Battle
Fast exchanges. Bleeg overpowers Kiox and grabs him.
Bleeg:
This was easy. Xai was weak.
Kiox struggles.
Something ignites.
Determination.
Kiox breaks free and unleashes rapid punches, sending Bleeg flying.
Kiox:
I don’t know my powers…
But I’m not weak.
Bleeg:
Then let’s do this properly.
High-speed combat.
Energy lines. Dodges. Aerial strikes.
Kiox slams Bleeg into the ground, leaving a massive crater.
Kiox (panting):
You done?
Bleeg:
Well fought.
Next time… you won’t win.
Kiox:
Kayi?
Kayi:
Got it.
Bleeg vanishes.
*******************************
Aftermath
Kayi:
Good job.
You handled that yourself.
Stronger enemies will come.
You’re still human.
These powers are to protect, not destroy.
Understood?
Kiox:
Understood.
Kiox:
One more thing.
Kayi:
Yes?
Kiox:
Take me home.
I don’t even know where we are.
Kayi:
Fair.
Kiox’s House — Night
Kiox fades in… then drops into the backyard.
Kiox:
HEY—!
Kiox (distant):
…Thanks, Kayi.
********************************
3:00 a.m. — Midnight
Kiox lies awake in his room, tossing and turning.
Kiox:
Man… I can’t sleep. I can’t stop thinking about yesterday.
(yawns) So tired… There has to be something to do. Maybe I’ll go to the roof.
Kiox climbs to the roof.
Kiox:
Wow… it’s a beautiful night. How come I never did this before?
Well… time to head back inside.
As he reaches for his window, a shadow moves on a nearby tree. Glowing eyes pierce the darkness.
Kiox:
HEY—WOAH!
Kiox slips and falls onto the ground.
Kiox (distant, groaning):
I should probably just sleep now.
************************************
School — Morning
Kiox trudges through his classes, barely awake.
Kiox:
Ugh… so sleepy.
Hosu:
Heya, Kioxnexic!
Kiox:
WOAH… hey, Hosu.
Hosu:
You looked kinda annoyed, so I came to bother you.
Kiox:
I’m not annoyed… I’m just tired. And if I was annoyed, are you helping or making it worse?
Hosu:
Depends how you take it. Anyways… want to come to the movies with us?
Kiox:
Today?
Hosu:
Yep! Shinosue Movie Theater, tonight. See you there! Byeee!
Hosu runs off.
Kiox:
This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.
I didn’t even agree…
Bell rings.
Kiox:
Just a few more classes…
Glances behind him.
Kiox:
…Probably just me.
Bell rings again — school ends.
Kiox:
Ahh, finally… classes are over—
Hosu:
Kiooooo!
Hosu tackles Kiox.
Hosu:
Movie theater today! Don’t forget!
Kiox:
With all the reminders today, I think I won’t forget for years.
Hosu:
Well, be there then! Bye!
Kiox:
Hey! Wait!
Zormu (laughing):
Don’t forget to go, Kiox.
Kiox:
Oh, hey Zormu. How’ve you been?
Zormu (childhood friend):
I’m alright. But… are you coming to the theater?
Kiox:
Coming? She invited you?
Zormu:
Yeah, but only once.
Kiox:
Wish it was like that for me…
Zormu:
Be happy she’s inviting you. She’s… special.
Kiox:
It’s just a movie theater, not a restaurant.
Zormu:
Have it your way. You always miss your chances.
Kiox:
Let’s end it there. I’m going to the movies. Let’s walk home.
Zormu:
I’m busy. See ya later.
Kiox:
Alright… take care, Zormu.
Kiox remembers…
Memories from five years ago flash by.
Kiox:
Gah… no time to dwell. Embarrassing.
***************************************************
Walking Home — Afternoon
Kiox senses something off.
Kiox:
Something isn’t right… or is it just me?
Best ignore it.
Kiox arrives home.
Kiox:
Mom, I’m home.
A note on the table.
Note (Mom):
Hey son, I’m out of town for a bit—maybe three weeks. Remember, you can always call me. You’re growing up… I believe in your responsibility. Don’t burn down the house.
Kiox:
She’s out again… Alright, I should change quickly or I might be late.
Kayi:
Where ya going?
Kiox:
Kayi! I told you to stop appearing out of nowhere.
I’m going to the movies with friends.
Kayi:
Friends… that’s… nice.
Kiox:
Why say it like that?
Kayi:
Nothing. Want to change training time?
Kiox:
Yeah, later. I gotta go now.
Kayi:
…Okay. Bye.
Kayi watches him leave.
Kayi (muttering):
Friends…
*****************************************
Movie Theater — Evening
Kiox arrives.
Kiox:
Finally… now, where are they?
He calls Hosu.
Hosu:
Kioooox! You’re here!
Kiox:
Surprised I came?
Hosu:
Really.
Kiox:
Good… I wasn’t planning to.
Hosu:
Aww, negative attitude?
Kiox:
I’m tired. Let’s find Zormu.
They walk toward the entrance.
Zormu:
Hey, you showed up.
Kiox:
Sure did… miracle. Alright, wanna eat first?
Hosu:
YEEEEES!
Hosu runs to the food area.
Kiox:
Hey, wait!
Zormu:
Don’t worry, Tina and I will watch her.
Kiox:
Tina?
Zormu:
Forgot to introduce her. Tina, this is Kiox.
Tina (unimpressed):
Hello.
Kiox:
Hello… (Who even is she?)
Zormu:
Be back at 30 minutes. Do whatever until then.
Kiox:
Sounds good… Might as well nap on a bench.
**********************************************************
Movie Theater — Back Alley
Kiox wakes suddenly.
Kiox:
Something isn’t right…
A girl moves in the shadows.
Kiox:
Who’s that?
He follows, keeping distance.
Kiox:
Hey… not trying to be weird… why are you here alone?
Mysterious Girl:
Leave.
Kiox:
Are you sure you’re okay?
The girl attacks with lightning speed.
Kiox:
How did you—?!
She grapples the walls, launches herself in an X-pattern, slashing at him.
Kiox dodges, assesses her speed.
Kiox (thinking):
She’s fast… shouldn’t have followed her.
Suddenly, she disappears and reappears behind him.
She punches, launching Kiox into the air, continuing the assault mid-air.
Kiox:
Ghh… fast, but weak.
Kiox studies her patterns.
Kiox (slow motion):
Okay… I got this.
Kiox moves faster, circling her. Before she can react, he’s behind her, then in front, striking decisively.
Kiox:
Are you alright?
The girl tries to stand but collapses unconscious.
Kiox:
Not good… I need help.
Kiox calls Kayi. No answer.
Kiox:
Fine… I’ll take her home.
**********************************************
Kiox’s House — Night
Kiox enters, placing the girl on the sofa.
Kayi (appearing, covered in flour):
…
Kiox:
What are you doing?
Kayi:
Nothing.
Kiox:
Sure?
Kayi:
Positive. Why are you here?
Kiox:
Long story… I fought someone. She’s unconscious.
Kayi examines her.
Kayi:
She’s fine. Needs rest.
Kiox:
What happened?
Kayi:
Overload of energy, beyond her level.
Kiox recalls the fight.
Kiox:
She was faster than me, but I adapted… became faster than her.
Kayi:
Exactly.
Kiox:
Adapted? How?
Kayi:
You manipulated power. Your skill… is Manipulation. You copied her strength and surpassed it.
Kiox:
I… see. What can I do?
Kayi:
Many things. Objects, powers, skills…
You’ve already learned. Now you just need to control it.
Kayi vanishes.
Kiox stares at the girl, thinking.
Kiox (whisper):
Manipulation…
*****************************
Next Morning — 6:00 a.m.
Kiox is asleep on the sofa.
Kiox:
(Zzzz…)
He fell asleep watching over the mysterious girl.
The girl slowly wakes up, careful and silent.
Mysterious Girl (thinking):
…Where am I?
This blanket… it’s cold, but comfortable.
Wait—where is this place?
She looks around the room. Then—
“…Is that…?”
Kiox is asleep on the opposite sofa.
Kiox:
(Zzzz…)
!!!
The girl immediately lunges forward, attempting a surprise attack.
Kiox shifts in his sleep—dodging instinctively.
The attack misses and punches straight through the sofa, leaving a hole.
Kiox (eyes half-open):
Attacking someone while they’re asleep… that’s a dirty move.
Mysterious Girl:
Who are you?
Kiox:
I thought you already knew.
Mysterious Girl:
…Kind of.
Kiox:
Either way—why are you wearing a mask with glowing eyes?
You’re in my house. Take it off.
Mysterious Girl:
Why?
Kiox:
Why are you stressing over it?
She hesitates.
Mysterious Girl:
…Fine. Only because I’m tired.
She removes the mask in one smooth motion.
Tina:
My name is Tina.
Kiox:
Alright, Ti—
…Wait. Tina?
Tina:
Yeah. From the movie theater.
And before you ask—he doesn’t know about this.
Don’t tell him.
Kiox:
Then that means—
Tina:
Does he know about you?
Or Hosu?
Kiox:
…Fair point.
Kiox:
Then why did you attack me?
Tina:
Think about it.
A guy follows a girl into a dark back area at night.
Kiox:
I was just worried.
Tina:
Doesn’t matter.
A weirdo is still a weirdo.
Kiox:
…Alright.
Tina:
Do you have water?
Kiox:
What do you think this is—a desert?
Kitchen.
She tries to move quickly—
—and immediately collapses.
Tina:
Ouch—what the hell?
Why am I so slow?
Kiox:
Yeah… about that.
You’re still weak. Give it time.
Tina:
Explain.
Kiox:
I don’t think I—
Kayi:
—but I can.
Kiox:
From where did you come from now?
Kayi:
No idea.
Anyways—
Tina:
Who are you?
Kayi:
Mind if I finish?
Tina:
…Sorry. Go ahead.
Kayi:
You’re overcharged.
That fight pushed energy into you far beyond your usual capacity.
Until it stabilizes, you’ll be weak.
Kayi:
Don’t fight.
Don’t use your power.
Tina:
I still have school.
Kayi:
How do you forget something you never knew?
Kiox:
So now what?
She can’t even run—
Kayi and Tina glare at him.
Kayi & Tina (simultaneously):
That was on you.
Kiox:
…Don’t tell me.
Kayi:
Then what are you going to do?
Stick with her.
Tina:
What? Can’t take responsibility?
So much for “being worried.”
Kiox:
You handled yourself pretty well last night.
Tina:
Are you always this much of an ass?
Kiox:
Rude—but no. I don’t think so.
Tina:
What time—
DAMN IT. WE’RE LATE FOR SCHOOL.
Kiox:
Welp. Guess it’s nap time.
Tina:
You are NOT—
WE ARE GOING. NOW.
She grabs him and drags him.
Kiox:
Myyyy gooooood—
******************************************
School — Morning
Tina:
We made it. Good.
Kiox:
We made it. Bad.
Tina:
Are you always this negative?
Kiox:
Why do you care so much about me?
I get it—you like me.
Tina:
You need a doctor.
Kiox:
Say that again in a month.
Tina:
…What?
Kiox:
What class do you have?
Tina:
Chemistry.
Kiox:
Wanna go to—
Tina:
Goodbye.
Wait for me after school.
She walks off.
Kiox:
…She’s still mad.
Suddenly—
Kiox feels eyes on him.
Kiox (thinking):
What was that…?
He turns.
Tina:
You gonna stand there, or go to class?
Kiox:
Right. Yeah.
They part ways.
Something still feels wrong.
Later — Lunch
Kiox:
Lunch already…
Should probably find Tina.
Voices echo in his head.
“Oh look, it’s Kiox.”
“What a loser.”
“He’s ugly.”
Kiox (thinking):
…Bathroom it is.
Chapter End
