---
**Setting: Inside the Mrs. Takahashi's former room- General Room**
> *Note: her former room was her mini lab*
Haru stood with a stoic demeanor, arms crossed tightly against his chest. His expression was unyielding as he addressed Ren, his voice steady and measured. "Ren… we've been comparing notes."
Kaede cast a brief glance toward Mika, her eyes sharp with seriousness. "About our Kaijus. Their evolution… their energy signatures."
Mika spoke up, her tone contemplative. "The Monarchs. We represent Wind, Water, and Fire. Titan—the Earth Kaiju—hasn't awakened. But the Lightning Monarch seat? That's been empty for decades."
Ren blinked, his expression a mix of confusion and intrigue. "Okay?"
Haru pressed on, his frustration evident. "But you're using lightning."
Ren hesitated slightly, looking at the others before responding. "I guess? It just… happens. Like it's part of me."
Kaede's brow furrowed with realization. "Then it can't be a mindless Kaiju. Mindless ones don't grant elemental abilities like that."
Mika's voice turned grave. "Which means yours can think."
Kaede: "Most likely, Ren does talk to himself sometimes."
Haru leaned in closer, his gaze piercing. "Does it speak to you? Or… do you see it?"
Ren took a breath, and after a moment's pause, he admitted, "Yeah. In flashes. Like dreams. It… looks like a person. All black. Spiky white hair. Glowing eyes."
A heavy silence fell over the room as the three Kaiju Hosts exchanged glances, a shared understanding passing among them.
Mika broke the silence, her voice almost a whisper. "That sounds like a Monarch. According to what the Wikipedias say"
Kaede shook her head, unable to dismiss it. "But that's impossible. The Lightning Monarch doesn't exist anymore."
Haru's demeanor shifted slightly as a thought formed. "Unless…"
In an instant, their Kaiju forms—Zephyr, Aqua, and Infernia—switched into control, their energies shifting the atmosphere around them. Not fully transformed, but unmistakably present.
Zephyr's voice rang out with urgency. "We need to see him."
Aqua, her tone soft yet firm, added, "Not fight. Not control. Just see."
Infernia implored, "Please, Ren. For all our sakes."
Ren weighed their words, his reluctance palpable. "…Alright. But I'm warning you. He's not exactly friendly."
---
**Scene: Outside the house – same abandoned Town unit**
The atmosphere outside was thick with tension. The sky hung heavy with dark clouds above, casting a shadow over the dirt field littered with ruined metal scaffolding and flickering light poles. As the air crackled with anticipation, Infernia, Zephyr, and Aqua stood ready before Ren, who stood hesitant, arms crossed in defense.
Zephyr's arms folded, her expression challenged. "You said he talks? Like… actually talks?"
Ren nodded, glancing back at the surrounding ruins. "Yeah. Calm voice, kinda deep. Acts like he's above everything."
Infernia narrowed her eyes at Ren, assessing the situation. "That's not normal. Most Kaiju aren't even sentient till Monarch status."
Aqua's voice came in a whisper, barely audible amidst the stillness. "…And he looks human, right?"
Ren confirmed with a slow nod, and Zephyr worsened her words in disbelief. "Yeah no, screw the rules—we're seeing him. Now."
Ren's brows knitted together, anxiety seeping into his tone. "He's unstable. I don't even know what triggers him—"
Infernia, cutting him off intensely, demanded, "We'll handle it. Let him out."
With a resigned sigh, Ren surrendered. He reached deep within himself, feeling the familiar hum of energy. Sparks crawled up his arms, a glyph swirling open in mid-air.
The system voice crackled with a glitchy tone:
> [Materialization Protocol Initiated… Warning: Suppression Limits Exceeded.]
In that moment, a flash of lightning sliced through the sky as a figure emerged from the portal, shrouded in shadow and cloaked in static electricity. Dressed in pure black, adorned with tech-fiber clothing, the figure exuded an air of raw power. His attire consisted of sleeveless tops and fitted pants devoid of armor, glowing lines pulsing faintly beneath his skin, creating an almost otherworldly glow. His eyes were a piercing blend of faded black and metallic grey, shadows dancing like storms within their depths.
The figure remained silent, his gaze fixated on the trio with a cool intensity. There was no greeting, no acknowledgment—just a palpable tension hanging thick in the air around him.
Zephyr tilted her head, breaking the silence with amusement masking her fear. "...Yo, why he look like he's about to drop the most aggressive diss track of 2050?"
The figure flickered an irritated glance at her. "The fuck was that."
Infernia's expression shifted, a frown creasing her brow. "He's humanoid. That's... not supposed to happen."
In a flat tone, the figure retorted, "Three Monarchs. Or... fragments of them. Whatever, you're still weak."
Before any of them could fully react, he vanished in an instant.
**CRACK!!**
A surge of electricity erupted behind Aqua as the figure materialized in the blink of an eye, his foot crashing into the ground where she had just stood. Lightning snaked along the ground with a life of its own, and the trio instinctively scattered.
Zephyr's breath hitched. "He's fast—!"
Infernia growled, determination hardening her features. "Focus up!"
Without warning, the figure unleashed a fierce horizontal swipe with his hand, summoning an **Aura Slash** that ignited into a brilliant, white-hot blades of lightning. The attack sliced through the air like arcs, carving into the terrain and forcing the Kaiju Monarchs to dodge.
Infernia charged forward, flames spiraling around her fists as she launched herself at him. With a powerful roar, she punched directly at his form—**BOOM!** The resulting shockwave blasted against the surroundings, sending debris flying. He slid back slightly, but his expression remained unchanged, too calm in the face of her ferocity.
Aqua seized the moment, summoning a serpent-like spiral of high-pressure water that twisted through the air toward him. He raised a hand, his eyes glimmering with intent as he expanded his electromagnetic field, turning the water into steam in an instant.
Zephyr, seizing her chance, soared through the air with wind blades spinning at her command. However, the figure spun, one palm raised, and the energy crackled violently—an **EMP blast** erupted, short-circuiting Zephyr's energy systems and causing her to crash to the ground with a groan.
As she struggled to rise, Infernia continued to charge, her fire flaring with renewed vigor. "He's not just fighting… He's adapting!"
The figure's cold voice echoed through the dust and chaos. "Of course I am. You are data. I am evolution." His voice, devoid of emotion, reverberated in the air like a death knell, sending a shiver down Ren's spine.
Ren, watching from the sidelines, felt the weight of the situation press down upon him. His mouth went dry, and his eyes widened in disbelief. "He's going all out already…"
As Ren spoke, black lines began to crawl across the figure's skin, glitching and pulsating erratically. The black markings pulsed with a faded blue light, growing brighter with each heartbeat.
The system voice crackled urgently in Ren's mind:
> [Unstable Entity Detected. Initiating Suppression Seal.]
The figure staggered momentarily, his aura flickering. The **Aura Slash** he had summoned fizzled away, leaving only a faint, crackling hum in the air and a crater.
Zephyr, slowly rising from the ground, grimaced as she regained her composure. "He's burning out…"
Infernia seized the opportunity, her flames roaring with determination. "Now's our chance!"
Together, they charged, a whirlwind of elements converging on the figure. Zephyr's wind sliced through the air, Infernia's fiery punches ignited the ground below, while Aqua unleashed a torrent of water blasts, aiming to pin him down.
The figure attempted to dodge but the suppression seal was dragging him down, slowing his movements—and still, he flickered like a faulty lightbulb, the electricity coursing through him becoming erratic with every second.
Finally, their combined assault landed with a powerful **BOOM!** The impact sent shockwaves crashing through the grounds, enveloping them in a cloud of dust and debris.
As the smoke settled, the figure lay upon the ground, half-covered in black suppression lines, tinged with glowing blue light. He lifted his head slowly, his expression now reflecting something fragile, almost vulnerable. "This seal… again."
Zephyr, panting heavily, glanced at Ren with unresolved tension. "Okay… what the actual hell is inside you?"
"A proto-monarch" Aqua said.
Infernia's face turned serious, the fire around her hands dimming as she felt the weight of the answer. "I've only heard rumors. A Kaiju that never finished its ascension."
Aqua's brow furrowed deeply. "So he's not a Monarch…"
Infernia's eyes locked onto the figure, her voice carrying the weight of unspoken truths. "…But he's not mindless either. He's… wrong."
"Aren't Proto-Monarchs like the 404 errors of the Kaiju world." asked Zephyr.
As moments ticked by, the reality of their situation began to sink in.
---
**Scene: Moments Later – Same Training Grounds**
The dust settled, and the figures emerged slowly, trying to catch their breath after the chaotic whirlwind of energy and emotion. The supposed proto-monarch lay there, half-encased in the suppression, his breathing uneven.
Aqua says sleepily, "Hey haru, I'm switching back. I need a nap"
Ren slumped against a rock, the weight of revelation hanging heavy on his shoulders. "...So that's inside me, huh?"
Infernia crossed her arms, an edge of irritation still present in her tone. "He really tried to clap us without blinking."
Zephyr took a moment to stretch dramatically, her eyes rolling with a hint of sarcasm. "Y'all saw that, right? That man's one trauma arc away from burning this whole dimension—quote me."
Ren and Infernia turned toward Zephyr, their expressions mirroring a mix of exasperation and cringyness.
Ren shot back, "You always talk like that?"
Infernia couldn't help the grin that broke through her frustration. "Yeah, I was gonna say something earlier. She sounds like a pain in the ass."
Zephyr froze mid-stretch, her eye twitching at the unexpected critique. "Excuse me?! I was being insightful!"
Ren grinned, the tension easing just a fraction. "You said 'beta version of godhood' like we're in a tech update log."
Infernia added, "And 'trauma arc away from burning the dimension'? Girl, please."
Zephyr threw her arms up in dramatic fashion as she turned away, feeling the warmth of embarrassment flush her cheeks. "Y'all just haters. You want boring expositional monologues, go find Aqua."
Infernia couldn't resist the jab. "'Proto-Monarchs are the 404 errors of the Kaiju world.' Say it again, I dare you."
Zephyr buried her face in her hands, letting out an exasperated "tch" as she acknowledged the jab.
---
In that brief moment of levity amid the chaos, the figure's gaze fell on the band of Kaiju hosts. He, however, remained outwardly unamused. The tension hung in the air like a thick fog.
Infernia stepped forward, her expression turning fierce as she confronted him directly. "Humans fear us. They use us," he muttered, his voice laced with unmistakable bitterness. "Why should we fight for them?"
Infernia's flames erupted around her as she landed decisively in front of him. "Because if you walk away, you're as good as dead."
His eyes narrowed as he processed her words. "Tch. What are you talking about?"
Infernia pointed sharply at him, the flames crackling in defiance. "You're not just thinking about leaving. You're thinking about splitting from Ren completely." Her voice dropped, simmering with intensity. "And we both know what happens if you do that."
The tension in his body grew taut, the remnants of his earlier arrogance flickering like the static surrounding him.
Infernia took a step closer, her gaze unwavering. "Kaijus like us—Hosts—we're tied to a system. We exist in balance with our humans. If you forcefully separate from Ren, you won't just be free." She paused, letting her words linger in the charged air. "You'll either be erased completely or turn into a mindless husk—nothing but a raging beast."
His jaw tightened,and he felt a familiar, simmering anger rise within him. He stared at the ground, grappling with the gnawing truth behind her words. Deep down, he knew she was right. He had seen it before—Kaijus who had driven themselves away from their hosts, thinking they could survive alone, only to lose themselves entirely. The memory of their chaotic, violent rampages remained vivid; those lost to their fury, reduced to mere shadows of their former selves.
Infernia stepped even closer, her flames still flickering around her like a protective aura. "I've seen it happen before. A Kaiju who abandoned their Host, believing they could thrive on their own. They lasted a few days before completely losing themselves—no identity, no will, just a mindless monster until the Hunters put them down."
His teeth gritted in frustration. The weight of Infernia's words pressed down on him like a physical burden. His body trembled slightly, caught in the crossfire of anger and dread.
Infernia's voice softened, shifting from fierce to empathetic. "You think I don't get what you're feeling? Trust me, I've had moments where I wanted to burn everything to the ground, too." Her gaze remained steady, piercing through the defiance layered around him. "But I choose to fight. Not for all of humanity, but for the ones that matter."
For a fleeting moment, the figure looked up, his expression flickering between doubt and rage. "I don't know if I can trust them," he muttered, gesturing toward Ren, who stood off to the side, observing with concern.
Infernia's eyes softened further, the crackling flames around her dimming to a gentle glow. "Then start small. Trust Ren. Trust Mika. Trust me."
"Trust?" he echoed, skepticism lacing his tone.
Infernia smiled, an expression of earnest conviction. "And perhaps you should actually tell me your name."
He inhaled sharply, the question hanging in the air like a lifeline. "Name huh... my name is Raijin," he admitted, something stirring within him as he uttered the words aloud, a piece of his identity reclaiming its footing amidst the chaos.
"...but… you're annoying, you know that?" he muttered, a hint of defiance lingering in his voice.
Infernia chuckled, her posture relaxing just a fraction. "And you're an idiot. But you're our idiot."
Raijin rolled his eyes but felt a flicker of warmth, a connection igniting like a spark in the dark. For the first time in a while, amidst the confusion and chaos, he felt a semblance of grounding.
Ren, who had been quietly absorbing everything, stepped forward, his voice steady. "Maybe—just maybe—he wasn't as lost as he thought."
A moment of understanding lingered in the air, a fragile alliance beginning to form. The tension in the surrounding air began to dissipate slowly, replaced by a cautious sense of camaraderie. Raijin looked at Ren, then to Infernia, and finally to Haru and Zephyr, each of them watching him. They were Kaiju and host, yes, powerful and fierce, but beneath it all, they were more than mere combatants—they were allies, partners bound by duty and emotion, maybe.
Raijin shifted, standing a fraction taller as he felt the remnants of his insecurities subside. "Fine," he said, the weight of the decision settling in. "I'll try… but I'm not promising anything."
Infernia's expression lit up with optimism. "Trying is all we can ask for."
The group shared a moment then, one rooted in hope, fear, and determination, as a storm stirred on the horizon—a prelude to challenges that lay ahead.
---
The scene faded into a hushed calm, with the impending weight of their battles still looming ever closer, the ground between them alive with untapped potential and the echo of unspoken fears. Each character, with their struggles and triumphs, now bound in a fragile yet resolute alliance, prepared to face whatever uncertainty awaited them.
---
"Eiji's POV"
**Scene 1: Morning Madness**
Morning light seeped through a cracked curtain, casting a soft glow across the cluttered kitchen. Eiji's alarm blared loudly at 6:30 AM, but he was already awake, not from any disciplined habit but from a confusing dream. In his mind, a low, rumbling voice echoed words he could not comprehend. It left him unsettled, yet awake.
The kitchen was a battleground of chaos. Eiji's twin little sisters fought over cereal boxes, their voices rising above the sound of his mother's frantic call on a work conference. Meanwhile, his father attempted yoga in the middle of the ruckus, his efforts clearly compromised by the family storm around him.
With the grace of a seasoned ninja, Eiji slipped into the kitchen, bypassing the madness. He poured himself a cup of black coffee—his least favorite—but he needed the jolt. He zoned out, staring at his reflection in a spoon. For a fleeting second, his eyes glowed eerily, and a voice whispered menacingly in his mind, "They are not your equals. Stand tall, my vessel." It vanished as quickly as it appeared, leaving him disoriented but resolute to maintain his facade of normalcy.
---
**Scene 2: School Grind**
Hood up and headphones in place, Eiji set off for school, the calming lo-fi beats flooding his ears as he tried to drown out the Titan voice that lingered persistently in the depths of his consciousness. The voice was subtle yet insistent, a constant reminder of something lurking beneath the surface.
While walking, he witnessed bullies cornering a classmate, the tension rising thick in the air. The voice growled within him, urging him to retaliate. "Crush them. They disrespect your power." He clenched his fists but forced himself to exhale, resting in the knowledge that he didn't have to act—not yet.
Inside the school, he commanded a quiet respect. His calm, mature demeanor set him apart, a stark contrast to his turbulent inner world. Lunchtime was spent beneath a cherry blossom tree, a serene spot where the breeze felt wrong, as though it carried an ancient weight that was always watching him.
---
**Scene 3: Evening Chaos**
Once home, Eiji helped his sisters with their homework, finding joy in their laughter despite the din. Video game battles followed, where he let them win, sparing their budding egos. The family dinner was a cacophony of love and warmth, but as Eiji sat down, he barely touched the food.
Inside, the Titan voice loomed larger. "Soon, you will not need this fragile human nourishment. The world will kneel," it hissed. Exiting the table, he retreated to the sanctuary of his room, staring into the mirror, his reflection betraying him.
"You're the bridge between two worlds. I am your legacy. I am your rage. You cannot hide me forever," the reflection intoned, overlayed with the threatening timbre of the Titan. With a blink, his glowing eyes returned to normal, yet his shadow stretched behind him—titanic and powerful.
---
**Final Panel: Eiji in Bed**
Despite the comforting sounds of his sisters snoring next door and the nostalgic hum of his father's old anime, Eiji's eyes remained wide open. The whispers in his mind grew louder, more persistent.
"How long can I fake normal… before the thing inside me demands control?" he wondered silently, drifting into a restless sleep.
---
To be continued.