Chapter 2
The year was 2034.
In a quiet little city, life moved on as usual-shopkeepers opening their stores, families strolling in the park, cars humming down the streets.
At the edge of town stood a small house. The front door opened and a boy wheeled out his mountain bike as his phone started to ring.
Hiro: "Hello?"
Jason: "yo bro! Just checking- we still good for the camping trip at the waterfall?
Hiro: "yeah, I'm heading out now to pick the spot and set the tents."
Jason: "perfect. I'll call kyle and casey and tell them to pack snacks."
Hiro: " good idea. Catch you later." (Hangs up).
He wave to the woman inside.
Hiro: "see you later, Grandma! I'm going camping with the guys!."
The sky was clear, the breeze gentle- perfect campung weather. He pedaled through the city and soon left the paved road for the forest trail.
Hiro: (smiling to himself) " can't belive summer's almost over... At least we had fun. Kyle and jason winning that hot-dog eating contest was hilarious."
A sudden scream shattered the calm. Hiro braked hard.
Hiro: "what the--? That came from over there!
He left the bike amd sprinted toward the sound. Through the trees he spotted four hunters, metal traps in hand, circling someone. Hiro crouched behind a bush to watch.
Hunter 1: "well well, what do we have here?"
Hunter 2: " Looks like we caught ourselves a little monster."
Hiro: (thinking) " monster? What are they talking about?"
One of the hunters stepped aside, revealing a green-haired girl with fluffy animal-like ears, sitting on the groynd, trembling.
Hiro: (eyes widening) "she's not a monster... she's just a girl."
Hunter 4: "let's take her to the warehouse. We can have some fun with her."
Hiro burst from the bushes.
Hiro: (glaring) " no you don't. Let her go now."
The men turned, annoyed.
Hunter 1: "kid, this isn't your business. Walk away and forget you saw anything."
Hiro: " and let you hurt her? Not happening."
Hunter 2: " we don't care who you are. This little freak's coming with us, whether you like it or not. Leave before you get hurt."
They laughed as the girl shrank back in fear. One of the hunters grabbes Hiro's arm - only for Hiro to twist free and kick to the ground. The other two lunged, but Hiro ducked and struck fast: one kick to the face, a punch to the gut- both men collapsed. The last hunter stared in disbelief.
Hunter 3: " How...how's this possible?! You're juat a kid!"
Hiro: "simple. I'm fighting to protect her. You're juat a bunch of cowards who hurt the innocent. Now pick up your friends and get lost before i drop you too."
The hunters fled, draggin their unconscious comrades.
Hiro knelt beaude the girl.
Hiro: "They're gone. You're safe now."
She slowly lowered her hands from her tear-streaked face, saw the hunters were gone, and gave a small smile.
Hiro: " my name's Hiro. I'm here to help you. What's your name?"
Momo: " ... M- Momo."
Hiro: " Did they hurt you momo?"
Momo: (shake her head) "No... i was just trying to freea little rabbit froma trap, and they came and tries to cage me."
Hiro: (smiling) "That was brave of you, saving that rabbit. Can you stand?"
She tried but winced- her leg was hurt.
Hiro: "Don't move. I'll figure something out." (Text jason)
Momo: (tilting her head at his phone) "what's that?"
Hiro: "This? A cellphone. I just messaged a friend- he's on his way to help."
Momo: "Thank you, Hiro... you're really kind." (Looks down)
Hiro: "what's wrong? Are you ok?"
Momo: (voice shaking) "No... they called me a monster."
Hiro: (sits beside her, gently wiping her tears) " Hey... you're not a monster. Sometimes bad people say awful things. Besides, you're way too cute to be nothing but adorable."
Momo blinked, then blushed and giggled softly. Hiro patted her head.
Hiro: "I mean it. Tell you what- i promise i'll look out for you from now on. I'll keep you safe."
Momo: " (eyes lighting up) " Really? You promise?"
Hiro: "Yeah. Think of me as your big brother. I'll always be there for you."
Momo: " (hugs him, eyes closing) " Thank you... big brother."
They waited for Hiro's friends. Suddenly, a voice echoed from above:
???: "Awww... how cute."
Hiro shot to his feet, scanning the skies until he spitted a woman with dark wings descending gracefully.
Hiro: "Who are you?!"
Cecilia: "my, my, I'm cecilia... and behind you is my brother, cessiar."
Hiro: "behind-?"
Cessiar: (appearing at hiro's back) "hello there."
Momo: (shrieks) "Hiro, look out!"
Cessiar struck first, kicking Hiro hard un the back and sending him sprawling.
Momo: "HIRO!" (tries to stand but her leg gives out)
Hiro: (pushing himself up)"Guess you two don't play fair."
Cecilia: (arms crossed) "Interesting. Who are you, boy?"
Hiro: "Hiro...Hiro Hayabusa." (Drop into a fighting stance)
Cessiar: (laughing) " you think you can take us? Please. Beating a few thugs dosen't mean you can stop us. We're not here for you anyway. We want her."
Hiro: (steps in front of momo) "Over my dead body."
Cessiar: "that can be arranged." (Blurs forward, slamming a fist into Hiro's stomach)
Momo: "HIRO!"
Hiro hit the ground,coughing, yet straggered back up.
Hiro: "you're not... laying a hand on her."
He lunged, kicking cessiar in the chest- but the blow barely made the demon flinch. Cessiar countered with a savage kick hurled Hiro in a tree. He crumpled at momo's side.
Momo: (sobbing) "please, Hiro...stop. i don't want you hurt anymore."
Hiro: (wiping blood from his lip) " i don't care. I made a promise... and i'll keep it."
Cessiar: "Listen, kid, i'm getting tired of tossing you around. Hand the girl o er and maybe i'll spare your life."
Hiro: (glaring through heavy breaths) "go to hell."
Frowning, cessiar raised a hand and unleashed a blast of wind that slammed Hiro into the dirt, leaving him unconscious. Momo crawled to him, ahaking his shoulders.
Momo: "Hiro! Please wake up..."
Cessiar stepped closer, hand glowing with a dark energy to finish the boy.
Momo: "Wait please... if i go with you, will you let him live?"
Cessiar: (after a pause)..."you have my word."
Momo bent closer to Hiro's ear and whispered:
"Hiro... thank you for everything. Even if it was for a short time, you showed me true kindness. Now its my turn to protecr you... take care, big brother."
She kissed his forehead. Just as cessiar reached for her, Hiro's eyes snapped open. He grabbed Cessiar's arm and, with a burst of strength, kicked the demon back, knocking him beside his startled sister.
Hiro: " (furious) " I told you... i made a promise to momo. And i'll keep it- even if it cost me my life!"
Cessiar: (snarling, drawing his blade) "you die now!
Both charged. But before they got close to each other, a brilliant light engulfed Hiro's hand, forcung cessiar to halt mid-strike. When the glow faded, a gleaming sword reated in Hiro's grasp.
Cessiar: "it can't be..."
Cecilia: (scowling) "Of all people... why him? Why now?"
Hiro: (tightens his grip on the sword) " i don't know what's happening... But like i said before- you're not taking momo. And that' final!"
He raised the sword. Stance firm.
TO BE CONTINUED...