MANILA, PHILIPPINES
The sky, cloaked in a thick blanket of dark clouds, unleashed a torrent of thunderstorms. With no respite in sight, the relentless downpour continued unabated. The howling wind whipped through the air, causing the trees to sway and roofs to take flight. The streets of Manila became a sea of traffic, paralyzed by knee-level flash floods.
In defiance of the inclement weather, two siblings bravely emerged from the narrow alleyway of a squatter area. Hand in hand, their determination shone through their desperate eyes, despite the tears streaming down their faces. The residents of the squatter community unfairly pointed fingers at the kids, casting them out and blaming them for the calamity.
“After all we’ve done for them, is this how they repay us? How can they possibly blame us for the flooding when it’s clearly the result of the typhoon?” Bryan, a 12-year-old boy, exclaimed as they took a momentary break on the side of the road. His frail body trembled uncontrollably, struggling to withstand the fierce gusts of wind.
“They’re just looking for someone to blame. Let’s find a shelter for now,” Marie, his 16-year-old sister said. She comfortingly placed her arm around Bryan and took the lead, bravely trudging against the powerful current that threatened to knock their knees out from under them.
“You know, big sis . . . Is there any way we can control the flood?”
“I wish we could, but have you ever tried? I don’t think it’s something within our control, Bry,” Marie replied with a sigh, her grip on his arm tightened when he almost stumbled.
After searching for shelter for nearly half an hour, the siblings realized that the flood was only getting deeper. The water had risen to Bryan’s waist, making it increasingly difficult to navigate through the darkness caused by the power outage. Just when they were starting to lose hope, two men appeared and offered their assistance, claiming to be part of the rescue team tasked with evacuating people. Grateful for the help, Bryan and Marie immediately accepted. The men carried them on their backs as they trudged through the water for ten minutes until they finally reached higher ground, free from the floodwaters.
The two men guided the siblings towards a van and opened the door for them. As they stepped in, they noticed several people peacefully sleeping inside. Marie, feeling self-conscious about her dirty and drenched state, scooted closer to Bryan, making sure to keep her distance from the woman sitting beside her to avoid getting her wet.
As the two men settled into the driver and passenger seats, Bryan couldn’t help but voice his curiosity, asking, “Why are we in a van? Isn’t it more common to transport people in a truck?”
The two men exchanged glances before the one in the passenger seat responded, “Just rest and sleep for now.”
Bryan pressed on, “Where are we going?”
Letting out a weary sigh, the driver replied, “To an evacuation center.”
“Will you go back to rescue the others?”
Marie quickly hushed Bryan, whispering, “Be quiet, you might wake them up,” gesturing to the sleeping people around them.
Defending himself, he whispered back, “I’m keeping my voice down. I just wanted to ask.”
At that moment, the man in the passenger seat abruptly sprayed something at Bryan and Marie’s faces. Instantly, the siblings succumbed to the effects of the spray and fell asleep, just like the others.
____________
LAGUNA PROVINCE
It had already been a month since Keiro and Rinporter embarked on their quest to find Arcane Laboratories in the Philippines, but luck seemed to elude them. Despite their efforts, they were unable to locate the facility. Determined not to give up, they planned to continue their search for another two months before considering exploring other countries.
Rinporter tapped into his recently developed power, which he referred to as Portal Perception. With intense focus, he could detect any movement within a range of ten kilometers. His heightened senses extended to detecting any living beings on land, including those beneath the ground. This ability proved to be a game-changer in their search for the Arcane Laboratories, granting them a distinct advantage and significantly increasing their chances of success. “All right, I’ve found a place for us to explore. Let’s go,” he exclaimed as he conjured up a portal.
Stepping through it, they found themselves instantly transported to San Vicente in San Pedro City, one of the barangays known for its elevated terrain. The surroundings showcased an abundance of majestic trees and a noticeably sparser collection of houses compared to the metropolitan area. The wind rustled through the leaves with a strong force, creating a refreshing and invigorating atmosphere. However, there was also a palpable sense of anticipation in the air, as if something was about to happen.
Glancing upwards, Keiro noticed the moonless sky and the distant rumble of thunder. “Let’s keep going before the storm hits. Let’s split up and meet here afterward.”
After fifteen minutes of exploring the area, Keiro’s mind was suddenly filled with a voice. “Tulong, please. Sana may tumulong sa amin ng kapatid ko.”
Although he couldn’t understand the language, he knew that someone was desperately asking for help. He stopped walking, closed his eyes, and focused on the direction of the sound. Upon pinpointing the source, his eyes snapped open. He conjured strings, attaching them to tree branches and sturdy posts, propelling himself swiftly towards the origin. As he approached the location, the voice in his head grew louder. Just as he reached the road, a white van sped past, swerving erratically as if the driver was intoxicated. The screeching tires echoed through the air, and in a split second, the van collided with a tree.
Keiro rushed to the scene and quickly surveyed the wreckage of the van, using the flashlight on his phone to navigate through the shattered front glass. The driver and the man in the passenger seat were unconscious, blood streaming from their heads. Strangely, both of them were completely drenched as if someone had poured water over them. Then, Keiro’s attention was drawn to a girl who was frantically attempting to awaken a boy seated next to her.
“Gumising ka, Bryan!” she pleaded, her voice filled with desperation. With trembling hands, she opened the van door and peered outside, searching for help.
Keiro realized that the voice he had been hearing in his head belonged to her. He urgently communicated with Rinporter through his earpiece. “There’s been an accident. Can you come here? I’ll stomp three times to let you know the location.”
After stomping his foot, Keiro quickly approached the girl and was startled to see that the van was filled with unconscious passengers, thrown about in different directions.
The girl, barely able to catch her breath, pleaded for help through her tears. Keiro assured her and asked, “What is the emergency hotline number?”
“Nine-one-one,” the girl said, but Keiro hesitated as he realized he didn’t know their exact location. He turned to the girl for assistance, hoping she could provide the information they needed.
“I don’t know. We . . . kidnap and bring here. I’m not good English, I’m sorry,” she responded while using her hands to gesture and explain. “Please, help.”
“You mean, all of you were kidnapped?”
The girl nodded in response, then she shifted her attention toward the boy. “He’s my little brother. The man spray something to us and we . . . we sleep after.”
“I see . . .” Keiro quickly checked on the boy and the other passengers, relieved to find that the collision hadn’t caused severe injuries. However, when he checked the pulse of the driver and the man in the passenger seat, he was shocked to discover that they were both dead. This revelation left him puzzled. It was strange that they had succumbed to death, considering the impact wasn’t supposed to be fatal. Additionally, the fact that they were wet, with droplets of water still dripping from their hair, added to the mystery.
“What’s your name, kid?” Keiro asked the girl, who introduced herself as Marie. Nodding in acknowledgment, he pressed on, “Marie, what happened to them? And why are they wet?”
She kept her gaze downward and remained silent, leaving him feeling suspicious. Just as he was about to question her further, Rinporter arrived on the scene. Keiro wasted no time and urgently instructed him to fetch twelve tonics immediately.
As Rinporter started to walk away, Keiro called out, “Wait! Just create the portal here. I’ll take care of everything afterward.”
He complied, conjuring a portal despite Marie being able to witness it. Keiro had given these specific instructions because he possessed the ability to erase memories. This unique power had been passed down to him from his father, enabling him to remove any recollection of their encounter from Marie’s mind.
After Rinporter disappeared, Marie’s voice trembled as she spoke, “He have superpowers . . . like me and my brother?”
Keiro’s eyes widened in surprise. “You have superpowers too?”
She nodded. “I make water.” Turning her palms down, water surged from it, wetting the ground beneath.
After a few minutes of discussing her powers, Rinporter arrived with a bag of tonics. All worked together to administer the tonic to each person, making sure they drank it despite their unconscious state. Once they had finished, Keiro turned to Marie and asked, “Will you and your brother come with us?”
She hesitated for a moment but eventually agreed. Keiro glanced at Rinporter, who wore a questioning expression. “I’ll explain everything later. For now, let’s go back to the hideout.”
__________
NORTH CALUM, RANACE
VEILBREAKERS NEST
Despite the ban on Ranaceans entering other countries, they still managed to conduct business, engage in import and export activities more effectively. Unlike in 2015, when Ranace could only import raw materials like metals, minerals, or timber for manufacturing and construction purposes, now they have expanded their import capabilities. This progress was made possible by the former Vice President, Robert Dale, who assumed the presidency two years ago.
Under his leadership, the country not only improved its ranking from the first to the second most unsafe country to live in, but it also became the wealthiest country in the world, with the strongest currency. One hax was now equivalent to six US dollars.
The reason for this economic success was Ranace’s position as the leading global exporter of oil. The oil had a unique quality, allowing for extended intervals between oil changes for airplanes, lasting up to 360 hours. For land vehicles, it could last up to 720 hours, making it highly sought after in the international market.
Consequently, this marked the beginning of other countries exporting all sorts of products to Ranace. Just like Cresson and Grovan, who were sitting in the lounge area, enjoying a bag of Regent’s Golden Sweet Corn imported from the Philippines.
“These cornballs are my absolute favorite! They taste just like corn on the cob!” exclaimed Grovan, happily munching on them.
Cresson nodded in agreement, taking another whiff of the cornball in his fingers. “You’re right. The aroma is also appetizing,” he replied. “By the way, I’m genuinely glad to see you doing better now.”
“Thanks to you and Van, that purple hue on my skin has completely disappeared. Although I still have a subtle shimmer.” Grovan chuckled. “I must be quite dazzling right now, with my looks, personality, and my radiant skin.”
Cresson made a face and was about to respond when suddenly, a portal appeared and four figures emerged from it.
“Where are we?” Bryan asked, his eyes wide with amazement as he took in his surroundings. “This place is absolutely incredible!”
Cresson and Grovan stood up, intrigued by the presence of the two kids. Keiro explained how they had met and how they ended up bringing the kids along with them.
“Hmm. Marie, if it’s all right with you, may we take a look at your memories?” Keiro asked.
Marie nodded eagerly, while Bryan replied, “That’s an incredible superpower! Of course, feel free to explore our memories.”
He chuckled and playfully ruffled the boy’s head. “You’re quite enthusiastic, aren’t you? Your sister’s memories will suffice, as she was the only one conscious when the accident happened. By the way, how did you become so fluent in English?”
Bryan folded his arms proudly and smirked. “I attend school, and I love reading books. I owe it all to my sister’s sacrifices. She ensures that I receive a proper education.”
The Veilbreakers turned their attention to Marie, who appeared to be a bit shy. Grovan spoke up, his voice filled with warmth. “That’s truly admirable. It’s obvious that the two of you value and care for each other. You know what? You can stay here with us. Since I don’t have a family of my own yet, I would be honored to be your guardian. I will make sure to provide for all your needs.”
“Really?” Bryan’s eyes widened with excitement as he exchanged glances with Marie. He then returned his attention to Grovan. “That would be amazing! Our parents passed away a long time ago, and it would be wonderful to have someone like you as our father.”
“F-father? S-sure!”
“That’s good to hear,” Keiro interjected. “But are you sure about taking on this responsibility? Raising kids is not an easy task. If you’re unsure, I can always take them to the orphanage so they can meet Olesia.”
Grovan playfully rolled his eyes. “Oh please, you just want to snatch up all the amazing kids for them to call you Dad.”
Keiro chuckled. “All right, you caught me.” He then turned to Cresson. “It’s quite convenient that you’re here, Cres. Did you have a feeling that we would need your help?”
Letting out a heavy sigh, Cresson extended the bag of chips to the kids, who gratefully accepted, clearly surprised to find a familiar snack available in Ranace.
“You can thank Rin for this, Keiro. He interrupted my sleep, appearing in my bedroom around midnight, demanding tonics. Thankfully, Van wasn’t around, or she would have given him an earful.”
There were initially ten tonics stocked up at the hideout, but Rinporter insisted on needing two more, so they had to sneak into the Supreme Valoure Academy to get them.
“Since my peaceful night’s sleep was completely ruined, I decided to come here and wait for any news,” he added.
Everyone shared a laugh and then refocused their attention on the kids, who had finished enjoying the snack. After offering them some drinks, Keiro turned to Cresson and instructed him to read Marie’s memories.
As Cresson held Marie’s arms, a surge of memories flooded his mind. Three main memories stood out among the rest. First, he saw how Marie used her superpower to survive in life. She offered water to the squatter community in exchange for a small amount of money, a modest shelter, and leftover food. To support Bryan’s education, she would collect recyclable plastics and scrap metals during the day and sell sampaguita flowers at night.
The second memory was of how the siblings bonded. With Marie’s ability to create water, Bryan discovered his power to control and manipulate the water she conjured. Their superpowers seemed to be perfectly complementary, as Marie’s calm water could be transformed by Bryan into powerful streams that potentially could be used for offensive attacks.
The third memory was of their kidnapping and how Marie bravely fought back using her superpowers. She conjured a large bubble of water over the kidnappers’ heads, leaving them gasping for air. She repeatedly demanded that they pull over, but the men stubbornly refused, struggling until they could no longer endure it. Eventually, the driver intentionally crashed the vehicle into a tree. Despite the accident, Cresson concluded that the primary cause of death for the men was drowning.