Chapter 7: Push from the past

He was no longer on the battlefield.

The world around him had dissolved into an endless expanse of swords, their gleaming blades stretching infinitely under a sky painted in hues of crimson and gold. A cold wind whispered through the stillness, carrying the sharp tang of steel and the faint, lingering scent of ash.

This place... it stirred something deep within him, a familiarity like an old song he couldn't quite remember.

Gazing at the horizon, he could see the figure of a tall man, as though carved from the very fabric of this strange realm. He bore white hair that seemed to shimmer like snow under the fading light and eyes of molten steel that gleamed with unyielding certainty. His cloak rippled in the wind, its dark and crimson hues blending seamlessly with the landscape.

"This was something unexpected." The man smirked looking down at him.

The man looked somehow familiar to him and yet he couldn't find a name to associate with his face.

"It seems things have gotten stranger than before." The white haired man sounded exasperated for some reason. "I should have returned to the throne... But instead, I have to look at a shattered image on the mirror."

The man's words were incompressible to him. But what does that even mean. He tried to move closer to the man to see him better.

"Hmm... By the look on your face it seems like even now things are complicated... What a pain." The man sighed as if tired of a repeating hassle.

"If you don't remember, than that's good for you. Don't try to delve deeper than necessary. Whatever thing you'll find here is meaningless." The man started monologuing as if talking to himself.

"It would be better if you just start over... But considering my luck, I guess it's a losing battle from the start." The man looked at the cloudy sky and let out a long breath.

"Whatever I guess. Someone got their hands on the stupid things and now I'm here. I might as well give you a push."

Somehow the man was already in front of him, his tall figure and imposing aura was overwhelming to the fragile him. He got near him without noticing it.

The man raised a hand and placed it on the chest of the other entity inside this space.

"Let me give you a word of advice... Don't dwell on the past too much."

With those short words an electric shock seemed to go through the body of the dormant boy and waking him up instantly.

--

Mikado's body screamed in protest as she forced herself to move forward, the sharp pain in her side nearly paralyzing her. Every breath burned, her ribs bruised and aching from Kael's earlier attack. She staggered forward, her vision swimming, but her focus remained locked on the boy crumpled on the ground in front of Kael.

Shirou wasn't moving.

Her heart clenched at the sight of him, so small and vulnerable compared to the towering invader. He had tried to fight, tried so hard despite the odds stacked against him, and now he layed there, defeated. Mikado cursed her own helplessness. She was supposed to protect him, but in this moment, she felt powerless. Weak.

Kael turned his attention to her, his grin predatory and filled with cruel amusement. He lowered his blade for a moment, as though mocking her futile efforts to intervene.

Mikado was now standing defensively between Kael and Shirou.

"You can barely stand, and you think you can stop me?" he sneered, taking a slow, deliberate step toward her.

Mikado's legs trembled, but she forced herself to stand firmly, her mind raced with desperation. She had no weapon, no strategy left to fight. She couldn't defeat him. She knew that. But if she could distract him—just for a moment—perhaps Shirou could have a chance to escape.

"I won't let you take him," Mikado said, her voice low and unwavering despite the fear gripping her.

Kael laughed, a cold, grating sound. "How noble. How utterly pointless."

He raised his sword, its blade glinting ominously in the dim light. Mikado felt a chill run down her spine, but she refused to back down.

She thought of Shirou, his shy smile, his unrelenting determination to grow and prove himself. She thought of the way he clung to her words of encouragement, the way he looked at her with trust and hope. That hope wasn't something she could allow Kael to snuff out.

"If you want him, you'll have to go through me first," she spat, glaring at the alien with defiance she didn't entirely feel.

Kael's grin widened. "Gladly."

He moved in a blur, his sword cutting through the air with lethal precision. Mikado braced herself, her heart pounding as the cold steel descended toward her. For a brief moment, she felt regret—not for herself, but for Shirou. She had failed him.

I'm sorry...

But just as the blade was about to strike, a blinding electric light erupted behind her. The air crackled with energy, and Mikado felt an intense surge of heat as something shot past her like a bolt of lightning.

Kael was forced to stop his swing halfway to block the indistinct projectile aimed at his head.

"What the he-!?" Kael managed to identify the projectile after seeing it briefly hitting his energy sword. It was a curved black short sword.

Mikado's eyes widened in shock, by what happened. She instinctively turned around to check behind her, and Shirou was not there anymore.

She returned her attention to her enemy almost immediately, when she head Kael snarled in irritation, his eyes darting to the curved black short sword now embedded in the ground a few metres away. The weapon had come out of nowhere, and its precision had forced him to halt his strike.

Before Kael could recover, a sharp gust of wind rushed past him. Something moved too fast for him to track, but the next moment, he felt the unmistakable weight of presence behind him.

"What—!?" Kael spun around, swinging his energy blade instinctively, but his weapon clashed against another.

Shirou stood behind him, his body tense and his heterochromatic eyes burning with unrelenting focus. In one hand, he held a gleaming white short sword that radiated a faint glow. In the other, he gripped the black curved blade that had stopped Kael moments before.

"I won't let you hurt Mikado!" Shirou said angrily, his voice steady and devoid of the earlier hesitation.

Kael barely had time to react before Shirou lunged. His strikes were precise and relentless, a whirlwind of black and white blades cutting through the air with startling speed. It was incomparable to their earlier fight.

Kael blocked one strike, then another, but the force behind each blow pushed him back, his footing faltering.

"You little—!" Kael growled, swinging his energy sword in a wide arc to force Shirou away.

But Shirou anticipated the move. He ducked low, the black sword deflecting Kael's blade while the white sword lashed out in a lightning-fast counter. The edge of the white blade grazed Kael's arm, causing him to snarl in pain as sparks flew.

Kael stumbled, his movements becoming more frantic as Shirou pressed the attack. Each strike from Shirou's swords seemed to flow seamlessly into the next, overwhelming Kael's attempts to counter.

"Stay still!" Kael roared, aiming a desperate slash at Shirou's midsection.

Shirou sidestepped, pivoting with a fluid grace that belied his earlier exhaustion. With a sudden burst of speed, he closed the gap between them. The black sword swept upward, knocking Kael's weapon off balance, while the white sword struck with precision, slamming the flat of the blade into Kael's temple.

Kael's vision blurred as the force of the blow sent him staggering. Before he could regain his balance, Shirou spun, his black sword striking the back of Kael's knee and forcing him to the ground.

Shirou didn't hesitate. He flipped the white sword in his grip and brought its pommel down hard against Kael's head. The alien invader collapsed to the ground, his body going limp as unconsciousness claimed him.

Mikado stared in stunned silence, her heart racing as she processed what had just happened. This wasn't the hesitant, inexperienced boy she had been protecting. This was someone who fought with the precision and resolve of a seasoned warrior.

"Shirou..." she whispered, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and awe.

He turned to her, his eyes softening and his breath erratic. "Are you... okay... Mikado?"

For a moment, she couldn't speak, overwhelmed by the sight of the tired boy standing there.

"Yes... thanks to you."

Shirou gave her a tired smile as if she was the one in the most danger. But before she could correct him, Shirou started to waver unbalanced and his eyes were fighting to stay opens. The short swords in his hands disappeared first as a warning, of Shirou's imminent collapse due to exhaustion.

Mikado rushed as fast as she could, managing to reach Shirou before he hit the ground, she held his unconscious body tightly against her chest. Overwhelmed by joy for their victory against Kael but insanely worried at the sight of Shirou's state.

--

Back at the safehouse, Mikado gently eased Shirou onto the sofa, her worry deepening as she studied him. His face was pale, his breaths shallow, and his body trembled from the strain on his energy reserve after the fight with Kael. On the way back here, he managed to wake up but he looked as though he was teetering on the edge of consciousness constantly.

"Shirou, stay with me," she murmured, brushing a few strands of his red-and-white hair away from his damp forehead.

"I'm... fine," he managed weakly, though his voice betrayed his exhaustion. He tried to sit up but collapsed back, his limbs unresponsive.

"No, you're not," Mikado said firmly. "You pushed yourself too hard back there. Your body isn't ready for this kind of strain."

Her mind raced as she checked his pulse—weaker at every pulse...but still present. She thought back to the fight, to the way his energy blade had blazed brightly in the first clash and at the pair of blades he created at the second clash, before he collapsed. The power he wielded was extraordinary, but the toll on his body was undeniable. Mikado frowned, absently chewing on her lower lip as she considered the problem.

Unfortunately, Kael's earlier attack at the clinic, destroyed part of her laboratory. She didn't believe the pod she used to recharge Shirou was still functional.

Mikado's heart thundered as she looked down at Shirou, his body weak and trembling. His beautiful mismatched eyes—silver and gold—were barely open, their light flickering like a dying flame. He was so fragile, so vulnerable, and the sight nearly broke her.

She clenched her fists, her mind racing. Then, Kael's disgusting words echoed in her head.

"Consume her."

The very thought of it made her skin crawl, but… was there some truth in it? Could she give Shirou what he needed? Every living being had energy, a life force. Theoretically speaking what Kael spoke about was for Shirou to take others living being's life forces. Maybe, just maybe, she could share hers with him. Her gut twisted at the thought, but there was no time to hesitate.

"Shirou," she said softly, her voice trembling with both fear and determination. She leaned closer, brushing his sweat-dampened bangs from his pale forehead. "I think I know a way to help you, but… it's different. It's risky. Do you trust me?"

His lips parted, his voice barely a whisper, but the word that fell from them was everything she needed to hear. "Always."

That one word hit her harder than it should have. She wasn't sure if it was the exhaustion, the desperation, or the overwhelming guilt of failing to protect him, but it unlocked something in her. She couldn't fail him. She wouldn't lose him.

Her heart ached as she cradled his face, her thumbs brushing over the sharp angles of his cheeks. "This might feel… strange," she murmured, her breath catching in her throat. Her stomach twisted with uncertainty, but she leaned in anyway, her lips pressing against his.

The first thing Mikado thought when their lips touched, was how soft Shirou's lips were.

But right after, how nothing was happening. Panic flickered in Mikado's chest as doubt crept in. Was I wrong? Her heart raced, the warmth of his soft lips against hers doing little to calm her rising fear.

She felt the faintest brush of his mouth parting, a subconscious response, but there was no surge of energy, no sign that her plan was working. Her green eyes darted to his face, taking in his half-lidded, dazed expression. He was still too weak, too fragile. This isn't enough.

The thought struck her like a hammer, and her cheeks burned at the implication. Maybe… if she deepened the connection—if she went further—perhaps it would work. The idea sent a shiver through her, but she forced herself to focus. This wasn't about her. This was about Shirou, about saving his life.

She parted her lips slightly, her tongue tentatively brushing against his lips, coaxing him to respond. The sensation was unfamiliar, raw, and strangely intimate, but she pushed past her own discomfort, focusing on the faint flicker of life in Shirou. Her heart pounded against her ribs as she deepened the kiss.

In response, Shirou's lips parted a bit more. He was instinctively inviting Mikado's tongue. And she, despite being embarrassed, went through with her operation.

The moment their tongue met, an electric warmth surged through her. It was like a spark had ignited inside her, traveling through her veins and pouring into Shirou. Her energy, her very essence, flowed into him, and she felt herself growing weaker with every passing second. Her knees wobbled, her breath hitched, but she didn't stop. She couldn't stop.

Shirou's body reacted instantly. His eyes shot open, the dull silver and gold blazing with vibrant, almost otherworldly light. His chest rose as he inhaled sharply, and the frailty that had overtaken him melted away. His hands, small but steady, came up to grip her shoulders as if grounding himself.

When Mikado finally pulled back, her breathing was uneven, her body trembling from the effort. She pressed a hand to her chest, her head spinning, but all she could do was stare at him. "It worked," she whispered, relief flooding her. "It actually worked."

Shirou, however, wasn't as calm. He sat up abruptly, his face a mix of confusion and embarrassment. "What… what just happened?" His voice was high, pitch, as if he couldn't quite believe what she'd done.

Mikado's cheeks flushed, but she didn't look away. "I gave you my energy," she said simply, her voice quiet but firm. "It was the only way I could think of to save you. You needed it, and I… I had it to give."

His grip on her shoulders tightened, and his gaze locked onto hers, intense and searching. "But why?" he asked, his voice cracking slightly. He was implying on how much he fought those dangerous urges when Kael provoked him before.

Her throat tightened, but she didn't falter. She reached up, her fingers lightly brushing his jaw. "Because you matter to me, Shirou. More than you realise. And I'll do my best to protect you. Even if it is orthodox."

His eyes softened, the fire in them dimming just enough to reveal the boy she knew underneath the power. He exhaled shakily, his grip loosening as his hands fell to his sides. "You… you didn't have to—"

"I did," she interrupted, her voice steady now.

Shirou's face turned a deeper shade of red as Mikado's words sank in. He fidgeted awkwardly, his hands clenching and unclenching as he avoided her gaze. "So… um… does it have to be… like that?" he asked hesitantly, his voice barely above a whisper.

Mikado blinked at him, momentarily caught off guard by the question. "What do you mean?" she asked, though she had a good idea where this was going.

Shirou's embarrassment only deepened, and he scratched the back of his head nervously. "I mean… the, uh, kiss. Was that… really necessary?" His voice cracked slightly, and he winced at how awkward he sounded. "I-I mean, there wasn't another way to, you know… transfer the energy?"

Mikado cleared her throat, her own cheeks faintly tinged with color. "In that moment, it was the quickest and most efficient method I could think of," she said, trying to keep her tone professional despite the situation. "It was a matter of urgency, Shirou. I wasn't exactly thinking about… alternatives."

Shirou nodded stiffly, his gaze firmly fixed on the floor. "Right. Of course. Urgent. Makes sense," he mumbled, though his face was still burning with embarrassment. He shifted uncomfortably, his thoughts racing. Why does it have to feel so weird?

Mikado watched him for a moment, her lips twitching in the faintest hint of a smile. "Shirou," she said gently, drawing his attention. "It's nothing to be embarrassed about. I was just trying to help you."

"I know!" he blurted, his voice a little louder than he intended. "I just… I wasn't expecting— I mean, it felt— I mean…" He groaned, burying his face in his hands. "Forget it," he muttered.

Mikado couldn't suppress a small chuckle at his reaction. "You're overthinking this," she said softly, her voice tinged with amusement. "But if it makes you feel any better, I'll look into other methods for energy transfer. Maybe something less… direct."

Shirou peeked out from behind his hands, his expression a mix of relief and lingering mortification. "Y-yeah. That'd be good," he said quickly. Then as if he desperately wanted to change the topic, Kael's whereabouts came to his mind as a thunderbolt.

"W-what happen to Kael!?" He screamed raising his voice unnaturally.

Mikado put her hands on Shirou's shoulders as to comfort him. "Don't worry. They are incapacitated for now. I'll take care of them." She tried to reassure the panicking boy with her words and it seemed like they worked without problems.

Shirou relaxed once more and allowed his muscles to release the sudden tension they gained in that instant.

Then, after a pause, he added in a quieter voice, "Thank you, Mikado. For, um… saving me."

Mikado's smile softened, and she reached out to tousle his hair affectionately. "You're welcome. And for what it's worth, you saved me first. I'm proud of you."

Shirou blinked up at her, his embarrassment momentarily forgotten as a small smile tugged at his lips. "Thanks," he murmured, his voice barely audible.

Mikado leaned back, letting out a quiet sigh. "Alright, enough dwelling on this. You need rest, and I need to start planning our next steps. We've still got a long road ahead."

"Right," Shirou said, nodding as he settled back against the sofa. As he closed his eyes, he couldn't help but replay the moment in his mind, his cheeks heating up again despite himself. It was just to help him… nothing more, he told himself firmly. But even as sleep began to take him, he couldn't entirely shake the strange, fluttery feeling in his chest.

As the night wore on, Mikado remained awake, she healed herself with the medicines and medical tools she had available in the safehouse, meanwhile her mind was busy with thoughts and plans. Kael's defeat had bought them time, but she was still forced to immobilize him and his goons, using only the binding tools she brought with her at the start of their counterattack.

It was clear though, that Eden's remnants weren't going to stop so easily. Shirou's powers were both a gift and a curse, and it was her responsibility to ensure he survived the battles ahead.

For now, though, she allowed herself a moment of quiet. The sound of Shirou's steady breathing was enough of a reassurance.

His exhaustion from the battle was evident, and Mikado had decided not to wake him up for her next plan of action. He needed rest, and for what lay ahead, she needed to ensure he had every opportunity to recover.

She sat at her workstation and took out the primitive earthly phone she used before. Typing the same number she called earlier that night.

After only one second the other side took the call.

"Thanks for before."

Before Mikado could start doing something about all the problems she found, she had to check one thing first.

"Did you managed to call the authorities?"

Mikado's facial muscle were tense, awaiting the answer she hoped for.

And the confirmation from the other side, made her lose all the tension accumulated in her body.

Apparently he was able to call the intergalactic authorities only half an hour ago.

Mikado confirmed that, it was exactly the same time she destroyed any devices in Kael's hideout that looked like a EMP jammer.

They talked for a brief moment, confirming that, the authorities would come and get Kael as soon as possible.

After she hung up the call, Mikado was examining something else she found in Kael's hideout that took her interest.

Her emerald eyes scanning the logs inside a communication device she recovered . Each decrypted message deepened the knot in her stomach. Eden's remnants may have been isolated, rogues scattered across the galaxy. But they were somehow well-funded, and disturbingly active despite the lack of sightings from any galactic authorities.

The data painted a grim picture: hidden strongholds, active recruitment of rogue operatives, and high-tech resources that rivaled those of legitimate galactic organizations. One name, in particular, kept recurring in the logs: "Darkness Project." It was an unfamiliar term to her, but the way it was referenced suggested something dangerous, possibly another of the remnant's target of recovery or active project.

Mikado leaned back in her chair, exhaling slowly. This wasn't just about protecting Shirou anymore. The scope of Eden's activities suggested a threat that extended far beyond their small corner of Earth.

Her gaze shifted to Shirou, his pale face relaxed as he slept. She remembered the fear in his eyes when Kael had cornered them, followed by the resolve that had allowed him to counterattack and turn the tide of the battle. He was growing, both in strength and in spirit. But he was still technically a child.

"I have to keep him safe," she murmured to herself.

Mikado moved to a nearby locker, pulling out a compact bag and beginning to pack essentials for her trip back to the clinic. She hesitated for a moment, her gaze flickering back to Shirou. He had fought so hard, grown so much in such a short time, but she couldn't risk taking him into danger while he was still recovering.

"I'll handle this part," she whispered. "You just rest."

Within the hour, Mikado had slipped out of the safehouse, leaving a note for Shirou explaining her plans. The streets were quiet as she navigated the city, the cool night air brushing against her skin. Her mind remained focused, running through the list of tasks awaiting her at her house.

The building was a shadow of its former self when she arrived, its facade marred by the battle that had driven them out. Inside, the damage was even worse. Shattered glass, overturned equipment, scorch marks on the walls. Mikado's chest tightened at the sight, but she pushed the emotion aside. This was fixable.

She moved quickly, assessing the extent of the damage and making mental notes of what needed immediate attention. Security was her top priority. The clinic's existing defenses had been sufficient for typical threats, but Eden's remnants were far from ordinary.

As she worked, Mikado reached out to a network of old colleagues—scientists, engineers, and former allies from her days as a galactic researcher. Some owed her favors; others would help simply because of the trust and respect she had earned over the years. One by one, they responded, offering assistance in upgrading the clinic's systems and providing supplies.

Then, she decided to take a step further.

Mikado opened a secure channel to the Devilukean Military. After a brief pause, an officer appeared on the screen, his expression serious as always.

"Dr. Ryouko Mikado. This is an unexpected call. What's the situation?"

"Eden's remnants have regrouped," she said firmly. "They attempted to abduct my ward. I need your cooperation to neutralize them before they become a larger threat."

The officer frowned. "Do you have evidence?"

She transmitted her reports: intercepted communications, video footage, and details of the recent attack. The officer reviewed them, his expression hardening.

"This is troubling," he admitted. "We'll escalate this immediately. Expect provisional protection in your area while we organize a response."

"Thank you," Mikado said. "I've contacted the local security to take the criminals. You can go to them for further queries." The officers just nodded in affirmation.

The screen went dark, and Mikado allowed herself a brief moment of relief. With the Devilukeans involved, the odds were shifting in their favor.

By the time she gathered all she needed, Mikado had a clear plan in place. Her house would become a fortress, equipped with advanced surveillance, reinforced barriers, and automated defense mechanisms. More importantly, it would be a place where Shirou could train safely, honing his abilities without fear of interruption.

She paused in her work, taking a moment to reflect. The fight against Eden was far from over, but she wasn't alone in this. Shirou had proven that he was willing to stand and fight, not just for himself but for her as well. Her mind wandered off a bit when she recalled Shirou's surprising stand against Kael. Her cheeks turned a little pink at the memory of the kiss they shared afterwards.

Her communicator's buzz took her out of her thoughts. Mikado glanced at the screen. A message from the Galactic Enforcement Agency confirmed that Kael and his operatives had been taken into custody. For the first time in what felt like an eternity of a night, she allowed herself a small smile of relief.

It was a step forward—a small victory in a much larger war. But it was enough for today.

She took her time walking back to the safehouse. A bit lighter in her steps.

The safehouse was quiet, its dim lighting casting long shadows across the walls. Mikado sat at the central terminal, the screen's bluish glow illuminating her focused expression. Her fingers moved deftly over the keyboard as she sifted through the data she salvaged from the memory discs of one of Kael's broken devices.

Despite the quiet, a sense of unease settled over her like a heavy blanket. She couldn't shake the feeling that she was on the brink of discovering something far more dangerous than she had anticipated.

Among the files were personnel records, mission logs, and encrypted messages that hinted at the scale of Eden's operations. She had already pieced together that the remnants were far more organized than anyone had suspected, but now her attention was drawn to a name that appeared repeatedly in the files: "Project Adam."

Her brows furrowed as she opened a fragmented report labeled with the same name. It was heavily redacted, with large portions of text obscured by black lines. What little she could decipher described a project that aimed to create "the next evolutionary step in human-weapon integration."

The phrase sent a chill down her spine.

"Project Adam..." she whispered to herself, the words heavy with ominous implications. She leaned back in her chair, staring at the screen. The name was unfamiliar to her, but the undertones were all too clear. This wasn't just another experiment—it was something pivotal, something tied to Eden's obsession with human enhancement.

She typed rapidly, cross-referencing the term with her own archives and her memory of Eden's projects. Files she had thought long deleted surfaced, most incomplete or corrupted. One particularly old document referenced an "alpha prototype," but there was no mention of its success or failure.

Back then, Eden had been infamous, its name synonymous with boundary-pushing science that often veered into the unethical. Among the hushed conversations, one particular legend had stood out: the creation of a "perfect assassin," a being crafted to embody the pinnacle of human potential and weaponization.

Mikado had dismissed the stories as exaggerated, the fever dreams of conspiracy theorists. But now, sitting here, confronted with Eden's files, the reality of those whispers felt all too plausible.

She opened a partially decrypted report, her breath hitching as the text resolved into legible fragments:

"Integration successful at 65%. Subject demonstrates autonomous energy generation. Further testing required for field deployment."

"Anomaly detected in cognitive stability. Behavioral patterns deviate from control parameters."

"Termination recommended for prototypes Alpha-3 and Alpha-5. Proceeding with Phase 3."

Her stomach turned. "Alpha-3… Alpha-5… How many lives did they sacrifice before Shirou?" she murmured.

She sat back in her chair, running a hand through her hair. "Project Alpha" was an alias she had come across before—Eden's codename for their infamous Project Eve. That initiative had focused on developing a superhuman prototype, a being of extraordinary resilience and intelligence. It had been led by her old friend Tearju Lunatique before Eden's collapse. But "Project Adam" was new, and it didn't take long for Mikado to deduce its nature.

While "Eve" had been an attempt to enhance existing humans, "Adam" was an alternative. They are trying to avoid making the same mistake with "Eve". Whatever they did wrong, it cost them their entire main laboratory, that everyone thought they ceased to exist.

Her heart ached at the realization. Shirou wasn't just a casualty of Eden's ambition—he was one of their success. The successful result of "Project Adam".

Her thoughts were interrupted as a final, encrypted message emerged from the data. She activated the decryption software, her pulse quickening as lines of code unraveled. When the message appeared, the contents chilled her to the core.

- Project Adam initiated

- Project Cherubim initiated

- Project Lilith initiated

- Project Azazel initiated

- Project Shekinah initiated

- Project Samuel initiated

- Project Behemoth initiated