THE AWAKENING: BIO-GENETICS
Chapter 288: Where It’s Leads

Chapter 288: Where It’s Leads

Shino came to the rooftop where Hiro was in, along with the others. They sighted him standing, the wind swirling his clothes.

"Hiro" Shino says stepping forward. He came here hoping to talk with him, he knew what he was going through but they had more pressing issues at hand.

"What’s the plan..." Hiro leisurely turned.

Shino’s body tensed when he saw his blank expression.

"...Commander Shino"

"Same as it always been... according to General Anzai’s tactics"

"We will leave at first light, we need time to gather supplies" Mizuki states.

"But we’re worried about the time limit, she might attack again during that time frame," Shino said, he planned they would leave now, but no one goes unprepared for battle, General Anzai taught them that.

"It’s alright"

Hiro’s words caught their attention. "I don’t hear her voice in my head... she’s awfully quiet"

"The Queen Kaiju?" Mirai asked and Hiro stroke a nod.

Yuki’s eyes narrowed.

"Why would she be quiet, she obviously wants to exterminate all of us in a snap," Mosu said scoffing.

"I don’t know... but whatever it is... it’s not good, I feel she’s planning something"

"Well, whatever she’s planning has to stop," Shino said sternly.

_ _ _

Ten sighed staring at the dark skies, he knew at first light the Strike Team would leave. He still felt he had to follow them but he remembers what Shino told him, about his need here.

"Ten," Haya said coming being him. He whirled to her.

"H-Haya-chan shouldn’t you be asleep?"

She shook her head, he understood.

"I see," Ten said with sad eyes. "I guess no one can possibly sleep in this", his grip tightening on the iron bar.

"Ten... don’t tell me you’re still upset about not going with them"

"N-No I’m not just..." he sighed in defeat. "I feel they need me but General Anzai didn’t include me"

"Me neither, I believe General Anzai had a reason and I believe he’s right"

"Yeah I know," Ten says with sad eyes. "I guess we have to leave it up to them" his teeth clenched more and his body shook.

"Ten," Haya said worried noticing how tense his body is. "Are you alright?"

"Hmm" he nods wiping the tears that slide down his cheeks. "I believe in them" he began with stern eyes. "We will win!"

A soft smile found her lips. "Hmm!"

_ _ _

Hiro stood, his blind gaze on his sword, his grip tightened against the handle as a memory flooded in.

_ _ _

Before the War

Anzai waved Hiro’s stick around his hand rotating it effortlessly with his fingers.

"When you become one with your weapon" he instructed, Hiro, listening attentively.

"The way you fight changes as well as your mind and body, there is nothing like becoming one with your weapon, that is the greatest power a soldier must have and wield" he hands the stick to Hiro and he stretched out his hand taking it, Instantly the stick shifted to his sword.

"Hmm... I see your blood weapon only responds to you, interesting"

"I feel my blood coursing through it," Hiro said. "Tell me General Anzai why did my blood weapon transform? I mean it’s kinda different from the others" His blind gaze narrowed. "Others knew what they wanted as a blood weapon and it was made... but mine was forged suddenly" he add, the memory of the event flushing his head.

"Hmm..." Anzai scratched the back of his head. "Well you’re special"

Hiro rolled his eyes. "Well that’s convenient, that’s what you always said" Hiro murmured but then he smiled closing his eyes. "My mom and dad always said that to me" he chuckled.

Anzai smiled and joined in, their small laughter rang in the hall. Anzai placed his hand on Hiro’s head ceasing his laugh sound.

"Well they are right" he grinned widely at him.

Hiro’s blind gaze shook at his words and then a smile formed on his lips.

"Now let’s go have a drink, this is the moment for it"

"Um... I’m 14, I’m still underage"

"Ha that’s right, I forgot there, you all just seem like grown-ups, couldn’t help it" he laughed once again.

_ _ _

Present Day

Hiro’s hand subconsciously tightened on the grip of his sword as he recalled, his lips pressed in a thin line. ’I will revenge you’ his teeth clenched, and his mom and dad’s faces flashed in his head. ’All of you!’

"Hiro" Yuki came behind him wearing a worried expression, Hiro has not been himself ever since Anzai.

"We should get ready, it’s almost morning," Hiro said in an emotionless voice.

Her throat moved in a gulp and she came behind him tucking on his jacket. "Don’t overdo it, we will fight her together" she says.

"No," he said shafting his sword behind his back. "We’ll destroy her"

_ _ _

"Rin" Ren said looking at the skies now having light, it was almost morning. "We will put an end to this, your death won’t be in vain, I promise," he said closing his eyes and saying a silent prayer. ’Watch over me Rin’

"Mirai" Kaneki said walking towards her, she was setting her Hellhound, but she stopped facing him.

Kaneki nervously scratched the back of his head. "I will protect okay? So you have nothing to worry about" he said clearing his throat.

Mirai smiled but it turned sad. "This isn’t about protecting Kaneki, it’s about ending a war"

He was about to speak.

"Is everyone here?" Shino asked, they stroke a nod, Shino’s eyes scanned the complete Strike Team, this was it.

They heard a footstep approaching, they turned to see Prime Minister Kiyoshi, Sergeant Tori, Dr. Touka, Dr. Hachiro, and Engr. Kazuya.

"Sir" Shino said saluting and others followed.

Kiyoshi forced a weak smile. ’Anzai’ he thought. ’You really made these kids soldiers and our hope, your sacrifice was not in vain’

"Bio-genetics" he began in a strong voice, hoping to say a word of inspiration to them but he couldn’t find any, but two words only. "Don’t die"

Their bodies tensed at his words for they didn’t expect him to say those words.

"Come back home, in one piece"