The Departure
Subhadip stood at the edge of the parking lot, the cool evening breeze brushing against his face. The sun had long set, leaving the city bathed in a haze of neon lights and shadows. Behind him, the distant hum of traffic blended with the muffled chatter of pedestrians. He turned his gaze to Najiro, who leaned against his car, adjusting the cuffs of his jacket. There was something different about his usual smirk—something heavier, as if unspoken words pressed against his tongue.
Subhadip shifted uneasily. "Thanks, Najiro. For everything."
Najiro chuckled, though the sound lacked its usual mischief. "You should be saying that to Himiko. She's the one letting you stay."
Subhadip frowned, feeling the weight of the moment settle on his shoulders. "Still, you helped—"
Najiro waved a hand dismissively. "Don't get sentimental on me now." He leaned into his car, rummaging through the glove compartment. "Oh, I almost forgot. Here."
He pulled out a sleek, round glass device and pressed it into Subhadip's palm. It was cool to the touch, its smooth surface reflecting the dim glow of the streetlights.
Subhadip examined it, his brows furrowing. "What is this?"
Najiro's smirk returned, but there was an edge to it—something almost wary. "Covers your left eye. It's a nanobot—it'll turn into a weapon when needed."
A sharp pang of unease coursed through Subhadip. "Why are you giving me this?"
Najiro's gaze flickered, something unreadable passing through his eyes. He exhaled slowly, lighting a cigarette. "Because you're being hunted."
The words sent a chill down Subhadip's spine. "What? By who?"
Najiro sighed, taking a slow drag before flicking ash onto the pavement. "The aristocrats. They want you dead."
Subhadip's grip tightened around the device. He opened his mouth to ask more, but Najiro had already turned away, slipping into the driver's seat. The car engine roared to life.
Najiro glanced at him one last time. "Stay sharp. And don't die."
Then he was gone, tires screeching as he disappeared into the night.
As he drove, a faint, artificial chime echoed inside his head. A hidden neural connection activated—his Nanoligo link.
A deep, distorted voice spoke through the frequency. "Have you completed the task?"
Najiro exhaled another cloud of smoke, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the steering wheel. "Do you think I wouldn't have prepared anything?"
The line went dead. Najiro smirked. "Let's see how he handles this."
The Explosion
Subhadip walked back toward the shop, gripping the nanobot device. His mind replayed Najiro's words, his stomach twisting with unease.
Then—
BOOM!
A shockwave tore through the air, the force sending him flying backward. Heat seared his skin, and his ears rang with the deafening roar of the explosion. For a split second, he thought he was going to hit the ground hard—but instead, he found himself pinned beneath something warm and firm.
Himiko.
Her amber eyes locked onto his, burning with urgency. "You're slow."
The ground where he had been standing moments ago was now a smoldering crater, smoke and debris rising into the night sky. The acrid scent of burning metal filled the air.
Metallic footsteps echoed. The dust cleared, revealing the source of the attack. A sleek, humanoid AI robot stood in the wreckage, glowing red optics scanning its surroundings.
Then another appeared.
Then ten more.
The Battle Begins
Himiko pulled Subhadip to his feet, her grip firm. "You fight?"
"I—"
Before he could finish, the first AI bot lunged.
Himiko moved first. She flicked her wrist, summoning a dagger—elegant, glowing, pulsing with raw energy.
Subhadip stared. "A dagger? You're fighting them with a dagger?"
She smirked. "This isn't just a dagger. It's Kregon—a hidden traveler tool. The strongest weapon I have."
He barely had time to process her words before the first bot lunged. Himiko sidestepped effortlessly, her blade carving through its metallic body in a single, fluid motion. Sparks flew, circuits frying as the AI staggered back.
But the others didn't wait.
Three more attacked at once. Himiko danced between them, her movements precise and deadly. Her blade found its mark, slicing through their armor like paper.
But even she wasn't untouchable.
One bot caught her off guard.
A metal fist slammed into her ribs. She gasped, stumbling backward.
Subhadip's heart lurched. "Himiko!"
Before he could react, another AI bot charged at him. He barely dodged, rolling to the side. Pain shot through his skull—a migraine, sharp and blinding.
Najiro's words echoed in his mind.
The aristocrats want you dead.
The AI bot seized its chance. A blade extended from its arm, slicing toward his chest—
The Awakening
Then—
A deep, guttural roar erupted from within him.
His left eye ignited, the nanobot device fusing into his bloodstream. Power surged through his veins, raw and crackling.
Time slowed.
The blade coming for him seemed to crawl through the air.
And then—
He moved.
The nanobot device disassembled, morphing into twin katanas in his grip, their edges glowing with an eerie, violet radiance.
He didn't think. He just acted.
The first bot lost its head before it could react.
The second was sliced clean in half.
The third staggered back—but Subhadip wasn't done.
His body moved on instinct. His rage boiled over, blinding, uncontrollable. He wanted them gone.
One bot swung at Himiko. Subhadip teleported—or maybe just moved faster than light. His katana carved through its head before it could strike.
Then there was one bot left.
And it hesitated.
It scanned him. Then turned toward Himiko.
A cold, calculated choice.
Subhadip's vision darkened. His breathing became erratic. His mind was splitting apart, the sheer power surging beyond his control.
Then—blackness.
Subhadip's body ached with an unbearable weight, the pain coursing through him like fire. The world around him felt distant, blurred at the edges, but the warm glow of the shop's lanterns and the faint aroma of something cooking pulled him back from the void.
A soft voice cut through the haze.
"You're finally awake."
He turned his head, vision focusing on Himiko. She sat near a small stove, stirring a steaming pot, her sleeves rolled up, a rare look of concentration on her face. The usual smirk she wore was gone, replaced by quiet concern.
"How long was I out?" Subhadip asked, his voice hoarse.
Himiko glanced at him. "Long enough. You were barely breathing when I brought you back."
He tried to sit up but groaned as a sharp pain shot through his ribs. Himiko sighed and moved beside him, placing a warm hand on his forehead. A faint golden light seeped from her fingertips, spreading through his body, easing the pain. It felt like being submerged in gentle waves, the agony washing away bit by bit.
"That should keep you alive," she said, withdrawing her hand. "But you're still in bad shape. You need food."
He asked " One was left? "
Himiko looked at him and said "if you can kill those 9, why can't I kill one "
He said " thanks "
"If someone were to be thanked it would be you" said Himiko
He blushed for a moment but looked away at the window.
Himiko went to make him something to eat
Subhadip inhaled, catching the rich, savory scent of the stew she was making. His stomach growled in response. Himiko chuckled, a small but genuine sound.
"Hungry?"
He nodded weakly.
She ladled a portion into a bowl, setting it before him. "Eat. This will help."
He stared at the stew—thick, fragrant, filled with tender cuts of meat and vegetables. He picked up the spoon, hesitating for a moment before taking a bite. The warmth spread through his chest, soothing more than just his body.
"It's… really good," he admitted.
Himiko smirked. "Of course it is. You think I'd let you die eating bad food?"
He chuckled but winced at the pain. She watched him for a moment before speaking again.
"What did you want to be like?" she asked, her tone unusually soft.
Subhadip froze, the spoon hovering over his bowl. His gaze drifted downward, his expression darkening.
"I've… forgotten everything."
Himiko tilted her head. "Everything?"
He nodded slowly. "There's nothing left. Just… shadows in my mind."
She leaned forward, her amber eyes locked onto his. "That's sad. You don't remember anything at all?"
Subhadip let out a shaky breath. "Just one thing. My mother's face."
The words left his lips in a whisper, and for a moment, the weight of his own words crushed him. His hands clenched into fists. The image of his mother was the only thing left, but it felt like an echo, distant and fading.
Himiko didn't speak. Instead, she reached out, her fingers grazing his lips lightly, silencing him before the pain could consume him further.
"You can tell me everything later," she murmured. "Right now, you're on the verge of death."
Subhadip swallowed hard. There was something soothing in her presence, something grounding. He nodded, focusing on the warmth of the food and the comfort of the moment.
She picked up a fresh bowl and stirred more of the thick stew, the scent of herbs and spices filling the space. "You remind me of someone," she said suddenly, her voice almost wistful.
He blinked. "Who?"
She hesitated. "A warrior I once knew. He had the same eyes as you. The same… sadness."
Subhadip exhaled, his fingers tightening around the spoon. "I don't feel like a warrior. I feel like I'm falling apart."
Himiko sighed. "Then I'll make sure you don't."
The Bath
Some time passed as Subhadip finished his meal, his energy returning in slow waves. The warmth from Himiko's magic still lingered, but his body felt heavy, muscles aching from the battle.
Himiko stood up and stretched. "You still stink of blood and metal. Come on."
Subhadip frowned. "Where?"
She shot him an amused look. "The bath, idiot. You're in no shape to do it yourself. I'll help."
He blinked. "Wait, what—"
Before he could protest further, she grabbed his wrist and pulled him up. His legs wobbled, and she caught him before he collapsed.
"Yeah, that's what I thought," she muttered, slinging his arm over her shoulder. "Come on."
She led him to a small washroom at the back of the shop. The scent of fresh water and herbal steam filled the space. Himiko knelt by the wooden tub, rolling up her sleeves.
"Sit down."
Too tired to argue, Subhadip obeyed. She took a cloth, dipping it into the warm water before pressing it gently against his skin. He flinched at first but soon relaxed under her careful touch.
"I can do it—"
"Shut up," she said simply, dabbing at a wound on his shoulder. "You're still weak. Just sit still."
The warmth seeped into his muscles, washing away the grime and pain of battle. He closed his eyes, exhaling softly. There was something oddly peaceful about the moment, despite the awkwardness.
Himiko was quiet as she worked, her movements steady. The only sounds were the soft splashes of water and the distant hum of the city outside.
After a while, she spoke again. "You mentioned before… that you forgot things. Everything except your mother's face."
Subhadip hesitated. "Yeah."
She wrung out the cloth, her eyes flickering toward him. "Nothing else? No names? No places?"
He frowned, staring at the ripples in the water. "I've written names. But I don't remember who they are."
Himiko's hand paused. "Names? Where?"
"On my arm." He lifted his left arm weakly, showing faint, faded scars. "I don't know why, but… I wrote them down. Maybe I was afraid of forgetting them. But now… I don't even know who they belong to."
For a long moment, Himiko said nothing. Then, she reached out, tracing her fingers lightly over the scars.
"Then we'll figure it out together," she said. "One by one."
Something in his chest tightened. He looked up at her, trying to find the words, but none came. Instead, he just nodded.
She smirked. "You're lucky I like a good mystery."
The bath water rippled around them as she continued to clean his wounds, the weight of his forgotten past pressing between them. But for the first time in a long time, it didn't feel as heavy.
Outside, the city remained silent. But inside, something had begun to heal.
The room was quiet, except for the faint clink of metal against ceramic.
Subhadip sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at his plate—alu bhaja, daal shido, dim shido with rice—but his appetite was gone. He picked at it with his fingers, eyes hollow.
She said "I made it on your request, you better eat up and get strong "
Himiko took a bite, watching him. "You okay?"
His voice was low, almost distant. "My mom used to make this for me…" He exhaled sharply. "Feels like a lifetime ago."
Himiko tilted her head. "But you still remember it. That means it's still with you, right?"
He scoffed, shaking his head. "What's the point? Everything's gone. My life, my name… what even am I anymore?" His voice cracked at the end.
She set her plate down and moved closer. "You're still you, Subhadip."
He clenched his jaw. "I don't know who that is."
Himiko didn't reply immediately. Instead, she reached out and cupped his face gently. He tensed, but didn't pull away. Then, softly, she pressed a kiss on his forehead.
"You are the one who can change the multiverse's fate," she whispered.
His breath hitched. The weight of her words settled deep inside him. He swallowed hard, voice barely audible. "Thank you..."
Himiko smiled—a warm, knowing smile—before leaning in again, this time pressing her lips against his. It was gentle, lingering, filled with something unspoken.
When she pulled back, her lips barely inches from his, she whispered, "You're welcome."
For the first time in what felt like forever, Subhadip felt something other than emptiness.
He healed in just 4 hrs because of Himiko even though this burnout could've lasted for days.
She tells him put your hand's on the silomer which calculates power. And to his shock his power increased only by