chapter 7

Chapter 7: A Dangerous Road Ahead

The streets of Shigatsu stretched endlessly before Pod as he stepped away from the ominous presence of the Midnight Sun Church. The city's flickering lights reflected off the cold steel of its towering buildings, casting long shadows across the pavement. Pod's heart was heavy with uncertainty. Morgan had given him a lead, but at what cost? Another promise, another debt.

The Severers. That was his only hope now.

Pod's sharpened senses tingled as he moved through the city, each sound amplified to an almost unbearable level. His heightened hearing picked up the distant hum of traffic, the murmur of conversations, and even the skittering of rats in the alleyways. It was overwhelming, but he had learned to control it—mostly. Still, every now and then, the sounds would surge, pushing him to the edge of madness.

As he walked, Pod's thoughts kept circling back to the temple in the forest. He'd heard rumors about that place before—a forgotten ruin where Choujin once gathered for secret rites. But no one he knew had ever dared venture there. It was said to be cursed, a place where the line between life and death was thin, where the spirits of lost Choujin roamed.

But that didn't matter. Pod had no choice.

He clenched his fists, feeling the power surge through him. His senses flared, allowing him to see farther, hear clearer, and smell things others could barely notice. But with each use of his power, that darkness crept a little closer. He could feel it like a cold presence at the back of his mind, whispering to him, tempting him to give in completely.

It would be so easy to let go, to embrace the power fully. But he couldn't—not after what had happened to Mika. Not after the destruction he had already caused.

As Pod turned a corner, he felt a strange sensation—a faint ripple in the air, almost like a distortion in space. He froze, every sense on high alert. Someone was watching him.

Without turning, Pod focused on the sound of light footsteps behind him. Whoever it was, they were skilled, moving almost silently through the chaos of the city. But not silent enough for him.

Pod pretended not to notice, continuing to walk forward until he reached a narrow alleyway. Then, in one swift motion, he spun around, his heightened senses pinpointing the exact location of his pursuer.

"Show yourself," Pod demanded, his voice steady, though his heart raced.

There was a pause, and then a figure stepped out of the shadows. It was a young woman, dressed in dark, nondescript clothing, her face partially hidden by a hood. Her eyes gleamed with a cold intensity, and Pod immediately recognized the energy radiating from her. She was a Choujin.

"You've got sharp senses," the woman said, her voice low and smooth. "Not bad."

Pod narrowed his eyes, his body tense. "Who are you? Why are you following me?"

The woman tilted her head, a faint smile tugging at the corner of her lips. "Name's Lira. I've been keeping an eye on you for a while now, Pod."

The mention of his name sent a chill down his spine. How did she know who he was?

"I'm not interested in games," Pod said, taking a cautious step back. "Tell me what you want."

Lira shrugged casually. "I'm not here to fight you, if that's what you're worried about. In fact, I think we might have a common goal."

Pod didn't lower his guard. He had been around enough Choujin to know that trust was a rare commodity among them. "And what goal would that be?"

"The Severers," Lira said, her voice barely above a whisper, but the word hit Pod like a hammer.

His eyes widened in surprise, though he quickly tried to mask it. "How do you know about them?"

Lira's smile widened. "I know more than you think, Pod. You're not the only one looking for them. But unlike you, I know where to find them."

Pod's heart skipped a beat. Was she telling the truth? Could she really know where the Severers were hiding?

"Why should I believe you?" Pod asked, suspicion lacing his tone.

Lira's expression turned serious. "Because if you don't, you're going to lose yourself to the darkness. I've seen it happen before—Choujin who thought they could handle the power, only to end up consumed by it. You don't have much time, Pod. If you want to survive, you're going to need my help."

Pod clenched his jaw, his mind racing. He didn't trust her—not yet—but she knew more than he did. And if she really did know where to find the Severers, then he couldn't afford to turn her away.

"Fine," Pod said after a long pause. "I'll hear you out. But if this is a trap—"

"It's not," Lira interrupted, her tone firm. "I want the same thing you do, Pod. Freedom."

Pod studied her for a moment longer before finally nodding. "Alright. What's the plan?"

Lira glanced around, making sure no one else was listening. "The temple Morgan mentioned—it's real, but it's not just any ruin. It's a stronghold, guarded by powerful Choujin who don't want anyone getting too close. The Severers have been hiding there for years, but they don't trust outsiders. Getting to them won't be easy."

"Then how do we get in?" Pod asked, already preparing himself for the challenge ahead.

Lira's smile returned, but there was no warmth in it. "We're going to have to prove ourselves. And that means facing the guardians."

Pod felt a knot form in his stomach. He had faced powerful Choujin before, but something about this felt different. The Severers were unlike any Choujin he had encountered—they had broken free from the darkness, but that didn't mean they weren't dangerous.

"When do we leave?" Pod asked, his voice steady.

Lira glanced up at the sky, the moon casting a pale glow over the city. "At dawn. We'll need to move quickly and quietly if we want to avoid attracting attention."

Pod nodded, his mind already shifting to the task at hand. This was it—his chance to find the answers he had been searching for. But as he looked at Lira, he couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to her than she was letting on.

He would have to keep his guard up.

For now, though, he had no choice but to trust her.

As they moved through the city, heading toward the forest that lay beyond the skyline, Pod's thoughts were consumed by the journey ahead. The Severers. The guardians. The darkness within him.

He wasn't sure if he was ready for what lay ahead, but one thing was certain—there was no turning back.