent of the world's population had been wiped out. The missing were presumed dead. The United Nations were struggling to provide aid, with superpowers like the USA and China managing to fend off monster attacks better than weaker nations. The world was in chaos, and Akai's worry for her parents intensified.

Desperate to reach her family, Akai searched for a phone and dialed her father's number. Each ring made her more anxious. She worried about their safety and wanted to ask countless questions. Her mouth felt dry.

"What are you doing?"

Akai jumped in panic. It was Kairos, holding a giant bag of crystals. He had appeared out of nowhere, almost giving her a heart attack. She cursed at the demon boy, trying to suppress her irritation.

"I was looking for you," Kairos said, jiggling the bag. "More treats."

"I don't have time for treats now. I'm busy," Akai said angrily. "Besides, only you, I, and maybe my brother can eat them."

"Yeah, because the others can't bite them like you and me," Kairos explained. "For them, the crystals are rock solid."

Before Akai could ask why, the phone was answered. It was her mother.

"Ma?" Akai said.

"Akai, is that you?" her mother's voice came through, filled with concern. "Where are you? What happened to you? Where is El?"

"He's coming," Akai said, though she hadn't informed him yet. She covered the phone's speaker and looked at Kairos. "Can you call my brother, El?" Kairos nodded and left.

Akai continued talking to her mother, updating her on her situation.

"Where are you all?" Akai asked.

"We have no idea how we ended up here," her mother explained, "but don't worry. We're inside an emergency shelter and safe."

"D," her father's voice came through, surprising Akai. It was the first time he used her nickname, "be careful out there. We can't come to you yet. The situation here is dire. If something happens to us, don't despair. Keep calm and take proper actions. Don't waste time crying or in fear. Understand?"

Tears welled up in Akai's eyes. Why would her father say such things? Even when she needed comfort, he remained harsh and distant. She held the phone away and covered her mouth, trying to maintain composure despite the flood of tears. Akai forced a smile and answered.

"Yes, I will, Dad," she said, wiping away her tears. "El is coming, so wait just a bit." She spoke cheerfully, though her heart was heavy.

Yue had overheard the entire conversation through a small gap in the doorway. He had been following her out of curiosity. Listening to her talk, he understood where her courage and composure came from. Her strong parents, despite their strictness, had done a remarkable job raising her. He hoped to meet them someday.

"Can you put that down?" Yue said, noticing Rayden pointing a halberd at him.

"What are you?" Rayden demanded.

"Just a normal human," Yue replied, feeling nervous and confused.

"Really?" Rayden said skeptically.

"I don't know what you're talking about," Yue said, feeling increasingly scared. But Rayden didn't believe him. "Really, I don't know anything."

"Leave him be," Kairos said as he arrived, "I brought him on time." He sighed and added, "Siblings are really similar, aren't they?"

"How so?" Yue asked, as Rayden lowered his weapon.

"I went to call him and told him, 'Hey, your sister is looking for you to speak with your parents, so hurry up.' Then he grabbed my ear and scolded me, calling me 'kid,' just like her," Kairos recounted, annoyed. "I almost lost it."

"Guess that's why your ear is red," Yue said, smirking. "Siblings are alike in many ways, and you are a kid anyway."

Akai watched her brother speak with their parents, mostly with their mother. Their father, usually distant and busy, rarely engaged in conversation.

"D," called her father, and Akai was taken aback. It was the first time he'd used her nickname, which her mother often called her. "Be careful out there. We cannot come to you yet. The circumstances here are very difficult. And the situation you're in is much more dire than ours." He sighed, a mix of helplessness and strength in his tone. "If something happens to us in the near future, don't despair. Keep calm and take proper actions at all times. Do not waste your time crying or in fear, because they will not help you at all. Understand?"

Tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. Why would her father say such things? Even though he had always been harsh and strict, hearing this from him now felt overwhelming. She held the phone away, covering her mouth to stifle any sounds, trying to show her strength despite the flood of emotions. After a moment, she composed herself and answered.

"Yes," she forced a smile, her voice wavering. "I will, Dad." She wiped away her tears and continued, "El is coming, so wait just a bit," she said, trying to sound cheerful.

Yue, who had been listening through a small gap in the doorway, heard the entire conversation. His curiosity had led him to follow her since early morning. After overhearing the conversation, he understood where Akai's courage and composure came from. It was due to her strong parents, even if they were often strict and cold. He hoped to meet them someday.

"Can you put that down?" Yue said, unfazed by the halberd Rayden had pointed at his neck.

"What are you?" Rayden demanded.

"Normal human," Yue replied.

"No."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Yue said, feeling increasingly nervous, but Rayden remained unconvinced. "Really, I don't know anything."

"Leave him be," said Kairos, arriving from their right as El ran past them both and into the control room to speak with his parents. "I brought him in time," Kairos said with a sigh. "Siblings are really similar, aren't they?" he remarked.

"How so?" Yue asked, as Rayden lowered the blade.

"I went to call him—'Hey, your sister was looking for you to speak with your parents, so hurry up, boy,'—and he just grabbed my ear, scolded me, and even called me 'kid,' just like her," Kairos vented, "I almost lost it with him."

"Guess that's why your ear is bloody red," Yue observed, standing beside him. "Siblings are alike in pretty much everything, and besides, you are a kid anyway," he added with a smirk.

Akai watched her brother speak with their parents, mostly with their mother. Their father rarely engaged in conversation, being busy with work, which had created a bit of distance between them.

"D, El, your dad and I won't be there for a while," their mother's voice came through the phone, her tone carrying a smile despite its underlying seriousness. "You have to take care of yourselves and be safe. Don't go outside and stay home as much as possible. Keep something to protect yourselves."

"We will," Akai and El replied.

"Both of you, remember that fear and sadness will not help you in times of crisis," their father reiterated, "If we are not there, find new 'parents' to lean on."

"What are you saying, Dad?" Akai's voice cracked with emotion. "Why are you saying these things as if you're—"

She couldn't finish her sentence. Their father paused before answering firmly, "This is just in case. You and your brother must learn to survive."

"Nothing is easy in this world, Akai," their mother added. "All you both have to do is live with it and move forward."

El was frozen, unable to find words. This wasn't the first time their father had discussed such topics, but it felt as if they might never see them again. The thought was both sad and painful.

"Yes," Akai gritted her teeth, forcing an answer, and El echoed her sentiment. It was difficult, but they had to endure. They remained hopeful until their father ended the call.

"You have one hell of parents," Yue said, sitting beside Akai, who was surprised by his sudden proximity. "Relax, I just came in."

"You were eavesdropping," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Shameless."

"Excuse me? You were the one talking while keeping the door open and speaking loudly enough for everyone outside to hear."

Rayden glared at Yue, feeling uneasy about him.

"Don't worry about him," Kairos said, reassuring Rayden. "He's only awakening right now, as are others in this realm. He's… the second strongest after that redhead." Kairos observed the laughter in the dimly lit room. "Chaos will soon fall upon this world," his words were grim and serious.

Rayden watched his young lady, who was currently happy. But he knew that this happiness would soon be overshadowed by great changes that would affect everyone in her world. That day was not far off.

In the capital, inside the shelter:

"Do you think this is wise?" Akai's mother, with long black hair and bright golden eyes, asked. "Wasn't it a bit too much?"

"I don't know," replied the man with oceanic blue eyes, glimmering with regret. "But at least this will give them hope for surviving this crisis." He looked at the floor, troubled. "Lohr, I don't think we can—"

"I understand, Nit," she interrupted, knowing what he was about to say. "Let us try our best," she said with a weak smile, and her husband returned the smile.

Behind them, monsters had breached the shelter and were attacking the people inside. The authorities hadn't anticipated this outcome; the monsters were too powerful for the metal shelter to withstand. Guns were ineffective, and while the military was holding them off, it wasn't enough.

Akai's father passed a fallen, injured soldier. "Go inside, soldier," he said with a stern and calm voice. "You'll die if you stay any longer, boy."

The young soldier stared in confusion but remained where he was.

"Abysmal Regna!"

Back at the station:

"By the way, Kairos," Akai turned to him, "you were talking about the crystal balls before. Tell me about them."

Kairos's eyes lit up with interest. "Yeah, why not?"

"That's great. Continue."

"Well, as I was saying, only you, me, and your brother can eat them," Kairos explained while holding one in his hand. "Your physique is very different from the other humans here."

"How is it different?"

"How do I make it simpler?" Kairos thought for a moment. "You're much 'stronger' than normal humans."

"That would make her of your kind," Yue mused.

"Not exactly."

"Then what?"

"I'm not sure yet," Kairos scratched his ear. "Anyway, who cares? It's not bad to be different."

"Yeah, you're right," Akai agreed, handing a crystal ball to her brother, El. "Bite on this," she urged.

"No way."

"Come on."

El hesitated but took a bite. To his surprise, it was as soft as carrots and quite tasty.

"Incredible," Yue marveled. "Shall I try?" he asked Kairos.

Kairos nodded, but Yue couldn't manage it.

"You don't have any 'mana' in your body, that's why you can't bite," Kairos explained.

"And Akai and her brother do?"

"Yeah, since the day they were born."

"Wow, you're making me feel special," Akai laughed. "I'm not special."

Akai watched the baby twins sleeping peacefully in the cradle, marveling at their pure beauty. She gently caressed the cheek of one of them.

"Your mother passed away in my arms, babies," she said with sadness. "The monster that attacked me on the way here…" she paused, "…was after you. Keeping you both here is a risk I am shouldering right now. I can't leave you due to your mother's dying request and my own conscience. What should I do with you two? Should I keep you? Or abandon you?"

Akai felt the weight of responsibility. She needed to prioritize the safety of others at the station. Bringing trouble upon them would be dangerous, and if the others knew, they would force her to abandon the twins. As her father once said, "Fear is the enemy of mankind."

"I found them," Kairos said, entering the room. "Finally, I can rest and leave."

"What?" Akai turned around. "What do you mean?"

"I came here looking for them," he replied. "Now that they are in good hands, I can finally leave."

"Why? What are they? And 'good hands'? Explain yourself."

"They are half-breeds, just like me," Kairos said. "Children born of an angel and a demon. Their parents were no ordinary beings—an archangel and a demon king."

"What?"

"Their love broke heaven's laws. Chaos fell upon your world when their mother, who became ill after childbirth, opened the gate. The demon king died in a war against demons and angels." Kairos recounted the events that led to the opening of the world gate and the ensuing chaos.

Kairos was sent to check on the children and find them a guardian if the archangel was no longer around. He was there for their well-being.

"Won't any demons come through the gates?" Akai asked anxiously. "That would cause more problems."

"Yes, they could, but all the gates are closed now."

"That's great."

"However, there might be a chance that they could open a gate or some may have already crossed."

"Can you defeat them?" she asked.

"I can, but not so many at once."

"That will be fine," Akai said. "Anyway, you're not leaving any time soon, are you?"

"Not yet."

"Just like Cal," she said, whispering to herself. "Take them with you," she said firmly to Kairos. "They'll cause trouble here. If demons come after the twins, it will be rough for us normal humans, and who knows if you'll be here by then. Therefore, leave now," she commanded. "Take them with you or more people will be hurt in my world."

Kairos stared at her thoughtfully before smiling mischievously.

"Are you trying to act like a hero?" he asked mockingly. "That's rare of you."

"I'm no hero and I'll never be," Akai said sadly. "A hero sacrifices one for the world, and a villain sacrifices everything for one. But I'm not strong enough for either. I can only protect a handful." She felt helpless, knowing she was just an ordinary human.

"Agh, whatever. This topic is getting gloomy," Kairos roared, breaking the tension.

"Shut up, they're sleeping."

"You should look at this," he pointed at her right hand, which was held between the two babies. One held her thumb, and the other held her pinky finger. The babies had opened their eyes—bright green for the boy and clear blue for the girl. "They like you," Kairos said.

Akai was speechless, a mix of guilt and regret washing over her.

"Sometimes," she murmured to the twins, "God makes the world crueler than it is, to test the strength of one's soul."