Writer notes:
Hello everyone this is Ed for a new chapter as you can see I came back after leaving writing for a long time as I had no return either positive or any constructive criticism I lost the spark of writing and fell into the abyss of any writer "Writer block" "Blank page syndrome", as for the few viewers that passes through my stories I thank you a lot for even the small interest in these stories, if you could leave any little review you had questions that would help me keeping me motivates to write more.
Thanks for reading this small passage and without any delays let's delve into this new chapter.
Chapter 2: The strongest Kaiju meets the monarch
Sora was in the lab thinking about the Kaiju's and their history, books, reports and extract of testimonies were strewn on his desk.
Kaiju's are weird creatures that seemed to appear out of nowhere. People believed in the beginning that the apparition of those monstrosities was divine punishment for humanity, other said it was mother earth getting revenge on humanity for ravaging the lands. But little did the people know the true nature of Kaiju's after all no one had a symbiotic relationship with one.
Kaiju's always existed in fact they first seemed as parasitic creatures … ouch … why I felt this a passing pain.
A characteristic that I was able to deduce through my studies is that they were at first monocellular organism with a high mutation / evolution potential as their genetic material gives them such abilities like adaptation, proliferation, absorption, energy production & transformation. These seems like basic instinct for any living organism. They still somehow hold the monocell characteristic but it seems that this cell took a crystalized form from where the hyper-regeneration and cell division happen from, the famous core that all the soldiers target when subjugating Kaiju's so we mainly try to kill the main cell or brain to subdue the kaiju's.
Although one thing that intrigued me the most was their history. It was unknown to everyone as this seemed to be the opposite people's beliefs was their appearance, they always existed since the dawn of life on earth. Legends have been built upon sporadique appearances of Kaiju's throughout the centuries of human history, but somehow something doesn't add up these attacks seems sporadique but they always appeared when humanity was at it's weakest state, these times of either societal or health crisis and they also appeared around the world, the European Justinian plague the Spanish Flu, Japan civil wars, the tragedy of Pompei and even some tablets retrieved from bottom of the Atlantic sea that seems to confirm the legends of the city of Atlantis showed the depictions of Kaiju like monsters.
As Sora leaned back on his chair, he could only conclude to one thing they seemed to organize. Did the Kaiju's have a leader somehow? Were the thought that the Kaiju's all shared a have mind true? but if so why did cases of the numbers happen is there a hierarchy established are these numbered Kaiju's leaders of their own with not only a will of their own, a sentience, intelligence of their own but also a hive of their own or were there parts of a bigger larger schemes like a general that commanded a leader of each troupe to a mission.
These theories made Sore mind throb, he needed a break. How many weeks had it been since he visited his sister since he visited his Fat… that man.
"How low did we fall without you mom?" thought Sora about the state of his family after the 6th incident, more than 200 officers died, 3 commanders with one of them officially pronounced dead but is in a stasis state.
"I would love to have some advice from you or Ogata Taicho, you were always the more level headed of the whole JKDF" as he solemnly thought about those times he was the little rookie, a somehow nostalgic feeling made him smile a bit.
A sudden feeling made him jolt from his reminiscence as he fell from his chair.
"'Itai. … itai' what was that it seems that it came from far away, was that a kaiju, why did i think of word brother, was that you Zero?" As he focused this energy it seems on a scale of a Mega-Kaiju, as he blitzed out of his room to investigate it, one thing intrigued him. Why isn't Zero as hostile as usual?
(Note: High ranking or promising officers sometime develop a second sense for Kaiju's but being in a symbiosis with one made Sora senses more akin to Kaiju radar.)
As he bolted out of his room toward the dressing room he didn't notice a man in his late forties with a goatee.
"Isn't that Sora-boyo, well I was just gonna visit him but he seems to be in a hurry?", as he shrugged "next time maybe" as he reminisce the memory of his old comrade and best friend.
"You raised one hell of a boy didn't you Hikari" as he smiled at those memories as he saw the pic on his hand with a younger him and Hikari with Isao and a little smiling boy doing the victory sign, 'They will be other occasion to hand him this, we miss you Hikari hope you were here?' as he continued his way to handle other matters.
A month earlier:
"Ohh what a drag" complained a dark haired man with a stubble for a goatee and sharp eyebrows in his early thirties as he was on his way to work, that man was Hibino Kafka a member of a professional Kaiju cleaning crew, his day began with him witnessing, the third platoon intervention on a minor Kaiju.
As he remembered all his knowledge on kaiju's and the fact that Kaiju's attacks became the routine of everyone around the world as it became the daily attraction of every bystander to spice they daily routines, these apparition didn't fright people around as the different branches of anti-Kaiju military forces took care of them all had their specialties and could handle Kaiju attacks on their own but the Japanese branch was on a scale of it own, a weird think that was observed is that Kaiju's thrived on high seismic activity region or high volcanic ones.
That why Japan and regions like the San Andreas Fault has the most Kaiju activities thus having the most expertise in those matter where the JKDF & SAKF (San Andreas Anti-Kaiju Force) posted in Japan & California respectively.
Although Hibino was like a walking encyclopedia about Kaiju knowledge coming from all his years of study & experience on his field even with his limited source of info as most of the knowledge about Kaiju's where archived in Anti-Kaiju military bases or specialized Kaiju labs like Izumo Tech he studied all he could to get a chance to join the JKDF, but alas he always failed the physical test & the few times he failed the Theory one was due to overstressing about the second part of the exam.
He was soon out of his inner thought as he heard a bang coming from the west nailing the Kaiju core as he witnessed the third division deal with the small Kaiju, one thing came out of his lips.
"Here comes todays work" as he went through smaller alleyways to join his workplace as the main road was blocked by security barriers.
"Ahhh this is so messy, why can't they be like the Div0 this would be a thousand times easier and would reduce the reparation costs on the city." As he walked parallel to the blocked road.
He always admired the JKDF especially the 3rd division where his childhood friend became the biggest figure and became its commander a few years after succeeding in the admission exam.
Then another figure came & became another model for Kafka to follow Captain Sora Shinomiya leader of the scientific branch and captain of the recently created Div0, this platoon didn't distinguish itself on the general public as it contained fewer officers who were handpicked making it one of the hardest platoon to join right beside the first one.
This division always went with other platoons but one particularity that made it unique in the eyes of the population their fight lacked the flashiness or wow effect other platoons intervention gave but for Kafka there was the finesse, precision in the fights where they intervened the fight were a lot less messier, less to no damage caused to physical structure as no excessive force used the only structural damage were caused by the Kaiju passage before their arrival & they always took some of the kaiju's after their passage there was almost nothing to do for cleanup crews after them.
And the other thing to some people thought they were considered the nerd div cause they were the division that was half military half scientific the bridge between the biggest Kaiju Tech company IzumoTech and the JKDF.
'Ahh some people couldn't see the big picture' as he was changing to his outfit they received newer prototypes of protective suits and those were produced thanks to the work of div0 with the companies even smaller companies like the one that equipped his work company benefited from their work.
He always dreamed of joining the Div0 or the 3rd platoon but alas this was only a dream, the dream of a failure.
Moments later:
"Well we should divide the work and make small cuts on top of sections A to C by attacking from the bottom & the opposite for section G to I" said Kafka from his position attached to the ropes to his boss on the ground as they were watching the divided grid from different angles made by a laser projector sectioning body parts of the Kaiju.
"Good suggestion Kafka this will evacuate the heat more efficiently & avoid splash zones" as he sent 2 teams on those sections.
"I will get the central sections" said another employee that half listened to the conversation as went down.
"No idiot don't do it" shouted Kafka at the young lad as he began to cut he got a splash of hot and steaming Kaiju blood as he screamed in pain from the burn he received on his leg.
"Dammit, get him down boys" shouted Kafka to the team that was in charge of the material above the kaiju
As Hibino went to check on him he saw the injury and quickly took off his tool belt to fasten it around the man leg.
"Bring me some water bottle and a special Kaiju base solution and call an ambulance" he gave orders to his closest co-workers who knew Kafka experience in handling Kaiju related injuries.
"You should be more careful Kaiju blood is highly acidic & toxic to human contact" as he fastened the belt above the injury thus creating a tourniquet.
As he poured first the water to clean most of the blood & cool of the skin as much as he can before using the special base"
"Don't worry man this solution will neutralize the acid while reducing the toxicity of the blood, you're going to be alright and next time please don't be a dumbass and listen well sectors near the core are still hot even after the Kaiju core got destroyed remember that for when you comeback" as Kafka jabbed at the employee while taking care of him.
"Do you think he will he be well?" asked the squad leader who Kafka was working under as the man was taken by the EMT's.
"He will live, fortunately it wasn't a strong Kaiju so the blood wasn't as nearly as toxic or acidic so he won't lose his leg, the suit gave him some protection but why didn't he receive the newer protection suit models he would have had only superficial to second degree burn no acidic burn" As he glared at his boss then seeing his own new outfit that he wore.
"The company that supply us raised their prices even for the newer models so we could get only some of the prototype new ones & replacement for the old damaged suits" said his squad leader who had an afro-styled curly hair hair called Mashida.
"Don't blame Mashida, Kafka" said their boss who removed his protection suit who was also an older model as he sat on a chair as he removed his glasses pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Between, the state stipend our and own resources we couldn't afford everyone the newer model and got only as much for our most experienced employee who take most of the risk with those vultures raising the prices that all we could afford, it was my mistake that I didn't surveil were each one was placed" as he clenched his fist.
Being an entrepreneur is hard especially for someone as honest as he may seem cold and calculative but the ones that knew him, knew that he was also an employee of a cleaning crew and cared about his crew like they were family.
And that angered Kafka, why this world was so shallow why aren't people like or like Mina or even like that captain at least they care about their man.
"Excuse me sir's" interrupted a Young brown haired man who looked no older than his late twenties & wore a military suit a JKDF suit with a 0 on the left shoulder pauldron.
A member of Div0 what the scientific division, what are they doing here some people of the Div and scientist were also here taking samples of the Kaiju thought Kafka as he eyed the young man
"Captain Shinomiya Sora, sir's" as the man presented himself and saluted.
Captain Shinomiya the Shinomiya of the Div0, Kafka by reflex from admiration of the JKDF and the Div0 saluted, the young captain seen this and chuckled a bit "at ease good sir you aren't one of my officer but I thank you for your salute as he faced him while keeping his salute and came back to a relaxed position" to Kafka this was like the captain respected him and that made him elated.
"Going back to serious matters, I want to talk to you in matters of the incident where can we talk in private" the tone turned more serious as the man was addressing directly to Ishida whi was sitting everyone at hearing distance became tense and thought their boss where going to be blamed for an incident that wasn't totally his fault.
Kafka couldn't keep his mouth shut "It wasn't his fault the …" "KAFKA" shouted as he stood and joined the man it was his way to tell to Hibino that it was enough as he went to the nearest tent that was temporary shelter for the employees during the clean-up and multiple other employees got out of it surely at the at the request of Ishida-san.
The captain stayed behind a bit "Hibino Kafka" the captain said as the Monster sweeper stiffened at the tone that man was younger than Kafka but his presence exuded such an authority.
"what do you think of your boss isn't what matters to me now, only the facts do but" as the aura of authority disappeared "I see that what got from Ishida–san reputation and my suspicions about the facts weren't unfounded" as Sora smiled as he went to the tent and stopped briefly.
"Kafka this year you're 32 years old aren't you"
"Yes" confirmed Kafka weirded by the question.
"I wished I had a man with your conviction in my ranks, too bad you aren't in JKDF maybe next time" as Sora continued toward the tent.
"What does he mean by that, I lost all chances?" perplexed by the Captain words as he went to change and out of his suit.
A few day later investigation concluded and Ishida-san was given a warning, the supplier company got blacklisted and was obligated to compensation for the company and for the injured employee due to unethical practices due to their tarnished reputation the man of the company was obligated to close shop.
And some days after that incident a new face and a familiar one came to the office.
"Osu, guys how have you been" the injured employee came back to greet them.
"Ohh you're back already" said a surprised Tokuda to the employee "Haru was it how are you?"
The man called Haru answer with a sheepish expression scratching his head while showing his smile with pointed teeth while walking to them, a noticeable limp was seen by everyone.
"Unfortunately, I will take a long leave of absence while resigning from the sweeper position"
A bag hitting the floor was heard and it was Hibino with a look of disappointment, he felt like he failed in his first aids and the man couldn't walk properly anymore.
"I lost a parts of my quadriceps muscle and they had them removed so my leg wouldn't need to be amputated" as Haru explained while his head was down but he lifted his head and was grinning while looking at Kafka "but it was all thanks to you Kafka-san that's all they had to do, they told me whoever made the first aid saved my leg, so although I lost part of my mobility, so I am not completely lost plus you reminded me of something my nephew Iharu told me. So I'm pursuing my dream" said Haru looking directly Hibino, this somehow rekindled at lost flame in him, it only needed a bit more.
"So taking in account your advice I decided to take a leave of absence to become an instructor of safety measures I always wanted to become teacher and you advices and this incident made me think that I needed to put the effort so no one would be injured like me " Said Haru with a smile.
There was something that I forgot yeah my dream but how can I do it.
"So Kafka-san" as he bowed 90° to show the gratitude "This thanks from me personally, from my wife and my kids, thank you for saving me that day." Kafka was taken a back and couldn't respond, so he only looked down embarrassed by the situation.
Yeah I still did something good didn't I, even if my dream is dead I was able to help.
He needed a little more.
"And now even though Haru-san will leave to become an instructor he will be back after his formation is finished as he has the official open position for safety instructor in our company." Everyone cheered for their colleague promotion Ishida-san smiled at his employee enthusiasm. And today we will welcome a new recruit although temporary now welcome your new comrade Ishikawa Leno" as he presented the new recruit.
"I thought I got that internship with the Div0" Leno grumbled under his breath.
"Oh and Kafka, Captain Shinomiya said he entrusted the new one to you" added Ishida-san.
Kafka agreed smiling at the trust of the Captain toward him then it tilted "eH"
"EHHHHHHHHHHH" screamed Hibino.
As the time passed and Hibino was showing the ropes of the job, the young man was smart and absorbed the knowledge like a sponge.
Although it wasn't his first choice but acquiring knowledge about Kaiju anatomy was a boon for him as any bit of knowledge was useful for his dream.
A month later and after the funny incident of Leno cleaning Kaiju intestines, Leno became close to the team and to his mentor figure. As one day on the end of a cleaning duty Leno wanted to talk to Kafka about something he heard about his senpai.
"Hey Kafka-san, thanks to you I learned a lot & you know I came here in hope I can get enough experience from Div0 to join the defense Force but was told that here I would get he knowledge and motivation to achieve it, I heard you dreamed of joining the JKDF, why did you give up on that?" asked Leno as the man though about his dream.
"It was a long lost promise that I missed to fullfill" as Hibino became defeatist, he heard Leno.
"You know they …" when a sudden tremors this surprised them but what was next surprised them more.
A Yonju or more likely a mid-sized Kaiju came out of the earth as it almost swallowed Ichikawa.
When he was suddenly tackled by none other than Hibino Kafka.
The unknown hero was injured on his leg but still persisted as he stood up and screamed at Leno.
"Go, you have a dream to follow mine was lost but yours can still live so go, GO" screamed Kafka at his young comrade. As Kafka remembered the documentary of Mina as the most successful JKDF member and the accomplishment he knew from what he considered as the best and youngest soldier to join the force so he thought if only for one moment he could become like them.
As the Kaiju was approaching him Leno intervened hitting the Yoju with a STOP sign. From afar someone was cursing himself.
Dammit I took too much time now I don't have a clear shot he was surveying them from approx. 4 km approx. 2.5 miles
As he rearranged his special rifle that had red marking glowing all around him the gun seemed alive then suddenly it became like a normal Riffle with custom elements as the more live parts retracted as he holstered his rifle.
As the soldier ran as fast as he can using his 4th configuration.
At the same "I won't give up on my dream as I won't let you give up on yours" as the sudden hit made the Yoju slightly stagger.
"Let's escape senpai" As Leno hoisted Kafka and dragged him as they tried to lose the monster between the debris.
The Yonju appeared multiple time like a sand worm going out of the earth and narrowly missing them, bit what seemed more likely he was toying with them.
As one encounter was close and Hibino reacted to it by pushing Leno out of the way splitting the duo.
That was the last of it the Yonju was closing in both of Kafka legs were now injured and at that moment he seemed like he accepted his fate, as everything slowdown for him he saw Leno running toward him desperate to save him when heard 2 simultaneous bangs and saw a green hue projectile on his right while a red one came from his left as a pang was heard as the 2 projectile me in the center of the body pulverizing the monster core killing it instantly, then Kafka felt a surge of wind from his right when he saw nothing but raised dust as if someone just flew.
From above Sero monitored everything who knew Captain Ashiro would also be here well I almost burnt my cover. We don't want the public golden child to have someone outshine her as he remembered the ones from his generation that neared his level especially the official record holder of release power 98% Gen Narumi.
As Mina assured herself no injuries were grave. Then called the emergency services the passed the night there then as the next night came Hibino woke up from his slumber.
So you finally woke up as the familiar voice of his junior came from behind the curtain said an injured Leno is seen laying on his bed grinning as he thought about his friend and mentor heroics.
Leno had scrapes and some lite injuries and bruises as he rested, he finally took the time to continue what he wanted to say earlier.
"I always wondered why you gave up on you dream but when you saved me I thought no that man never gave up ha was just dealt with a bad hand, but you know what I think lady luck wanted to give you a visit and what I wanted to say was you can still be a hero and fulfill that promise. The JKDF made recently an announcement the age for enrolment was elevated to 33 so you can still become an officer"
On Kafka side, he was fighting a losing battle thanks to the word of Ichikawa his will was renewed he fight till the end" as he lowered his hand he was surprised by a weird flying creature that talked to him via telepathy.
"Finally found you begin integration with host" said the creature weirdly as it lunged to its new host body as the man struggled he felt his body change he wasn't screaming but this transformation seemed painful.
His body was morphing his bones were remolded, rebuilt and strengthened an outer shell formed around his body, and energy built up within him.
As Leno saw the shadow of his senpai as he seemed like he was writhing in pain.
And as he moved the curtain a surprising sight faced with a humanoid monster with a white skull mask and his body was shimmering with a blue like energy hue.
"AAAAAAA KAIIIJUU" screamed Leno
"huh what where" said kaiju was saying as he was looking around for the kaiju that Leno was pointing.
"IT'S YOU" screamed Leno
"Meeee, Leno stop, joking around" as the transformed Kafka turned his head to perceive his partial reflection on his window.
He freaked out "Leno, please don't call the defense force it's me Hibino Kafka, your colleague, a few moments ago we had that incident with the kaiju that attacked us, and a few day ago we had to team up to clean Kaiju intis…" as he was stopped by Leno.
"Okay, okay enough I believe you" Leno said as he thought no one that his senpai could now these details.
"Ohhh" said the newly transformed kaiju.
As Leno turned to where his senpai was seeing and saw a old man that passed through their door.
Leno tried to calm him down but he lifted his shaken arm dialing the JKDF number.
As they tried to deescalate they made it worse, between scarring the old man to unconsciousness, destroying the window of their room in their attempt to escape as they ran, kafka tried to get acquainted to his weird body, between instable transformation, weird ways to relieve himself.
Then the mood suddenly changed when Kafka had a feeling 2 power sources from opposite sides.
As he scooped Leno which surprised him and went toward the closest source where he also sensed a scent a human scent.
As he deposited Leno as close as he could from the commotion, using his body new abilities he blitzed toward the power that he felt that was close to the 2 human scents and hit it, as he hit a Kaiju that was taking prey on a kid and a mom that was unconscious sending it flying for hundred of meters.
"Are you okay ?" asked Kafka as he was worried about the kid and the mother he tried to get close and saw the kid shaking in fear, he stopped his advances not wanting a repeat of the hospital scene.
As he heard Leno joining him, he pointed toward the kid and the mom so he could check on them, his senses were telling him that they were both alive mother and child but that all he knew, he couldn't know if they where gravely injured and couldn't approach to check.
As Leno said that the mom was just out cold due to a head injury and the kid only had scrapes, he went and got close the kid still flinched in fear then she heard the sound of the armor that was pinning her mom move as it was non other than the monster that she feared lifting it while the other man took her mom on his back, then she seen the man monster giving instruction to the man, as the Kaiju that chased them reappeared but the nice monster man was going to face him again blue hue was building around him an overflow of energy was emanating from him as they were fleeing with his friend, the girl screamed.
"Arigato Kaiju-san you were our hero" these small word made the man stop in his tracks as the monster was heading toward him, his thought where I can still help I can still fulfill my promise as he squared up.
"I hope you're ready shitty Kaiju, I had a really bad day, so this has become more personal, NO ONE WILL STAND IN ME AND MY PROMISE" as he screamed his arm morphed jets formed under his elbow as he was preparing to uppercut the monster that was gonna pounce on him as he hit him square in the jaw.
Blue lightening arc where seen from the little girl POV as the wrath of her hero fell on the monster. That monster was no more as the nice Kaiju hero had made sure that he was no longer. She lifted her head towrd the sky and saw what looked like a red comet heading toward her hero.
And she prayed "please let him be safe".
Kafka POV:
As he was panting from overexerting a shower of gore & blood around and on him as he obliterated the Kaiju with that puch. He perceived something flickering as if it was disappearing near his left side of his face as he touched it it was his face he going back to normal it wasn't permanent , then he felt it his transformation took over again.
He lifted his arm blocking 3 projectiles, as the bullet fell, he perceived a somehow familiar figure but couldn't say who, and his instinct said that he knew him but it also said to flee whoever it was. He was dangerous for his survival as he was stronger than when he initially sensed him.
Sora POV:
As he was flying toward the power source, the thought of brother passed through his mind. He perceived survivors flee the scene, he sensed 2 Kaiju signature one stronger than the other. Then he sensed only one as he seen blue lightening. Then he speed up, aimed and shot, he felt something draining his power and throwing his aim off. Why are you doing this Zero?, then saw a dust cloud raised by the Kaiju punching the ground to lose him. He was going to pursue then suddenly lost his footing, when he tried again he lost any sense he couldn't sense even the slightest presence in his vicinity.
"What was that am I too tired or did the suit malfunction?" Thinking about his partner he thought "Or was it you fault I thought you hated Kaiju's?"
Hibino POV :
As he was fleeing when his senses gave him indication that he was far enough he detransformed away from public view and joined the town, as he went to his apartment, he sent a message to the his colleague.
"Leno, I will not give up on my dream I will join the JKDF"
-KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK-
"Ahh" as Kafka wakes up groggy from his slumber 'It 6 am and it's the weekend I swear if it's a telemar..' as he opens the door, he sees no other than the captain of Div0 and behind him Ichikawa.
"Hey captain what up" said Kafka nervously, but a single sentence made Kafka blood go ice cold.
"We need to talk Hibino Kafka or should I say Kaiju 8" as he hold up a tablet containing the news journal where a portrait of Kafka monster form and in bold letter "A NEW NUMBERED KAIJU, KAIJU 8" as he was going to deny everything, he saw Leno shake his head, as if to say it's no use he knows everything.
"Change & Follow me without resisting" the last 2 word sent chills in Kafka spine.
As he quickly closed the door grabbed a change and got out to follow them.
As he tried to speak, the captain added "if you are wondering where we are going. We are heading to the Div0 base, we need to have a chat about yesterday."
Kafka gulped as he silently followed the captain and his friend both fearing about the fate the captain had for them.
Next time : Division 0
Author notes : if you arrived this far I thank you for your attention and hope I can keep the ideas for my own AU on Kaiju 8 universe, if you have any comment, constructive critique about this chapter or previous, please review.
About the chapter one a detail slight time changes have been made the events in CH1 happened 10 years ago and Sora was 17 which make him 27 at the current timeline, I will explain in another chapter why I focus on this aspect.
Thanks a lot see you next time.