"Haah... haah... haah..."Their heavy breaths echoed through the thick darkness of the forest.The faint moonlight slipped between the leaves, drawing silver lines on the wet ground, while the sounds of drone helicopters tore through the silence of the night with a cold metallic tone.
Jack ran while holding Yuki's hand, and the mysterious boy ran beside them.Their quick steps cut through grass and mud, while loudspeakers blared around them:
"Stop immediately! The search area is completely sealed!"
Red laser lines crossed between the trees, like deadly nets stretching toward them.Dozens of footsteps came closer from behind, and even the air itself felt like it was chasing them.
The boy suddenly turned to his right and spotted a narrow path between the trees and a small slope.Jack grabbed his arm tightly:"There's a small slope... this way!"
But before they could move, a raid team of three armed soldiers appeared in front of them.One of them shouted sharply:"Freeze! Hands up!"
Jack didn't hesitate.He rushed forward, landing a strong punch on one soldier's helmet, knocking him down.The boy kicked the second one in the knee until a cracking sound was heard, snatched his weapon, and fired at the third.Bullets pierced the darkness while Yuki crouched down, trembling, covering her head with both hands.
The boy yelled:"Move now!"
They kept running through the trees, gasping for air, until they reached the edge of a shallow, fast-flowing river.The sound of the water covered their steps, and the shouting behind them grew closer.Jack hesitated for a moment, but the boy pushed him hard toward the water:"In the water, the heat sensors won't find us!"
They all jumped into the river.The water was painfully cold, the current resisted them, Yuki almost fell, but Jack held her hand tightly, keeping her steady.Above them, a small drone passed by, its spotlight scanning the area.
A voice came from the radio:"We lost them! The heat signature is unclear!"
The three of them stayed underwater for a few moments before crawling out onto the opposite bank, gasping, water dripping from their hair and clothes.The boy looked around; the moonlight reflected off rocks and the long stone slopes at the foot of the mountain.
Suddenly—The roar of an engine grew louder from behind — a motorcycle was approaching fast.
The mysterious boy whispered sharply:"Stay behind me."
The three hid behind a large rock, watching the bike as it passed.At the right moment, the boy leapt out, hit the driver with his elbow, knocked him down, then stopped the bike beside Jack.
"Take it. Ride until you reach the end of the rocky zone. I'll distract them. If I don't come back in ten minutes... don't wait for me."
Then he turned to Yuki, his eyes more serious than ever:"You're Japanese, right? Then you'll understand me...Head north, toward the city of Kurayoshi. Look for an old shop called Agiovity 90.You'll find a man named Gairo.Tell him we came from the direction of Jiyomi 364... and explain everything that happened."
Jack muttered, trying to remember the names:"369... got it."
Yuki stared at them, her face confused, unable to believe how fast everything was happening.Jack got on the motorcycle, and Yuki sat behind him, holding on to him tightly.
Jack groaned as he tried to start it:"Damn it... how do I drive this thing?!"
Yuki shouted:"Leave it to me! I'll drive!"
The bike turned over the rocks and sped deep into the forest, the sound of the engine echoing between the mountains.Inside, Yuki thought:"Damn it... what have I gotten myself into? What the hell is happening?"
As for the boy — Jiyomi — he stayed behind, staring in the direction they went.He took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and his brown eyes glowed with a faint golden light.
Reinforcements were closing in.Laser beams crossed over his body from every direction.He smiled slightly... picked up a few small stones, threw them precisely toward the trees to distract them, then dashed forward like an arrow.He jumped over one soldier, snatched his weapon, and fired in every direction, moving with non-human agility.The sounds of gunfire mixed with screams... red laser lights filled the scene, revealing a wild battlefield.
Amid the smoke and chaos, Jiyomi lifted his head toward the helicopter in the sky... a brief smile crossed his face.
At the old battle site, where Gary had fallen...Another helicopter slowly descended, the air spinning violently around it.A tall man in a black suit with a cold look in his eyes stepped out — one of the Six who appeared in Chapter Five.
One of the support soldiers approached him:"Sir, the suspects escaped to the opposite side. We've sent units to pursue them."The man in black asked coldly:"And what about the losses?"The reply came hesitantly:"The twelfth unit... almost completely wiped out.Around thirty-three dead.As for Commander Gary... he's badly injured. The medical team is on their way now."
The man walked slowly toward Gary's body lying on the ground, watched him for a moment, then smiled faintly — without an ounce of mercy.He raised his pistol and fired a bullet straight into Gary's head without hesitation.
The soldiers froze in shock.
He spoke in an icy tone:"Tell the medical team... they're not needed.Now, let's see what's happening on the other side."
At that moment, the motorcycle reached the end of the rocky area.Jack slowed down, looking back at the glowing chaos of the burning forest.Yuki stared into the darkness, her face covered with sweat and dust.
"Jiyomi..."She whispered faintly, looking toward the horizon.
And there, among the shadows and smoke,the moonlight reflected a faint glimmer in the distance —an echo of another battle beginning far away.
End of Chapter 15