Kapitel 31: Disbanded
The aftermath of the Thronjaw incident has sent shockwaves through Hex and beyond. The media is in a frenzy, with headlines screaming betrayal and treachery, while social media platforms are flooded with heated debates about Arata's true intentions. The livestream of the battle, where Arata fought valiantly against Thronjaw, has become the center of this storm. The public is torn—some see Arata as a hero who risked everything to save lives, while others, swayed by Hex's branding, believe he is a traitor to his cause.
The atmosphere in Hex's headquarters is tense. Reporters jostle for space, eager to capture the latest developments. Commander Williams stands at the podium, his expression stern. Taylor is beside him, scanning the room with a calculating gaze.
"We have reason to believe that Ryuki Arata has betrayed Hex and its mission," Commander Williams begins, his voice cold and authoritative. "Effective immediately, he is considered a traitor. A reward has been issued for information leading to his capture."
The announcement is met with a murmur of disbelief from the reporters. One of them, a seasoned journalist, steps forward. "Commander Williams, isn't it true that the livestream showed no backup from Hex during Arata's battle? How do you explain that?"
Williams stiffens, his eyes narrowing. "Hex operates on strategic decisions. We are investigating the circumstances surrounding that event."
Meanwhile, Jennifer, Elio, and Dan are gathered in their training room. The usually lively space feels heavy with tension. Jennifer paces back and forth, her face etched with anger and frustration.
"I can't believe they did this to him!" Jennifer exclaims, her voice trembling. "How can they brand Arata a traitor after everything he's done? I'm going to leave Hex—I can't be part of this anymore!"
Elio places a calming hand on her shoulder. "Jennifer, I know you're upset, but leaving now will only make things worse. If you walk away, you'll draw more attention to Arata. We need to think this through."
Jennifer stops pacing, her eyes filling with tears. "But how can we just stand by and let them do this to him? He's our friend!"
Dan, who has been silent until now, steps forward. His usual laid-back demeanor is replaced by a seriousness that commands attention. "Jennifer, Elio's right. We need to play this smart. If we act rashly, we'll only make things harder for Arata. But I think there's something we can do."
Jennifer looks at him, desperate for any glimmer of hope. "What do you mean?"
Dan's eyes gleam with determination. "I have an idea. You guys stay here. I'll be right back." Without waiting for a response, Dan turns and leaves the room.
Dan found himself in a dimly lit clinic on the outskirts of town. The doctor he was seeking was a shadowy figure in the medical community, known for their unconventional methods and defiance of Hex's authority. When the doctor emerged from the back room, they eyed Dan warily.
"What brings you here, Dan?" the doctor asked, their voice tinged with suspicion.
"I need your help," Dan replied, cutting straight to the point. "Arata's been branded a traitor by Hex, and they're hunting him down. I believe he's innocent, and I need someone who can help clear his name."
The doctor crossed their arms, leaning against the doorframe. "You're asking a lot. Why should I stick my neck out for you or this person named Arata?"
"Because you know what it's like to be wrongfully targeted by Hex," Dan said, his tone earnest. "They tried to silence you once, but you didn't give in. Arata's in the same position now. He fought to protect people, just like you used to."
The doctor's eyes narrowed as they considered Dan's words. "If I do this, there's no turning back. Hex will come after me with everything they've got."
Dan nodded. "I know. But if we don't do something, Arata's as good as dead. We need to expose the truth about Hex, and you're the only one who can help us do that."
A heavy silence fell over the room as the doctor weighed their options. Finally, they sighed, pushing off the doorframe. "Alright, I'll help you. But we need to be careful. One wrong move, and Hex will have us both in their crosshairs."
Dan breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank you. I knew I could count on you."
The doctor gave a small, grim smile. "Don't thank me yet. We've got a long road ahead of us."
As the tension in the room thickened, Alex suddenly stood up, his face set with a determined expression. "Carly, Lila, it's time we go train," he said, his voice carrying an edge that immediately caught their attention.
Carly and Lila exchanged puzzled glances, not sure what to make of the abrupt command. "Hmm?" Carly tilted her head, her brows furrowing in confusion.
"What's going on?" Lila added, her voice laced with uncertainty.
Alex didn't meet their eyes, his gaze distant as if he had already made up his mind. "I have special trainers lined up for you," he stated flatly. "Carly, you'll go to room 211. Lila, you head to room 428. Train with your mentors, and we'll regroup in a month's time."
Elio, who had been watching the scene unfold, couldn't hold back his concern. "What do you mean, Alex?" he asked, his tone a mix of confusion and worry.
Alex finally looked at Elio, but his eyes were hard, almost cold. "The team's getting disbanded, Elio, for a month. Go back to your normal lives for a while. And listen to me—don't dig into the Arata situation. If you do, you'll be in deep shit, too."
With that, Alex turned on his heel and walked out of the room, his footsteps echoing through the tense silence that followed.
Jennifer clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she tried to process what had just happened. "Tsch! Some leader he is," she muttered under her breath, the bitterness clear in her voice. Beside her, Vamby fluttered angrily, mirroring her frustration.
Carly and Lila hesitated, their expressions conflicted. They wanted to speak up, to question Alex, but the weight of his authority and the gravity of the situation kept them silent. Without another word, they exchanged a final glance before following Alex out of the room, their steps heavy with reluctance.
As the door closed behind them, Jennifer's gaze followed, filled with disbelief and disappointment. She couldn't fathom how easily they were willing to let the situation with Arata slide, how they could just walk away from a friend in need. Her eyes narrowed, and she shook her head in disgust, a silent declaration of her disapproval.
"I'm so done with you guys," she muttered to herself, her voice low but seething with anger. The betrayal she felt was raw and palpable, gnawing at her insides. They were supposed to be a team, a family, and yet they were letting fear and orders tear them apart.
Jennifer's mind raced, trying to come up with a plan, anything to help Arata, but the weight of the situation was crushing her. She knew she had to do something, but in that moment, she felt powerless, trapped in a situation where every move seemed to lead to more danger. The uncertainty gnawed at her, leaving her standing in the empty room, alone with her thoughts and the echo of Alex's final words.
Carly steps into room 211, her heart pounding with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. The door shuts behind her with a soft click, sealing her in the dimly lit space. She scans the room, her eyes narrowing as they adjust to the faint light. "So… Who is going to be my trainer?" she murmurs, her voice tinged with uncertainty.
The silence is almost suffocating until a calm, familiar voice pierces through it. "Welcome… My sweet daughter."
Carly's breath catches in her throat as her gaze locks onto the figure sitting calmly in the center of the room. Her mother, Paulie, is seated there, her posture composed, her expression unreadable. Carly's eyes widen in shock, the realization hitting her like a tidal wave. "Mom…" The word escapes her lips, barely a whisper, laden with disbelief.
Paulie's gaze remains steady, her voice carrying a chilling edge of determination. "I am your mentor for the next month. I will make sure you become the best fucking sniper of the team."
Carly's shock quickly morphs into a simmering anger. Her fists clench at her sides as she struggles to process the sudden turn of events. The room seems to shrink around her, the walls closing in as the weight of her mother's words sinks in. She can't believe the audacity—Paulie, who had been absent for so much of her life, now standing here, declaring herself as Carly's mentor. The mix of betrayal and frustration bubbles just beneath the surface, her jaw tightening as she glares at Paulie with barely contained fury.
Lila steps into room 428, her heart racing as the door creaks open. The room is dimly lit, the shadows flickering ominously as a sudden gust of hot air rushes past her. "No fucking way…" she mutters, her voice trembling with a mix of disbelief and fear. Her eyes widen as she takes in the sight before her—a figure she recognizes all too well, standing amidst swirling red flames that dance around him with a menacing intensity.
"Dad…" The word slips out, barely audible, as Lila's gaze locks onto the towering figure of Jeremy, her father. His presence is as overwhelming as the heat radiating from the flames, a force that sends a chill down her spine despite the fiery surroundings. The flames seem to bend to his will, creating an aura of raw power that both terrifies and captivates her.
Jeremy's eyes bore into Lila's, his expression a mixture of sternness and something darker—an intensity that Lila has always found unnerving. He steps forward, his voice booming with a terrifying authority. "You and me are stuck together for a whole month, LILA!" he screams, the force of his words reverberating through the room like a thunderclap.
Lila flinches, her body tensing as she instinctively takes a step back. The room feels smaller, the walls closing in as the flames crackle and spit, reflecting the turmoil brewing within her. She can hardly believe that this is happening—that her own father, a man who has always intimidated her, will be the one to train her for the next month. The fear and dread swirl inside her, mixing with the resentment she's harbored for years, creating a storm of emotions she struggles to contain.
Jeremy's gaze never wavers, his expression unyielding. He's always been a man of few words, but when he speaks, the weight of his expectations is clear. Lila knows that the next month will be grueling, that Jeremy will push her to her limits and beyond. The thought sends a shiver through her, but she squares her shoulders, trying to mask her fear with a facade of defiance. She's not going to let him see how much he scares her, not now, not ever.
Jennifer, weary from the day's events, walks along the dimly lit street, her mind swirling with thoughts of Arata and the turmoil that's erupted around him. As she turns a corner, she suddenly stops, her eyes widening as she spots a familiar figure in the distance. "Miyoko?" she calls out, her voice tinged with surprise and hope.
The figure turns, revealing a face that Jennifer hasn't seen in what feels like ages. "Jennifer?" Miyoko replies, her eyes lighting up with recognition.
In an instant, Jennifer rushes forward, throwing her arms around her sister in a tight embrace. "It is you," Jennifer whispers, her voice thick with emotion. "I can't believe it's really you."
Miyoko wraps her arms around Jennifer, holding her close. "I can't believe it either," she says softly, her voice warm and comforting. As they pull back from the hug, Miyoko studies Jennifer's face, noticing the worry etched in her features. "You've been through a lot, haven't you?"
Jennifer nods, her expression somber. "We all have. The situation with Arata... it's tearing everything apart."
Miyoko's expression darkens slightly as she nods in understanding. "I know. I've been following the news, seeing how they've branded him a traitor. It's been hard to watch." She pauses, her eyes clouding with concern. "I told him... I told him he should join the Japan branch. He would have been safe there. But he'd already made up his mind..."
Jennifer listens, feeling a pang of sorrow in her chest. The mention of Arata's decision brings a fresh wave of worry. "He's always been stubborn," Jennifer says with a weak smile, trying to lighten the heavy atmosphere.
Just then, Vamby, Jennifer's small bat companion, flutters down from the sky and perches on her shoulder. His tiny wings brush against her cheek as he nestles in, sensing her distress. Miyoko notices and reaches out, her fingers gently stroking Vamby's chin. "Is this your ring?" Miyoko asks, a soft smile playing on her lips as she watches the little bat.
Jennifer nods, her eyes softening as she watches Vamby enjoy the affection. "Yeah, this is Vamby. He's been with me through it all."
Miyoko continues to rub Vamby's chin, the little bat letting out a contented chirp as he leans into her touch. "He's adorable," Miyoko says, her voice lightening as she watches Vamby. "It's good you have him by your side."
Jennifer smiles, feeling a bit of the tension ease as she sees Vamby so at ease with her sister. "He's more than that… he's my anchor. Just like Arata is for all of us," Jennifer says, her voice tinged with determination.
Miyoko meets her sister's gaze, her expression serious once more. "Then we'll have to make sure Arata knows he's not alone, no matter what happens."
"Anyways, I wanted to train Arata, but I guess you will do, Jennifer."
Jennifer's eyes widen as Miyoko speaks, her words sinking in slowly. "Wait, what do you mean we're training?" she asks, blinking in confusion.
Miyoko's smile turns into a playful smirk as she steps back, giving Jennifer a once-over. "You heard me. Arata's not here, and someone has to keep up the fight, right? So, it's you. We start now."
Jennifer's heart skips a beat, and she stumbles over her words. "But… but I wasn't… I mean, I didn't—"
"No buts," Miyoko cuts her off, her tone firm but with a sisterly warmth that Jennifer hasn't felt in a long time. "You've got potential, Jen, and it's time to bring it out. Arata isn't the only one who can make a difference."
Vamby flutters off Miyoko's shoulder and circles around Jennifer, almost as if encouraging her. Jennifer glances at Vamby, then back at Miyoko, a mix of determination and hesitation in her eyes.
"Fine," Jennifer finally says, straightening up, trying to match Miyoko's intensity. "If we're doing this, I'm all in."
Miyoko's smile softens, and she gives Jennifer a reassuring nod. "Good. Let's get started."
Elio starts heading back home, feeling the weight of recent events on his shoulders. On the other hand, he is met with Uriel, who appears unexpectedly. "Uriel?" Elio's eyes widen in surprise, though his fear has faded. He's more focused on the pressing matters at hand. "Do you want to get stronger?" Uriel's tone is serious, yet there's an underlying urgency. "What?" Elio's curiosity is piqued as Uriel presents him with a ring—the ring of the Devourer, the ring of the Dark Dragon. The ring's dark aura makes Elio's breath catch. "An ancient ring…" Elio's surprise turns to awe as he examines the artifact. "I will train you, but you need the will for it. Your mate, Arata, is also there. You two will be training together," Uriel explains, his voice firm but encouraging. "What are you planning, Uriel?" Elio's eyes narrow as he searches for answers. Uriel walks slowly to a nearby bench and sits down heavily, his expression somber. "We are planning to revive Sheena, but in case the King decides to wake up, we need to be ready to fight the King as well. We need strong warriors, whether Undergrounder, Ringmaster, or human. We need people to fight the King…or else, we don't know what will happen to the safe haven we call Earth," Uriel says, his voice filled with grave determination. "Does it help Arata?" Elio's voice trembles with a mix of hope and concern. Uriel nods solemnly. "It will, with time," he says. Elio's face hardens with resolve as he clutches the ring tightly. "He has saved me once… This time…I will save him," Elio declares, his voice resolute as he snatches the ring from Uriel's hand.
At the Queen's Lair, the atmosphere is charged with anticipation. The Queen, her gaze calm but full of a hidden challenge, addresses Arata with a gentle smile. "Arata, it's time to talk about the trials." Her voice carries an air of authority mixed with encouragement.
Cheese, with a playful grin, leans forward and says, "Oh boy… Here we go." His excitement is palpable, and his eyes sparkle with mischief.
Butter, standing beside Cheese, nods knowingly and adds, "I know right, he's going to go through the Queen's trials." Butter's tone is both reassuring and teasing, as if she's eager to see how Arata will handle the challenge.
Arata, his face set in a determined expression, straightens his posture. His fists clench at his sides as he looks at the Queen with unwavering resolve. "Whatever it is…I am ready. So bring it on!" His voice is steady and filled with unyielding confidence, his eyes burning with a fierce determination.
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