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Hi guys, Grinita here! This is a side story written by me, following a different alternate path from the original story. Please share your thoughts in the comments and reviews. And if you like it, don't forget to drop some stones — they're a great motivator for me!
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One day, after the daily battle with Kain, Enel decided to explore the city alone. He left his room and walked through the long corridor. Then he found himself in a place he had never seen before.
A wide square. Stone benches. Fountains of blue light. Blue plants swaying in the air. In the corner, low seating areas where people sat, talked, and drank from small cups.
"A café," said Miria's voice behind him.
She showed him the city. A small market where people exchanged goods without money. Everyone wore blue or white robes. Their faces were calm.
They reached an open area with a transparent dome. Through it, stars shone clearly like Enel had never seen.
"The dome protects us from meteors and radiation," Miria said.
Enel stood under the dome, looking up at the stars. "Beautiful."
"Yes. But it also reminds us how small we are."
Children's voices came from nearby. They sat in a circle, talking excitedly.
"I want to be like Kain!" said a white-haired boy named Lin. "The strongest in the city!"
"I want to be like Selene," said a small girl named Tia. "The greatest warrior in history."
One of the children noticed Enel. "Look! It's the man Kain defeated!"
They laughed. The white-haired boy challenged Enel. Enel raised his hand and formed a small spark. The children's eyes widened.
"But he still loses to Kain," Lin said quickly.
"Kain defeats everyone," Enel said quietly. "That is no shame."
"You have changed," Miria said.
"Perhaps."
As they walked back, Miria pointed to a narrow corridor with dark metal walls.
"This leads to unreachable parts," she said.
"Why?"
"Because they are dangerous. Our ancestors sealed them centuries ago."
"So no one knows what is there?"
Miria paused. "Kain and Selene know. They are the only ones who were there before it was sealed."
"What is there?"
"I cannot tell you. Because they tell no one."
Enel looked at the dark corridor. Felt something cold. Heavy. As if something was looking back.
Suddenly, an alarm sounded from everywhere.
Alert. A space object approaching. Trajectory heading toward the city.
Miria ran. Enel followed. They reached a large square crowded with people looking at the sky.
Enel saw the meteor. Small at first. Growing quickly. Then a bright blue beam shot from one of the towers and struck it. The meteor exploded silently.
Object destroyed. Systems returning to normal.
"Does this happen often?" Enel asked.
"Now and then. The system protects us. But it needs maintenance. Someone who understands it."
"Kain?"
"Kain designed most of it. But he is alone."
Enel looked at the tower. "Can we go there?"
Miria looked at him. "To the tower?"
"Yes. Just curiosity."
"We can. But there is nothing exciting there. Just machines and workers."
"That does not matter."
On the way, they passed the analysis facility. A man named Darn stopped them.
"The meteor you saw," he said. "Our systems track it. They will analyze it. We will know what it is in a few days."
"No quick analysis?"
"Accurate analysis takes time. We do not rush. A mistake could cost our lives."
Then he walked away.
Enel stood thinking. An ordinary meteor. A system destroying it. Unreachable parts of the city. Secrets beneath the surface. Kain and Selene knew. Others did not.
"This place," he said. "There are things you are not telling me."
Miria looked at him. "There are things we do not know either. And Kain and Selene... do not speak."
They walked toward the tower. And in Enel's mind, a question grew: What were they hiding in that dark region? And what would he do when he found out?