Grey: Monsters

"Long time no see, Xeno."

It spoke to me in its language. I understood it perfectly, but that wasn't the real issue. Everyone in the room had turned to look at me, their stares strange and unsettling.

"This is the first time it's spoken," one of the scientists said, his eyes fixed on me. It had to be the man who interrogated me the day I arrived at Shibuya.

"Saiya and Ryuma, you both took your time," Captain Leonard said.

"Sorry, Captain, I got the call late," Saiya replied.

"And you? What took you so long?" he asked, directing his gaze at me.

"Captain, I completely forgot," I admitted. I had been so caught up with Saiya's deal that I forgot I was supposed to meet with the Captain today.

"Hmm… you guys, get over here. Doctor, brief them on what's going on."

We stepped closer, eyes drawn to the figure of the Nephilim in chains.

"Okay, Captain Leonard. What you're seeing here is a Grade C Nephilim we captured. A while ago, we developed a weapon that weakens them. This Nephilim was spotted outside the walls a week ago. We used that weapon to subdue it, which is how we were able to bring it in alive…"

A weapon that weakens a Nephilim? It had to be the same one Nagato used on me—no doubt.

"But you didn't bring it in here without a reason, right?" Saiya asked.

"Yes, we had a reason. Otherwise, we'd be jeopardizing everyone on this base." The man picked up a small, cube-shaped speaker. "We suspect Nephilims aren't just man-eating beasts. There might be more to them—a civilization, or even a race separate from humans—"

"Aliens?" Saiya interrupted.

"Yes, aliens with advanced technology. If they really are a separate race, then there might be a way to stop this bloodshed. The key would be communication. If we can understand them, speak to them, they might tell us what they want. And if we hold something valuable to them, maybe this all could end."

"What if they want our planet?" I asked.

"Yeah, what if they want Earth and our resources?" Saiya added.

"Pardon me, miss, but this isn't a movie," the scientist interjected.

"I think they're right, Doctor. What if they want the destruction of Earth and the human race?" Captain Leonard asked.

The man sighed. "Well… we can only find out through communication. Unfortunately, it hasn't spoken—until you two arrived."

He pressed a button on the speaker, and it repeated the Nephilim's words.

"Maybe it's because you treated it badly," I blurted out.

Everyone turned to stare at me, confused.

"I mean, you attacked it and captured it. Maybe that's why it doesn't want to talk."

"You might be right, Mr. Ryuma, but what I don't understand is why it spoke when you entered. We've been trying for weeks, and it hadn't said a word. That's… troubling."

I should've kept my mouth shut—

Suddenly, the Nephilim pulled against its chains, its eyes locking onto mine.

"You can run, Xeno, but you can't hide. My master will find you."

It exploded, showering the room with chunks of flesh and dark blue blood. Silence fell, and fear gripped me.

I lay in bed, staring at the white ceiling. My mind was elsewhere, swirling with thoughts. My suspicions had been right—Nephilims were another race, a separate civilization. But even if we managed to talk with them, would it end the killings? Why did they come to Earth? Why attack humans out of nowhere?

"B…?"

"Bro?"

"That guy… he called me—no, you—Xeno. What's that about?"

"You're right. He was talking to me. I wanted to tell you this earlier, but I couldn't."

"What is it? Do you know him?"

"I do. I remembered everything the moment I saw him. His name is Wolot. He's powerful, and he has the ability to modify cells."

"He's strong? Oh, if he's anything like that slimy guy, I want to fight him."

"He's strong, Ryuma. You shouldn't underestimate him. The one you saw in the lab was just a clone. And from the looks of things, he's here for a purpose. I'm not sure if he's achieved it yet."

"You sure know a lot. Mind if I tap into some of your memories?"

"I'd advise against that."

"Why? Are you hiding something from me?"

"Yes."

He didn't even lie about it.

"You've got guts."

"Even though I haven't recovered all my memories, if you access what little I do have, you'll never be the same."

"What!?"

My curiosity only deepened. I wanted to know more about the Nephilims—but that reminded me.

"B… I've been meaning to ask. If your kind doesn't go by the name Nephilims, then what are you?"

"As far as I know, we go by different names. I belong to the unit called KIs. That's all I remember."

"KIs!?"

"What is it?"

"That guy mentioned something about them. Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

"You didn't ask."

"What the hell, B?!"

So that slimy guy was right. B is a KI. But if B is a KI, then what was that slimy guy?

My phone buzzed. I reached for it—a message from the Ranger force. It was a mission… to Hokkaido.

It's been a month since they announced the death of a captain in Hokkaido. Sources say he died in battle—a serious loss. Talks of replacing him haven't started yet due to the situation there. The base has become a Nephilim nest. Civilians have taken refuge in underground bunkers, hiding from the creatures. It feels like we're going back to the days before the walls were built. Food, water, and essentials have run out. That's what led to today's mission.

The quest to retake the Hokkaido Base.

We no longer use Rovers. Now, we're traveling in military choppers—time is critical. It's not just our squad; other Ranger units are involved too.

This might be the worst-case scenario: an all-out war against the Nephilims, while their true identity and motives remain a mystery.