I currently have 3 Arcs already written (in its French version) and ready to be published!
But I'm not sure publishing 30 chapters at once is a good idea... no?
(I already have to deal with the English translation, which is no piece of cake, but 'someone has to do it, it's not going to happen by itself!)


The next morning, Yumi walked towards Kadic with a weight on her shoulders that seemed to have doubled since the day before. The night had been a whirlwind of anxieties and doubts. Her dreams, fragmented and oppressive, were filled with scenes where her powers manifested unpredictably, sometimes destructively. She woke up with a start, her heart racing, dreading the day she would completely lose control. This anxiety now followed her like a shadow, heavy and oppressive.

As she passed through the school gate, the sun already high in the sky, she felt the gaze of other students slide over her without really touching her. She felt like she was moving in a parallel world, disconnected from the reality around her. The usual noise of the courtyard reached her from afar, muffled, as if she were submerged underwater.

As she crossed the courtyard, she spotted Ulrich and Odd waiting for her near the main entrance of the building. Ulrich, true to himself, greeted her with a wave, his face reflecting a caring attention. Odd, on the other hand, couldn't resist making one of his usual jokes, trying to lighten the atmosphere that he probably sensed was a bit too tense.

"Hey, Yumi! Still training to become Kadic's resident magician? I heard the cafeteria pancakes are levitating now because of you," he joked with his usual bright smile, hoping to make her smile in return.

Yumi smiled faintly, but her smile lacked sincerity. Odd's humor, usually so effective at distracting her, slid off her without dissipating the worry gnawing at her. "If only it were that simple, Odd," she replied with a shrug, trying to mask the turmoil darkening her gaze.

Ulrich, more attuned to Yumi's emotions, immediately noticed the shadow hanging over her face. Frowning, he approached her, his voice full of concern. "Yumi, you know… if you need to talk…" His eyes scrutinized her with that protective intensity that was so characteristic of him, trying to understand what was troubling her so much.

Yumi avoided his gaze, fixing on an invisible point in front of her, struggling not to let the anxiety consuming her show. She knew Ulrich was worried about her, but she wasn't ready to share the burden of her fears, of her worries. "I'm fine, Ulrich. Just a bit tired, that's all," she said quickly, hoping to end the conversation before it became too personal.

Ulrich, however, wasn't convinced. He remained silent for a moment, searching for the right words to express his concern without pushing her. "If you say so…" he finally replied, but his tone betrayed his doubt. "But if you need anything, don't hesitate. Okay?"

Yumi nodded, murmuring a barely audible "Yes, thanks," before heading towards the classroom. Her steps were heavy, and every movement required immense effort, as if just getting through the day was an insurmountable challenge.

Once she was out of sight, Odd turned to Ulrich, his usually cheerful expression replaced by one of concern. "She doesn't look like she's in the best shape, does she?" he asked, his tone serious, contrasting with his usual attitude.

"No doubt, something's bothering her," Ulrich responded, nodding, his gaze following the path Yumi had taken. He could sense that a heavy burden was weighing on her, but he didn't know how to help. "We should keep an eye on her."

Odd, trying to lighten the mood, offered a smile. "Maybe she just needs a little space," he suggested, before adding with a hint of humor, "But if she starts levitating in class, I'll be there to take pictures!"

Ulrich couldn't help but smile despite himself. "Let's hope it doesn't come to that," he replied, but his heart remained heavy with worry.


After class, Yumi felt overwhelmed by an urgent need for solitude. The constant attention from her friends, though well-intentioned, was becoming stifling. She needed to get away, to put some distance between herself and the worry that weighed on her shoulders. Her steps instinctively led her to the park, a place where she had often found refuge in the past.

The park, with its towering trees and shaded paths, offered a haven of peace amidst the turmoil of her thoughts. The sound of leaves underfoot, the birds singing hidden in the branches, all of it helped to soothe her mind, if only a little. But today, even the serenity of the park wasn't enough to dispel the unease gripping her.

As she walked through the paths, her eyes on the ground, a familiar voice made her jump, breaking the thread of her thoughts.

"Yumi?"

She turned abruptly and saw William, standing a few meters away, his hands casually stuffed in his pockets. He smiled at her with that characteristic sly smile, a smile that, once, might have reassured her, but now awakened a wave of distrust. Ever since William had been under XANA's control, Yumi couldn't help but doubt his intentions, even when he seemed to be himself again.

"William? What are you doing here?" she asked, her tone tinged with suspicion, her body instinctively tensing. She was ready to react, though she wasn't sure exactly to what.

"I was just taking a walk. I needed some fresh air after that endless day," he replied with a nonchalance that made it seem like the most natural thing in the world. He observed her with a curiosity that made her uncomfortable, but at the same time, tempted her to lower her guard. "And you? You seem troubled. Is something wrong?"

Yumi hesitated. She didn't want to confide in William, not after everything that had happened. Yet a part of her couldn't help but feel a certain comfort in his presence. "Just… nothing much," she finally said, her voice heavy with fatigue.

William stepped closer, his expression growing more serious, his smile fading to reveal a sincerity that caught her off guard. "We could walk together for a bit; it might do you some good." His offer seemed genuine, but Yumi couldn't shake her wariness.

After a moment's hesitation, Yumi slowly nodded. Maybe a simple walk wouldn't hurt, and against all odds, she accepted his offer. They began to walk side by side, their steps instinctively syncing, but the silence between them was thick with unspoken words.

"You know," William resumed after a few minutes, gently breaking the silence, "I understand what it's like to be overwhelmed by things others can't understand. Sometimes, it feels like you're alone against the whole world."

Those words, spoken with disarming sincerity, resonated with Yumi. "Yes… that's kind of how I feel right now," she admitted softly, surprised by her own confession. She didn't know why, but she felt inclined to open a small window into her inner world for him.

"I thought so," William said, looking at her intensely, his eyes trying to capture every nuance in Yumi's expression. "But you're strong, Yumi. You have a strength inside you that few people have. And even if you feel alone, you don't have to be."

He stopped, turning to face her with a new gravity. "I know you don't trust me like you used to, and I understand. But I want you to know that I'm here for you. No matter what you're going through, you're not alone."

Yumi looked into his eyes, feeling a strange warmth wash over her, a warmth that, despite her mistrust, comforted her. What if William really had changed? she thought, her mind wavering between hope and suspicion. But a small voice, buried deep inside her, kept warning her: Don't forget what he did… what he could still do…

"Thank you, William," she finally said, her voice trembling. "That's… that's kind of you."

William smiled at her, a smile that seemed sincere, and for the first time in a long time, she felt some of her reservations melt away. "You don't have to thank me. I'm here for you, that's all."

They continued to walk, side by side, in a comforting silence. Yumi found herself surprisingly enjoying this rekindled companionship, even though a part of her remained vigilant. William had always had a way of putting her at ease, of making her lower her guard, and although she knew she should remain on alert, a part of her wanted to believe that he had truly changed.


The sun began to set, painting the park in shades of gold and orange. The shadows of the trees stretched long, and the soft light of the twilight cast everything in an almost magical ambiance. Yumi felt strangely at peace in William's company, as if her worries, her fears, had been temporarily muted. Yet a small shadow of mistrust lingered, lurking somewhere in the corner of her mind, a sense of unease she couldn't completely ignore.

As they walked, William suddenly broke the silence, his voice deeper than before. "You know, Yumi," he began, pausing as if to choose his words, "I think about you a lot. About us."

Yumi stopped dead in her tracks, surprised by the turn of the conversation. "Us?" she repeated, her heart beating faster in her chest. She hadn't expected this kind of declaration.

William nodded, his gaze growing more intense, almost piercing. "Yes. Before all this happened, before XANA complicated everything… I thought we could have had something special." His words were laden with implications, and the intensity of his gaze only heightened the tension between them.

Yumi felt her heart race. She hadn't expected this kind of conversation, especially not now, when she was already so confused. "William, it's… complicated. You know what happened, and it's not easy to go back." She tried to keep her calm, but a part of her felt unsettled by the turn of events.

"I know," he replied, stepping closer, reducing the distance between them. "But I've changed. And I think you've changed too. We could start over, forget everything that's happened…" His voice, soft and persuasive, had something almost hypnotic about it.

Yumi backed away slightly, uncomfortable with this sudden proximity. "I don't know if that's possible, William. There's too much between us." She felt her unease growing, but she couldn't help but be tempted by his words.

"Or maybe that's exactly what binds us together," he countered, his voice growing softer, almost enchanting. "We've been through so much, Yumi. Together, we could overcome anything."

Yumi felt a shiver run through her. William's words were seductive, even alluring, but something deep inside her was screaming that this wasn't right. Why am I so tempted to believe what he's saying?she wondered, struggling against the strange attraction she felt.

"William… I… I have to go," she said, turning away, trying to put distance between them. She knew she had to leave before she was drawn in by feelings she didn't understand.

But before she could take a step, William gently grabbed her wrist, preventing her from leaving. "Don't go. Please," he murmured, his voice filled with a disarming, almost desperate, tenderness.

Yumi froze, feeling a wave of warmth spread through her body where he touched her. It was pleasant, even comforting, and yet, a small voice inside her continued to warn her. She turned to look at him, and what she saw in his eyes froze her in place.

A faint, almost imperceptible red glow flashed in William's eyes, and Yumi immediately understood what was happening. No… not again… she thought in horror, feeling the terror creeping into her veins.

"William, let me go," she said firmly, trying to pull her wrist out of his grasp, but her movements were slow, as if something was draining her strength.

"Why leave now, Yumi?" William replied, his smile growing darker, almost predatory. "We're so good together, aren't we?"

Yumi felt her heart race. She knew she had to escape, but she felt strangely weak, as if her strength was slowly being drained, absorbed by an invisible force.

William tightened his grip on her wrist, and Yumi felt a dark energy coursing through her, like an electric current. "You see, Yumi… There's no reason to fight. You're already feeling better, aren't you?"

She struggled to break free, but her movements had become slow, as if she were in a dream. Her thoughts were clouded, and she felt both drawn to and repelled by William, this duality tearing her apart inside.

"William… this… this isn't you… XANA is controlling you again," she whispered, trying to stay lucid despite William's growing influence.

"XANA never stopped controlling me. Maybe he just knows what's best for us," William responded in a soft, almost persuasive voice. "Maybe he just wants… to bring us closer."

Yumi shook her head, trying to shake off William's influence, but the warmth she felt continued to intensify, blurring her thoughts. No… I have to focus… I can't let him do this… she thought, but her resolve was wavering.

Sensing her resistance weakening, William changed tactics. With a fluid movement, he wrapped an arm around her waist, gently lifting her off the ground, his movements surprisingly tender. "Rest, Yumi. Everything will be fine… I'll protect you," he murmured in her ear, his voice soft like a hypnotic song.

Yumi, fighting against the unconsciousness creeping over her, murmured weakly, "Let me go… William…" But her voice was too weak, as if smothered by the drowsiness overtaking her.

Her eyelids grew heavy, and soon, her eyes closed, her body giving in to exhaustion. William then carried her with a strange tenderness, as if it were a dance, his steps slow and calculated. He held her gently against him, whispering in her ear, "You'll see, Yumi… XANA is the only one who can truly protect you."


As he walked slowly, Yumi unconscious in his arms, William heard hurried footsteps behind him. He turned just in time to see Ulrich and Odd running towards him, their faces twisted with anger and worry.

"William! Let Yumi go right now!" Ulrich shouted, his voice full of fury. His gaze was fixed on William, a flame of anger burning in his eyes.

Odd, always inclined to lighten the mood even in the worst moments, quipped with a sly smile, "What, you decided to play Prince Charming now? Sorry, but your lousy plan just got busted!" His tone was light, but the tension in his body betrayed his vigilance.

William smiled coldly as he saw them approaching. "Ulrich… always there to play the hero. But you know, Yumi is better off with me. I can give her what you never could." His voice was soft, almost caressing, but his words carried an underlying threat.

Ulrich felt his anger rise another notch. "Let her go, William. I won't repeat myself." His tone was firm, every word spoken with unshakable resolve.

Odd, trying to distract William, began making exaggerated movements, as if preparing for some kind of kung fu attack. "Hey, William, you may have the strength, but I've got the jokes! And trust me, they can be deadly." He tried to divert William's attention, hoping to create an opening for Ulrich.

William smirked, but it was clear he was losing patience. "Odd… Always so annoying." His voice had turned colder, his smile fading.

Seeing that negotiations were getting nowhere, Ulrich decided to act. He lunged at William, trying to throw him off balance to recover Yumi. But even carrying Yumi, William was surprisingly strong and managed to push Ulrich back with a brusque movement.

"You won't have her, William!" Ulrich shouted, throwing himself at him again, this time using his weight to force William to let go of Yumi.

William, caught off guard, staggered slightly under Ulrich's assault. Seeing an opportunity, Odd rushed in and tried to kick William's leg to make him fall. "Come on, Superman, it's time for a crash landing!" he shouted, his tone full of determination.

Although destabilized by Odd's attack, William refused to let go. "You have no chance against me. XANA has given me a strength you can't even imagine," he declared, his voice vibrating with power.

But just as he was saying this, Ulrich's phone rang. It was Jeremy.

"Ulrich, Odd, listen to me. XANA has activated a tower, and Aelita is already on Lyoko trying to deactivate it. But she needs backup. You need to get to her quickly!" Jeremy explained, his voice tense, aware of the urgency of the situation.

"We've got a slight problem here, Jeremy. William has captured Yumi and he's not planning on letting her go!" Ulrich replied, struggling against William, his muscles straining with the effort.

"Do whatever you can to free her, but hurry, Aelita won't last long on her own!" Jeremy insisted, his tone revealing the urgency of the situation.

Taking advantage of the distraction of this conversation, William took a step back, but Ulrich didn't let go. He pulled on Yumi's arm, trying to wrench her from William's grasp. Odd, meanwhile, continued to harass William, trying to land quick and unpredictable blows.

"Come on, give it up, William! This isn't an arm-wrestling contest!" Odd shouted, grimacing with effort, but determined not to leave Yumi in William's hands.

Finally, after one last joint effort, Ulrich managed to pull hard enough to tear Yumi from William's arms. Off balance, William stepped back a few paces, his smile fading as rage began to replace his confidence.

"You've only won a battle," William said coldly, his eyes burning with a menacing gleam. "But the war is far from over." His words were a warning, a promise to return stronger.

With that, he turned and quickly walked away, disappearing into the shadows of the park, leaving Ulrich and Odd breathless but relieved.

Ulrich immediately bent down over Yumi, checking to make sure she was okay. "She's breathing. She's just unconscious," he said, a glimmer of relief in his eyes.

Odd, leaning over Yumi as well, couldn't resist making a light-hearted comment. "Hey, I know she's in good hands, but do you think she'll mind if I tell her what just happened? I've got a great sketch in mind, it'll definitely wake her up!"

Ulrich smiled and shook his head. "Let's wait until she's fully awake, Odd. We need to get her back to the factory first." His voice was gentle, but the fact that XANA was resorting to so many tactics to capture Yumi these days deeply worried him.


Meanwhile, at the factory, Jeremy was monitoring the screens with growing intensity. The images flashing across his monitors showed a situation far more serious than expected. The tower activated by XANA wasn't just a distraction: it was surrounded by more numerous and powerful creatures than usual, a veritable army ready to do anything to prevent Aelita from reaching her goal.

"Aelita, you're the only one on Lyoko right now. Ulrich and Odd are delayed dealing with William and Yumi. You'll have to manage on your own until they arrive," Jeremy said into his microphone, his voice betraying an anxiety he was trying to contain.

Aelita, already virtualized in the Mountain Sector, nodded, well aware of the gravity of the situation. "I'll do my best, Jeremy. But there are so many monsters here…" she replied, her tone revealing an unwavering determination despite the difficulties.

"Hang in there, Aelita. They'll be there as soon as they can," Jeremy responded, the worry in his voice palpable. He knew that every minute counted, that every second of waiting put Aelita in great danger.

Aelita immediately sprang into action, her reflexes sharpened by the urgency of the situation. She used her powers to dodge the shots from the Bloks and Krabs patrolling around the tower. XANA's creatures seemed more aggressive than ever, their attacks relentless.

She knew she had to deactivate the tower as quickly as possible, but the task was proving more difficult than expected. The monsters were everywhere, and their numbers seemed to grow as she got closer to her objective.

"Jeremy, there are too many of them!" she shouted, shielding herself from a barrage of shots, her movements becoming increasingly precarious.

"I know, Aelita. But you have to keep going. They'll be there soon," Jeremy replied while nervously tapping on his keyboard, desperately searching for a way to ease the pressure on Aelita.


Meanwhile, back at Kadic, Ulrich and Odd had brought Yumi back to the factory, her unconscious body a poignant reminder of the battle they had just fought. As she began to regain consciousness, the recent events flooded her mind, a mix of confusion and terror overwhelming her.

"Ulrich… Odd…" she murmured as she opened her eyes, still disoriented, her thoughts foggy. The bright lights of the factory made her blink, her memories slowly realigning.

"It's okay, Yumi. We got you back just in time," Ulrich said with a reassuring smile, though the tension in his voice was palpable. "William tried to take you, but he didn't succeed."

Yumi slowly sat up, feeling her muscles aching, her mind still foggy from what she had just experienced. "I… I'm sorry. I shouldn't have let him get close to me." Her voice was weak, tinged with guilt. She felt responsible for what had happened, for the weakness she had allowed to show.

Odd, true to himself, tried to lighten the mood with a joke. "Hey, don't worry about it. We've got everything under control. And if William ever comes back, I've got an even worse joke ready for him." His smile was light, but his eyes betrayed genuine concern for his friend.

Yumi managed a smile, but it lacked warmth. Something in her had changed, something deep and unsettling. Her gaze was colder, almost distant, as if a part of her had closed off. "Thanks, Odd. But I think I need to learn to defend myself." Her voice was firm, almost resolute, but there was an undeniable coldness in it.

Ulrich, noticing this subtle but significant change, chose not to press the issue. "You don't have to do it alone," he said gently, trying to reassure her.

"I know, but I need to be stronger," she replied, her tone sharp, unequivocal. She felt a new determination rising within her, but also a growing distance from her friends, an invisible wall she was building between herself and them to protect herself.

Jeremy interrupted their exchange. "Guys, I need you on Lyoko. Aelita is in trouble, and XANA has concentrated its forces around the tower." His tone was urgent, each word carrying a weight of gravity.

"We're on our way," Ulrich said, turning to Yumi. "Are you ready?" he asked, seeking her approval.

"Yes," she said, her voice calm but determined. She felt ready, not just to face XANA, but to confront this change within her, this coldness that was gradually taking hold.

They headed to the scanners to be virtualized, but Yumi remained silent, her mind focused on the recent events. She knew something inside her was changing, and she didn't want to worry her friends any more.

"Virtualization!" Jeremy called out as the scanners closed around them, propelling them to Lyoko.


Once on Lyoko, Ulrich and Odd joined Aelita, who was still fighting XANA's creatures. Yumi, despite the recent trauma, immediately threw herself into the battle, her movements precise and quick, like a well-oiled machine.

"We're here, Aelita! Hang in there!" Ulrich shouted as he attacked a Krab that was dangerously close to Aelita, his blade slicing through the air with precision.

"You arrived just in time! XANA really went all in on this tower," Aelita replied, her movements fluid but tinged with a certain fatigue. She had held her ground, but she knew her strength was limited.

Odd, true to his habit, couldn't resist throwing a jab as he attacked a Blok. "Is that all you've got, XANA? You really need to work on your strategy!" he shouted, firing a laser arrow, his lighthearted laugh contrasting with the seriousness of the situation.

Yumi, however, remained silent, focused solely on eliminating the monsters around her. Her movements were almost mechanical, her coldness contrasting with the usual energy of the team. She fought with a new intensity, almost fierce, her thoughts focused solely on completing the mission.

Finally, after a fierce battle, they managed to clear a path to the tower. Aelita dashed inside and quickly deactivated the tower, bringing palpable relief to the team.

"Tower deactivated," Aelita announced as she emerged, her breath short but relieved. "That was close."

"Well done, everyone," Ulrich said, out of breath but relieved to see the tower deactivated, the threat averted for now.

Odd collapsed onto the virtual ground, feigning exhaustion. "Phew, I've definitely earned a little virtual nap after that… and maybe even some virtual lasagna, who knows!" he quipped, his smile returning despite the fatigue.

Yumi simply nodded, her face closed off, her thoughts elsewhere. She felt a deep change within her, a new coldness she couldn't shake.

Back at the factory, as Jeremy initiated the return to the past, Yumi avoided meeting her friends' gazes.