One night, the road was muddy and silent under the dim glow of the half-moon. Lior trudged along slowly, carrying Liza on his back while the three little puppies padded beside him, their tiny paws splashing softly in the puddles. His body ached, his breath was heavy, but he didn't stop until he reached a wide clearing. There, an enormous wall loomed in front of him, cold and unyielding.
He let out a sigh and gently placed Liza against the trunk of a tree before slumping down beside her.
Lior (groaning softly): Ughhh… what? Was this the wrong way…?
He closed his eyes for a second, then summoned his staff into his hands. The glowing crystal pulsed faintly, lighting the grass around them. Turning toward Liza, his gaze softened.
Lior (quietly, looking at her face): I don't know who you are… or why I felt like I couldn't leave you behind. Maybe it's because you look cute? I don't know… or maybe it's because, just for a moment, I thought I saw my big sister in you. She's also like you—very pretty, kind… and protective. Anyway, I hope you wake up soon.
As if responding to his words, Liza stirred slightly. Lior blinked in surprise. Slowly, her eyelids fluttered open. She looked at him, then at her surroundings. She didn't scream, didn't run—she simply sat up against the tree, her eyes calm but curious.
Liza (blinking, soft voice): Wha–where am I?
Chrono Guardianz
Episode 8: The Attack
Lior (panicked, waving his hands): D-don't be scared! I swear, I'm not going to hurt you, I—
But his words froze when Liza gave him a gentle smile—so pure, so kind—that his heart skipped a beat.
Liza (smiling kindly): I know. You saved me from those monsters. I… heard everything you said to me. I couldn't move, couldn't open my eyes, but I heard it all. And… you carried me all the way here, didn't you?
Lior sat frozen, his cheeks warming, unable to form words.
Liza (soft laugh): Hey, my name is Liza.
Lior (blinking rapidly): Oh… yeah… I'm Lior. I don't really know where we are and…
His cheeks flushed pink as nerves gripped him. Liza noticed and gently rested a hand on his shoulder.
Liza (calming tone): Shhh… it's okay. Don't be so nervous. And… I'm not that cute compared to your big sister. I can tell, even without knowing her.
Her hand rose and ruffled his hair, the same way Lyra always did. Lior's chest ached with the familiarity of it, the tenderness. His eyes welled up with tears he tried to hide, his throat tightening. He wanted—so badly—to throw his arms around her, to hold on to that warmth. But Lyra's voice echoed in his head: "Never touch a woman unless she gives you permission, unless it's to help her."
Liza (concerned, tilting her head): Why are you crying? Did something happen?
Lior (wiping his eyes quickly): No… it's just… I missed my big sister.
Liza smiled softly, then glanced at the strange glowing staff in his hands.
Liza (curious): So… what is that staff? A magic weapon or something?
Lior (scratching his cheek): Well… it's… ugh, I don't really have a name for it. I invented it myself. The crystal is its power supply—it charges from sunlight.
Liza (grinning): Ohh, that's cool… like something made in the future.
Lior (giggling nervously): Well… I am from the future.
Liza (blinking in shock): Wait… what? Really?
Time passed, the half-moon casting silver light across the field as a soft breeze rustled the grass. Lior and Liza sat beneath the tree, the three puppies curled up in sleep. One had climbed onto Liza's lap, resting peacefully.
Liza (smiling faintly): So you're telling me… you and your big sister and her friends built a time machine and came here?
Lior (nodding with a small grin): Yep. I wanted to see dinosaurs. But… the portal pulled me in, and we all ended up here instead.
Liza (tilting her head): Oh… Well, I have a question. Why are you in college at your age? Sixteen is still young… same age as mine, right?
Lior hesitated, then lowered his gaze.
Lior (slowly, voice heavy): Because the future doesn't care about childhood anymore. Kids… children as young as fifteen are allowed to join the training college. If you're an orphan, you don't even have to pay. The government wants soldiers, not students. They… want us to fight.
He clenched the staff tightly, his knuckles white.
Lior (continuing, bitterly): It's not like a normal college. It's more like… a factory. A place to break us and rebuild us as weapons. Classes are about combat, survival, and obedience. They don't care if you're scared. They don't care if you're ready. If you fail… you die. My big sister joined. I followed her because… if I stayed home, I'd be alone.
Liza (soft, horrified): So… kids your age are forced to fight monsters. Even younger ones…
Lior (nodding grimly): Some don't even make it to graduation.
Silence hung heavy between them.
Liza stood slowly, still holding the puppy, and turned toward him with a gentle smile.
Liza (softly): …You've suffered more than anyone should. But you're still standing, Lior. That means you're stronger than you think. Now… do you want me to lead you back? If you describe your place, I'll guide you there.
Lior's face brightened with fragile hope.
Lior (eyes lighting up, hopeful): Really?
Liza (nodding, smiling warmly): Yes. Just tell me how the place looks, and we'll find it together.
Her kindness made Lior's chest ache again. He smiled, hopeful for the first time in hours, and got to his feet.
But on the other side of the wall… Colt stood with his hand over a detonator. Behind him, Rex loomed like a shadow. And behind them, a massive horde of zombies waited in silence.
Rex (coldly): Do it.
Colt pressed the switch. A timer beeped.
Back inside, Lior limped toward Liza with a smile.
Lior (softly): Th-thank you… now we can—
He never finished.
The wall in front of them erupted in a blinding explosion. The world turned white, then black.
The shockwave smashed into them like a hurricane. Stone and steel shards blasted out like bullets.
Lior was thrown backward, his body slamming into the dirt. His ears rang violently.
Liza had no chance. A jagged slab of concrete spun through the air—slamming directly into her skull. The sound was sickening, a wet crack. She collapsed instantly, her eyes wide for a second before going lifeless, blood streaming down her face. The puppy she held tumbled from her arms, whimpering in terror.
Lior (screaming, his voice torn): LIZAAAAA!!!
Before he could crawl toward her, another shard of debris tore through his one leg. Flesh shredded, bone snapped—the limb was severed violently. Blood sprayed across the grass.
He collapsed, writhing in agony, his scream echoing into the night. The puppies barked in panic, trying to run—but the collapsing tree above them gave way. The trunk came crashing down, crushing two of them instantly with sickening crunches. Their yelps were cut short.
The last puppy stumbled away, squealing, but the hail of falling stone caught it. Its small body disappeared beneath the rubble.
Smoke, blood, and fire filled the air.
Lior (dragging himself through the dirt, leaving a trail of blood): N-no… no, please… wake up… Liza…
He reached her hand—cold, lifeless beneath the rubble. His fingers trembled as he gripped it, shaking it desperately.
Lior (sobbing, voice cracking): Not you… not again… I can't lose you…!
His screams tore through the night as the flames of the city burned behind him.
At the restaurant, Granny treated Jeff's wounds while Carla rocked Clara to sleep. Adrik and Draxil sharpened their weapons, but the tremor shook the building. They rushed outside and saw the wall collapsing.
Draxil (eyes wide): What the hell…?
From the wreckage, Colt emerged, holding his blade. Beside him, Rex grinned, his eyes glowing in the firelight.
Rex (smirking): Perfect.
He lifted his hand, signaling the horde of zombies behind him.
Rex (roaring): Tear the city apart!
The undead surged forward, shrieking, clawing.
Inside the restaurant, panic spread. Granny, Grandpa, Carla, and Jeff stared out in horror then Lyra rushed in, her face pale.
Adrik (desperate): Lyra! Did you find Lior?!
Lyra (shaking her head, distressed): No… I thought he might be here. I searched everywhere. Then I saw the wall breaking… First, we need to get out of here.
Her voice cracked, but she forced herself to stay strong. Deep down, her heart ached with one thought:
They all nodded, but Lyra's heart ached.
Lyra (whispering to herself): I wish Lior is safe…
Adrik placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
Adrik (firmly): He must be. He's braver than you think, Lyra.
She nodded weakly, though the worry never left her eyes.
Back at the ruined wall, rubble shifted. A bloodied hand emerged. Lior dragged himself free with his staff, one leg gone, his body trembling. His vision blurred from the loss of blood. He turned, only to see the crushed tree, the dead puppies, and Liza's lifeless body. His body shook violently, his mind cracking.
Lior (screaming into the night): Noooooooo!!!
Tears streamed down his face as his cry echoed into the burning night. In the distance, the city was already in flames. Screams and gunfire filled the air.
Lior (whispering, trembling): What… what should I do…?
The flames reflected in his eyes as despair swallowed him.
TO BE CONTINUED…