I was halfway through my meal when the sharp slam of a hand hitting my table startled me.
My tray rattled, nearly tipping over, and I looked up to see three unfamiliar faces sneering down at me.
"Oops," one of them said, his tone dripping with mock apology. "Didn't mean to startle you."
"Yeah, sorry about that," another added, his smirk making it clear he wasn't sorry at all.
The third one just laughed, a low, cruel sound that echoed in the noisy cafeteria.
I stared at them, my face carefully blank, though my mind was already working.
So, here they are.
Took long enough.
Ever since I transmigrated here, I'd been waiting for this moment.
Soldiers like the old Sky, weak, a failure were always a magnet for bullies in stories like this.
And now they had finally shown up.
They are going to be essential for the plot twist.
They didn't wait for a response.
Still laughing, they walked away, their voices blending with the cafeteria's chatter.
I let out a slow breath, shaking my head.
Idiots.
After finishing my meal, I decided I needed some air.
The base's rules allowed soldiers to leave on weekends or if you have patrols, and the thought of stepping outside the sterile walls was appealing.
I stepped out into the bustling streets.
The city outside the base was just like the way I saw it before.
Hovercars zipped overhead, their soft hum blending with the chatter of street vendors selling everything from glowing fruits to metallic trinkets.
Neon signs flashed in vibrant colors, advertising restaurants and shops.
This was freedom.
I strolled down the street, letting my mind wander.
Thoughts of food dominated.
Should I grab something sweet when I get back to the base?
Maybe some fried snacks?
My stomach growled at the idea.
As I walked, a young woman caught my attention.
She was ahead of me, her long coat swaying with each step.
Suddenly, a blur shot past her, and she stumbled, shouting,
"Hey! Stop! Thief!"
I froze for a moment, my eyes locking on the figure sprinting away with her bag.
The thief moved with an unnatural speed, weaving effortlessly through the crowd.
The woman's voice was frantic, pleading for someone to help.
I hesitated.
It wasn't fear that held me back, it was practicality...
The thief's speed.
It was incredible, far beyond anything human.
Catching him seemed impossible.
But then I looked at the woman's face, her desperation, and I sighed.
"Guess this is part of the job now," I muttered to myself, breaking into a run.
The chase was immediately overwhelming.
The thief was fast, inhumanly so and his movements were almost a blur.
I dodged through the crowd, my breath already coming in quick bursts as I pushed myself to keep him in sight.
He darted into an alley, and I followed, my boots skidding on the slick pavement.
The narrow space gave me a slight advantage, as he couldn't maneuver as easily.
He glanced back, his face partially obscured by a hood.
My heart pounded as I tried to close the gap between us.
The thief suddenly leaped, his body twisting mid-air as he launched a gust of wind straight at me
An Awakened.
This damn thief is awakened.
The realization hit me like a punch to the gut, but I didn't stop.
I barely had time to react, diving to the side as the attack slammed into the wall where I had been seconds ago.
"Great," I muttered, pushing myself up. "Wind abilities. Just what I needed."
The thief didn't slow down, but now his attacks came more frequently.
Blasts of wind tore through the narrow alley, forcing me to dodge, roll, and scramble for cover.
My arms and legs screamed in protest, bruises forming where I'd failed to avoid debris.
By the time we reached an open plaza, I was running on fumes.
My breaths came in ragged gasps, and my legs felt like lead.
The thief, however, seemed as energetic as ever.
He turned briefly, a smirk visible beneath his hood, and sent another gust of wind my way.
This one clipped my shoulder, spinning me off balance.
I hit the ground hard, my palms scraping against the rough pavement.
Pain flared, but I gritted my teeth and forced myself up.
This isn't working, I thought, frustration boiling inside me.
The gap between us was growing, and I couldn't keep this up much longer.
My mind raced for a solution.
Come on, brain. work faster.
And then it hit me.
Slowly a grin spread across my face, despite the pain.
"Alright, let's see how you deal with this."
I summoned my last trump card...
Ori.
I didn't know how it can be of help, but there is no harm in trying.
A dark smoke swirled beside me, and there was it, my strange, mischievous wolf-like new companion.
Ori tilted his head, his bright blue eyes locking onto mine, as if asking, What?
"Him" I said,
Pointing at the thief, who had paused momentarily, staring at us in confusion.
"Let's have some fun."