"Human evolution project? What are you saying?" Kaito asked, confusion clouding his features.
"What a fool you are," the robotic woman sneered. "You don't even know what you are. You're a human evolution project—a creation of this very city, Velmor. But somehow… you're in control. Maybe you're incomplete, and that's why you managed to escape them."
"I… I don't get it. Human evolution project? What does that have to do with this country?" Kaito asked, his mind racing.
"A human evolution project… is when humans are taken and altered, changed into something beyond normal humanity. They make you a sort of… hybrid, part human, part machine—imbued with supernatural strength and abilities. But usually… once a human is converted, they cannot control their own body. Yet here you are." The robot woman's tone was sharp, almost amused.
Kaito's hands clenched into fists. "So… that's why Father kidnapped us—to turn us into weapons. He never saw us as his children."
The woman tilted her head, regarding him like a scientist studying an anomaly. "Well… since this will be your last stand, I'll introduce myself. I am Seaph-09. A human evolution project from another country. Over there, we can control our bodies because the experiments are perfected—but we must follow orders. My order… is to destroy this filthy village of Zolderheim."
Before Kaito could react, she dashed forward. Yet somehow, his body moved instinctively—he pulled Elena out of the way and dodged her attack.
BOOM!
"ow son of a duck,if that cought us we would be dead right now."kaito shouted.
"I'm surprised you dodged that… but don't expect the same luck twice," Seaph-09 taunted. She lunged again with blinding speed. Kaito tried to react, but this time a sharp pain shot through his body. He froze—yet, for some reason, he could see her movements, predict her strike. Summoning every ounce of strength, he caught her with both hands, creating a shockwave that radiated outward as they struggled in a deadly clash of power.
"Damn… you're stronger than I expected, and incomplete… but I'll crush you!" she laughed as she slammed him to the ground.
Pain coursed through Kaito, but he couldn't stop. He had to protect his friends.
"I… won't let you hurt them!"
A blurry vision flashed before him: his brother and sister… then Darius and Elena. And then—a number appeared before his eyes, a notification only he could see:
"LIMIT BREAKER UNLOCKED… 40%"
Red sparks erupted around him as his strength surged uncontrollably. He roared in rage and slammed Seaph-09 backward. She landed hard, the ground beneath her cracking, nearby houses trembling under the impact.
"What… was that?" Kaito muttered, staring at his hands as his body continued to glow with energy.
Seaph-09 laughed from the rubble. "HAHA! You really are something. I didn't expect that. Now… I'm going to enjoy killing you."
In an instant, she transformed. Two blades emerged from her arms, engulfed in blue flames so hot they even licked at Kaito from a distance.
"Not good! If she hits any of us with those blades, we're done," Kaito muttered. Then, a sudden sensation—like pain—shot through his mind. He looked up at the sky, his vision sharpening, allowing him to see objects approaching at a distance, though they were still too far to make out clearly.
"Oh, looks like my comrades are arriving," Seaph-09 smirked.
"What? Comrades?" Kaito asked, alarmed.
"Knowing that you are an incomplete evolution and this strong, we have to bring you back. I won't let you escape," she said, flames licking higher along her blades.
"I won't let it happen. One strike… that will be enough," Kaito said, determination blazing in his eyes.
"One strike?" she laughed. "Overconfident. Let's see how that works." She dashed with blinding speed. Her right blade aimed straight for his chest—but Kaito dodged, catching the blade even as it burned his hand. Summoning his newfound strength, he slammed it into her gut.
BOOM!
Lightning erupted in every direction as she was thrown back, smashing through trees and houses until she was out of sight.
"Yes!" Kaito shouted, sensing the incoming objects. "We have to move before they arrive!" He scooped up Elena, dashing toward Darius, who wasent that far from them still out cold.Using the remaining strength, he ran at full speed, escaping the immediate danger.
"I can't believe they'd destroy their home for some stupid war," Kaito muttered, clenching his fists in anger as they fled.
---
Meanwhile, in Velmor, Dr. Velar stood atop a massive building, flanked by a woman. Another man approached, bowing.
"Excuse me, Dr. Velar. We detected a weak signal from an evolution. It was brief, but… it released a type of energy we've never seen before."
Velar's eyes gleamed. "A human evolution project… We've never let one escape. Except… him."
The woman beside him whispered, "Could it be him?"
Velar smiled. "It has to be him…"
"You mean… your son? Project Zero?" the man asked.
"Yes," Velar replied, dark amusement in his tone.
Suddenly, another person arrived, shouting, "Doctor! Another country is attacking! What should we do?"
Velar's grin widened. "The fun begins. Release the human evolution projects—but not Project One. Understood?"
The man nodded and departed. Velar's gaze turned toward the horizon. "Project Zero… I will get you back," he laughed.
---
Back in the forest, Kaito sat down, exhausted. Elena woke up confused, looking around in panic before seeing Kaito beside her.
"Kaito?" she whispered, eyes wide. Then relief washed over her. "You're… okay."
She looked around finding Darius still out concious,looking if he was ok,she looked back at kaito asking.
"They destroyed our home…" Elena said softly.
"Yeah… I'm sorry I couldn't do more," Kaito replied.
"No. We're alive because of you, Kaito," she said, blushing.
"But we can't stay here. If we want to survive, we have to keep moving… this thing—a human evolution project—is just the beginning." Kaito looked up at the stars, his thoughts heavy.
"Brother..."