Chapter 34: Chapter 33 (Volume 2: Arc 2)

I'm back! With more chapters and more of Haruko. Right, what I want to address is... Haruko is not the main character of this story! So stop spamming me with those questions on Wattpad. Hiroshi Hajiro is the one and only main character in this story.

People have been asking me, what I plan to do with Hiroshi. I'll give you some hints for volume 3. Alpha System, other universes, and more. So bare with me just on these few remaining chapters of volume 2. Then I'll bring back our main character.

Sanemi came sliding to a halt beside Haruko's unconscious form, his features drawn in intense concern as he knelt down to check on him. With a grunt of effort, he managed to turn Haruko's body over, his hands searching for signs of life.

When he found Haruko's pulse, a flicker of relief passed through his eyes. Haruko's body was still warm to the touch, but his face was pale and sweaty, his breath shallow and erratic. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Sanemi began searching through his own supplies, desperately hoping for something to help him save his beloved friend. But nothing could help on him.

Sanemi's breath caught in his throat as he halted his frantic search, his hands trembling as he gingerly assessed the wounds that marred his own flesh. A wry smile played at the corners of his lips, a bitter irony coloring his thoughts as he muttered, "I'm supposed to be the main character here..."

Despite the gravity of the situation, a spark of amusement danced in his weary eyes, a testament to the resilience of his spirit in the face of adversity. With a steadying breath, he summoned forth the last vestiges of his strength, a soft white glow enveloping his hands as he focused his energy with unwavering determination.

With a resolve born of necessity, Sanemi placed his trembling hands upon Haruko's chest, the warmth of his touch a beacon of hope amidst the shadows that threatened to engulf them both. "Animancy Healing: Life Force Share," he intoned, his voice a solemn invocation against the silence of the desert.

As the healing energy flowed from his fingertips to Haruko's skin, a sense of relief washed over Sanemi, his heart pounding with anticipation as he watched for signs of life amidst the stillness of the desert. Gradually, ever so gradually, Haruko's complexion began to regain its natural color, the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest a comforting melody amidst the chaos.

With the transfer of life force complete, Sanemi collapsed beside Haruko, his own strength depleted by the magnitude of his sacrifice. He lay there for a moment, his chest rising and falling in time with Haruko's, a silent testament to the bond that united them in their shared struggle.

With a weary sigh, Sanemi lifted his head, his gaze drifting across the vast expanse of the desert. The events of the past few moments had shaken him to his core, a stark reminder of the dangers that lurked in this unforgiving world.

"This isn't what I expected coming to this world..." he murmured, his voice a whisper against the desert winds. But despite the uncertainty that loomed on the horizon, there was a flicker of determination in Sanemi's eyes, a silent vow to stand by Haruko's side no matter the cost. (A/N: 🙃)

Sanemi took a moment to catch his breath, his chest rising and falling with the rhythm of exertion. With a determined resolve, he pushed himself upright, his movements unsteady as he gazed down at his fallen comrade, Haruko.

With a weary sigh, Sanemi knelt beside Haruko, a mischievous glint dancing in his eyes as he prepared to rouse his slumbering friend from his temporary reprieve. Without hesitation, he delivered a swift, yet satisfying slap to Haruko's cheek, the sound echoing amidst the stillness of the desert.

"You cannot be the one sleeping at this time," Sanemi chided, his voice laced with a playful admonition as Haruko's eyes fluttered open in surprise.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch..." he winced, his rough voice tinged with a touch of indignation as he regarded Sanemi with mock reproach. "Was that your revenge?"

Sanemi couldn't help but smirk at Haruko's playful accusation, a sense of camaraderie blossoming between them amidst the lighthearted banter. Rising to his feet, he extended a hand to help Haruko up, their bond forged through trials and challenges stronger than ever before.

"Why would you think that?" Sanemi quipped, his smirk widening into a grin as he playfully nudged Haruko's shoulder. With a shared chuckle, the two friends stood side by side, their spirits buoyed by the camaraderie that bound them together.

As they stood beneath the vast expanse of the desert sky, Haruko's gaze drifted upwards, his eyes alight with anticipation. "A few more hours then I can use other Laws..." he mused

Sanemi's playful demeanor gave way to a grave seriousness as he closed his eyes, his senses attuned to the subtle fluctuations of energy that danced upon the desert winds.

With a deep breath, he opened his eyes once more, his gaze piercing through the veil of reality to discern the approaching threat. "A Unique Core level energy is flying towards us," he announced, his voice devoid of its usual levity as he relayed the ominous news to his companion, Haruko.

Haruko, his brow furrowed in concern, turned to follow Sanemi's gaze, his own abilities allowing him to perceive the world through a different lens. With his Law of Heat granting him the gift of heat vision, he could discern a silhouette in the distance, its form blurred against the shimmering heat of the desert.

"We can't fight..." Haruko's words hung heavy in the air, a solemn acknowledgment of their dwindling strength in the face of an unknown adversary.

A few moments later, a black spot appeared above them, seemingly growing larger by the second. Haruko's eyes widened as he observed the figure plummeting towards them, his heart racing with anticipation. With a resounding "Boom," the sandy ground shook violently as a crater formed in the spot where the figure had landed.

Sanemi and Haruko stood at the edge of the crater, their gazes fixed upon the gaping hole in the earth, waiting for their unexpected visitor to make her grand entrance. Seconds stretched into eternity until a voice echoed from below, tinged with frustration and exasperation.

"Dammit! Why the hell was I drinking again?" The voice, unmistakably feminine, cut through the tense silence, sending a chill down Haruko's spine. Sanemi's expression hardened, his senses sharpening as he prepared for the confrontation ahead.

Haruko and Sanemi exchanged a wary glance, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily upon them. With a silent nod, they took a cautious step back from the crater's edge, their senses on high alert for any sign of danger.

The voice continued, its tone shifting from irritation to warning. "Whoever you are, you better stop moving..."

As the voice from below launched into a string of incomprehensible curses, punctuated by a chorus of 'dammit's.

As the dust settled and the echoes of the crater's impact faded into the distance, the figure emerged from the depths below, her form shrouded in a veil of mystery and intrigue. With a practiced ease, she dusted herself off, her eyes scanning the desolate landscape with a mixture of shock and curiosity.

With a whistle of disbelief, she retrieved a cigar from her pocket and lit it with a flick of her wrist, the flame casting an eerie glow upon her features. She took a long drag, the smoke curling around her as she surveyed the devastation wrought by the reality-bending event.

But her attention soon turned to the two figures standing before her, their presence a stark reminder of the chaos that had unfolded in their wake. With a knowing glance, she ignored the unconscious body lying nearby, her focus unwavering as she approached Sanemi and Haruko with purpose.

Stopping in front of them, she flashed a disarming smile, her eyes gleaming with hidden depths of knowledge and intrigue. "I'm not interested in what happened here," she began, her voice smooth and authoritative. "But I do know that... you are both coming with me. Along with... that buddy of yours."

Her gaze flickered to the unconscious form of TrueMonarch, a silent acknowledgment of his presence amidst the chaos. Turning back to Sanemi and Haruko, she introduced herself with a sense of authority that brooked no argument.

"My name is Harley, and I'm with the... well, I was with the Core Council." Her words hung heavy in the air.