Zataria's Last Light
Chapter 53: The Birthday Surprise

Chapter 53: The Birthday Surprise

As the Maivelance Crew celebrated their recent victory, Gram took pleasure in teasing the Scarlet Crew. As evening approached, both crews returned to their respective homes. Once they arrived, the Maivelance Crew relaxed and enjoyed a meal prepared by Kono. While Gram and Himitsu were not particularly fond of the dish, Daru and Zodiac opted to skip dinner entirely, leaving Ohma to savor every last bite of Kono’s cooking. Time passed, and as darkness enveloped the sky, they all retired for the night. Hours later, morning arrived, and Kono, Gram, Himitsu, and Ohma gathered in the kitchen to prepare something special.

Kono: Himitsu, could you please pass me the icing?

Himitsu: Sure thing, Kono!

Himitsu retrieved the icing from the fridge and handed it to her.

Gram: They are going to love this cake! With my secret recipe, I’m sure Zodiac and Daru will be thrilled.

Kono shook her head in response.

Kono: Cake batter is not a secret recipe, Gram.

Gram: Of course it is! That’s what makes cake, cake!

Himitsu: I know we’re doing this, but don’t you think it’s a bit early to celebrate their birthdays? They don’t even share the same day.

Kono: I know, but I want to celebrate their birthdays together, even if they’re not on the same day.

Gram: (Thinking) Come to think of it, what would their actual ages be since they don’t know their real birth dates?

Himitsu: That’s a good question. I know Zodiac mentioned he was 17.

Gram: And Daru is 18.

Kono: Well, let’s assume that Zodiac is turning 18 and Daru is turning 19. How does that sound?

Himitsu: I guess that works.

Kono finished icing the cake and declared it complete.

Kono: Perfect! The cake is now ready!

Ohma, overhearing the news, rushed into the kitchen.

Ohma: Is it finally done? Let me take a look!

Kono, Gram, Himitsu, and Ohma all stared at the cake, which was slanted and had melting icing.

Gram: Uhhh, Kono? Are you sure you used the right ingredients for this cake?

Himitsu: Yeah, I don’t think a cake is supposed to look like that.

Kono: U-uhhh, I’m pretty sure I did.

Ohma: It looks fantastic, Kono! Great job!

Gram: (Muttering to himself) No, it doesn’t!

Kono: Well, maybe we can fix this up a bit—

As Kono spoke, they heard noises coming from Zodiac and Daru’s room, indicating that the two were beginning to wake up.

Himitsu: Guys, Zodiac and Daru are waking up!

Gram: Crap! We don’t have enough time to fix this!

Kono: That’s fine! Everyone, get into position!

Kono and the others quickly concealed themselves as she turned off the lights. Daru and Zodiac emerged from their rooms, rubbing their eyes.

Daru: Why is it so dark in here?

Zodiac: How am I supposed to know, genius?

Daru: Don’t start. It’s too early for this.

Zodiac: I’m not starting anything. Now get out of my way.

Daru: I could say the same to you, buddy.

Zodiac and Daru proceeded to the kitchen to grab something to eat. As they entered, the lights turned on, prompting Kono, Gram, Ohma, and Himitsu to jump out, shouting.

Everyone: HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DARU AND ZODIAC!

Ohma took a deep breath and screamed again.

Ohma: AHHHHHHHHHHH!

Zodiac and Daru covered their ears.

Daru: What the hell is going on here!?

Zodiac: Can you all shut up before I make you...?

Kono: Today is your birthday, guys!

Himitsu: We wanted to give you a big surprise!

Daru: What? Today is not our birthday!

Zodiac: Are you guys stupid or something?

Ohma: Well, no? Should we be?

Gram: No, Ohma! You’re not supposed to say that!

Kono: Yes, we know your birthday isn’t today, but we wanted to celebrate anyway!

Himitsu: Besides, we don’t know your real birthdates.

Zodiac and Daru appeared annoyed.

Zodiac: This is pointless. This whole thing is giving me a headache.

Daru: All I wanted was to eat and get on with my training.

Kono: (smiling) Well, that’s great! We made a special cake for you guys. I hope you like it!

Himitsu and Gram exchanged worried glances.

Himitsu & Gram: (to themselves) Crap! They’re going to hate it!

They stepped away from the counter to reveal a red velvet cake that was messily leaning to one side. Zodiac and Daru stared at it, expressionless.

Ohma: (cheerfully) Look at their faces! I think they love it!

Gram began to back away slowly, but Daru stopped him.

Daru: You’re not going anywhere, Gram.

Gram: (nervously) W-well, of course, Daru!

Zodiac: Just tell me this: who in their right mind made this disgusting cake?

Himitsu: W-well, it was—

Gram: (points at Kono) It was Kono! All Kono!

Kono: Excuse me? No, I didn’t!

Daru: Hey, Ohma.

Ohma: Yes, sir—I mean, Daru?

Daru: Who made the cake?

Ohma: Oh, it was Kono! She handled the ingredients and everything!

Daru turns to Kono.

Daru: So, you made it.

Kono: (Nervously) Well, yes, for the most part. I didn’t have enough time to fix it before you guys woke up. I’m sorry.

Daru: (Sighs) You don’t have to apologize, Kono. I appreciate that you took the time to make it for us.

Zodiac: (Whispering) I’m not...

Kono: Wait, really?!

Daru: Yes, Kono, I truly mean it.

Himitsu wipes his face in relief.

Himitsu: Man, I thought we were going to die.

Gram: Since we’re celebrating your birthdays, why don’t we go to a nice restaurant?

Kono: Oh, that sounds wonderful, Gram!

Zodiac: I’ll pass...

Kono: Wait, what?

Daru: Same here. I need to return to my training. I don’t have time to spare.

Himitsu: But come on, guys! Let’s have a relaxing day instead of doing missions!

Ohma: I agree! You guys deserve it!

Gram kneels down and starts to plead.

Daru: (Annoyed) Fine! But where are we eating?

Kono: Oh! How about Burger Dashers?

Himitsu: You want to go there again?

Gram: Yeah, I don’t want to go to a fast food restaurant.

Kono: But the burgers are great! Plus, Ohma has never tried it, so why not!

Ohma: Burger Dashers? That sounds great!

Kono: Well, it’s settled! Burger Dashers it is!

Zodiac shakes his head.

Zodiac: Great, my day is already off to a bad start...

Before everyone departs, Ohma glances back at the cake.

Ohma: But what about the cake Kono made?

Zodiac: Why don’t you eat that nasty cake then?

Ohma: Okay! I will!

Everyone else begins to look concerned.

Gram: (To himself) No, Ohma, don’t eat it!

Ohma approaches the cake, grabs it, and takes a large bite.

Himitsu: (To himself) He’s done for...

Kono: Well, how does it taste, Ohma?

Ohma’s expression turns sour as he feels nauseous.

Daru: Well, there you have it...

Ohma: I’ll be right back!

Ohma rushes out the front door and begins to vomit the cake onto the ground.

Gram: I knew it wouldn’t taste good!

Kono: Aww man, I gotta do better next time.

Zodiac: (To himself) There won’t be a next time...

As this unfolds, everyone proceeds to head out, making their way to Burger Dashers together.

Gram: Man, I’m starving. I can’t wait to chow down on some hot, juicy burgers.

Himitsu: I feel the same way. I still can’t believe yesterday’s challenge ended in a tie.

Daru: Well, if someone hadn’t purposely lost, we would have won. (He glances at Ohma.)

Ohma: What? Me?

Himitsu: Well, you lost yours too, Daru.

Daru: What did you say!?

Zodiac: I wouldn’t be talking if I were you, Himitsu. You got destroyed by that one kid with the wind powers.

Himitsu: Yeah, but!?

Himitsu stops speaking, visibly upset, while Gram begins to laugh.

Gram: Let’s keep it real, guys; if it weren’t for me, you would have—

Zodiac & Daru: Shut up, Gram!

Gram: Fine! (He crosses his arms.)

After walking for a few more minutes, they finally arrive at Burger Dashers.

Kono: Here we are!

Kono and the others head inside to take a seat, but just as they are about to sit down, a waiter approaches them.

Waiter: He— Oh... it’s you guys again.

Gram: Hey, that’s rude!

Waiter: Sorry, but I see you here all the time.

Ohma: Wow.

Himitsu: What is it, Ohma?

Ohma: Well, I’m just thinking—since you guys don’t like Kono’s cooking, right?

Everyone: Yeah.

Ohma: That explains why you come here all the time; you don’t want to eat Kono’s awful cooking.

Zodiac: No kidding!

Everyone starts to chuckle slightly.

Kono: Hey! That’s not funny!

Ohma: Was that rude to say?

Kono gives Ohma a fierce look, leaving him perplexed.

Ohma: Kono, is something wrong with your face?

Kono: UGH!!!

Lith: I wouldn’t want to eat her cooking either.

Souta: Yeah, who’d want to eat something from a rank 1?

Daru: Why don’t you shut your jumpy ass up?

Souta: (Talking to herself) OMG! That was so bold; he just told me to shut my jumpy ass up! Why don’t you shut up, veiny dork!

Gram begins to laugh.

Daru: Enough, Gram.

Gram: Yeah, yeah.

Lith: What brings you here, Kono?

Kono: Oh, we’re celebrating Zodiac’s and Daru’s birthdays today.

Reiji: Oh, that’s so nice!

Sai and Junko lightly hit Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Ow! Ow!

Mako: You guys were born on the same day?

Kono: Uhh, well, no, the—

Before Kono can finish, Gram cuts in.

Gram: They were born a day apart. Today is Zodiac’s birthday, and Daru’s is tomorrow, so we are celebrating now.

Yoshi: Huh, that makes sense.

Waiter: Okay, are you done yet?

Zodiac: Yeah, can you hurry up? You sound like a pack of wolves fighting over the last piece of meat.

Himitsu: That was kind of harsh.

Daru: Yeah, we’re done.

Waiter: Great. We encountered an issue, but I have resolved it.

Zodiac: Resolved it?

Waiter: Yes, everything was reserved, but I have combined your party with another group.

Ohma: Oh, who is it? I like meeting new people.

Waiter: It’s The Scarlet Crew.

Lith & Kono: WHAT! NO, NO, NO!

Waiter: But—

Lith: BUT WHAT!

Waiter: I thought you were friends from the way you were talking.

Reiji: I think it’s a good opportunity; now we can all get to know each other better.

Lith smacks Reiji on the head, and he falls to the ground.

Reiji: Ow!

Kono: Are there really no other seats?

Waiter: No, I’m afraid not.

Kono: Dammit!

Kono looks back at her crew.

Kono: Do you all mind if we sit with Lith’s crew?

Zodiac: Yes.

Daru: As long as the big mouth doesn’t piss me off, we’re fine (looking at Mako).

Mako: You’re talking about me!

Daru: Am I looking at anyone else?

Souta: (to herself) Oh my goodness! The way Daru stands his ground is so hot! Those big muscles—so sexy.

Junko: Are you alright, Souta?

Souta: HUH!?! WHAT! NO, I’M—YES, NO, wait, what was your question?

Junko: You need to eat something.

Himitsu: I’m fine sitting with them.

Gram: (to himself) I can finally talk to Souta one-on-one!

Gram starts daydreaming.

Gram: Hey girl.

Souta: OMG, Gram! Where did you get all these muscles?

Gram: Oh, these? They only show up when I’m nervous.

Souta: Are you saying I make you nervous?

Gram: Yeah... maybe you do.

Souta: Oh, Gram.

Gram: Come here and give me a kiss, baby girl.

Souta: Yes, of course, Gram the Great! My Great Gram.

Gram and Souta begin to kiss as the scene shifts to Gram kissing Ohma’s hand while everyone watches.

Himitsu: Gram, what are you doing?

Gram opens his eyes and notices everyone staring at him with his lips on Ohma’s hand.

Ohma: Uhhh... Are you okay?

Zodiac: Yep, my day is officially ruined.

Daru: I can’t believe this is my crew.

Lith: We’ll sit with them. Just make sure to bring out the food quickly so we can leave.

Waiter: We will do our best.

Lith: You better.

The waiter guides them to their table, where everyone takes their seats, maintaining a noticeable distance from one another. The Maivelance Crew occupies one side, while the Scarlet Crew is seated opposite.

Gram: (To himself) Man, I wanted to talk to Souta, but I’m so far away!

Ohma raises his hand.

Kono: Uhh, why’s your hand up?

Ohma: I have a serious question.

Daru: You don’t need to raise your hand; just say it.

Ohma: Well, as a Knight of Ju—

Zodiac: Just spit it out already!

Ohma: Okay... Umm, I don’t know, this just feels weird.

Himitsu: What does?

Ohma: Us being separated from the others; shouldn’t we sit with them?

Daru: Yeah, go ahead.

Ohma: Okay.

Ohma stands and walks over as Daru attempts to call him back, quickly realizing he is determined to proceed.

Daru: Ohm—dammit.

Zodiac: Nice going, dumbass.

Daru: Shut up.

As Ohma approaches the Scarlet Crew, Lith and the others notice the smile on his face.

Junko: You lost, kid?

Ohma: No? Are you lost?

Junko: What?

Ohma takes a seat next to Mako.

Mako: Uh.

Ohma: Hey, Mako!

Mako whispers to Ohma.

Mako: What are you doing here, Ohma? You can’t be here.

Ohma: Huh? Why not?

Mako: Because Lith doesn’t like your crew.

Ohma looks at Lith.

Ohma: You don’t like my crew?

Mako facepalms.

Mako: Idiot!

Lith: Huh? Well... yeah, I don’t like you guys.

Ohma: Why not?

Lith: I don’t owe you an explanation.

Ohma: Well, I’m going to sit here because I don’t hate you guys.

Yoshi: I’ll say this much, kid, you’ve got guts (laughs).

Ohma: Guts?

Yoshi: Uhh, yeah, like your ba— you know what, never mind.

Gram observes as Yoshi laughs and Ohma smiles.

Gram: I can’t take this anymore!

Kono: Huh?

Gram: I’m going over there to join them.

Daru: Gram, sit down.

Gram: No! I’m going over there.

As Gram approaches the table, Souta turns to look at him.

Souta: You’re coming over here too?

Gram: (to himself) She wants me so badly. She asked if I’m coming over too! Yes, I am coming to sit here as well.

Souta: Well, don’t sit beside me; sit on the other side.

Lith: Souta!

Souta: What? The kid’s right; you may not like them, but that doesn’t mean we have to dislike them too.

Lith crosses her arms.

Kono: Okay, guys—

Zodiac: No.

Kono: But—

Zodiac: No.

Kono: B—

Zodiac: I said no!

Daru: Let’s go, Kono.

Kono: What? Wait, really, Daru?

Daru: Don’t make me reconsider.

Kono: Okay!

Kono and Daru rise and walk over as Himitsu approaches.

Zodiac: Where do you think you’re going?

Himitsu: Huh? Oh, I was going to sit with them.

Zodiac: Did I grant you permission to leave?

Himitsu: No...

Zodiac: Then sit down.

Himitsu sits down. Daru and Kono move to the opposite side of the table, and Souta notices Daru.

Souta: (to herself) Oh my! He’s coming over here!

Souta begins to flick her hair, attempting to appear more presentable.

Gram: (observing Souta adjusting her hair) She wants me so bad; she’s fixing her hair for me (sighs).

Mako: Oh, look who it is!

Daru and Mako lock eyes and do not break their gaze.

Lith: Alright, enough. Daru, if you’re sitting here, please take a seat.

Souta: Daru, sit beside me!

Junko: Huh?

Reiji: Hehe.

Souta: There’s a spot next to me if you want it. I don’t mind if you sit here or not.

Sai: This is so stupid.

Kono sits beside Lith while Daru takes a seat next to Souta. After a few minutes, Zodiac and Himitsu approach.

Daru chuckles.

Zodiac: Be quiet.

Himitsu takes a seat immediately.

Zodiac: (sighs) Can this day get any worse?

As ten minutes pass, the waiter arrives with food for everyone. Smiles and laughter fill the atmosphere. An hour later, they finish their meals and settle their bills while enjoying the outdoors.

Lith: Kono.

Kono: Lith.

Lith: Just so you know, this does not alter anything between us.

Kono: I couldn’t agree more.

Sai: Bye, Rank 1s!

Zodiac: See you later, slowpoke.

Sai: What did you say?!

Zodiac: You heard me.

Reiji: Well, I hope you all enjoy the rest of your day.

Sai and Souta both tap Reiji on the head.

Reiji: Ow! Ow!

Ohma: Goodbye!

Kono and Lith head back to their residence. Meanwhile, as Zodiac and Daru return, they begin training while everyone else engages in their activities. As the day transitions toward nighttime, the scene shifts to Zorren in a laboratory where individuals are working, walking alongside someone.

Zorren: Well, doctor, is it ready?

???: It’s nearly complete.

Zorren: Doctor, you told me it would be ready by next month, and now that time has arrived.

???: Please, President Zorren, you must understand that this project is quite complex.

Zorren: How close are you to completion?

???: I estimate it is 93% complete, but complications may still arise.

Zorren: 93% is perfect! I want to see it in action.

???: Certainly, but where would you like us to conduct the testing?

Zorren: In Sampostis, of course. Where else would it take place?

???: Here!?!

Zorren covers the doctor’s mouth.

Zorren: Silence! Yes, here! I want to see what it can do!

Zorren removes his hand from the doctor’s mouth.

???: However, President Zorren, there is a significant risk; lives could be endangered if we deploy this here.

Zorren looks at the doctor with a serious expression.

Zorren: Doctor Grozo, if you don’t do as I say, I’ll kill you just like I killed Qin. (A flashback of the old assistant at the front desk appears.)

Dr. Grozo: Y-y-you were responsible for his death?

Zorren: Yes, so if you don’t want to end up like him, I suggest you follow my orders.

Zorren starts to walk away.

Zorren: I want it up and running in less than 15 minutes, and it must not cross into the third district.

Dr. Grozo stands frozen in fear and looks at one of his lab workers.

Dr. Grozo: I need you to arrange for a helicopter.

Meanwhile, it is dark; most people are asleep, while others are taking evening walks around Sampostis. As the community goes about its business, they notice a helicopter in the sky, carrying a large metal container. The helicopter descends, dropping the container between Hemdel (the first district) and Seroin (the second district).

Person 1: What on earth is that?

Person 2: What is that?

Person 3: Perhaps it is a gift from Zorren.

Person 2: It can’t be. That’s not a Sampostis helicopter.

The helicopter places the metal container on the ground and departs. As it leaves, the front door of the container swings open, revealing only darkness.

Person 4: Huh?

As they peer closer, a white, mummy-like figure emerges from the shadows, emitting a strange sound.

???: TRRROOOO, TRRRRO, TRROROOO!

Person 2: Dude, what is that thing? It’s so ugly!

The white mummy approaches a girl, who is so terrified that she cannot move.

Girl: (Terrified) Uhhh, uhhh...

She then observes the words "Minus One" emblazoned on its chest.

Minus One: TROOO, TROOOO.

Girl: Minus One?

Minus One: TROOOO, TROOOOO.

Girl: Is that your name?

Minus One: TROOO, TROOO.

Girl: Guys, I don’t think this thing will hu—

Before she can complete her sentence, Minus One lunges forward and swiftly bites off half of her body. The girl’s legs experience an abrupt stillness for several seconds.

Person 1: AHHHHHHHH!!!

Person 2: Oh my goodness!!!

Person 3: EVERYONE RUN!!!

Minus One: TROOOOOO!!!