I was only ten, alone on the streets of Cali.

With Mom pulling a double at the diner and Dad on his third of the day, I had to get myself home from school. I took my usual shortcut, ducking into the alley off 8th, right past the grimy bodega that never had a soul inside.

A mutt, a hulking pit mix, had been shadowing me for blocks. I tried shooing it off, even hurling a rock, but the stupid thing was dense. It pressed close, nipping at my heels as I ducked down the alley. I was just a scrawny kid, and this brute was nearly as big as me.

I walked faster, trying to shake the mutt, when a rusty gate squeaked behind me. I whirled around to see some gangbanger fresh off a night's work, cracking a 40. He spots me, then the dog on my heels, and grins like an idiot.

"That your dog, kid?" he slurs, swigging from the bottle.

I shake my head, probably looking terrified. Why wouldn't I be? That dog was eyeing me like a steak. But the guy just laughs, mocking. "Better run then!"

He sprays the dog with beer, that sour stink of old malt. In an instant, the mutt goes from sniffing to snarling, a deep growl rumbling in its throat. I take off out of the alley like I'm running for my life—and I probably am.

But I digress.

I don't know why that memory hits me as I watch the Reaver's blade descend, starlight glinting off it like a living galaxy.

Sometimes, when you're staring death in the face, they say your life flashes before your eyes. A highlight reel of your greatest hits and biggest regrets, all crammed into the infinitesimal space between one breath and your last.

But sometimes, it's not your whole life that comes rushing back.

Sometimes, it's just one moment, crystal clear and razor-sharp. A single memory that cuts through the chaos, irrelevant and random as it may seem.

And I get what my mind is trying to tell me.

Move, you imbecile.

I drop to the ground a heartbeat before the deadly arc slices through where my neck just was.

"Shield him, March!" I hear Dan call from behind me. The girl stepped in front of the man and made a circular pattern with her right hand as if she were firing a gun. Blue and pink sparks flew from her fingers.

"Oh no you don't!" she shouted and fired her pretend gun with a bang. Suddenly, a shimmering shield appears around me just as the blade of the second Reaver is about to cut me in two. For a moment, the blade hits some kind of invisible wall that distorts at the point of impact, before it bounces off the shield completely, driving the Reaver back. Ignoring the strange occurrence, I immediately charge at the nearest one. It's prepared, one arm cocked back and the other raised for protection.

I'm aware that I'm putting myself at harm's risk by getting close to those bladed arms. Yet, I'm unable to process the danger with the unhealthy amount of adrenaline currently coursing through my body. I close in on it, planting my feet firmly, twisting my torso, arms, and shoulders like screwdrivers to deliver the maximum amount of force possible to my fist and into its metal helmet.

March 7th's "shield" blocks and repels the Reaver's attacks while I drive my fist into its head, hoping to inflict the equivalent of a brain injury. With inhuman clarity, I watch my knuckles carve into the Reaver's face. Its body flies back into the shadows, meters away. I don't need to see it fail to rise to know it's finished.

I spin to face the second Reaver, still stunned by its partner's defeat. It realizes too late what's coming. Instead of the cross punch I gave its friend, I lift this one clear off its feet with an uppercut to the chin. If the ceiling were lower, its body would have crashed into it and stuck there, limbs dangling. But in this high-ceilinged chamber, it sails far into the shadows, outline barely visible in the dim light.

I stand there, panting under the light, my body tingling all over.

What just happened?

My reflexes, my strength, my speed... it's like they've been cranked up to eleven. I take a second to catch my breath before turning to Dan and March.

"That was amaaaazing!" The girl rushes over. "I've never seen anyone—hey!"

I'm already halfway down the next corridor before she finishes her sentence.

"Wait, please!" Dan's voice echoes after me. "We only want to help!"

Shaking my head, I keep moving, frustration rising. You're not real. You're not real. You're not real!

I burst into a cavernous chamber, far larger than the one where I fought the Reavers. My eyes widen, trying to take in the immense scale. It's like standing in a massive aircraft hangar from a science fiction movie. The ceiling soars so high above me that it vanishes into darkness, the upper levels and stairs lost from view. The walls stretch endlessly into shadowy depths on either side, lined with glowing blue strips that provide an eerie illumination.

In the middle of the huge room, a lone elevator waits, joined to my platform by a skinny bridge that doesn't look too safe. Way down below, I can hear the deep rumble of machines hidden somewhere, their sound bouncing off the walls—a warning of what'll happen if I slip up on that slim path.

Suddenly, the central elevator's doors open with a metallic groan. Four massive figures in armor step out, cruel curved blades gleaming in their arms. Reavers.

I make a split-second decision, acknowledging I can't take on all four at once. Instead of charging head-on, I leap to a lower platform about five meters below. The metal grating rattles under my feet as I land in a crouch.

Behind me, I hear Dan Heng and March 7th shouting, their voices echoing in the huge room. I risk a glance back and see two Reavers engaging them, blades flashing. The other two drop down to my level, their heavy boots clanging against the walkway as they give chase.

I take off running, my heart pounding in my ears. I navigate the maze of stairs and ramps, climbing higher and higher, searching for an exit. The Reavers are relentless, their footsteps always just behind me.

Suddenly, they intercept me with an incredible leap from a lower platform. I skid to a halt, finding myself pinned between them—one in front, one behind. Acting on instinct, I charge forward towards the one blocking my path. As it raises its blade to bisect me, I drop into a slide at the last second, passing between its legs.

I hear the whistle of a blade slicing the air above me as I roll to my feet. The Reaver spins, expecting to find me, but I'm already in motion. I sprint to the edge of the platform and jump, grabbing onto the ledge of another one. With a grunt, I haul myself up.

The second Reaver follows, making another superhuman leap to reach me. But with the platform's position obstructing its view from below, it doesn't expect me to be waiting just at the rim. As it lands, I lash out with a kick, sending it stumbling back into its partner, who had just jumped to join the fray. They collide with a clang of metal on metal and tumble off the platform, falling down, down, down into the shadowy depths of the chamber.

I take a deep breath, trying to steady my racing heart as I survey my surroundings from this new vantage point. Catching movement, I spot March and Dan on some lower levels, running and making their way towards me. They must have taken out the other two Reavers.

Not wanting to wait for them, I'm about to continue my escape from this nightmarish room when a deep, ominous rumble echoes from somewhere far away within the station. It's distant from where we are, but the sound is terrifying—a mix of a giant beast's roar and the rancorous grinding of machinery.

The room shakes suddenly as if struck by a small tremor, and I feel a chill run down my spine.

Whatever is causing that, I want to get as far away from it as possible.

In my moment of distraction, Dan and March manage to catch up to me. March grabs my hand, her eyes wide with urgency.

"We need to go, now!" she exclaims, tugging me away from the chamber.

I don't resist, letting her lead me towards what I hope is an exit. As we run, the rumbling grows louder, the vibrations intensifying beneath our feet. I risk a glance back over my shoulder, half-expecting to see some nightmarish creature burst into the room, but there's nothing—just the eerie, echoing roar and the distant clanking of machinery.

Dan looks back as soon as we enter a well-lit hallway, his expression hard. "Our first priority is to find the researchers in this area," he says quickly. "To do that, we need to locate Arlan, the station's head of security. If my suspicions are correct, that noise came from something I'd rather not have to deal with just on our own."

He looks straight at me. "I understand you're confused, but we need your assistance. Lives are at risk, and we need all the help available to get them to safety."

I freeze at his words. The recent battles have kept my mind occupied, making it easier to forget that this might all be in my head. But with him here, talking to me, it feels so real, even though he's only supposed to be a character in a game. My anxiety returns full force, and I struggle not to chew on my lip. I have no idea what to do next.

March must have noticed the troubled look on my face because she jumps in with a suggestion. "Hey, I know this is really scary for you. But we have some friends who might be able to help explain things better - Miss Himeko and Mr. Yang. They're part of our crew on the Astral Express. I'm sure they'd be happy to answer any questions you have," March assures me with an earnest smile. "And if there's anyone you need to find—family, friends—Dan and I will do everything we can to help locate them. We promise."

At the mention of family and friends, I falter, my face contorting with subtle but clear discomfort.

You won't be able to find them, I think bitterly. They're not here.

It's bizarre, having a character from a game trying to reassure me. The genuine concern in March's aquamarine and lilac eyes only makes it worse, blurring the lines between reality and fiction even further. I shake my head, pushing down the lump in my throat.

"I... appreciate the offer," I manage to say, my voice strained. "But for now, let's just focus on finding this Arlan guy and getting to safety. I'll follow your lead."

I don't have the energy to argue or try to make sense of any of this. Survival first, existential crisis later. March and Dan exchange a look, but thankfully don't push the issue. With a nod, Dan takes point and we set off down the hallway, the distant rumbles still echoing through the station.

Our footsteps echo through the vast maze of hallways as we race to find the remaining researchers. The sterile walls and floors all blend together in an endless blur. Every so often we burst into a massive central chamber, like the one with the lone elevator from before. Each of these rooms could easily fit an entire basketball stadium within their confines. The ceilings tower hundreds of feet above us, swathed in shadow. Bridges and platforms crisscross dizzyingly through the open space, suspended by some futuristic technology I can't comprehend. Far below, I can hear the deep thrum of the ship's engines reverberating up through the depths.

After what feels like an eternity of running, we finally arrive at a section of the station that looks different from the rest. A large room with windows sits before us, filled with various command consoles and communication devices. The entrance is blocked by heavy blast doors, but I can see movement inside.

Dan rushes forward and pounds on the doors. "Hello? Is anyone in there?" he shouts, his voice echoing in the empty hallway.

A young voice calls back to him, and the doors slide open. Inside is an injured young man with olive skin and white hair. One of his eyes is purple while the other is covered by a patch. He looks genuinely relieved to see us. In the back, I can see a group of researchers, about a dozen of them, most of whom are injured in some way, others looking shellshocked.

"Thank goodness you're here," he begins, wincing as he steps aside to let us in. "I'm Arlan, head of security. You're from the Astral Express, correct?" At Dan's affirmative nod, some tension leaves his face. "I was informed you were contacted to help us. It's good to have you here. I'll get straight to the point—the attack started about two hours ago. I've been following Miss Asta's orders to protect the researchers of this sector, but we were overwhelmed."

He goes on to explain how he had dispatched multiple security units throughout the station, leading one of them himself. But they were no match for the troops of the Anti-matter Legion and the monstrous Trampler class Voidrangers. They had lost many people in the retreat, and Arlan had barely managed to get the remaining researchers to safety.

"I'm worried about Asta," he admits, his voice strained. "There have been reports of a Doomsday Beast joining the attack on the station."

At the mention of the Doomsday Beast, I can't help but laugh. The absurdity of it all—it's like something straight out of a science fiction novel. Everyone turns to look at me, their expressions a mix of confusion and annoyance.

March suddenly steps forward, her brow furrowed with concern. "Let me help to patch you up, Arlan. Those wounds look pretty bad."

That'd be an understatement. Arlan is concealing a limp, favoring his left leg. His right arm hangs at his side, a makeshift bandage stained with blood wrapped around his bicep.

But he shakes his head. "There's no time. Now that we have more manpower, we need to get to the command room and get to Asta."

The blast doors behind us begin to shake and rumble. The sound of heavy footsteps and clanking metal fills the air, growing louder by the second. Suddenly, they dent inward with a deafening boom. March yelps, leaping back.

"Eliminator class Voidrangers," Dan hisses, his hand going to his weapon. "They're trying to break through."

Arlan nods towards a smaller door on the far side of the room. "We'll have to take the back way. Come on, let's move!"

Another dent forms in the doors. The whole room seems to shake with the force of the blows.

"Go, go!" Dan yells. We dash out of the room as the doors blow inwards, a terrifying, inhuman roar following after. I don't look back, just continue to run, with dozens of others in front of me. I realize I've ended up at the back of the group, while Arlan, Dan, and March have taken the front with the researchers.

Further on, at the end of the hall, a new threat appears. I gape as I make out large, armored Voidrangers on either side of a gigantic four-legged creature, easily three times their size.

Dan curses under his breath. "Eliminators and a Trampler. This just got more complicated."

The Eliminators are clad in dark, almost black armor, with glowing violet lines that pulse with an otherworldly energy. Their helmets are angular and cruel. They carry large cannons, nearly the size of a man, humming with thermal energy, smoke spilling out from them.

But it's the four-legged one that I'm most afraid of. It's huge, even bigger than the Eliminators. It's as if someone smashed together the design of a futuristic spaceship with that of a centaur, with the lower half resembling a horse and the upper half a man. It's a sickly gray color, with bulging muscles and various metal enhancements throughout its body. As it sees us, it rears up on its hind legs and lets out another bone-chilling screech.

March conjures a crystalline bow, arrow nocked and ready to fly. "This is so not fair, all of you against us! Dan, what's the plan?"

Dan raises his lance defensively, hesitating. "They outnumber us, and we have civilians to protect. If we make a stand here, we're dead."

The Eliminators step forward, cannons pulsing. Then, a circular drone darts out from behind them just before they can fire. Crescent black blades spin in a vicious blur as the drone tears into the pack, ripping through metal. Agonized screeches pierce the air as the creatures thrash and fall. The Trampler, for its part, releases an eerie battle cry, jumping into the air and aiming to take it down with its powerful legs. The drone expertly weaves away from danger, making a U-turn and launching into another powerful spin that takes out one of the monster's arms, making it scream in pain.

"It's Himeko's drone!" March shouts, hope rising in her voice. "She must be nearby!"

We race past the writhing Voidrangers, taking advantage of the distraction. The drone keeps after them, preventing pursuit.

Another set of heavy blast doors blocks our path. Arlan inputs a command into a nearby panel and they slide open, revealing the space station's Master Control zone.

It's all curves and grandeur, with immaculate silvery-white floors stretching into the distance under soft light. A massive holographic orb dominates the center, pouring light that fractures into a thousand colors dancing on the walls. It seems almost alive. The glass and metal walls rise and curve, offering a view of the void beyond, stars and galaxies visible to us all. Panels and consoles break up the sides, their screens filled with cryptic data and star charts. Dozens of uniformed researchers man them, all business despite the chaos.

A lone figure sits in front of the orb, their back to us. As we approach, I see it's a young woman of fair skin. Unlike the others, she wears a collared white shirt with loose, detached sleeves and ruffles. A black skirt with gold accents peeks out from under a purple overcoat. Around her waist is an unzipped pink and white jacket with numerous buckled belts. She turns to face us, pink hair revealing light blue eyes.

I hang back from the group as Arlan approaches her, March and Dan following closely behind. Despite the chaos around us, she exudes an aura of calm authority. "Miss Asta," he says with evident relief. "I'm glad to see you're unharmed."

Arlan begins recounting what happened after he was dispatched, explaining the situation in the Seclusion and Storage zones. I stay near the group of rescued researchers, keeping my distance and observing from afar.

As they converse, movement in my peripheral vision catches my eye. A striking figure with long, captivating red hair strides towards us, carrying herself with an air of confidence and poise.

Seeing her jogs my memory. That's Himeko.

She's a well-known character from the game. With her keen intellect and motherly demeanor, she had gained quite the following. Of course, her attractive physique certainly didn't hurt her popularity with some of the more zealous fans and players either. Her fair complexion, her waist-length wavy red hair, her golden eyes, her white, sleeveless toga gown dress with a high slit along the right side that exposed her legs, her black coat lined with gold… it all made for a stunning picture.

For a brief moment, I find myself detachedly admiring her beauty and elegance, but I stop short after a second. Instead of being aroused or inspired, I'm only filled with a sense of unease.

She's not real, Xander. What is there to even see?

Himeko approaches Dan and March, embracing the latter in a warm hug. "I'm so relieved to see you both safe," she says, her voice laced with genuine affection.

March and Dan return the sentiment, clearly comforted by Himeko's presence. Dan turns to her, his expression grave. "Where's Mr. Yang?"

Before Himeko can respond, that same deep, ominous rumbling echoes through the chamber once more. The researchers around me shut their eyes tightly, some even dropping to the floor as if seeking cover from an unseen threat.

Then, through the glass and metal walls surrounding us, an enormous, nightmarish form appears.

Ah… that would be the Doomsday Beast.

It's massive, an otherworldly creature with a predominantly white and blue color scheme. Its features are sharp and angular, like some kind of crystalline or armored exoskeleton. Glowing blue accents pulse with an eerie luminescence and ethereal wings of energy protrude from its back.

I can't tear my eyes away from the terrifying sight, a mix of fear and morbid fascination gripping me as the Beast lets out an earth-shaking roar.

Asta turns to address Arlan and the rest of us. "You need to take the researchers and get aboard the Astral Express in the Supply Zone immediately," she says, her voice calm but firm.

She pauses, then adds with finality, "I'll stay behind."

Arlan hesitates for a moment, but ultimately nods in understanding. March, however, looks conflicted. "But...!"

Himeko cuts her off, taking her hand. "We have to go, now." She turns to the rest of us. "Follow me, quickly! We'll take point and protect you while we make our way to the Supply Zone."

With that, she leads the way, Dan and Arlan following close behind. I fall in step with the group of researchers as we hurry through the corridors, the Doomsday Beast's roars echoing all around us.

Through our escape, I continue asking myself: How can this be happening? How can any of this be real? The panic around me feels genuinely terrifying. Could I have been wrong? Is this more than just an incredibly vivid dream? If I have to assume this is all actually happening, that opens up another can of worms.

What happened to me? Why am I here of all places?

The existential questions vanish from my mind as I focus on the scene before me. We've reached the docking platform, where the infamous Astral Express awaits. Salvation in the form of a gleaming train of ebony and gold.

If only it were that easy.

A horrible crash thunders through the giant room. Metal screams as one of the far walls buckles inward, a massive shape lurching out of the smoke and rubble. The Doomsday Beast looms over us, making us seem like tiny bugs scuttling around helplessly at its feet. Spikes cover its armor, which shines wickedly under the glaring lights. Glowing blue lines traced complex patterns over its body, like circuits or veins filled with energy. Terror freezes me as I stare up at the horrifying monster.

Dan's shout snaps my attention back to the ground. "Miss Himeko! How long before Mr. Yang arrives? We need his help!"

"He's guarding the rest of the ship!" Himeko has to scream over the noise of the Beast. "We're alone for now!"

Dan's face is dark but set. He turns to Arlan and the researchers. "Get to safety! We've got this!"

Arlan opens his mouth to argue but closes it when March immediately begs him to respect Asta's orders to keep the group safe. Scowling yet understanding, he leads the rest of the group away from the fight.

Meanwhile, I remain paralyzed, thoughts scattered, as the trio readies to engage the Beast. It feels surreal, like seeing movie heroes brace for a final stand, but this was undeniably happening. Dazed, I didn't dodge in time when one of the monster's limbs lashed my way. March cries out too late.

"Watch out!"

The impact slams into me like a freight train, sending me flying across the room. I crash into a wall with a sickening crunch, my body leaving a dent in the metal as I hang there, suspended by the force of the collision.

Pain detonates through me, shattering what feels like bones and thoughts alike. It's all I can do to suck in a ragged breath as I lay there, suspended on the wall.

I should be dead.

That blow should have killed me instantly. No human could survive that kind of force. And yet, here I am, alive and... not well, but alive. How is that possible?

Unless... I'm already dead.

The realization hits me like a second blow. The accident, the crash... I died then, didn't I? Could this be all just some twisted afterlife, some cruel cosmic joke?

But if that's true, then why does this pain feel so real? Why do I feel every aching throb, every searing jolt? Can't you escape sensation, even in death?

The sounds of battle pull me from my spiraling thoughts. I force my eyes open, blinking away the spots dancing in my vision. Below me, Himeko, Dan, and March are locked in desperate combat with the Doomsday Beast.

They move like dancers in a deadly ballet, weaving in and out of range of the monster's attacks. Dan thrusts with his lance, seeking weak points in the Beast's armor. March fires arrow after arrow, each one finding its mark with unerring precision. And Himeko's drone darts and spins, a whirling dervish of metal and energy.

But for all their skill, for all their bravery, it's clear they're outmatched. The Beast is too strong, too resilient. Their attacks are like pinpricks to its armor, barely scratching the surface.

All it will take is one mistake, one moment of inattention or fatigue, and it will be over. One swipe of those massive claws, one blast of that unholy energy, and they'll be nothing more than smears on the floor.

"Himeko, watch out!" March cries as the beast lunges forward, its claws open wide.

The red-haired woman leaps back just in time, the beast's attack missing her by inches. She lands in a crouch, her face set in grim determination, her black drone retaliating in a whirlwind.

I attempt to move, but the agony remains overwhelming, flooding my senses. Amidst the torment, one thought takes shape. A fact so painfully obvious, yet easily overshadowed by the sheer intensity of the pain.

Did this overgrown CGI monster just punch me into a wall?

It takes me a second to process it. I've beaten people until black and blue for less.

Anger suddenly floods through my veins, and I welcome it. I'll take the anger over the existential crisis any time of day.

Somehow, the pain begins to subside, enough for me to push myself up from the crumpled heap I've become. The world seems to move in slow motion as I survey my surroundings. I spot a nearby platform, not too far from where I'm lodged in the wall. With a grunt, I slide down, landing on the metal surface with a thud.

Fallen security guards lie around me, their bodies lost in the havoc until now. They must have died once the attack began. I don't waste time mourning them, just check their gear for anything I can use.

Bingo.

I spot a pair of futuristic pistols, sleek and ivory white, clutched in their lifeless hands. I have no idea what kind of ammo they use—plasma, maybe?—but the triggers are familiar enough. I snatch them up, along with a couple of smoke grenades identifiable by the cloud-shaped warning logo on their exterior.

As I rise, a glint catches my eye. There, at the top of the Doomsday Beast's head, floats an orb. Could it be a weak point?

Only one way to find out.

I lob a smoke grenade at my feet, counting down the seconds until detonation, taking aim, squeezing the triggers with pinpoint precision. The orb shatters under the barrage, and the beast lets out an agonized scream.

Its attention now fully on me, the creature rears back, the circles on its wings glowing with deadly intent. I hear March and Dan shouting warnings, urging me to get away, but it's too late. The beams lance towards me, searing the air with their heat.

But before they can find their mark, the smoke grenade erupts, engulfing me in a thick, obscuring cloud. The beams pass harmlessly overhead, missing me by inches.

The beams destroy everything behind me, leaving nothing but dust in their wake. I use the smoke bomb to my advantage, darting out from behind cover and firing another round of ammo, this time directly at the Doomsday Beast's armored face. It screams again, the sound a mix of rage and pain. More lasers lance out, lighting the platform in explosions and sparks.

When the smoke dissipates, nothing remains of my previous position. I've already moved, hidden beneath a metal structure on another platform I'd jumped to in the chaos. I take off the pin of my remaining smoke bomb, throwing it again below me and taking aim at the beast once more.

As I fire, I hear Himeko shouting over the din of battle. "March, Dan, attack now! Its shield is down!"

She must have realized the same thing I did, I think grimly. That orb was some kind of protection.

Dan doesn't hesitate. With a fierce battle cry, he launches forward in a super-jump, his lance becoming a blur as he strikes. The impact takes out a chunk of the metal that makes up one of the Doomsday Beast's arms, sending shards flying.

March follows up, her crystal arrows finding the joints in the beast's armor, freezing them in place and slowing its movements.

Finally, Himeko's drone dives in, spinning like a drill as it aims for the Doomsday Beast's face. The damage I inflicted earlier had opened a small crack, and the drone's strength, focused on that specific weak point, allows it to break through.

With a shower of sparks and a roar of agony, the drone takes off a chunk of the beast's face, leaving a gaping, sparking hole.

The Doomsday Beast's rampage intensifies, its movements erratic and unpredictable. Lasers fire in all directions, destroying everything in their path. I catch a glimpse of Himeko diving to cover March, shielding her with her own body. Dan is too far away to help, cut off by the inferno surrounding him.

For a split second, Summer's face flashes in my mind, superimposed over Himeko's. Something snaps inside me.

Without thinking, I leap from the platform, moving faster than I ever thought possible. The lasers miss me by mere inches as I land in front of Himeko and March.

I raise the pistols, pulling the triggers as fast as my fingers will allow. Round after round slams into the beast's face, the barrage unrelenting. Its rampage falters, its attention now solely focused on me.

The core on its belly begins to glow, the heat intensifying as it prepares to fire a devastating ray. But I don't let up, continuing to pepper its head with a hail of plasma. The guns grow hot in my hands, the metal searing my skin, but I barely register the pain.

"Why won't you go down!" I scream, my voice raw with fury and desperation.

The beast's core reaches a blinding crescendo of light. I brace myself for the impact, knowing there's no way to dodge at this range. But I refuse to back down in the wake of my rage.

"Get out of there!" Himeko shouts from behind me, her voice laced with panic.

I don't listen to her. The pistols are glowing now, the heat unbearable, but still I fire.

And then, just as the beast is about to unleash its attack, something incredible happens. A golden light erupts from my chest, engulfing me in a blinding aura. The pistols in my hands shatter, unable to withstand the sudden surge of energy.

The beast's beam fires, a lance of pure destruction aimed straight at me. But the golden light meets it head-on, the two forces clashing in a cataclysmic explosion that thankfully overwhelms the Doomsday Beast. The force of the blow sends shockwaves rippling through the air, nearly knocking me off my feet.

But I barely register the impact. All I can focus on is the searing agony ripping through my body, centered on my chest. It feels like something is being torn out of me, a fundamental part of my being wrenched away by the golden light.

I scream, the sound raw and primal, torn from the depths of my lungs. I can't breathe, can't think. The pain is all-consuming, blotting out everything else. This is even worse than when I was sent flying into a wall.

Dimly, I'm aware of the others shouting, their voices laced with panic and confusion.

"What's happening to him?" March cries, her voice barely audible over the roar of the energy.

"I don't know!" Himeko shouts back. "But we have to do something!"

Through the haze of agony, I see a figure appear in my periphery, moving with a speed and grace that seems impossible. It's a man, tall and slender, with a shock of brown hair and a long coat billowing behind him.

He raises his hand, and I glimpse something in his grasp - a cane, maybe, or a staff. Then, with a swift, decisive motion, he brings it down on my head.

The pain stops instantly, replaced by a dull, throbbing ache. I crumple to the floor, my legs giving out beneath me. The golden light fades, dissipating into the air like mist.

As darkness encroaches on my vision, I hear March's voice, high and excited. "Mr. Yang!"

Yang? I think dimly. Who's Yang?

But before I can ponder the question further, darkness claims me again.

Chapter notes and references:

• I should be dead. That blow should have killed me instantly. No human could survive that kind of force. And yet, here I am, alive and... not well, but alive. How is that possible? — A body that can hold a Stellaron inside must be made of some really strong stuff. What could that be? That's something to explore later on. I'll keep you guessing for now!

• As I rise, a glint catches my eye. There, at the top of the Doomsday Beast's head, floats an orb. Could it be a weak point? — In the game, all enemies have a shield bar you need to break before you can actually do damage to them. I thought about adding this to the story by giving most characters a shield as long as they are under a Path's powers. There are two ways to break the shield: by hitting a weak point or by attacking using a Path affinity it is weak against. In this case, Xander did both, which made his attacks effective against the Doomsday Beast. I'll explore and explain how the power system of this universe works in later chapters, so don't worry if it seems a bit confusing right now.

Edited 3/20/2024