Yonah Reise 

Feelings passed down from person to person. The fact that you are alive is proof of someone's existence.

Long ago, the humans that conquered Earth left behind polluted and desolate lands. God, deploring mankind's deeds, sent a divine vanguard to punish the people, sealing them in a purgatory akin to a massive grave.

Thus, with humanity gone, God created a substitute—"Paragons." They were born to heal the lands devastated by the old humanity's acts.

However, working in the polluted lands was terribly harsh, and many Paragons were discarded before the end of their service life.

They could only rest within the cities. That was the only place they could live through their full life expectancy.

They had just one fading hope: those who would one day be reborn from electronic paradise. They prayed that they would fulfill their wishes and lead them to a world filled with joy.

Those who held this ideology formed the moderate faction, building many colonies such as Ionia and Ephes.

----------

Many months and years passed.

An aged black tower stood in the heart of the colonies. It suddenly began emitting light, and the slumbering ruins surrounding it began to awaken in accord.

Not long after, a group of twelve boys and girls led by Machinekind—"Returnees"—appeared there.

No one knew if the moderates' wish had been granted. Still, such an event was enough to bolster their feelings.

In response to the Returnees' arrival, the Machine overseer of Ionia Colony summoned Yonah Reise and her younger brother Gideon as guards. The two were assigned a new mission.

"I never thought we'd actually be chosen as guards, Gideon."

"I haven't become a guard yet, you know? What if they just make me a chore boy instead?"

"Hey, Gideon! If the overseer hears, they might take that seriously!"

As the two of them argued, the overseer appeared with a young girl at his side. When Yonah glanced at the girl, it occurred to her that they had been born differently from each other.

Pure white skin, silver hair. Pale eyes that seemed to peer into her heart. What was more, Yonah had the indescribable sense that she was fundamentally different from her.

"This is Lena Ishmael, one of the twelve Returnees."

Lena timidly opened her mouth.

"U-Um, pleased to meet you. My name is Lena. I hope we can get along."

"Whoa, she's more normal than I thought," Gideon said.

"Why would you say that!? What if you upset her?"

The girl called Lena stared at the bickering pair curiously.

"I believe you already know this, but I'd like you all to review the state of this world to ready yourselves," the overseer began speaking calmly.

Currently, the world was made up of the ruling class—a race of Machines—and "Paragons," the synthetic humans that obeyed them. The Machines continuously created Paragons and put them to work restoring the polluted land, but they had gradually lost control over them.

So, the Machines were given egos and emotions to allow them to act individually—and as a result were met by rebellion from a number of Paragons. The rebel forces slowly grew in number, and before long they had become the Hardline faction "Innovators." Machinekind no longer had the power to peacefully handle the hardliners' rebellion.

The hardliners gradually restructured the power balance in every city. It would be difficult to stop this spontaneous flow that would eventually engulf everything.

"Thus, I'd like you to escort this girl that we have placed our hopes in eastward to Perses Colony, and protect her from the hardliners. Can you do it?"

"Yes! She's in our hands!"

Understanding the importance of their task, the pair accepted their mission from the overseer with nervous expressions.

When we left the office, I spoke to the anxious-looking Lena.

"Um...I'm the guard Yonah, I'll be in charge of protecting you, ma'am. Please, just call me 'Yonah.'"

"I-I'm Gideon...it's good to meet you."

A gentle smile crossed her face as she watched us speak. Then, she took a deep breath as if making up her mind, and continued.

"Well, um...you don't have to be formal with me. I'd like you to feel comfortable..."

Her earnest expression was kind of funny, so I responded to her request with a laugh.

"That kind of stuff bothers you, huh? Then, can I just call you Lena?"

"Yes!"

"Well then, don't mind if I do, too!" Gideon chimed in.

"You never change, do you!?"

"Ahaha! I think I'll get along with you two," Lena said.

With her awkward self-introduction out of the way, Lena dipped her head low. Then, she bowed deeply, causing her white hood to flop over her whole head.

"Wha—?"

"Pff. Ahahahaha! What was that?"

"...hehe."

Lena laughed at herself, making me start laughing too, and we all laughed for a while at how silly it was.

"Oh, I couldn't help laughing," I said. "Let's get along, Lena."

"Of course. And Gideon?" Lena asked, stretching a hand out to Gideon.

"Huh? Yeah, 'course," he replied.

"Heh, what's got you all shy?" I teased.

"I-I'm not—acting shy!"

----------

They were called the new humanity, so at first, I thought they would be like gods. After all...she had beautiful silky skin, and looking into her clear eyes made me feel as though they were drawing me in. But, actually exchanging words with her, I realized that she wasn't any different from us.

She seemed to feel the same. Lena said they were neither gods nor saviors, but ordinary people. She didn't want to be worshiped.

It felt a bit anticlimactic, but it was easier to be candid with her.

"Oh, that's right. Lena, you'll be staying at our home for several days before we set off."

"Really?"

"Yep. I'd like you to meet our mother, if that's okay with you."

"Mother...?"

Lena muttered the word "mother" a number of times. Then, she gave a nod as if she understood the meaning of the word, and smiled brightly.

On our way home...

Gideon started chatting with Lena about something he had been curious about.

"Lena, I've been wondering—how'd you get to this world, anyway?"

"Um...honestly, I don't remember it well. When I came to, I woke up here."

"You don't say...well then, tell me about your old world!"

Lena nodded yes and resumed her story.

"I was born in a world called Emerg. The sky was blue...and there were white clouds as far as you could see. And, there was a pillar of light reaching up to the sky."

"Wow...it sounds like a fairytale," I said.

Lena shook her head at that. Then, she took a few steps forward and stretched her arms up to the blue skies.

"It's just like this in our world, too. In our world, stories of this one were passed down as folklore from a long, long time ago. This is the fairytale world! Seeing it before me with my own eyes...it feels like a dream."

She looked back with an innocent smile. "I want to see all kinds of places in this world!"

She held so much admiration for our world. It was so beautiful and pure.

The land was still a far cry from being called clean. A great many places on the continent were still in ruins. Still, seeing her smile, I started to think that this world could be wonderful in its own way.

"...Hey, Yonah," Gideon said.

"Me too. I feel the same."

I want to protect that smile. Gideon and I exchanged looks with each other and nodded vigorously.

We arrived home after a while and continued talking about each others' worlds, this time with our mother included. We were all so absorbed in the conversation we lost track of time.

"My, it's already that time. Why don't we finish up for today and continue again tomorrow?" our mother said.

"Yeah. Gideon, I'll get Mom to bed, so could you show Lena to her room?"

"Gotcha. Follow me, then, Lena!"

"Okay. Good night to you, ma'am," Lena said.

"Yes, good night."

I took Mom to her bedroom and gently laid her down on the bed. After I could hear her breathing deeply in her sleep, I stroked the side of her face. Though she looked young, she was nearing the end of her lifespan. She probably didn't even have half a year left.

I grasped my mother's hand. The faint heat I could feel from it was proof she was alive. That alone was enough to give me hope I would see her smile again tomorrow.

"Hey, Mom. I'm Lena's protector now. Can you believe the Reise name's been around since first drifting to this world...and such an important mission's come our way? Is this what you'd call a miracle?"

Mom didn't squeeze my hand back. But, ever so slightly, her fingertips shook—I felt like she was responding to me.

"Gideon and I will take Lena to the east without fail. I hope you're rooting for us, Mom."

Then, as I gazed out the window at the moonlight, I thought to myself.

"I wish we could stay like this forever... Mom..."

If we did, all of us could enjoy every day together.

I hated war. I wanted it to stop...

Several days had passed since Lena started living with us. It happened when we were visiting the overseer for information about our escort mission.

"Yonah! Let's go to your mother!"

"Yeah, gotta make sure Mom's safe!"

The hardliners had noticed the tower's activation and dispatched troops to Ionia. It was a small mercy that our home was far from the tower. I had to prepare to escape quickly, and protect Mom!

"You mustn't. You all need to board the ferry at once and escape from this colony," the overseer said, calmly stating the facts. "The other Returnees and guards are preparing to escape. You should join the others and escape quickly."

The overseer's analysis was right. Ionia Colony's military forces had operated in relative peace until now, and it would be trivial to breach their defensive network. Logically, I understood that.

Still! I couldn't just abandon Mom like some kind of machine!

"Lena! Gideon! Let's go!"

"Yes!"

"Coming!"

We shook off the overseer's attempt to hold us back, and ran. We could make it in time. I believed it.

When we made it outside, the destruction of war had already spread further than I thought.

"No way...did they already break through the defenses!?"

"Let's hurry!" I called.

The world we knew was nowhere to be seen in the scenery we ran through. Gunfire constantly echoed from somewhere far off, and houses were set ablaze everywhere, likely hit by stray shots.

"How awful...it's too cruel...why? How could they do this!?" Lena screamed in sorrow, making no effort to hide her tears.

It was only natural for her to break down crying. The sight before her was too painful.

"Lena...I know you're hurting. But, right now, I need you to be brave and follow me."

"Ah...Yonah...Yonah..."

"Gideon! Carry her, will you!?" I asked.

"Sure thing! ...Wait, what!?"

"Now!"

Gideon looked bewildered, but he responded, "I hear ya! Lena, stay still for a sec!"

"Huh? Waaah!?" she cried in surprise.

He stood up with Lena on his back.

"There! Hold on tight, Lena!"

"O-Okay."

"Gideon! Let's keep running!"

"Yeah!"

We ran through the burning city of Ionia without sparing a second glance to our surroundings. Every time we smelled something burning or heard people screaming, I felt my chest tighten.

This...is war.

When we passed through the city center, we finally spotted the alley leading to our house.

"Just...a little more! Look! Turn the corner and—"

Mom will be...

I wasn't able to finish saying those words.

"A-Ah...!"

The scene before my eyes was enough to shatter our hopes. Our house, hit directly by a cannonball and crumbled to pitiful scraps, burned redder than the evening sky. What was I supposed to do at a time like this...?

"Mom..."

Oh...that's right. Mom asked me to go shopping. We all promised we would eat Mom's homemade meat pie. Yeah, that was it. Come on, Mom, let's go...

"...Sis! Yonah, what's gotten into you!?"

I felt a sudden pain. When I looked over, Gideon was desperately pulling my arm.

"Let—Let me go! Gideon! I have to go help Mom!"

"I won't! If you go in there, you'll get burned up, too!"

Just then, there was a sound from the communication device the overseer had given me.

Gunfire. Something exploding.

Then, the other guards' death throes.

Unable to react to that harsh cacophony of sounds, I could only stare into the dusk.

"Yonah! Hey, Yonah!"

"Gi-Gideon...?"

As I stared at our burned down house in a daze, Gideon shook me, somehow pulling me back to my senses.

"Sorry. My...mind went someplace else," I said.

"Seriously, get it together. It's your duty to protect Lena."

He was feigning his usual attitude, but he couldn't hide the anger deep in his eyes.

"You say that, but...are you okay?"

"...I'm fine," Gideon replied, approaching a large motorbike lying on its side nearby.

"Gideon, what are you doing?"

"I'm leaving the rest to you, Yonah."

"I won't just sit here and watch you go. Do you have a death wish?"

"I—I want to avenge Mom! Even if it only helps a little, I wanna take as many of 'em as I can out with me!"

If I just let him go, Gideon's anger would carry him into battle, and he would die. I didn't want that.

"Lemme go—"

"I won't."

"Don't you hate them!? They killed Mom!"

"Of course I hate them! But I can't let you go and rush in blindly to your death!"

"Fine! Then come with me—"

As our argument got too heated, Lena jumped in to hug the both of us.

"L-Lena?"

"Both of you...calm down..."

Lena held on desperately to both of us, huge tears rolling down her face.

"If you go now, you'll definitely regret it. I...don't want to be separated from both of you forever... I'm sure your mother would want you to live on."

The world Lena dreamt of had sunk the cruel fangs of reality into her over and over. Even so, she was still fervently trying to persuade us.

"Let's live together, okay? I'll never, ever, ever let you die!"

"Lena...don't cry..."

"You know what you need to do now, right, Gideon?"

"Yeah...just, let me say one thing. I've got to," he muttered in a low voice.

He turned to the twilight sky and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Shit...shit, shit, shit! We can't do anything on our own! I can't fucking take it! Shit!"

"...Sorry for losing it," he finished.

"Feeling better, Gideon?"

"Yeah. Thanks, Lena. Anyway...let's think up a way to escape for now."

Finding an escape method was easier said than done, as we had rushed out without hearing an explanation. In the end, we tried seeking the overseer's instructions using the communication device, but...

Boom! A sound loud enough to shake the ground rang out. That was the sound of the Innovators landing a direct hit on the tower with a cannonball. It destroyed the central column, smashing it into two halves halfway down.

"No way..."

"What should we do, Yonah?" Lena asked.

My mind had gone blank. No words came out. What should we do? How could I get everyone out of this crisis?

"There she is! It's the Returnee!"

No! They found us already!?

"Yonah! We've gotta prepare ourselves and fight!" Gideon called.

"But—What are we supposed to do...?"

"Your skills are first rate! You wouldn't have been picked as Lena's guard without 'em! Is that gun for decoration or what!?"

"You can do it, Yonah," Lena said. "Believe in yourself."

"You two...yeah. You're right."

I took Bardiche, the long-barreled gun I carried on my back, and leveled it on my hip. I'd made up my mind. We would survive no matter what!

"Gideon! Can you hang on just a bit longer?"

"Yeah! There's a whole lot of barricades up!"

----------

I was ready for battle. That's right. I was a guard, and a proud soldier inheriting the Reise name!

"Come at us, Innovators!"

The instant I put my finger on the trigger—

Bang! Bang-bang!

Gunfire resounded in the distance. One by one, the enemy soldiers approaching us fell to the ground.

"Hell yeah, Yonah! You knocked 'em out in an instant!"

"That's amazing, Yonah!"

"That wasn't me! I hadn't even fired a—hey, Gideon! The survivors are coming!"

At my instructions, Gideon and I crushed the remaining enemy soldiers in quick succession.

The battle was over faster than I expected. Understanding that they were at a disadvantage, the enemy forces immediately withdrew. Again and again, we sniped down the fleeing soldiers. However, one soldier was lucky enough to escape certain death.

"Shit! There's one more left!" Gideon called.

"Don't bother chasing him!" a clear voice called across the battlefield.

"Yonah! Up on that building!"

I looked where Gideon was pointing. There stood a girl whose childlike face was incongruous with the imposing sniper rifle she held.

The girl who appeared heroically before us looked just like us.

She told us plainly about the current situation in the colony. The colony was already surrounded. They had nearly killed all the Returnees. And, enemy soldiers were going to rush in to kill Lena.

"Who are you?"

"Name's Miriam. Miriam Bemidbar. I'm a brilliant sniper who came from Ephes Colony to save you all."

"Dude, you can't just call yourself brilliant."

"Gideon, shut up!"

"Whatever."

It seemed she had arrived ahead of the others at the overseer's request.

"We got caught up in battle just before we got here. We fought back and somehow made it into the city, but...honestly, it's a miracle I managed to find you guys," she explained.

Miriam turned to face Lena. "You're Lena. A Returnee, yeah?"

"Yes. Um, you have my deepest gratitude for saving us, Miriam!"

"No need to be so stiff! You all can take it easy with me, okay?"

Once Gideon and I introduced ourselves, we got to talking about how to escape.

"There's only one way to get out of here," Miriam said. "And that's to take the ferry I got here on."

The ferry was hidden in the forest east of a church.

"Yonah, sounds like we can escape from there," Gideon said.

"Yeah. The church hasn't been attacked yet, so it should work out."

As we began moving toward the church, we saw more and more guards piling up rubble to form barricades. This would likely be their final line of defense against the Innovators. When I tried speaking to them along the way, they told me that we were the only surviving guards assigned to the Returnees. To think such a talented bunch of guards couldn't even make a dent in the Innovators' forces...

"Yonah, this is no time to be depressed. You all are our last hope."

"We'll buy you time here. Use that chance to escape."

"That's—That's basically suicide!" I cried. "If we all fight together, I'm sure—!"

As I spoke my honest feelings, one of the guards gripped my hand and said, "You must already know the difference in strength between us and the Innovators."

"Total defeat is inevitable. Still, we have our pride."

"Pride..." I muttered.

"We've restored this land for generations to make a peaceful place to welcome the Returnees. We won't sit by and let those savages take that away."

The guards all nodded in agreement.

"Miss Lena...we ask that you carry on the light of hope for us."

"I...I will," she replied.

"Let's get going, Yonah," Gideon said.

They had their duty, and we had ours. We had to survive and escape the city so their deaths would not be in vain.

"We wish you good luck."

"Thanks. If, someday...we have the chance to visit this place again, I'd like to ask something of you," I said.

"What is that?"

"Make this city overflow with green again."

"...Understood! We'll fulfill your request without fail!"

We exchanged our goodbyes and left, led by Miriam.

----------

We won't be wiped out.

That desire mustn't end with our generation.

We parted from the other guards and headed for the church. Just after that, we heard gunfire.

"The Innovators' evil has already reached that far..."

"Yonah! You shouldn't be looking back!"

"Sorry, Miriam!"

Our enemies had advanced faster than I thought. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before we got caught up in battle.

When we arrived at the church, Miriam proceeded into the forest. Apparently, the ferry was in front of some ruins deep inside. Gideon and I had often played in the forest behind the church. To us, it was like our own backyard. Here, even if a battle broke out, we could likely hold our own to some extent. As those thoughts crossed my mind, a call came in from my communicator.

"Sorry, Yonah...they broke through our defenses... Hurry and run..."

Static came from the communicator. Then, it went silent.

They would catch up in no time. And so—someone had to stop them in their tracks.

"Listen, everyone! I'll keep the enemy back, so go on ahead!" I cried.

"What? What are you talking about, Yonah?" Gideon shouted back. "We're all gonna survive together, got it?"

"He's right," Lena added. "Yonah, if you were gone, I..."

I wasn't planning to die, of course. It was just the best option, rationally speaking. I couldn't let Lena fight, and Miriam would be the one to pilot the ferry. Between Gideon, who specialized in close-quarters combat, and myself at long-range combat, I would have a higher chance at surviving and taking down more enemy soldiers. Miriam had expected me to remain behind, so she started speaking without much surprise in her voice.

"I'll send the ferry's coordinates through the communicator. It's probably pointless to say this, but don't overdo it, okay?"

"Right. When I'm done blocking them off, I'll head over."

Miriam sent me the information. All I had to do next was intercept the enemy!

"Okay, let's get out of here!" Miriam called.

"Yonah, promise me," Lena said. "That you'll definitely survive, and escape from here."

"Of course. I won't die, and I'll meet back up with you!"

I stroked Lena's soft hair, then took off running toward the church.

"I'll be waiting!" Lena called after me. "I'll definitely wait for you!"

"No matter what, Yonah! No matter what!" Gideon shouted.

I'd be okay. I had those two to give me courage. I'd come back alive no matter what.

"Now then...let's see how much they can take."

I was about to exchange lives with the approaching evil, but even so...

For some strange reason, my heart felt at ease.

In order to ambush the enemy soldiers in the church, I needed to secure a high location. I would need an escape route as well. So, I inevitably made the second floor skylight my point of attack. I sat there, readied my rifle, and waited for enemies to arrive. Now it was just a matter of how well I could hold them at bay—

Bang! The sound of the door breaking down. The enemy soldiers were finally here... but there were no footsteps to be heard. That was actually convenient for me. Go ahead, buy me as much time as you can!

Clack, clack.

Just then, sharp footsteps rang out through the church—a relaxed gait I could sense a certain arrogance from. Were those...heels? To take the trouble to wear heels on the battlefield...could it be a commanding officer!?

"How long will you keep running? Now that I am here, hiding is pointless!"

The oppressive voice's owner laughed loudly. She made no effort to hide her sadistic feelings. I felt it coil around me like thorns. What an uncomfortable voice.

Clack, clack.

The footsteps echoed on. Just a bit further, and they would be in Bardiche's line of fire.

Come on, calm down. Not yet. Wait for her to enter the line of fire! My finger felt heavy. My heart was pounding too loud. I couldn't breathe right. It felt like so much time had passed. I gulped.

Clack, clack, clack.

She entered the line of fire! Pull the trigger! Hit her!

My aim was certain—or it should have been. My bullet missed her and only pierced the floor. She had evaded my shot so easily. The woman and I locked eyes.

"There you are, you fool...found you!"

Bright blue eyes floated on her well-proportioned face. Even though I was after her life, she sneered at me.

"Trying to kill me, are you? I promise I'll kill you oh so gently, so be a good boy and come on down, okay?" 

"I-I'll have you know I'm a woman!"

"You don't say? In that case, why don't I punish you until you want to die yourself before I end you? Ahaha!"

How could she laugh like that? Even though she had taken so many lives. Why was she laughing? She—she was the one who burned down our city!

"I'll bring you down this time!"

I kept shooting, but none of my bullets hit her. She only danced around lightly, as if to provoke me.

"Why!? Why can't I hit you!?"

"Ahahahaha! Didn't I tell you? Your killing intent is too obvious! You can't kill me like that, can you?"

Shut up, shut up! Stop mocking me with your grating voice!

The instant I readied my rifle again in anger, an enemy bullet grazed the side of my face. That was close...if I stopped thinking on the battlefield, it was a death sentence. I had to keep my cool and fight. If I stayed calm, I wouldn't lose, even outnumbered.

"Take this!"

I took a smoke bomb from my hip and tossed it to the lower level. Smoke filled the room in an instant. Even so, the soldiers didn't stop shooting, so I shot at them as I moved.

One, two, three soldiers. I felt accomplished!

"Don't fire indiscriminately! Identify her location!"

The shooting stopped precisely with the woman's voice. She was hiding, so I couldn't pinpoint her location. Still...I could fight like this! I'd definitely survive!

When I had nearly wiped out all her subordinates, I broke through the window and escaped from the roof. I took down the soldiers who had been standing by on the perimeter, then took off into the forest without a second glance. I had the advantage here. In the darkness of the forest, the soldiers couldn't move around well, letting me gun them down easily. It was just a simple pull of the trigger.

They must have started taking caution after the first few soldiers fell, as they were hesitating to enter the forest. That meant I had done my job well enough. Just as I was about to head to the ruins where Miriam and the others were, I heard a noise behind me.

"Who's there!?"

I hurriedly raised my gun, only to see Miriam standing there with her hands up.

"Miriam? What are you doing here!?"

"Sorry, I heard gunshots and got curious. I'm glad you're all right," she said casually, aiming her sniper rifle toward the bushes. "They're getting closer. Let's clean 'em up a bit and make a break for it!"

"You got it!"

Miriam was a more accurate sniper than me, dropping the enemy's numbers with every shot. She truly had earned the right to call herself a "brilliant sniper." Maybe the two of us really could drive them back like this...? If we worked together, even that unpleasant woman would be—

As if mocking my own thoughts, an explosion rang out through the whole forest.

"What!?"

A large man rushed past us on a huge armored bike.

"Dammit."

The bike was headed straight for the ruins further in.

"They broke through! Miriam!"

We only looked behind us for a moment. She didn't miss her chance.

"—!"

Fear shot through me. That unpleasant woman had closed the distance in one fell swoop. Even in the dark, I could see that eerie gleam in her icy stare. I shivered.

"Miriam! We can't let her get closer!"

"I know! Ugh, this stinks!"

An unsettling chill ran through me. I knew if we didn't kill them here, we would regret it one day. All my senses were warning me nonstop.

"What's her deal!?"

No wonder Miriam was panicking. Even with both of us shooting at her, not a single shot hit. If she got any closer, she would certainly—

Click.

No! My rifle ran out of energy!? My mind went blank for a moment. Then, an impact hit my right shoulder.

"Ugh—!?"

The pain was so sharp I forgot to breathe. The bullet she fired pierced my shoulder, and blood poured from the wound. I closed my eyes, unable to believe the sight of it. I grit my teeth, but the pain wouldn't subside. I wanted to start screaming from what felt like endless torture.

"Yonah!"

Miriam called from far away—by the time I realized she was trying to warn me, I sensed someone in front of me.

"Oh, dear, you thought you could make a fool of me!?"

I gazed up as if pleading. The blue-eyed woman stood before me. Looking closer, I saw a mark on where a bullet had grazed her cheek, blood trickling slightly from it.

Oh, bet it doesn't hurt as much as mine, I thought, my mouth opening blankly.

"...!"

"Agh...ah—!"

I groaned as the tip of her boot slammed into the pit of my stomach. Even as death drew near, with my head a mess of pain and terror, it felt like someone else's problem.

The woman held my hands behind my back and used me as a shield, provoking Miriam.

"Sniper number two, you had best come out quietly before I kill her, understood?"

"...ugh."

Miriam prepared herself and stepped from the bushes, gun at the ready.

"That's a good girl. Now, how shall I finish you off...?"

The muzzle of a gun pressed up against the nape of my neck. That grating voice echoed in my ears as if she was salivating, mixed in with the smell of gunpowder.

"Take that gun away from Yonah!"

An evil smile crossed the woman's face.

"Wow, you two aren't bad! With your strong resolve, why not come and join us? Our leader Ahav would surely welcome you with open arms!"

"Who the hell would join you guys? Miriam, just leave me with—ngh...!"

"I believe it was my turn to speak. Did no one teach you any manners? Perhaps I'll take you with me and teach you myself."

She laughed at length, reveling in the aftertaste of victory. She was provoking Miriam, but kept aware of her line of fire and changed where she stood. As a result, Miriam couldn't make a move. By now, Lena and Gideon would be dealing with that guy...

I couldn't fathom a way to break the deadlock. It was hopeless already... I really never had a chance after all. Sorry, Mom. I couldn't carry out my duty—

Just then, a tremendous light burst from deeper in. Miriam noticed immediately and dove for the bushes. I couldn't move, only stare into the torrent of light rushing toward me.

Then, I went flying through the air as if engulfed by a violent storm. In my hazy vision, I could only sense the smell of something scorched and the flashing stream of light.

"Lena, Gideon...Please be safe..."

The names that spilled from my mouth were those of the precious people I wanted to protect.

Moved to glossary! See: Yonah Reise, Bardiche