Heavy-duty military tanks rolled into position, sealing off entire avenues with iron Parasite and rotating turrets. Soldiers sprinted through the streets in tight formations, boots pounding against rain-dark pavement.
A metallic voice boomed from mounted speakers overhead.
"All units, parasite on the loose. Parasite on the loose. Find and eliminate the target."
Mira ran with her laser rifle tucked tight against her chest, breath sharp, pulse louder than the sirens. Water splashed up around her boots as several soldiers kept pace at her sides.
"Damn it," she muttered. "How could this even happen? This is the worst-case scenario."
Ulice didn't slow down. "Can't think about that right now. We just have to find them before they reaches the city lines."
Gunfire erupted to the west.
They turned the corner, and saw it.
The parasite towered over the street, its onyx body swollen and glistening, massive tentacles whipping through the air like living blades.
Soldiers were thrown aside like dolls. One scream cut short as the creature lifted a man and bit down.
Mira raised her rifle and fired.
So did everyone else.
The blasts struck its flesh, and did nothing.
The parasite only grew larger.
A tentacle lashed out, ripping Mari's rifle from her hands and lifting her into the air. Pain shot through her ribs as she screamed.
"HELP!"
Ulice fired, a concentrated blast severing the tentacle. Mira crashed to the ground, gasping, terror flooding her limbs.
She scrambled backward and slammed into someone.
"Easy," a calm voice said. "No need to be afraid, my dear."
Mira froze.
She looked up.
The woman standing before her was immaculate, untouched by rain or chaos, her posture relaxed, her eyes bright with quiet amusement.
Mira's breath caught.
Ulice rushed over. "Mira, are you oka—"
He gripped her hand lifting her up.
He stopped.
"...You're Empress Jezrell," he said, stunned. "Empress, what are you doing here? You should be in a secure location."
Jezrell frowned faintly.
"I am aware of all the pain and distress my people suffer, my heart is heavy with grief.."
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Her gaze shifted to the parasite, then back to Mariam.
"Child," she said softly. "You are full of potential."
Mira swallowed. "Empress, why are you here?"
"Would you like to be my vessel?"
"...Vessel?"
Jezrell tilted her head. "Do you give me your consent?"
The parasite roared, tentacles slamming into the street.
Mira's heart hammered.
"I, um... yes."
Jezel nodded.
"Then it is settled."
She extended her hand.
blue Abi spiraled outward, coalescing into a floating book etched with glowing symbols. Mira and Ulice stared in disbelief.
"This," Jezrell said, "is my philosophy."
She turned the book toward Mariam.
"Go forth, and conquer future visionary."
"Wait," Mira stammered. "I don't fight! I mean I only use a laser gun but they aren't really effective against a paarasite liek that, haha, this is a mistake."
The Abi surged.
Mira screamed as her body moved without her permission.
"What's happening?!"
She vanished.
A sonic crack echoed as Mira reappeared midair, her foot smashing into the parasite's face. The creature shrieked, reeling backward.
Tentacle-blades slashed.
Mira's form changed into a future version of herself, the visionary who could see and manipulate electricity. She evaded, moving at the speed of sound. None of teh soldiers could see her, not even captain Arell.
Mira's eyes opened wide, she saw the elecricity from every living organism including the earth, She gathering a massive hand full of electricity and released.
The electricity launched towards the massve parasite like a rocket.
The explosion thundered through the street.
onyx flesh collapsed inward.
Silence.
Smoke drifted.
Mira zipped beside Ulice and then phased back to her normal self.
She stood trembling.
"...Wait," she whispered. "What jjust happened?"
Jezrell smiled.
"That is my Philos power."
Ulice stared, awestruck. "Incredible..."
He turned, Jezrell was gone.
Soldiers rushed in, cheering, clapping, crowding around Mari as she finally collapsed to her knees. Some soldiers catch a glipse of Empress Jezrell.
Empress Jezrell scurried off not to be seen.
Captain Arell stormed onto the scene moments later, rain dripping from his coat.
"What happened to the parasite?"
Ulice snapped to attention. "Rookie soldier Mira Ataki destroyed the parasite, sir."
Mira looked down at her hands, shaking.
"I, I swear," she thought desperately, "I have no idea what I just did."
Arelll studied her for a long moment.
"...Perhaps I was wrong about you," he said. "Good work."
Then his expression hardened.
"But we're not done. There's still another parasite out there."
He turned sharply.
"Mira. You lead Military Flank Three."
Soldiers gathered around her, awaiting orders.
Mira nodded mechanically.
Inside, her thoughts screamed.
What is happening to me?
I didn't choose this, did I?
The city lights pulsed red.
And somewhere beyond the barricades, something else was still moving.