What we see in our sleep is merely vision of the future
Zero found himself surrounded by darkness, standing on what felt like water. As he looked around, there was nothing but emptiness. He glanced down at the surface beneath his feet, only to see a reflection staring back at him.
But it wasn't his own.
The figure in the reflection had a face obscured by shadow, except for a devilish grin that sent chills down his spine. Zero stepped back, his heart pounding, but the image remained fixed, as if mocking him.
And then, he woke up.
Zero's eyes darted to the clock on the wall: 4:15 AM. The pale light of early morning hadn't yet broken through. He ran a hand through his hair, trying to shake the unease.
Zero: (muttering) What the hell is that dream? This is the second time now...
Zero couldn't go back to sleep after that.
Later that day, Zero sat in the backyard of their hideout—a house owned by an outer member of the Kaimi Daja. The sun shone in a cloudless sky, but his thoughts remained stormy. As he stared into the endless blue above, the dream crept back into his mind. He tried to dismiss it, but the discomfort lingered deep within him.
It wasn't long before Lorra, Desmond, and Jokita noticed his distant mood and decided to join him.
Lorra: (sitting beside him) What's wrong Zero?
Desmond: Yeah, you've been looking down all day, kid.
Jokita: It's not like you to mope. What's up?
Zero turned his head to face them, offering a faint smirk.
Zero: Oh, it's just you guys.
Lorra sat closer, while Desmond and Jokita stood nearby, waiting for his response.
Jokita: Seriously, what's eating you? You should be happy. Every plan you've come up with has brought us closer to our goals.
Desmond: Yeah, like planting an insider in the HFA to watch over the others in prison. That's genius! You care about us that much, huh?
Lorra: (smiling, holding Zero's hand) We've got your back, you know.
Zero let out a small laugh and shook his head.
Zero: I mean, yeah, I care. You guys are the only family I have left. Ever since I lost everything in 2003, I've wanted to make sure no one else suffers because of my decisions. Jokita knows what I'm talking about.
Lorra: That's right! You two have been friends since you were kids, haven't you?
Jokita: (nodding) Yeah, we go way back.
Desmond: HUH?! And I'm just now hearing about this?
Zero: Didn't seem important to bring up.
Jokita: Exactly.
Lorra's expression softened, and she asked the question that had been on her mind.
Lorra: Zero, what happened to your family back in 2003?
Desmond: Isn't it obvious? I mean—
Lorra: I know it is. I want HIM to tell us. Maybe talking about it will help. Maybe that's why he's looking down today. Talking about it might make him feel better.
Desmond fell silent, and Zero sighed.
Zero: It's fine. Talking about it won't hurt me now.
Jokita: If you're sure...
Zero: (takes a deep breath) It was a normal night. Mom had set the table for dinner, and we were all seated. Dad had just come home with gifts. It was my birthday, and I was the happiest kid alive. Then, out of nowhere, there was an explosion.
The others stayed quiet, letting him continue at his own pace.
Zero: I woke up to find my entire neighborhood destroyed. My family... they were gone, reduced to charred skeletons. I only survived because of Harmonic Restoration, which I had even at that young age.
He paused, his voice tightening with emotion.
Zero: I couldn't even cry. It all happened too fast. I just stood there, numb, trying to make sense of it. And then I saw them: Eldon Snyder, fighting someone who couldn't have been older than 19 or 20. They were far away, but I'll never forget that moment.
Zero shook his head, letting out a bitter laugh because his reason for wanting CHANGE just became clear to him once again.
Zero: That's when it all became clear. Why I want things to change.
Lorra: (gently) That's... awful.
Zero: Not as awful as what you went through, Lorra.
Lorra: We're talking about YOU right now. Don't deflect.
Zero: Sorry. Anyway, ever since then, I've longed for a family. I found that with you guys. I don't want anyone dying because of the decisions I make. Seeing Kato Hamura back then reminded me of my younger self. I can tell he cares about people, just like I do, though maybe not to the same extent. I truly care about all of you, and I'll do whatever it takes to protect this family.
The group fell into a thoughtful silence until Desmond finally sighed.
Desmond: Well, that's heavy.
Lorra: (squeezing Zero's hand) We're not going anywhere, Zero. You're stuck with us.
Jokita: You're not gonna lose any of us man. Exactly. We're with you until the end.
Desmond: Yeah, yeah, I get it. Is this the part where we all hug and share our feelings? Because I'm not cut out for that.
Lorra: (sternly) DESMOND!
Desmond: (shrugs) What?
The group burst into laughter, the tension easing. But Zero's expression grew serious again.
Zero: Thanks, guys. Really. But that's not what was bothering me earlier.
Jokita: It wasn't?
Zero: No. It's this dream I keep having. I'm surrounded by water, and someone else is in my reflection. It's the second time I've had it, and I have no idea what it means.
Desmond: Well dreams don't make sense most of the time so you're probably worrying over nothing.
Jokita: Or maybe it's a side effect of taking Joshua Egoshin's God Arm. What if Joshua is the one you're seeing?
Zero: That… could make sense. So if we'd managed to take Kato's God Eye, would I see him in the reflection too?
Jokita: Who knows?
Zero shrugged, but the thought lingered. Then Jokita's tone shifted.
Jokita: By the way, Zero, we're ready to move on to the next phase of the plan.
Zero: (eyes narrowing) You found him, didn't you?
Jokita: Yeah. The other holder of the Left God Eye—Nagi Sakamoto. He's in another town in State C.
Zero stood, his posture exuding determination. The others exchanged knowing looks, fully aware of what was coming.
Zero: Let's go. It's time to pay Nagi Sakamoto a visit.
Meanwhile, back at the Hashido estate, Kato sat on the steps leading to the training grounds outside his room, lost in thought. As he sat there, Ervin approached and sat beside him.
Kato: (noticing his presence) Mr. Ervin…
Ervin: (smiling) Yo! How are you holding up, Kato? I mean, with everything that's happened with your mother...
Kato: To be honest, I'm still not over it. Everything I thought was a dream is unfolding right before my eyes.
Ervin: I see….(pauses, remembering seeing Kato's father)
Kato: I realized that I haven't been fully committed to everything I've been telling myself since I was bitten by that shadow bug. But... (remembers his conversation with everyone) I've already talked to everyone, and they all promised to stand by me and help me. Even though I haven't fully forgiven myself, they've given me hope that I can start working on becoming someone I can forgive.
Ervin: Is that so? (smiling brightly) Well, I'm glad to hear you didn't let your mother's death hold you back. I was in your position once, feeling like everything was my fault and that I couldn't live with myself. But it was Mira's mother who became my light, my ray of hope. She helped me keep going. Unfortunately, she passed away a few years ago from brain cancer.
Kato: I'm sorry to hear that, Mr Ervin.
Ervin: (shrugs) But even then... I didn't let it pull me down. I pushed forward because I had people depending on me—people like our daughter. I had to stay strong for those looking up to me. (grins mischievously) And SO THAT MIRA CAN BOAST ABOUT HAVING A SUPER AWESOME DAD!
Kato: (mockingly, cartoonish face) AT LEAST ACT LIKE A CLAN HEAD!
Ervin: (pats Kato on the head) So, Kato, let's be strong for the people who look up to us. We can't afford to let our experiences hold us back.
Kato: (smiles)
Just then, Kato recalled his mother's last words to him before she passed away:
"You are stronger than you realize, Kato, and I know you will find your way."
Kato: (whispers to himself) Mother, it seems I might be able to keep that promise after all.
Ervin looked at Kato, glad to see him overcoming his challenges and still able to smile.
Ervin: (to himself) I'm glad he's okay. But... (suddenly recalling Kato's father) I guess there's no need to tell Kato about HIM for now. He said he'd do it himself. So, I won't tell him. But until then, I'll continue watching over you, Kato.
As Kato recovered from the pain of losing his mother, the Kaimi Daja made their next move, while the HFA began to experience a shift under new management.
The wheels of fate continued to turn.
End of Part 1: Prologue