10 August 2024

6:11 A.M PDT

Jaraslav and Stanislav's Apartment, Fresno, United States

To lower costs, both comrades decided to sleep on the same bed. Stanislav on the right side, Jaraslav on the left. Keeping still for the other to gain sleep. Outside of the bed, anything that wasn't required except for a TV remained outside.

Nothing particularly happened to the two until the six-fifteen mark of the clock. When Stanislav, his eyes still closed, a reminiscent, glitchy voice came to him.

"A new, yet partial… Interesting… Who managed to do this…"

"I don't know… Why did they…"

"Remember who you are now…"

The feeling continued to intensify, voices he remembered some more, familiar voices he learned over the years. Including one who's Russian.

"What was that facility doing to this boy?"

"That glitchy essence, it shouldn't be here…"

"But, that boy is never going to live a life of normality ever again, now his innate humanity was taken away…"

The voices he felt finally forced him awake in a cold sweat and a scream. Swift breathing and hyperventilation followed when he got up, covering his right eye when a headache struck him.

"Are you okay, Stanislav?" Jaraslav asked when he jolted awake.

While his left arm still was wrapped in dressing, he managed to walk finely. Approaching the mirror, while his fading gray hair started to show brown, his natural hair color.

Annoyed slightly, and his hair is a mess, he turns around to the comparatively taller comrade, "What day is it?"

Jaraslav got his phone out and read from the moment he turned it on, "Tenth of August."

Stanislav's teeth tightened upon the mention of the date. "Four months from now..."

Clearing the sweat from his forehead while his right hand covered his right eye. His fellow comrade approaching from behind, concerned.

"Why are you covering your eye?"

The weird way he'd rub his forehead, using stroking motions, "I've been having a nightmare, I've been hearing voices in my head, and I've been getting murderous intent towards the enemies the rest are having to face with…"

"Can you uncover it, please? I need to see if something's changed."

Obliging to his comrade's request, he removes the hand over his eye, unveiling a central heterochromatic iris of gray and blue, in addition to the pupil lightened a little.

That's… Not normal… This fits the requirement to a lot of what is being shown…

"You see?" Stanislav turns to Jaraslav, concerned as he looks down.

Jaraslav nods in agreement with his comrade, "I see. It is a cause of concern if this keeps up. Can you go back to sleep?"

Stanislav shakes his head, pushing his head up while he yawns. Disheartened, it passed on to Jaraslav, noticing him getting clothes for the coming day. A lack of energy ruining all the good mood the typical Jaraslav would've had in droves.

"Don't worry about it. If it continues, let me know."

"Okay…" Stanislav nods weakly, heading to clean up before the beginning of the day proper.

He exited the shower several minutes later, in light black sweatpants, a simple white t-shirt, and orange, blue, and white headband in a horizontal stripe pattern. The last article slanted over his right eye to cover it up. Reducing his visibility, albeit hiding his changed eye.

In the living room, minimalist like the bedroom, although had only a coffee table with sodas. Jaraslav reads a comic book, then stars at his comrade.

"Look at you, you managed to get out without dropping the soap."

Stanislav joined Jaraslav on the chair. Flashing past his phone with slight disinterest. Unable to see through his right eye despite it being perfectly functional. "Where are they right now?"

"They stopped in Topeka last night, they'll reach Denver by tonight. If it goes well, Fulgur will be in our possession tomorrow."

Stanislav nods. However, the positive news didn't push his face into a smile or at least content with the situation. Only a glass of water standing in front of him while he swishes it. A cockroach and two floating at the top of the fluid.

"Fulgur… Aura… Why do they sound so similar to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Aura sounds similar to Aurus."

"The blue and silver sword that has glowing white stuff in its core that the lower end of the blade wraps around?"

"IIRC, Yes, it is."

"Interesting observation, Stanislav. Maybe there is something Lincoln didn't say. When they call again later on today, I'm going to tell these theories and observations."

The glasses from yesterday still holding liquids from yesterday alongside insects. Inciting Stanislav to get up to slowly, one at a time, take it to the simplistic kitchen setup as typical of the home. Commencing their washing with Dawn dishwashing soap, a sponge, and typical water.

As the noises entered the living room, Jaraslav shouts, "Don't use too much water and soap!"

Stanislav continues gyrating the faucet head, unresponsive to Jaraslav's words however took them. Aware of the situation, despite his perceived indifference to the world around him.

"Am I human… Or am I not…" he asked out loud, tensing before loosening when a part of a plate fractured.

"Why are you asking those questions?" Jaraslav asked, entering the kitchen.

"I remembered some of what was said about me two years ago…"

10:58 A.M PDT

Fresno, California, United States

Stanislav's Location

Alone on his way to the location, he sat at a library. Obtaining as many books about Japanese as possible while ensuring his changing eye wasn't shown to the public. At times, making him seem suspicious.

"I-I hope you can forgive me after what I've done to mistreat you, Ino…"

He gawks at the picture in his hand. Showing him being with a girl in the picture, dated to the Fourteenth of May last year. Stanislav having more kept hair and seemed to be in a healthier condition from his face. While the girl, who he referred to as Ino, had long and light black hair, aqua eyes, and a small green butterfly clip in it.

For a moment, he smiles. Before putting the picture away. Hiding his face while he'd sniffle, engaging deeply within his studies to understand the language once he got over it. For both realistic and idealistic reasons in his head.

His studying persisted for about forty-five minutes, until two individuals, both holding Asian features and taller than the boy. Coming up towards him and two pokes to the shoulder.

"What is it?" he whispered.

One of the guys spoke in Japanese. However, another spoke his meaning but in English. Occurring as Stanislav tilts his head to greet them.

"We say hello to you. Please spend some time with us." the man spoke, having a Japanese accent to them.

"You two are in secret agent suits, are Japanese, and have business with me. I'd wish to know if I have to pay attention."

"You do, follow us outside."

Stanislav, albeit reluctantly, rises from his seat after neatly setting the books at the end of the bar table he chose. Following the two men skeptically. Examining their clothing for features and equipment on hand. Nothing of incredible suspicion rested in the agent's pockets, or clothes relieved the stress within his head. Stopping when they came to an alley, a letter for the Staff Sergeants directly as a group, including a tinier sheet for himself.

"If you wish to read, do so."

He spoke up after taking the letter for him, opening as he started to read it. "I'll make sure my comrades receive the letter."

The letter for Stanislav read;

Greetings SND,

As you may probably not know the idea. Your beloved Ino is alive and well. I just found her yesterday in an apartment doing nothing much but writing, regrets, and praying at a shrine in Japan. Such an idealist like herself would think highly of someone like you, especially once she disappeared without a trace not too long ago, was it like… Four months now? Because of the 57th Squadron's negligence! I hope your rampage in America goes well, once Glowgen Defence Systems learns about this and uses it against you!

-Gunsmith

P.S: I hope you can reach Japan before her birthday next year. You remember the date. :P

Stanislav, after recording a well-defined picture for the entire letter. Crunches the entire piece of paper before squeezing on it, white energy with a flame texture flashes in between his hand before it rends the paper. Turned to shreds as he lets go, staring the two with an expression. Before turning around with the general group note.

"Relating to the stuff that came out of your hands, are you human?"

"Yes, I am, as much as a human than you are! If you have a problem, get a reality check for fucks sakes!"

"Mister Kikuoka, our boss, would hear about this strange kid…"

Stanislav turns around, cold-faced, "Or would you like your bones and flesh minced like the paper you gave me." before walking away.

8:00 P.M PDT

Jaraslav and Stanislav's Apartment, Fresno, United States

Stanislav and Jaraslav ate their food as normal. The enveloped note, given by the two Japanese guys, kept untouched once he Stanislav left it there. Jaraslav stares at it after dinner. Which only took a few minutes to complete.

"What's this?"

"A note two guys gave me earlier today."

An intrigued Jaraslav pulls it out of the envelope and skims it over. Wide-eyed at the language he saw in it, "Get the laptop…"

Without questioning why despite the envelope's contents definitely being the case. Brought their new laptop computer to the living room with one hand, despite having difficulty with getting it in. Without question, getting to work on initiating another video conference with the other comrades, now presumed to be in Denver.

Remaining composed throughout as it started. Stanislav waves when he saw Dvinaslav's face, who immediately notices.

"You've shown yourself finally, Stani?" she questioned, before walking from the camera as mumbled voices, then the other three comrades came over to say hi.

"Yeah, he woke up tearing up, cold sweat, and his eye's changed. Also reporting he's been hearing voices inside his head."

"Oh? Can he show us?"

"I can show it, but don't be shocked..." he said, slowly raising his headband to reveal his eye, unchanged since earlier.

"Oh..." Dvinaslav commented.

Jaraslav nods, "Yeah. That's going on, where are you guys at?"

"We're in a hotel in Denver. We're planning to infiltrate Glowgen Armoury Denver tomorrow. Gonna come along?"

"Considering the nature of Fulgur, I'm planning to."

"What about me…" Stanislav butted in.

Jaraslav, Drahoslav, Zelislav, and Dvinaslav look at him. Before one of them explained to him.

"Stanislav, we cannot risk you being caught in the crossfire! They might have suspicions about you. You doing uncommon occurrences fuels it!"

"What am I supposed to do?"

"Stay in Fresno. We also don't want to trigger your powers, as they appear to be coming back to you."

He sighs and pounds his head on the table. Causing Jaraslav's face to wilt, before catching the note and showing it on camera. "This is for us, and I think you three should know the contents of this. Here it is…"

As he began to read it out loud, Stanislav opens his ears.

"You may or may not know who we are. Nor do you probably remember, but we do. Our leader does, we know your intentions. The carnage in the United States continues, while two weapons and uphill challenges await. One, on, One, at, One, Time."

"One-o-One…"

With the utterance, all five comrades nod in agreement at the statement. Jaraslav, meanwhile, gets up to start packing his bags. Leaving Stanislav alone with the rest of his comrades, his hair fixed better than when it all started but still fixing it to his liking.

"So, Stanislav, are your powers at the level to cause mass destruction returning?" Drahoslav asked.

"Yes, they are… My aggression and want to kill is returning too… Am I human, or not?"

Drahoslav takes a breath, "It's a hard question, but despite what's happening, you still have the capacity for humanity. What you choose to do with it."

"I'll try to be human when I'm probably not."