Strike First, Stay Alive

Olivia's face lit up like a lantern. "Auntie Audrey!" she exclaimed, her voice laced with joy. Her heart did a cartwheel.

Audrey's laugh came through the phone, rich and warm. "Right, you got it. I was beginning to think you'd forgotten me, darling."

"Not a chance!" Olivia beamed. "I'm with a friend. We'll be there in less than an hour."

Audrey's tone softened, satisfied. "Perfect. The sooner the help, the lighter the load. See you then." The call ended abruptly—classic Audrey, firm in decisions.

Olivia turned to Shanazer, eyes glowing. "I suppose you heard that. We've got extra work before tomorrow. Let's swing by town?"

Shanazer nodded, already imagining stacks of merchandise, the scent of new fabric, boxes of inventory waiting to be sorted. Her feet tingled with anticipation, her heart buoyed by hope. What a turnaround. Just hours ago, they'd stood at the edge of something dark—and now, doors were flinging open like magic.

The walk from Sensation Blue Hotel to Audrey's Shopping Complex was a calm thirty-minute stroll, but Shanazer and Olivia didn't care about time. They were full of hope—ready to roll the dice one more time.

"Sure, I guess it wouldn't hurt to try our luck one more time!" Shanazer said, smiling wide as her boots tapped against the cracked pavement. Olivia matched her step, their laughter echoing softly in the fading afternoon light.

Above them, the skies shimmered golden, casting gentle warmth over the town. A light breeze floated through the air, brushing past their faces like invisible fingertips. The sun hung low, a dying flame turning the buildings amber as they walked.

Meanwhile, light-years away, on the burning-skied planet of Tomationy, chaos stirred like a storm beneath the surface.

Alexton, high commander of the Horizon Galaxy, paced inside his sanctuary. The walls glowed orange and blue from the twin moons that orbited their homeworld, but his thoughts burned hotter than the sky. With each heavy stomp, his boots dented the metallic walls.

"Rashaad," he growled into the glowing blue interface of his Telehologram, "I gave you one task. One."

The holographic screen flickered, stabilizing. Rashaad's face appeared, tense, pale, eyes twitching.

"I'm sorry, boss. Just give me a little—"

"I don't want your apology," Alexton snapped, fists clenched. "I need results. Tier-1 King Abongodolo is tightening the noose. I have until the week's end."

Alexton's veins bulged across his forehead like cords ready to snap.

"I can't come there. Not now. With Abongodolo's declaration of war against the Banguzen, we're buried in fire and betrayal. Do I have to do everything myself?"

Then, in a swift motion, Alexton slammed the red band on his wrist. The holographic screen blinked—then vanished.

The connection was severed.

Back in a warehouse on Miniosky Town, near Veena City, the tension was thick. The air reeked of dust, old metal, and blood. The dim lights hummed faintly, struggling to breathe life into the shadows.

Rashaad stood silently beside Pithos, a cruel grin stretching his face as he licked his silver blade like candy. Before them sat Cavendan—bound to a rusty chair, swollen beyond recognition, blood dripping down his chin. His breath was ragged, shallow.

"See? We've done our part," Pithos whispered coldly. "If Shanazer disappears… your body's mine. Piece by piece."

Cavendan coughed blood. He had once thought Fernandez, his late companion, was the peak of cruelty. But these men… they were monsters wearing human skin.

Rashaad's rage was boiling. He slapped Cavendan hard—the sound cracked through the space.

"You will lead us to Shanazer," he hissed.

In town, Shanazer and Olivia had reached AUDREY'S SHOPPING COMPLEX. The building looked innocent—glass doors, painted walls, the scent of fried food from a nearby vendor. But danger doesn't always announce itself.

Olivia pushed the door, and a soft chime rang out.

Inside, Auntie Audrey looked up immediately. She lit up with joy.

"Auntie Audrey!" Olivia chirped, rushing forward.

The hug was warm, tight, like two souls reunited. Shanazer watched quietly. A sadness flickered in her eyes—life hadn't gifted her this kind of affection. But she accepted what fate had laid in her hands.

"We missed you so much," Olivia said.

"I miss you more, sweetheart. Just buried in business lately," Audrey replied with a sigh.

"Oh! Auntie, this is my best friend Shanazer," Olivia said cheerfully.

Audrey stepped back and smiled. "Nice to meet you, Shanazer."

"The pleasure is mine, Auntie Audrey," Shanazer replied, giving a soft grin and a firm handshake.

Audrey led them to the storage area. Boxes lay open, filled with canned fish, powdered milk, biscuits, and snacks. The air danced with smells—sweet, salty, metallic. It was comforting. Familiar.

For twenty minutes, they worked quietly. Laughter broke out here and there. Time passed quickly.

Then the glass door slid open again. Three men walked in. Their footsteps were slow, almost too casual. But their eyes… cold. Calculating.

Shanazer's heart stopped.

Her vision blurred for a second, then sharpened. Her skin prickled. Her instincts screamed.

"GET ALERT. POSSIBLE THREAT. CHANCE OF DEFEATING OPPONENT: FIFTY PERCENT." The systematic voice rang in her head once more. 

Shanazer froze. So... this wasn't just a dream? Her heart raced. Thoughts spun in her head like a broken carousel. 

"USE YOUR FISTS AND LEGS TO AVOID DESTROYING THE GOODS."

The moment replayed in her mind—like a movie with the sound off, but feeling turned all the way up. She hadn't processed what had happened earlier. But if the system had already helped her once, maybe it could again.

I don't know much about martial arts, she thought nervously. Only the basics... defensive moves. Her hands trembled. She had never been in a real fight. Her body steamed with rising panic—like boiling water just below the surface.

Then, her mind drifted to that distant memory.

One cool Sunday morning, she and Anna—Tairen's niece—had stood barefoot in the dojo. Their instructor, Tairen Exon, towered before them, calm but intense. Posters of martial arts moves hung freshly on the walls like silent guardians. Shanazer had guessed he put them up just for their training.

"The first and most important lesson," Tairen had said, "is this—when you face danger, sometimes the safest thing... is to strike first."

Shanazer had frowned then. She'd read his scrolls. Isn't the number one rule to avoid conflict? Attack only when necessary. Defend fast, end it quickly, and walk away safe.

She'd raised her hand. Tairen had seen the question form even before she spoke. He just smiled like he'd expected it all along.

Suddenly, reality slammed back into her.

Three masked robbers stood in front of Auntie Audrey, guns gleaming in their sweaty hands. One pointed his pistol at her head. She screamed.

"Please don't kill me!" Audrey sobbed. Her hands flew up in surrender. Tears streaked down her cheeks as her knees threatened to buckle.

Shanazer and Olivia crouched behind towering shelves stacked with goods. The robbers hadn't seen them yet. But for how long?

The biggest man stepped forward, eyes wild and voice harsh.

"If you value your life, cooperate nicely," he barked. "And we'll leave without hurting anyone!" He raised his gun and fired once—straight into the ceiling.

BANG!

Dust rained down. Audrey shrieked. Shanazer flinched. Olivia gasped, squeezing Shanazer's arm so hard it hurt.

Audrey's voice cracked. "Ye-yes... sir," she stammered. Her throat tightened like someone was gripping it from inside. Every part of her shook.

Shanazer felt a surge rise inside her—fear, yes, but something else. Resolve.

The robbers weren't here to play. She had a decision to make.

Am I going to freeze... or fight?