The group moved through the silent forest, mist sliding between the trees. Daiki walked beside Lyra, scratching his head.
Daiki: "Aunt… how did Zero take this whole island under his control? Why didn't the people fight back?"
Lyra's face darkened.
Lyra: "Because Zero was one of them. This island—people used to call it Sylphora Haven. Visitors came here all the time. It was beautiful before the Scientist did their experiments."
She continued walking, her voice lowered.
Lyra: "The government knew what the scientists were doing. They built a fake normal city for experiments. One day, they took Zero… and he became Project Number One. The project was led by a very popular scientist."Vesper Nocturne
Daiki frowned.
Daiki: "Project? What kind?"
Lyra looked straight ahead.
Lyra: "He wanted to create a weapon… a robot-human hybrid powerful enough to rule the entire .Thalassora Some say he wanted to study the Underwater Kingdom too. No one knows his real intention, but it wasn't good." He do this in two months
Hiyori: "Two months is too fast for a project like that."
Lyra: "He was clever. His laboratory was huge. We're going there."
The group fell silent as she continued.
⭐ Zero's Origin
Lyra: "When the final test day came… the project failed. A green energy burst out of Zero. He lost control. He was too powerful."
She inhaled sharply, remembering.
Lyra: "The scientist laughed at first. He thought he succeeded. But Zero grabbed him… crushed him like nothing."
Daiki and Hiyori froze.
Lyra: "After that, Zero killed everyone inside. He became a monster. Completely out of control."
Raihtasu raised his eyebrow.
Raihtasu: "But how did he turn all the people into slaves?"
Lyra: "Someone… controlled him. I still don't know who."
She lowered her voice.
Lyra: "But Zero absorbs energy. He keeps people alive, gives them food. And at night, they wear machines on their heads… and their life energy gets stolen."
Hiyori shivered.
Hiyori: "That's insane… like a nightmare."
Lyra's expression tightened—she was clearly hiding something more.
⭐ Attack
Suddenly Raihtasu stopped.
Raihtasu: "Someone's coming."
A strike came out of nowhere—everyone dodged.
They didn't hit Yuki.
Yuki narrowed her eyes.
Yuki: "Wait. These are… Black Fang fighters."
Daiki and Hiyori were shocked.
Daiki: "How did they find us?!"
The fighter leader stepped forward and bowed respectfully.
Leader: "Miss Yuki. Glad you're alive."
Yuki crossed her arms, cold as always.
Yuki: "What do you want?"
Leader: "We came to rescue you—and Captain Usami. Douma ordered it."
Yuki: "I am not going anywhere. I escaped myself. I don't need you."
The leader blinked, nervous.
Leader: "But… it's a direct order. Douma is waiting on the ship. Please, come with us. We're already late. He—he yelled at us."
Yuki rolled her eyes.
Before she answered, his phone rang.
He quickly picked up.
Leader: "Yes, sir—"
⭐ Douma's Call
Scene shifts to the ship.
Douma sat casually, smoking a cigarette, legs crossed.
Douma: "Did you find her?"
Leader: "Yes sir, she's right here."
Douma smirked.
Douma: "Then bring her."
Back to Yuki.
Yuki grabbed the phone from the leader.
Yuki: "If you're so worried about us, why did you send us into a dangerous ocean? You knew the portal timing! After all that, now you want to act worried?"
She raised her voice.
Yuki: "I can escape by myself. I'm not coming with them!"
She shoved the phone back.
The leader looked helpless.
Douma (from the other side):
"Fine. Stay there. Protect her if needed."
⭐ Joining Forces
Yuki frowned.
Yuki: "Then? Why are you still standing here?"
Leader: "Sir Douma said… we should stay with you."
Yuki: "WHAT—?!"
Lyra gently stopped her.
Lyra: "Calm down. Let them join us. We might need extra fighters."
Hiyori nodded.
Hiyori: "And don't worry. You're on our team now—your people joining won't break anything."
Yuki sighed sharply but didn't argue.
The group continued walking toward the ruined laboratory, shadows stretching behind them.