She slammed the door shut, then hectically pushed everything she could find in the room against it, trying to barricade herself in.
Clutching her baby tightly to her chest, she dashed toward the overbed table beside the hospital bed and grabbed the ring on it. The faint metallic scent of antiseptic stung her nose as her fingers trembled violently while tapping the ring.
"Please..."
The door crashed open.
The barricade did little to stop the creatures as they flooded the room, but just as they were about to lunge... they froze.
Thin rings of light circled their necks.
SPURT!
Blood sprayed everywhere as their heads dropped in unison.
Silence followed as the woman stared at headless bodies on the cold floor in shock, unable to comprehend what had just happened.
Then in the dark corner of the room, she saw the silhouette of a man. She thought it was another person sent after her baby, and instinctively held her baby tightly to her chest... but when he stepped into the light she finally calmed down.
It was the man from the beach.
The scroll had warned her: danger would come, and her child would be hunted. If that happened, she was to press the ring.
She couldn't believe it worked and was extremely grateful. Seeing him, she collapsed to the floor, still clutching her baby.
He slowly approached her as he scanned the room for any creatures lurking nearby.
In a hurried voice, he said, "Hold out the baby."
She hesitated, gripping her child closer. "Why...?"
"I need to place a seal on his powers."
The woman trembled but obeyed. He raised both hands above the baby, and a faint glow began to shimmer over its head.
"Nexus Lock"
Slowly, a glowing circle formed, spinning gently as it etched itself into the air.
"Who... who really are you?" she whispered, staring at him.
"That is not important right now," he said quietly. He took the baby from her arms and helped her to her feet. "Let us go. It is no longer safe here... for either of you."
As they prepared to leave, a strange ticking sound echoed in the room.
She froze.
It was coming from her stomach.
The man stared at her, shock etched into his features. His eyes widened.
"Did anyone come before I did? Did something happen before you alerted me with the ring?" he asked urgently.
She nodded slowly, dread washing over her.
His expression shifted immediately, his gaze locking onto her stomach. "Were you...?"
He placed a hand gently but firmly on her abdomen. A warm light glowed beneath his palm.
After a few seconds se felt his hands trembling.
"A bomb...?" he whispered in disbelief.
The color drained from her face as realization hit. Her mind raced back to the thing that looked like a pill the man in black had given her earlier... the one she had not fully understood.
"Is there anything you can do to stop it?!" she begged desperately.
The man shook his head in despair. "It is too late now."
Her heart sank to rock bottom as she slid down into the corner.
Today felt unreal. In a single day she had discovered she was pregnant, met a mysterious man on the beach, given birth, and watched strange beings try to abduct her newborn. Powers, monsters... everything was overwhelming.
"Is this how it ends...?" she muttered. "After everything... I am still going to die... and here I thought I could see my newborn child grow." her chest tightened with every thought.
She stared at the baby peacefully sleeping in the man's arms. Then a small smile helpless smile escaped her lips.
"...but at least he will be safe with him from those monsters..." She looked at the man. The man just lowered his head as he understood.
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she slowly closed her eyes. The ticking sound echoed loudly in her head.
The sound reached its peak.
BOOM!
Then she exploded.
•••
Sixteen years later...
On a hill of a habitable planet stood a beautiful futuristic high-tech house. Two figures stood together outside; a young man and a woman.
"Here is your hoodie. You almost left it," the woman said.
She wore a maid's outfit and looked to be in her mid to late twenties. The wind blew her long silky black hair across her expressionless face as she handed the hoodie to the young man.
The young man looked at her and smiled slightly. His emerald green eyes shimmered warmly.
Tiny specks of light drifted within his irises like distant stars shifting when he moved. His gaze carried a faint sparkle that was impossible to forget once noticed.
"Thanks. I will make sure to visit whenever the chance shows up."
He put on the hoodie, then hesitated and turned back for one last glance at the house and the woman. Guilt filled his heart. This had been his home for three years.
A deep sigh escaped his mouth as he turned and strode away.
Walking along the sidewalk, he watched flying cars move overhead.
"I am going to miss this place," he muttered.
He soon arrived at a subway station. Five bold words were imprinted at the entrance:
"Della Express Space Transfer Terminal."
He walked toward the ticket scanners.
"Shit..." he searched his pockets frantically. "Do not tell me... I lost it. Ugh... why am I so forgetful?"
He slapped his forehead. "Well, I guess I will have to buy another."
He purchased a replacement card and finally boarded the subway train.
Using the number on his ticket, he found his seat and sat down quietly.
Passengers glanced toward him and murmured in low voices, but he heard everything clearly.
"So that guy over there is the overall head of the preliminary match? Even surpassing some higher humans?"
"What is his name again?"
"Nova Orion."
Nova stared blankly at his phone, pretending not to hear.
The train doors sealed shut. Seat belts strapped every passenger in place as the train accelerated toward a glowing portal ring.
"Our destination: Planet Helid of the Second Sect of the Metropolitan Union. Please remain with your belongings at all times."
"It has been three years now... I wonder how he is doing."
The portal shimmered behind him as he stepped out onto Helid.
Flying cabs weaved between hovering skyscrapers as Nova walked through the crowded streets. Soon he hailed a cab and gave an address.
Moments later, the cab stopped in front of a house.
The door burst open.
A man rushed out and hugged him tightly.
"Nova! Why did you leave me!"
"Dad... is this what you say when your son returns home?"
Nova felt awkward but happy.
"It has been three years since you left," his father sniffled. "Seeing you again... I could not help it."
*Growl~*
Nova's stomach suddenly growled.
"Why now, stomach?!" Nova screamed in his head as his face turn red with embarrassment.
His father laughed warmly. "Come inside. I made breakfast."
The aroma filled Nova's senses immediately as he stepped into the dining room.
"Dad... you really outdid yourself." Nova commented.
"You have not tasted it yet."
"Just the smell is enough for me to tell it will be good. Besides your food are always delicious."
They began eating.
Nova's eyes widened after the first bite.
"It is even better than I thought. It feels like my taste buds are being blessed right now."
"I really missed your cooking, Dad."
The news screen suddenly brightened.
"Another historic day for the First Sect of the Metropolitan Union, as a new planet is successfully added to its orbit on the Cosmic Pole."
A massive glowing pillar surrounded by planetary rings filled the screen.
"A whole planet... being moved," Nova whispered.
"The Cosmic Pole has been doing the impossible for centuries," Grey said.
"They say no one truly understands what it is."
"No one does."
"Why the First Sect again?" Nova asked.
Grey watched silently. "Politics."
Grey then asked, "How were your studies on Herya?"
"They were great. But how did I get a private dorm with an AI maid... in a maid outfit?"
Grey coughed. "I do not know what you are talking about."
"I overheard your calls. Who else is Mr. Grey?"
Grey sighed. "Fine. I paid for everything."
"I am not a child."
"I know... but the seal is weakening. Even the smallest leak of the power within you could devastate a planet."
The news spoke again.
"And the overall winner on Planet Herya is... Nova Orion."
"That is my boy!"
*Ding!*
The sound of the doorbell cut through the celebration.
They checked the camera, and saw a man standing at the door. And it made both Grey and Nova's expressions changed instantly.