AN: Well. It's been a long time. I'm sorry for my absence, I've been first dealing with some exams, and second, what I consider to be a betrayal from people I valued. They turned their backs on me just because I'm writing this damn story, specifically because of the intentions behind.
I've said it multiple times, I am indeed exposing things related to crimes against children mostly, but if you can read stories that expose issues like homophobia and racism, why do you suddenly have a problem with this topic? Are you saying we should expose one but not the other? Is that your logic? The Battle Network games also address issues related to child abductions, so should you stop playing those games?
If you are reading a story that has a clear warning and then complain, that makes you the problem. Complaining against a story that exposes a taboo subject makes you the problem as well. People can have preferences to what they would like to read, but do not accuse me of anything with ill intent just because I want to expose these harsh subjects. It makes you sound ignorant.
For the people who still continue to read it, I thank them, I'm always open to critics as long as it's for helping (and not shitting on it, assuming some wrong things like I said). For now, enjoy this chapter, it was hard for me to write it with what I had to handle.
Chapter 34: The hole of Doom
Netto walked slowly, trailing behind the group. His mind was haunted by the morning's events. The hybrid and the female Navi walked ahead of him, unaware of his withdrawn presence. A stone caught his attention as he kicked it with his foot. It was at that moment Rockman turned his head, his tail showing interest.
Approaching Netto with curiosity, Rockman knelt down, locking eyes with the tired child. Netto, without even lifting his head, let out a sigh. Fatigue was evident in his dark eyes.
"Rockman..." he murmured with a voice tinged with sadness, then sighed again. "I'm worried about Madoi-san."
Rockman's eyes lowered as well, but his hand found its way to Netto's head, who relaxed under this soothing gesture.
"It's in moments like these that I want to go home as soon as possible..." confessed Netto, expressing his concern in a soft and sincere manner.
The Navi nodded gently, a sign that he understood the young boy's worries. Iris, observing the scene from the corner of her eye, remained silent, allowing her thoughts to retreat into her database. She admired Netto's compassion towards Navis, aware that similar humans existed everywhere. Her gaze lifted to the darkening sky, then lowered to observe the hybrid Navi standing there to comfort the child.
"We need to find a hotel," she announced, capturing the attention of the two boys.
Netto nodded slowly and headed towards her. On the other hand, Rockman straightened up but didn't move an inch. Aware of the approaching night, he turned and leaped backward to land on a branch. The child sensed the sound of his movement without being too surprised.
"You're leaving?" he asked, already aware of the answer. The Navi raised his thumb. "Alright, take care of yourself," declared Netto, nodding his head.
Rockman nodded his head one last time before leaving them behind. Netto didn't react, but he felt Iris's proximity urging him to continue. He nodded and found himself alone with her, without even Saito's presence. This realization made him blush slightly, yet he immersed himself again in the events of the day that had cast a shadow over him. They walked in silence, Netto trying to gather the courage to look at her as she stared into the horizon. He opened his mouth several times, searching for words to start a conversation with her.
"The gesture you made this morning..." he finally began.
Iris didn't move but turned her head towards him, noticing the slight blush on his cheeks.
"You..." he continued, looking to the side. "Was it some kind of symbol or…?"
"That's what we do when we pray, whether it's for humans or Navis," she quickly responded.
Iris made a motion, stepping back, and her arms began to rotate, eventually forming a circle. Netto observed, mouth slightly open, and tried to replicate the same pose, although his hands were awkwardly positioned the wrong way. The Navi gently took his hands, adjusting them correctly, and nodded. He lowered his gaze to the gesture, then raised it back to her.
"A prayer? I'm not really a believer..." he admitted.
"It's a prayer associated with the Cybeasts. Every Navi or human who dies from Cybeast outbreaks, we pray for them in this way," she explained.
The child let his arms fall, realizing something. "Do you think the sects also pray in this way?" he suddenly asked.
"Everyone does. Anything related to a Cybeast, that sect claiming the Cybeast is born from sins, that's why we do it," declared the female Navi.
Netto didn't respond, just sighed softly.
"As a priestess, I must pray for every Navi who has been taken by the Beast Factor," she continued.
He tilted his head. "For the other two Zoanroids that Rockman deleted, did you do it?"
"You didn't notice," she replied with a slight smile, making Netto jump slightly.
They resumed their journey and reached a village littered with ruins. A place that had been struck by a Cybeast in the past, leaving the population unable to finance the necessary reconstructions. Many people lived in tents, and further on, an imposing old building stood, a temple dedicated to the Cybeasts. Even with this temple, in the hope of protection, the village had been affected. Sadness filled Netto's heart again, and he looked at the ground with a melancholic expression. Iris gently placed her hand on the back of his shoulder, and they continued walking.
A few people watched them, especially young women, their gaze focused on the child draped in a blue cape. Netto felt a familiar discomfort, a feeling he knew well simply because he took the form of a child. He moved closer to Iris, using her almost as a shield to signal to people that he wasn't alone this time and therefore not in danger.
Despite the warning, a woman approached the duo, her face displaying a serious expression.
"Are you alone?" she asked, causing Netto to retreat behind Iris.
"We are together, and someone else will join us. We also have two Navis with us," Iris quickly replied, showing confidence.
The woman seemed momentarily speechless but nodded in acknowledgment.
"Still, be careful... The children of this village have been kidnapped... I prefer to warn you while you're here," she explained.
Iris nodded, and the woman walked away. Netto stepped away from Iris's dress and looked up at her.
"Another village with kidnapped children..." he said sadly.
Iris glanced up at the temple, furrowing her brow. She gently took Netto's hand, who blushed easily, and led him forward.
"Come, let's find a hotel," she said.
Without saying a word, Netto followed her, still blushing. He surveyed the surroundings and spotted a shop, a bookstore. A lightbulb seemed to flicker above his head, likely related to the conversation he had the previous day. However, he did nothing and allowed himself to be led.
"Iris! Netto!" they heard behind them, and they were joined by Saito who approached quickly.
They turned to welcome the boy, and Netto scratched the back of his head, delighted to see him again.
"Did everything go well? This morning..." he began with a sigh.
"Madoi-san..." started Netto, eyes on the ground. "She wasn't well... Yet..." He looked up at Saito, a glimmer of hope shining in his eyes. "I think once her baby arrives, she'll probably get better..."
Saito remained still, then his lips curled up, reluctantly agreeing. "That's good," he admitted with difficulty.
The two fell silent and headed towards a small inn, one of the few buildings still standing. Luckily, there was one room available, the second already taken. Before entering, Netto hesitated, looking embarrassed as he scrutinized every corner of the room.
"Um..." he began, offering an embarrassed smile. "You see, I saw something that interests me... And I'd like to buy it..."
Saito tilted his head with curiosity. "Sure, we can go in five minutes after we settle our things, and then we'll go eat."
However, the child took a step back, shaking his head. "N-no, I'd like to buy it myself..."
Iris frowned, aware that he was hiding something, while Saito grimaced.
"Netto, you can wait two minutes; we won't take—" Saito didn't have time to finish before Netto cut him off.
"No, I just want to do it myself!" he exclaimed without being violent, then turned to leave.
Saito called after him and sighed, looking at the female Navi beside him, his face shocked.
"Did something happen during the time I wasn't here?" he asked, still disturbed.
Iris shook her head slowly. "Nothing at all," then she turned her head to where Netto had gone. "I need to find him; this village can be dangerous for the children."
Without further ado, Saito nodded. "Alright, I trust you. I'll meet you in five minutes."
She headed in the opposite direction as Saito opened the door to the room.
Netto had found the bookstore, not being very far from the hotel in this small village. He entered, making sure no one saw him, and examined the various books. There were too many children's books, which wasn't what he was looking for. Swallowing nervously, he approached the shopkeeper, who looked at him with surprised eyes.
"What do you want?" she asked in a sweet but still surprised voice.
Netto gave a sheepish smile, crossing his arms against himself, feeling uncomfortable about asking for what he wanted.
"I would like...a play book..." he said in a low voice.
The young shopkeeper smiled, amused.
"A play book? Do you want a book about a play or about theater in general?" she asked to be sure.
"A play!" he quickly replied, cheeks red. "I want to read a play!"
She nodded and searched in the children's books, but Netto quickly shook his head.
"N-no! Give me a classic!" he insisted.
She blinked and then went to another section of books, still surprised by Netto's request. She took out two small books of the same size and showed them to him.
"I only have these two. One was written by an author from Kingsland, and the other is from a region in Amerope called Listenburg," she announced.
Despite the fact that it might have been wiser for him to choose the book from Kingsland, given that Yaito often praised the cultural richness of that country, Netto ultimately opted for the one from Amerope, whose cover intrigued him. He pointed to it, then paid for the book, which was neither expensive nor thick. Flipping through the pages, he found that it only contained dialogues, making his task easier. When it came to reading books, he preferred dialogues. A soft smile appeared on his face as he tucked the book into his bag. As he left the shop, he was quickly spotted by Iris, who approached him.
"Netto-kun, what were you..." She looked up, observing the building he had just left, and he stepped back blushing. "Netto-kun, did you want something?"
He startled slowly, clenching his teeth in his mouth, trying to catch his breath.
"I just wanted..." he began, looking at the girl in front of him. "You see, I can't watch TV anymore, I can't even play... So I needed...a different type of entertainment."
Iris tilted her head. "I see."
He opened his mouth without saying a word, then smiled gently and approached her, wanting to resume walking by her side.
"What kind of book did you buy?" she asked.
Netto froze, feeling a drop of sweat. Should he tell her or not? "Well..."
"Netto?" he heard again from Saito, saving him from a moment he found awkward.
"Are you okay? Has anyone approached you?" asked the older boy, but Netto shook his head.
"I'm fine!"
Saito didn't ask any more questions, but his stomach made a noise, making Netto chuckle softly. It was time for them to eat peacefully.
They found a small restaurant where they ate to their heart's content, although Iris sat at the table without taking anything, just observing. They returned to the room without much trouble, although Iris kept her distance, stating that she would probably come back later. This made Netto a bit sad for her; as a Navi, she could only wait most of the time and didn't seem to want to stay in her PET to be on standby at least.
Netto sighed, looking at the dark night sky. He took his bag and pulled out his book as he sat on his bed. Saito came out of the bathroom and saw him with the book, causing him to squint his eyes, the child freezing completely.
"Netto... You're reading?" he asked.
Netto's lips trembled as he began to sweat profusely in all directions. His older friend approached and saw the type of book he was reading, becoming speechless.
"Wait, you're reading a..." He didn't have time to continue before Netto exclaimed in a very embarrassed and almost squeaky voice, "Don't judge me!" He took the notebook from his bag and threw it right into Saito's face, who almost fell backward, birds circling above his head.
A little later, Saito was sitting with his notebook to write, glancing at Netto from time to time. The latter was lying on his side on his bed, devouring the pages of his book although his face was tormented by what he was reading. The older boy had an idea of why his younger brother had started reading a play. He remembered yesterday's conversation. However, as Saito had not participated in that conversation, he couldn't give his opinion; only Rockman could. Still, he tried not to be too intrusive and turned his head toward Netto, attempting to smile.
"Have you always liked plays?" he asked, trying to be as gentle as possible not to embarrass the child, aware of the consequences of his head.
"I..." Netto began, taking a deep breath, "get bored."
Saito did nothing but let his half-closed eyes observe.
"Oh? I didn't know that plays helped you entertain yourself," he stated.
Netto made a face, but he kept his attention on his book.
"Mama likes plays a lot, so I'm doing it like her!" he asserted.
It was a lie, and Saito knew it. Their mother neither read nor even watched plays; she preferred melodramatic dramas. He didn't say anything, just shrugged. He wasn't going to force Netto to admit something he was doing for Iris.
"You're judging me," Netto suddenly declared.
"Not at all," Saito replied.
The child sighed, turned, closed the book, and looked at Saito, who was focused on writing kanji.
"I'm doing it for Iris," he finally admitted.
Saito looked up without showing any reaction. "So?"
Netto blushed intensely, leaning his head back and shaking it. He grimaced and then let out a sigh.
"She said she likes books, especially plays, and I felt stupid not knowing anything when I promised her we would go see a play together!" he exclaimed, lips pressed.
Saito tried to smile, raising an eyebrow. "That's already good, isn't it?"
Netto really didn't know how to respond. He hugged the book against him, aware that he wasn't well-versed in literature, but at least he was making an effort for Iris. He noticed Saito's arm, particularly the bracelet he was wearing, a twinge of regret crossed his heart, and he moved his lips.
"With Meiru, I never took the time to be interested in music. I mean, aside from trendy stuff and Rockman's playlists, I know nothing... I just listened to her play when she could," Netto said softly.
At the mention of the girl's name, Saito slowly lowered his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes. He eventually nodded in understanding but didn't say anything.
"The important thing, Netto, is that you both manage to get along," Saito admitted softly.
Netto didn't say anything and finally positioned himself properly on the bed, continuing to devour the pages of his book.
Iris had retrieved Netto from the hotel reception; Saito having left once again well before his awakening. The child stopped questioning it and had breakfast quietly, waiting for the female Navi to return. Shortly after, they left the hotel, heading out of the village.
Then the wind blew, to the point that Netto widened his eyes, his feet leaving the ground. Without time to scream, the child found himself quickly airborne, landing in the muscular arms of someone who knelt down. Iris widened her eyes, as did the people around them, witnessing the scene. Netto was now in the arms of an imposing Navi, very tall, green in color, wearing a red tengu mask. He looked straight ahead, unimpressed, while Netto, regaining his senses, began to scream upon seeing the person holding him.
Tenguman stood up, observing everyone in front of him. The villagers were angry seeing the Navi holding a child. Some had pitchforks, others held PETs.
"Let go of that kid!" shouted one of them.
The Navi didn't flinch, remaining impassive as he gazed at each of them. Villagers shouted at him, thinking he was a Zoanoroid, while Iris, wide-eyed at seeing Netto in his arms and struggling to escape, felt no sign of the Beast Factor. She approached a few steps as he turned to leave.
"Let him go," she said in a dark voice that stopped him.
Tenguman turned to look at Iris. He could sense something emanating from her. Before another word was spoken, a roar was heard, coming from behind like a fury. Rockman grabbed Tenguman from the back, making him fall to the ground, thus freeing Netto. The wild Navi quickly attacked his opponent like an enraged tiger, while Iris approached Netto, making sure he was not hurt. The villagers watched, shocked to see the two Navis fighting like wild beasts.
Netto got up, looking at Iris with a worried expression. "This Navi...he's part of the rebels!" he announced and the female Navi glanced at her opponent.
She raised her head and stood up to walk toward the two Navis in the midst of their clash, while the villagers were frightened to see her approach. She raised her hand towards Rockman, freezing him to the point that he retreated, surprising Tenguman. She then reached out to the Navi with the mask, but nothing happened. Despite that, she seemed threatening.
"Stop immediately, you have no reason to target us," she commanded in a menacing tone.
"Go away, young girl, you have nothing to do with this!" he rebuked.
Iris furrowed her brows more and then pushed her hand forward, and Tenguman also reacted, almost falling backward. Sensing that something strange was happening, the imposing green Navi struck with his fan of leaves, causing Iris to almost fall backward as well. She managed to gather momentum to charge at him, changing her form to the one many knew. She struck with her sword at Tenguman's right wrist, preventing him from taking further action.
Close to her, Tenguman sighed fearfully. He almost stepped back, trembling, which surprised Netto. He had always seen this Navi as infallible, always upright and emotionless, and here he was completely filled with terror. The tall Navi knelt down, bowing his head.
"I-Iris-sama?!" he exclaimed.
The female Navi lowered her weapon, and the villagers were equally shocked by what they had witnessed.
"I am sorry... I did not recognize you..." he said softly, head bowed.
"I know you're not a bad person, but I command you, whatever you had against this child, let him go," she continued in a darker tone.
People whispered among themselves, equally confused by what was happening. Rockman was on the ground, motionless, attentive, and Netto made no move, scrutinizing the conversation.
Tenguman raised his head, looking at the priestess in front of him. "I am sorry, Iris-sama, but this child... He possesses an illegal Navi, and we must capture him," he replied simply, pointing at the hybrid Navi with his gaze.
Rockman growled, drawing the attention of the villagers who stared at him, while watching the somewhat frightened child. Netto slowly stepped back and then approached his own Navi.
"They are under my responsibility. I will not let anyone attack them," Iris continued with a stronger voice, then raised the sword. "If you must capture them, then you should delete me first!"
However, Tenguman did not respond, but people were now frightened by Rockman, who had risen on his own. Everyone spoke, whispering that he could be a Zoanoroid. Netto frowned hearing this and stood in front of all the people in front of him.
"Rockman is not a Zoanoroid! He is the result of a bad experiment!" Netto exclaimed.
Iris turned around and approached the other two, calming the small crowd.
"He speaks the truth," she confirmed. "This Navi is not a Zoanoroid; he had a problem that forced him to remain in this form. He is not affiliated with the sects and will only attack if he feels threatened."
"But he has a lot of potential," called out a voice that Netto recognized, making him grimace.
Tenguman's operator emerged from the crowd, which had made way for him to approach. However, for Netto, he saw the old man appear with his cane helping him walk, indicating that he had had an accident since they last met.
"Iris-sama, I am Futenroshi, just a simple pilgrim, but I have a mission for the rebels to bring this child and this Navi back to us. It would be of great help to us," explained the old man as he approached them.
Iris gritted her teeth, anger slowly rising in her.
"You want to use a Navi with capabilities like a new weapon to defeat the enemy... You are no better than Variety who desires this being for their dubious ambitions," she pronounced her words with venom, shocking Netto.
Futenroshi had no reaction, although Tenguman remained on the ground.
"No, you do not understand. As much as this Navi can be of overpowering strength, the primary reason for having him with us is, above all, to save a life," explained Futenroshi, his voice a bit lower.
Iris made a sarcastic laugh. "That's what everyone says, waging war to save thousands of lives."
But Futenroshi shook his head. "No, Iris-sama... Even if the temptation to exploit him as a war machine can be interesting, he can heal Zoanoroids; I have seen him heal one once." He paused, observing the child who had taken a new reaction, raising an eyebrow. "Our leader, Windman, was affected by the Beast Factor. He holds on, but we do not know how long he will eventually succumb."
Netto remained dumbfounded, caught off guard by the revelation. Windman, the Wind Navi who had guided them out of trouble, was here. The only rebel, alongside Saloma, who had shown kindness towards him. A wave of shame washed over him, causing him to lower his head while clenching his fists, trying to hide under Rockman's scrutinizing gaze.
"Why didn't you tell me everything earlier?" Netto asked in a feeble voice.
Futenroshi stared at him without any expression. "Because you wouldn't have listened. You're too stubborn to lend an ear to any of us, considering what happened," he replied, incisive, causing a frustrated grimace on Netto's face.
"It would have made a difference!" Netto exclaimed, letting all the emotion seep into his voice. Finally, he lowered his head, looked away. "He was hit by the Zoanoroid that attacked us last time, wasn't he?"
Futenroshi nodded, observing as Netto bit his lips, reliving the events of the previous day.
"He was...a Zoanoroid of Falzar, right?" he questioned, seeking confirmation. Once again, Futenroshi nodded. Netto finally shook his head, tears welling up in his eyes. "Rockman won't be able to heal him," he admitted.
A heavy silence settled, broken only by a slight noise emitted by the old man.
"You see? Even in this case, you don't want to listen," declared Futenroshi.
Iris approached, standing between the two.
"No, he is telling the truth. Rockman can only heal Zoanoroids with the Beast Factor of Gregar," she announced in a calm voice.
Again, a silence enveloped Futenroshi. Although he expressed nothing externally, his mind teemed with concern following the recent revelation. The old man, faced with the puzzle of his response, let out a sigh tinged with indecision.
The whispers of the spectators in the background became more audible, transforming the scene into a living canvas of gossip. The old man, immersed in his internal tumult, guessed at the conversations coming to life behind them. The weight of scrutinizing glances added to his unease, creating an audible echo of the recent announcement.
In the tense atmosphere of the temple, they sought isolation. The only enclave where tranquility could be regained. However, a few influential members of the village chose to remain by their side, ensuring a protective presence. The recent battle, coupled with the presence of the child, urged caution. The guardians watched, attentive sentinels, to ward off any potential danger, now that relative calm had settled.
Futenroshi sat, constrained by the position of his injured leg, far from the comfort he would have wished for. Arms crossed, he delved into deep contemplation facing the situation weighing on him.
"Tell me to my face, Rockman won't heal Windman, will he?" he uttered in a naturally darker tone. Netto's eyes remained unflinching, but his fists gripped the fabric of his shorts, a sign of the rising tension within him.
"Yes, he is incapable of doing so. If Windman had been targeted by a Zoanoroid of Gregar, Rockman would have acted without hesitation," he affirmed in a straightforward but somewhat reserved voice.
Tenguman observed his operator, detecting a palpable concern. The old man, shrouded in silence, made no gesture or comment.
"Master?" inquired the masked Navi.
Futenroshi slowly shook his head, concealing his face under the brim of his hat.
"What should we do now?" he asked again, a note of uncertainty tingeing his voice.
Iris stared at the old man with no apparent emotion, then rose with a grace devoid of expression.
"We can no longer assist you, I'm sorry," she declared calmly. Inclining her back slightly in a simple bow, she added, "I do have a solution to save your leader, but it will require patience."
Tenguman lifted his head abruptly, perceiving these words as a glimmer of hope. "The only thing I would ask of you...is to wait," Iris continued, while Netto nodded in agreement.
Silence settled in, and then, in a small grunt, Iris headed towards the exit, closely followed by Netto and Rockman. They moved away gradually when suddenly, a man from the village who had remained silent since the beginning approached Futenroshi.
"Excuse me, I'm not sure I understand what's going on, but you are Rebels, right? And this Navi isn't a problem, is it?" he asked with some fear, seeing the wild Navi walking away.
Futenroshi slowly lifted his head without uttering a word, directing his gaze towards the man.
"I am indeed, and I won't hide it," he asserted, then his eyes fixed on Rockman, who had his back turned. "And this Navi...is just a troublesome anomaly."
Netto frowned at his words, while Rockman growled in displeasure.
"I'd like to know... Do you think you could save our children? They've been kidnapped, and we have no way to search for them... None of us are strong enough to do it," the man admitted with a certain shame.
Futenroshi tilted his head, assimilating the information. "I could do it," he declared. He stood up, but his body wavered, ready to fall forward. The concerned man approached, and Tenguman helped him from falling.
"Master, you shouldn't..." the Navi began.
Futenroshi did not respond, just shook his head, then redirected his attention to the man. "Do you have any idea where they are?" he asked.
The man blinked, hesitating before responding. "They're in a cellar about a kilometer from here. We know where they are, but we just can't retrieve them; the sects are watching everything."
Before leaving the temple, Netto reacted sharply, turning back towards them with his mouth wide open. "They're in a cellar? What are they doing there?"
The village man took a moment before answering, unsure of how to address a child. "They're being forced to dig."
Netto widened his eyes, sensing a familiar feeling that made him step back.
"We have to save them!" he exclaimed quickly, moving towards the exit.
"Netto-kun..." began Iris, who had stopped at the door.
"Too stubborn and obstinate," mocked Futenroshi with a haughty air. "Do you really think you'll succeed in saving them?"
Netto shot him a dark look while keeping his fists clenched, determined. "I refuse to leave them there," he declared, looking at Rockman and Iris. "And you know it very well!"
Iris approached, also displaying unwavering determination.
"In that case, I'll go, and Rockman will accompany me," she asserted.
Netto furrowed his brow, and Futenroshi slowly got up, still supported by his Navi. "You want to save people with the child's Navi?" asked the old man.
Iris frowned. "I know he'll do it without any problem. Rockman has shown me multiple times that he is a Navi who helps before being a weapon."
Netto nodded, and Futenroshi, without making a sound, observed the two before noticing that Rockman had joined them, emitting a slight growl in his direction. The old man felt like he was witnessing a trio from an old fifties film. He started chuckling, surprising the other three, even Tenguman.
"All right, all right, you want to prove to me that this 'Rockman' is a Navi with no ill intentions," he declared. "I can let you do it, but I want Tenguman to go with you. He will watch over you and assist you. He will follow your orders, Priestess."
Tenguman felt stress growing within him, but he straightened up, ready to obey. Iris looked at him and sighed.
"Fine. Netto-kun, you stay here," she ordered.
"What?" he replied sharply.
"I prefer that you not be targeted," she explained calmly.
Netto stammered, while Rockman nodded. He felt the old man approaching him, as if trying to reassure him.
"At least stay with me, so I know your Navi will come back," announced the old man with a touch of humor that gave Netto chills. The idea of staying with this man, who had often mocked and treated him as an outcast, did not appeal to him. There was no way he would engage in a new philosophical conversation with this man.
"Rockman!" yelled Netto, pulling out his bag and PET. "Do I need to remind you that I have your PET and that I can operate you, and now I can help you with your power?"
The mentioned Navi widened his eyes, and Futenroshi leaned his head closer to examine him better, as if wanting to take him. This prompted Netto to growl, forcing the old man to step back.
"Netto-kun..." began Iris, evidently displeased with this behavior.
However, Netto firmly held up the device. "I'm your operator; I can operate you now, and thanks to me, you can control yourself! So you can't do this without me!" he declared proudly.
Rockman's eyes widened, a gleam of anger appearing, while Netto smiled triumphantly.
"Oh... So you're hiding your true nature," Futenroshi began, observing the scene. "You present yourself as a harmless little bird, but you're actually a vulture."
"Hey!" exclaimed Netto.
Iris gritted her teeth, aware that, in any case, he was right. If Rockman ever lost control, she would have a hard time managing him properly. Moreover, she had noticed that he seemed more natural when using chips, relying less on his wild side.
"Fine... But you have to stay behind, you know!" retorted Iris.
The child took a defensive stance, then pressed his hand against his forehead, performing a salute in a military manner.
"Oh, so you're really taking him with you?" challenged Futenroshi.
Iris nodded. "I have no choice... And I don't trust you."
Netto smirked mischievously while sticking out his tongue. Iris headed towards the other man, asking him for more information. Afterwards, they set off, heading to where they needed to go.
On the trail, Tenguman decided to share his commitment to the priestess. Iris, for her part, preferred to remain silent, letting Tenguman articulate his intentions. He solemnly pledged not to cause any trouble for Netto and Rockman, stating that his priority was the rescue of the children. Meanwhile, Netto rode on his Navi, leaping from tree to tree with agility. The Navi with the tengu mask observed the duo in motion, curious about this free Navi characterized by its violence and protectiveness towards the child.
Finally, he decided to break the silence. "This 'Rockman'," he began, finally catching Iris's attention, "is not what he seems to be?"
Under her turquoise helmet, the Navi did not look directly at him but remained stoic. "This Navi, as well as his operator, are both victims of unfortunate circumstances. They don't want to be involved in your affairs and simply seek to return to where they came from," she confided.
The imposing Navi showed no reaction, keeping his gaze fixed on the duo traversing the treetops. "Who is responsible for their misfortune? The sects? Or Variety?" he asked.
Iris interrupted her walk, immersed in her thoughts, mentally organizing the information she could share. "More or less..." she answered before resuming her path.
"Then, they should be under our responsibility," asserted Tenguman.
Iris turned abruptly, an irritated expression twisting her features. "They owe you nothing. You don't have to worry about them," she retorted with a hint of irritation.
Tenguman lowered his head, overwhelmed by a wave of shame. He dared not lift his gaze towards the priestess.
"I'm sorry, Iris-sama. I didn't mean to make you angry..." he murmured before finally raising his head to meet her gaze. "We were just terrified in the presence of such a formidable Navi, especially one with the ability to heal Zoanoroids. We just wanted him to heal our leader."
Iris did not respond, continuing to walk with her gaze fixed straight ahead.
"I have already planned something about it, as I told you. All of this will be over soon. You just need to be patient," she announced enigmatically.
"Do you have a plan? Do you know how to stop all of this?" Tenguman asked, revealing a hint of excitement despite his usually cold nature.
Iris continued walking without looking at him. "It has been under our noses from the beginning," she murmured softly.
At this revelation, Tenguman froze in place while Iris continued on her way. Realizing that he wasn't following anymore, she turned around.
"Do you trust me? After all, I am also part of Variety," she said, fixing her gaze on him.
However, he shook his head. "Even though we hate Variety, we all have a deep respect for you, Iris-sama. You have helped our cause so much, and most importantly, you have made Navis as happy as possible. You are also the sister of the hero who saved us five years ago. You carry significant legacy within you."
Iris was not pleased with Tenguman's words. In reality, the notion that she carried a legacy through her brother was somewhat distorted. Her true legacy lay in the mistakes of her creator. He had transmitted a dream to her, but she alone bore the burden of his misdeeds. It was because of him that the Dimensional Zone existed, and it was she who was about to put an end to it all.
"You don't understand what you're saying," she refuted.
A heavy silence settled, and Tenguman found himself unable to provide an adequate response. All he could do was continue their journey in silence.
They approached a crevasse, one that a villager had indicated as a shortcut, though too risky for a human. Netto remained on his Navi's back. Faced with growing darkness, Iris conjured a fiery sword to replace her right arm, casting light ahead of them.
As they moved forward in silence, cracking sounds echoed, resembling breaking branches. Rockman, sensing something crawling up his boots, lowered his head and was assaulted by an unbearable smell. Filling his mouth with air, Netto understood what he was about to do and expelled long flames, pouring them onto the ground. Hundreds of insects burned under the intense heat as Iris and Netto watched, wide-eyed, while the two other Navis remained silent. The same insects started crawling up their feet. Netto, spared (being on Rockman's back), made a disgusted face. They could now understand why so few humans dared to venture here.
They continued their path and suddenly heard screams. Rushing towards the source, they discovered a hole leading to a vast illuminated chamber, and the scene before them was horrifying. Hundreds of children, visibly exhausted, were digging into the rock under the watchful eyes of sinister men. Further away, a lava lake was used to melt a substance, but the children seemed drained, suffering from the oppressive heat. The air was saturated with a nauseating humidity, and the smell was too unpleasant to tolerate.
Rockman growled fiercely, while horror appeared in Netto's eyes as he tightened his arms around his Navi. Iris, under her helmet, displayed wide-eyed astonishment, and Tenguman remained impassive, although anger bubbled in his data.
"So, this is why these children are kidnapped?" expressed Tenguman, revealing a hint of anger.
"They..." began Netto with a trembling voice, holding back tears welling up in his eyes. "They force them to dig to find this metal... The ori...something, I can't remember."
Iris quickly turned her head towards him. "Orichalcum."
He nodded. "They're searching for this metal to deliver it to Variety, and sometimes they send children for experiments..." He didn't have time to finish, putting his hand against his mouth to hold his breath.
Rockman turned his head towards him, watching him from the corner of his eye. Iris grimaced, wanting to finish what he wanted to say. "And turn them into deformed children."
Tenguman startled. "So that's it, huh?"
Iris turned to him. "Isn't it surprising as well?"
He didn't respond, and Netto leaned his head against Rockman's shoulder, breathing heavily, the unbearable smell in this terribly humid air.
"I hate them..." murmured Netto, his gaze almost empty.
Again, that word. Rockman tilted his head, looking at Netto, but he took his free hand and placed it on the child's hand, trying to reassure him. For once, he managed to control his anger to take care of his operator first.
A man took out a whip and snapped it against a child. Others witnessed the scene, but no one moved. Netto, on the other hand, watched, his gaze strangely darkening until he widened his eyes in anger. Sliding off Rockman, he picked up a stone and threw it at the man with the whip, while Iris shouted his name. The stone hit the man's back, causing him to topple forward. Gazes converged on the intruders, and the sect men yelled in their direction. Iris and Rockman turned to Netto, but were shocked to see that the child had no remorse. His face was dark and cold, and he cared little about the consequences that would result from his actions. Even the human part of Rockman, awakened within the wild Navi, was quite surprised. He had never seen the boy adopt such an attitude.
"I guess you had a plan..." Tenguman remarked.
Iris said nothing, staring at the child with a perplexed expression. Instead, she slowly shook her head and then looked up. "We'll charge in."
She jumped into the void, weapon in hand, ready to attack anyone mistreating the children. Tenguman followed without hesitation, but Rockman was undecided, not knowing whether to join her or not. Netto remained motionless. Rockman growled, emitting a roar in his face to try to "awaken" the boy from his stupor. In an instant, Netto's eyes cleared, widening as he saw his Navi in front of him.
No words were exchanged, and Rockman turned to throw himself into the void. The child simply watched him without following, unable to jump at that height. He now understood that he had to guide him through his PET. However, sounds behind him caught his attention.
Upon landing on the ground, Rockman roared, shaking the surroundings. The men around the perimeter gritted their teeth while shouting orders, and the tied-up children behind them were terrified by the turn of events. One man muttered the priestess's name, and each drew a weapon, pointing them at Iris and the Navis.
Iris and Tenguman exchanged silent looks, a heavy worry invading them as they perceived the sinister gleam emanating from the humans' weapons. Both Navis were aware that these weapons contained the dreaded metal lethal to Navis. Despite this, they felt compelled to take action, confronting the humans standing in their way, forcing them to kneel.
On his part, Rockman faced a challenging task. He felt the weight of the innocent children's eyes on him, and a slight tension ran through his body as he realized they were afraid of him. Memories of the time when he had attacked these same guards when they captured Netto flashed back. Shaking his head slightly to dispel these thoughts, he was about to retaliate when suddenly, something charged at him.
A drill quickly advanced from behind him, threatening to touch him. A powerful roar escaped from Rockman's mouth as he managed to evade this thing that had landed in the rock. Smoke and dust cleared, revealing a figure. Rockman identified it as a Navi with swirling eyes, sporting the emblem of Gregar. This discovery intensified his anger.
"So, the rumor was true?" declared the Navi with a chilling smirk. "You are the famous reincarnation of Gregar! I didn't expect to see you so soon!"
Rockman's roar resounded again, almost making the Navi with the drill step back.
"Oh no! You're not yet complete enough to be my master! I don't take orders from a mere doll!" he retorted, making a disdainful gesture with his hand. "For my dear Cybeast imprisoned within you, know that I, Drillman, your faithful servant, will do my best to bring you back to the light!"
Rockman launched into a vigorous attack, unleashing all his power against his adversaries. Meanwhile, Iris watched the scene helplessly. Although she was in the midst of the human melee, her power seemed useless against them, forcing her to face the situation with growing frustration.
However, an unexpected turn of events occurred when Drillman received two gears squarely in the back, sending him sprawling to the side. It could have been a promising moment if it weren't for Netto's distressed cries. Upon closer inspection, another Navi made an appearance, onto which a woman landed, sitting on his shoulder. In her arms, she held Netto tightly, who was struggling vigorously. A mischievous smile stretched across her lips toward the masked Navi.
"Tenguman! What a coincidence!" she exclaimed as the child continued to struggle.
"Tamako-san?!" exclaimed the designated Navi, surprised by this unexpected encounter.
Tamako sported a satisfied smile as she set her feet on the ground after her fall, all the while holding the child firmly in her arms. The wild Navi roared furiously at the sight of the young woman with the long ponytail.
"Sorry for taking the lead, but you seem to be lazing around with Futenroshi!" she teased, winking an eye. "However, I see you've found yourself an interesting mission. I might as well lend a hand, but time is of the essence. I'll take this kid with me, and the beast can come with us!" she exclaimed, gesturing towards Rockman.
"Stop!" retorted Tenguman. "We are handling this. For now, we've made a pact!"
"Release this child immediately!" intervened Iris this time. "He is under my responsibility, and I will not tolerate anyone touching him!"
The metal Navi beside Tamako seemed to hesitate, but she shook her head. "Oh, I see. That's why this sauerkraut is letting himself go! Sorry, but priestess or not, that doesn't matter to us. We have a mission, and we are compelled to carry it out!"
Rockman roared with fury, while Drillman, still undecided, stood up, watching the scene without knowing what action to take.
"Hey..." he began, but no one paid attention to him.
"It is out of the question that you do that, or you will have to deal with me!" threatened Iris, raising her arm. Metalman twitched, and Tamako frowned.
"If I have to kick your ass to make you let us go, know that I am ready to do it, even without the help of my Navi," retorted the ponytailed woman, surprising even Netto.
"Hey!" shouted Drillman again, but it had no effect.
"I beg you, Tamako-san!" insisted Tenguman in turn. "If there is one person against whom we cannot be at war, it is Priestess Iris-sama!"
"Don't you see that this bitch is a Variety dog!" replied Tamako, irritating Netto.
"I forbid you to call her that!" he retorted, even wondering if he should pinch her cheek. Tamako reacted immediately by shaking him. "Hey!"
"Hey!" shouted Drillman once again, this time with more force, grabbing everyone's attention. "As far as I know, you are in my domain! And I don't care about your bickering! This kid in your arms, I want to add him to my collection!"
He rushed toward Tamako, not giving her time to react, transforming abruptly into a massive drill aimed straight at her. Rockman emerged in time, charging at him to force a change of trajectory. Metalman joined the attack against the Zoanoroid, but Tamako took advantage to escape.
"Stop, Tamako-san!" shouted Tenguman, attempting to pursue her.
"You fool!" she retorted, turning around. With an agile movement, she managed to thwart the tengu-masked Navi's momentum with a powerful kick. "Can't you see Windman is waiting?" she added more ferociously.
Tenguman was caught off guard, defending against each blow and stepping back each time. Netto, still in the woman's arms, was shaken in all directions, experiencing headaches.
"No, you don't understand! We can't save him this way!" the more imposing Navi tried, seeking to calm her down.
The woman with the ponytail stopped, almost skidding to a halt, raising dust that looked like smoke. She looked at the tengu-masked Navi with wide eyes.
"What are you talking about?!" she tried to express with shock, still venomous.
Tenguman calmed down, standing in front of her, refusing to fight. "The Navi...cannot save Windman," he admitted with difficulty.
Tamako grimaced upon hearing that, then felt the child struggling, trying to express himself too.
"He's right, Rockman has the power of Gregar!" Netto shouted, still in the woman's arms. "He can heal Zoanoroids of Gregar! Not those of Falzar!"
Frozen for a moment, Tamako growled violently while maintaining her grip on the child. She raised her head towards Tenguman, filled with unequivocal anger.
"What are you saying?! Do you really think he's incapable?! Can't you see he's doing this to escape?! A monster that can heal another monster can heal others!" she roared, shocking the child.
"Tamako-san!"
Netto had had enough. Despite the strong friendship he had with Tamako in his world, he couldn't let her treat them like this. Grinding his teeth, he opened his mouth wide and quickly bit her arm. A cry escaped from the young woman who was forced to let him go, lowering her guard. The child fell to the ground, the ponytailed woman widening her eyes as she saw him. He quickly got up, running away without looking back, determined to reach Iris. Tamako yelled at him to stop, but Tenguman quickly held her back by the arm, using his strength to prevent her from going any further.
"Tamako-san, please, let us take care of them! For now, we have an agreement," explained the tengu-masked Navi.
"How do you expect me to believe you? You're under the priestess's influence!" she exclaimed, struggling to break free.
"No...but look where we are. All these children need help first! Help us free them!" he asked, raising his arm toward a group of frightened children watching them fight.
She gritted her teeth, looking around. In one direction, men were slowly leading the children out, pushing them without any chance of escaping. Tamako narrowed her eyes, then gave up.
"Fine, I'll take care of that, but believe me, I'll come back to get him in the end!" she grumbled, heading towards the men to free the children while cracking her knuckles.
Netto rushed towards the turquoise Navi, the furthest from the Zoanoroid, skillfully hiding between her legs.
"Netto-kun!" she exclaimed, discovering him against her.
The young boy shook his head. She leaned towards him, taking his shoulders to make him step back.
"Netto-kun..." she began, searching for her words. "You're going to stay close to Rockman," she confided.
The child furrowed his brow as he listened, and the young girl under her helmet raised her head towards Rockman, who faced the Zoanoroid with the addition of Metalman in the battle. Although the latter fought on the same side as Rockman against Gregar's soldier, he was also an enemy to the hybrid, as he was his main target. She grimaced at realizing this duality, then moved away from the young boy and raised her hand towards Rockman, who froze and began to growl like an angry cat.
"Rockman," she spoke in a demanding voice, "you're staying by Netto's side. You'll get these kids out of here. I'll handle the Zoanoroid."
The Navi growled but didn't make much fuss. He eventually nodded and headed straight towards his operator, while Iris passed by him to take over without stopping. Rockman took the child and moved away from the rest, heading towards a part held by other children. Netto watched the female Navi head towards the enemy Navi.
Metalman gasped seeing the priestess approach, while Drillman did nothing more than smirk when he saw her coming.
"What is the cursed girl doing here?" he retorted.
She reached her hand towards him, her eyes burning with silent determination. The Zoanoroid, sensing the threatening gesture, immediately froze, emitting a displeased hiss. In an internal struggle, he desperately tried to break free from the grasp of the girl who stood as an opponent. The metallic Navi's eyes widened in incomprehension, ignoring until now the true power of the Navi Priestess. His expression betrayed a terror of the unknown, revealing involuntary respect he felt for her.
Gregar's soldier shook his head violently, shouting fiercely. "You wench! You'll see when the serum..." He brandished one of his drills and quickly planted it into the ground, causing a shockwave that forced Iris to momentarily lose her focus on her power.
A growl of discontent escaped her lips, and she realized that the Zoanoroid was trying to escape. He headed to the side, positioning himself in front of a tank containing vials filled with unfinished liquid arranged here and there. A little further away, a massive hole revealed a menacing lava tank. The Zoanoroid seized one of the vials and triumphantly brandished it in front of Iris and Metalman, who had joined her.
"Look closely, Priestess! This marks the end of your reign!" he shouted, bringing the vial towards him, ready to destroy it so that the liquid merged with his data.
"Wait, Drillman-sama! The serum is not finished, you know that very well!" exclaimed a man, visibly worried to see his leader engage in this way.
"Shut up, idiot, and go get as many children as possible! I'm going to be seen as the hero who erased the priestess!" he affirmed with a mad smile.
Under her helmet, Iris narrowed her eyes, sensing the determination of the Zoanoroid ready to annihilate the vial he held. A flash in her eyes preceded the splash of liquid on him. In a cry of pain, monstrous veins burst from his limbs, transforming his appearance into a form even more terrifying than a Beast Out. Metalman and the female Navi gasped at this transformation, but for Iris, it painfully revived the recent memory of a past linked to the hybrid.
Drillman laughed wildly, then rushed abruptly towards Iris, who didn't have time to dodge. Thrown backward, she felt one of the worst pains of her life. The Zoanoroid completely ignored the metal Navi, focusing all his attention on the female Navi, continuing his assault. Although it took her time to recover and defend herself, she raised her hand towards him again, and...nothing. Wide-eyed, Iris stepped back, overwhelmed by fear, while Drillman chuckled at her gesture.
"I told you, Iris-sama, it's over," he added, his voice becoming more gruff than before.
Iris didn't immediately grasp it, but the mere fact that the Zoanoroid was no longer affected by her own power filled her with bitterness. Metalman observed the scene from the side, impressed by what had just happened. The ominous fear of being controlled by the priestess seemed to finally subside, giving way to a glimmer of hope. However, he didn't notice his operator approaching him, expecting something.
"Metalman!" she called.
"Wait... Look!" he pointed.
Tamako looked, already annoyed, but her annoyance turned into admiration when she saw the young priestess in distress. She stood dumbfounded, unable to understand why Iris was struggling to control the Zoanoroid alone.
"There's something making him resistant," explained the metallic Navi.
The operator frowned and then fixed her gaze on him. "First, let's get these kids out of here, and we'll deal with the brat and his Gregar Navi afterward."
Metalman looked at her for a moment and decided to nod, following her while keeping a vigilant eye on the battle.
Iris fought, overwhelmed by the violence around her. Blows rained on her, propelling her inexorably towards the burning edge of the lava tank. A drill from Drillman descended upon her, and any attempt at defense seemed futile. That's when an unexpected shield appeared in front of her. Tenguman's robust arm intervened, stopping the drill and releasing fragments of his own data from the wound.
Iris's eyes widened behind her helmet, staring in disbelief at the imposing Navi who had just saved her. In a powerful motion, Tenguman pushed the Zoanoroid backward, creating a brief but precious pause in the battle.
"Iris-sama, you shouldn't stay here!" Tenguman exclaimed, his voice resonating above the turmoil. The girl remained silent, her lips slightly parted in surprise.
"Please, take care of the children with your friends; we depend on you!" he insisted, expressing the gravity of the situation.
Shortly after, one of the sharp drills of the Zoanoroid pierced the chest of the imposing Navi, causing wide-eyed surprise, even from the turquoise Navi who let out a horrified scream at the unfolding scene. Behind his mask, Tenguman grimaced in pain, then simply murmured his operator's name before disappearing. A moment of terror seized everyone, but fortunately, it turned out that the Navi had simply disconnected to return to his PET. A sigh of relief could at least escape Iris's lips. Tenguman was safe. However, Netto and Rockman, who had witnessed the entire scene, had eyes filled with horror.
Iris struggled to get up, a burning anger within her. Replacing her arm with a sword, she launched into a furious attack against her enemy, relentlessly striking his drills that seemed to always protect him with disconcerting agility. The Zoanoroid pushed her again towards the top of the stairs, where the lava tank threatened. Although the female Navi showed no fear, Drillman's sadistic laughter echoed menacingly.
"There's not just lava here," Drillman declared with a sadistic smirk. "It's molten orichalcum. It would be amusing if you ended up in it!"
Iris widened her eyes, fully realizing the gravity of the situation. She weakly attempted to avoid another attack, digital fatigue taking over her. The battle was fierce, the Zoanoroid seemingly playing with her rather than seriously trying to defeat her. Increasing fatigue and the heat emanating from the metal made each movement more and more difficult. Despite her efforts to defend herself, she was inexorably pushed toward the lava tank, falling into it in a state of terror.
Then, suddenly, her arm was held back, without her touching anything. From the top of the tank, she saw Rockman grab her hand. Under his mask, he growled as he brought her back to the surface. Once back above the molten metal, the wild Navi cast a furious look at the Zoanoroid, responding to his grimace with an expression full of anger.
"No, you have nothing of Gregar! You're just an impostor!" he shouted. With a powerful motion, Drillman transformed into a spinning drill and charged at the incarnation of Gregar. With impressive strength, he stopped him abruptly before violently propelling him into the tank. The Zoanoroid emitted a shrill cry upon contact with the molten metal, and the other two watched in horror as the Navi dissolved inside, his data merging with the deadly substance.
Iris remained speechless, marveling at the unexpected turn of events. With Rockman's help, she regained her mobility and cautiously stepped forward to descend. Netto rushed towards them, scrutinizing the priestess's condition with concern. As they raised their heads, they discovered that Metalman was watching them, arms crossed, a satisfied expression adorning his face.
His lips opened to reveal a smile. "Impressive," he declared, brandishing a small vial similar to the one Drillman had seized. "I was wondering what the limits of this could be."
Iris, unwilling to remain passive in the face of this threat, stepped forward briskly to confront the Navi. "You can't be serious?! You saw what just happened! You can't simply let yourself fall into the hands of the enemy!"
Metalman shrugged, nonchalant. "I'll just keep this with me, and we'll see. " He juggled with the vial, skillfully tossing it into the air before catching it with a smirk. "The kids are now safe. Tenguman is really an idiot. He entrusted us with a mission that wasn't our concern, for the second time... Now, I'll give you five minutes to disappear, and we'll resume our cat-and-mouse game."
Tension hung in the air, a promise of imminent conflict evident in every word uttered by Metalman. A threatening growl emanated from Rockman, but Iris managed to calm him with a soothing gesture. Without saying a word, she positioned herself in front of him, closely followed by Netto, who stayed by her side. They advanced quickly, preparing to leave the area as soon as possible. However, the turquoise Navi made a sudden pause, staring at the metal. She pulled out a small canvas bag and scraped the metal, letting the powder fall delicately into the bag. Then, they resumed their journey without a word.
Meanwhile, Tamako approached Metalman, her shocked gaze fixed on the departing group. "What are you doing?!" she exclaimed, wide-eyed.
"Don't worry, Tamako," reassured the blue and red Navi. He turned towards the walls containing the metal and all the ingots with a bronze tint. "We won't return empty-handed."
Metalman's determined expression hinted at his intentions, while Tamako, still in shock, tried to understand the idea he had in mind, until she followed his gaze to see what he was contemplating.
They sat around the campfire, the flickering light dancing with the wind. Netto stared at the bag containing the mysterious metallic powder recovered by Iris, memories of his abduction resurfacing. Saito, who had joined them in the meantime and listened to the story of their day's adventures, observed the object with a raised eyebrow. Meanwhile, Iris, immersed with her PET, added healing chips to calm the turmoil within her.
After a while, Netto stood up, cheeks slightly flushed, his legs almost tripping over each other. "I'll be right back... I need to use the restroom," he said softly, as if seeking unspoken permission.
Both nodded, and Netto walked away, searching for a more discreet spot. Saito, on the other hand, remained focused on the small bag, lips pressed together. "Is this orichalcum?" he began, reaching his hand towards the powder. "I've heard of it before, but I didn't really understand what it was."
Iris looked up at him and noticed his gesture, her eyes widening gently. She tried to stop him. "Wait..." she warned, but Saito touched the powder before she could intervene. His fingers brushed the substance, quickly withdrew, and a muffled gasp escaped his lips as he realized the effect on his skin. His skin was slightly reddened, the sensation not as painful as a burn, but clearly uncomfortable. Saito first examined his fingers, then the powder, closing his touched hand into a clenched fist and expressing his disappointment.
Iris winced, attempting to analyze Saito's skin, then sighed slowly. "You are also sensitive to orichalcum, just like us," she declared as if it were evident. "After all, you are a hybrid."
Saito let out a sigh of annoyance, regretting having another weakness added to his already long list since becoming a hybrid. Behind him, Netto returned, his eyes fixed on his dust-covered fingers.
"Do you have an allergy too?" the young boy asked, casting an innocent glance at his two elders, who stared at him with perplexity.
Netto felt the weight of their gazes on him, a bit surprised that the other two scrutinized him with obvious confusion. Tilting his head, he tried to better explain his experience. "Me too, when I touched this metal, it did the same thing to me. It's like some kind of allergy." He let out a sigh, grimacing slightly.
"You...had the same thing?" Iris asked, almost shocked.
"Yeah," he admitted nonchalantly, shrugging his shoulders. "It's pretty weird to be allergic to something I didn't even know existed before."
Saito blinked several times, examining his fingers. Surprisingly, his mind calmed down at the young boy's explanation. Iris stood up, gently closed the small bag without letting the dust touch her, and then handed it to Netto.
"If you ever find yourself in danger alone, throw this against a Zoanoroid or a Navi trying to kidnap you. It will only have the effect of a burn, they won't die," she explained, placing the small pouch back in Netto's hands without any fear. The boy looked confused as he looked at the pouch, but he nodded. The young girl then walked away, lost in her thoughts after the day she had just experienced.
A little later, Netto stood near the campfire, lost in his thoughts, exhausted by the day's events. Iris and Saito stood at a distance, engaging in animated discussion about their experiences. While Saito remained surprised but not overly concerned, Iris seemed deeply disturbed. Her enigmatic gaze settled on the older boy.
"That Zoanoroid...managed to neutralize my power," she admitted, still in shock from the earlier confrontation.
Saito remained silent, understanding the issue even though he didn't particularly like her power.
"If I can't use it against the Zoanoroids anymore, then I..." she began, lowering her head slowly, her gaze lost.
Saito furrowed his brow as he listened. "So what?" he continued. "You're stronger than that. I know it's to your advantage, but you shouldn't worry."
He eased his frown, adopting a lighter expression while offering an encouraging smile. "And besides, did you see how physically bizarre he was? He probably wouldn't have lasted long. I could feel it; it was almost like a time bomb."
Iris stayed silent, staring at the ground, clenching her fists with disgust. "Not only are they using orichalcum for weapons, but they're also using it for experiments against my power," she said painfully.
Saito felt helpless, searching for words to comfort her. He simply placed his hand on her shoulder. Iris raised her head to look at him, while he looked away in the opposite direction.
"It will get better. Once we're in Kaikyou, your world will be saved, as you said," he tried to reassure her.
The young girl remained silent for a moment, folding her hands against herself. She closed her eyes for a long time, tightly squeezing her hands. When Iris finally opened her eyes, she looked at the boy, ready to change the subject.
"I didn't know that...Netto-kun could react to orichalcum," she vaguely mentioned.
Saito initially felt awkward, but a smile slowly appeared on his face upon hearing her. He observed his fingers, which had calmed down.
"You know...finding out that Netto has the same thing reassures me," he declared, his blushing cheeks betraying a passion in his words. "We're twins, we have the same problems, and since it's probably something human, I think it's not because of my Navi side that I got burned."
Iris didn't look at him, showing little enthusiasm despite her understanding. "Do you really think it's an allergy?" she asked, seeking to ensure he didn't have other ideas.
"It's a bit similar in symptoms, and Netto has the same thing, I can't see anything else," Saito affirmed, crossing his arms behind his head.
The young girl didn't delve further into the topic. She changed her approach by locking eyes with Saito.
"I'd like to know..." she began, choosing her words carefully, "has Netto ever shown anything that might seem...abnormal?"
The older brother of the young boy blinked several times, then furrowed his brows before closing his eyes, trying to think. Though reluctant to answer Iris's question, he understood her doubts and sought to reassure her.
"Netto is probably the most human boy I know," he declared confidently. "He's not much different from many others, but he displays a beautiful humanity. There has never been anything abnormal about him."
However, he lowered his arms, his gaze drifting into memories that came back to him. "Except for that coma caused by the trauma of my death..." he muttered with a sigh.
Iris looked at him with empathy, sensing a more serious expression on Saito's face as he delved into his thoughts. He eventually shook his head. "But it's nothing! It's over! I know he doesn't remember me because of it, but that's also human!" he sighed, explaining perhaps more for himself than for Iris.
She observed him in silence, absorbing all the information. Saito looked back at her, trying to become positive again. "But this burn reminds me that even if he's forgotten everything, he's still connected to me," he confessed.
Iris remained silent, lowering her eyes to the ground. She wasn't entirely convinced by Saito's explanations. However, she resigned herself to accepting that if Netto showed nothing abnormal, perhaps her intuitions were wrong, and Saito had given an honest answer.
Later, she found Netto, wrapped in his cape like a shield against the cold. Settling down beside him, she emitted a presence that gently pulled him from his slumber. Netto's eyelids lifted slowly, capturing the digital presence of the girl next to him.
"Iris?" He straightened up slowly, a hint of fatigue tinting his eyes. "What were you talking about?"
"I was concerned about Saito-san's burns with orichalcum," she said in a calm voice. "You mentioned having something similar, Netto-kun?"
A slight startled sound escaped Netto, who nodded. "Uh, yeah... I touched that stuff without really knowing what would happen."
Netto scrutinized her pure green eyes, but she showed no reaction. Despite his evident exhaustion, he leaned slightly forward.
"If you're worried, don't be. It's nothing, everyone has allergies to anything..." He yawned. Unaware, he slumped against her, murmuring softly as sleep overcame him. "Don't worry about me..."
Iris remained still, allowing Netto to rest his head against her legs, slowly succumbing to sleep. After the rigor of his day, sleep took hold of him, numbing his body. Observing for a few moments, the hesitant young girl eventually touched his cheek gently before closing her eyes.
Suddenly, she found herself in a dark and empty place, reminiscent of the day of their first meeting. Lowering her gaze, Iris discovered in place of the six-year-old boy was an exact replica of Saito, dressed the same except for his more tousled hair, sleeping peacefully. She knew this was his true form. Her fingers slid gently through his hair, prompting a multitude of questions about him.
Iris wasn't sure, but unlike Saito, whose mysteries were too apparent, she didn't truly know this boy. She knew his history and what led him to end up here. But she knew that deep within him hid a secret, an enigma as inscrutable to her as it was to Saito, no doubt.
AN: Let's talk more about this chapter, have you noticed these little details? This chapter is a big reference to Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, which is my favorite Indy film... Yes, I really like the second one. I've always wanted to create a story like Indiana Jones 2, where the heroes find themselves in an adventure against their will (whereas in the other films, they go willingly) and discover gruesome and mystical things. One day, I'll do something longer, but probably not with BN, I think. If you remember, Iris reads books, especially plays, and Netto is adorable for wanting to step out of his comfort zone to read the same books as her. I enjoy writing scenes between Iris and Saito too; they have a beautiful camaraderie that, starting as mistrust, turns into a form of pure friendship between the two.