Chapter 3: Flaw
Miu
Satoka ran head first into the building like a raging bull. She has no fear of anything. Sometimes, I wish I could be like her; having nothing blocking the path to my goal. That'd be nice, but then, I wouldn't want to get hurt.
Ayane and I followed Satoka. I was scared, but then I usually am. I don't think Ayane cares. She follows behind, not even bothering to bring her laptop. She has those cell phones of hers ready too, probably so I can drop them for her. My stupid gate doesn't have any special power to it, it just lifts me off the ground.
Sometimes I wonder, why do I get so scared? I've done this so many times, just gone out and beaten those Invaders. Yet, I'm always so afraid. Maybe, maybe it's because all I can do is fly. But then, flying makes me free, free like a bird. Right?
But, why do birds fly away from danger…? I suppose freedom doesn't mean strength.
They entered the building swiftly, weapons raised. Satoka stood in a ready position, he blade positioned to her side, able to strike in a split second. Ayane was posed in a relaxed way, yet her arms were tense, readying to reach for her cell phones. By her side, was Miu, her arms crossed in a protective way over her chest, while her face was plastered with fear. The trio stood in the doorway for a moment, their eyes all adjusting to the murk that was cast over the interior of the building.
Ayane
I could hear them; the slimy sound of their movements polluting the air. I pulled out two of my cells phones. I know that I can blast them all away. Why do they bother? They know they'll lose. They lose just like their idiotic comrades did. Sad, isn't it? I can beat them without using my gate. Ha, they are nothing.
Miu
I hate it when Ayane goes all blank on me. When you look at her face, it's emotionless, almost as if she is purposely hiding her feelings. I can see how flat her expression is, even in the dark. I wonder… I wonder if she's ever scared. She has to be scared sometimes, doesn't she?
I was jerked from my thoughts, as an explosion shook the room. I tried to steady myself, as I saw Ayane and Satoka do, but my legs buckled and I fell to the floor. I landed on my back and decided that it would be best to stay there. I looked at the ceiling, not knowing what else to do. A single light hung from the cross beams, the ones that used to shine with it had burned out. It shook as the tremor passed through, and then, without flickering, shut off.
Satoka
The explosion was sudden, but I suppose every great warrior must be prepared for things like that. Stupid Miu, she fell as the ground shook and didn't see the point in getting up again. Why must I work with such and amateur?
As the shake caused by the explosion died down, a haze covered the room. They heard them, the weak Invaders lifting their guns, readying to fire, knowing all too well that their blasts we frail and harmless, but this time, it was different. They raised them as they had before, before they had been forced to flee. Ayane began quickly dialing her phone, registering the system of the Imitation gate. As she glanced at the screen to check her work, a dry gasp escaped her throat.
Satoka turned to her, "Something wrong?"
Ayane ignored her momentarily, swiftly reaching into her coat to bring out another cell phone, and then another, looked at each and throwing them on the floor. "They're all dead, all the batteries are dead."
Satoka yelled back, suddenly realizing how close the Invaders had become, "What do you mean dead?"
Ayane, wasting no time, grasped the metal tube she had acquired earlier, a fire burning in her eyes. She lunged at the approaching Invaders, raising the metal to a striking position, "Gate Open!"
She yelled the words that she barely ever spoke, letting them echo throughout the room, but nothing happened.
Ayane
My gate. My gate didn't open. It wouldn't open. They'll kill me. They'll kill us all. Death, death is so near now. Why? Why didn't it open?
The Invaders all fired at the same time, their bullets heading straight towards the defenseless girl. From the nearby ground, a helpless scream sounded, "Ayane!"