Chapter 14: Time to go home, Mom

No one on Earth could determine Zero's true strength because he could not use neons, so it was almost impossible to find him.

Physical strength, based on the analysis of shock waves and the sounds they made, made no sense in the forest, where there were constant clashes with mutants.

Zero and his mother sat in a cave that served as their temporary home during their stay in the forest. Here they could hide from the weather, rest, and find all the things they needed to live.

- They don't know yet, Zero thought. He reflected that people on this planet had just begun to study neons.

They didn't know that cosmic neons are much stronger, because they accumulate over hundreds or even thousands of years. When they reach the planet FX12, their influence will change everything: mutants and humans will be able to gain much more powerful abilities.

For Zero, this was a good opportunity for training. He analyzed all the factors and knew which parts of the forest would be most affected by the neons. The places with the highest neon concentration were home to the strongest mutants, who could be a challenge even for him. Zero had long since predicted this neon storm, sensing it through his keen senses of other auras. 

However, Zero had more than just his training in mind. He also wanted to help the homeless, realizing that the mutants would become much stronger and more dangerous, and these people would be at risk. Zero was ready to help them as much as he could, because he knew what it was like to live outside the city. He still remembered living in an unnamed camp where survival was a daily challenge.

Zero looked back at his mother, who was sleeping peacefully.

- This doesn't make sense, he thought. - She had already learned how to use neons, she could easily become a B-rank phantom in the city. She could have returned to the city and lived peacefully, with a high rating. But for some reason she stays with me, taking care of me, her son...

These thoughts filled his heart with warmth. This feeling was unusual but pleasant to him-a mother's love that he had never experienced before, even as an absolute being.

When Alina woke up, she saw that Zero was no longer asleep, as he often was. He was sitting and watching the sunrise. She went to him, sat down next to him and hugged him. Her son, who was almost six years old, was not only physically strong, but also wise. She smiled as she imagined what a ruckus Zero would make when he revealed his true power to the world.

- Mom, don't you want to go back to the city ? - he suddenly asked, not taking his eyes off the sun.

Alina was surprised. Usually Zero knew the answers to all her questions and rarely asked her anything. She listened to him more often, even learning neon control techniques from him, even though he couldn't use them yet. But now he was asking.

- Is it necessary ? - she smiled.

- Yes, but it doesn't have to be, - he answered calmly. - I just want you to be safe.

- You're going to your training, aren't you ? - Alina was upset. She realized that when Zero talked about her safety, it meant that he would not be around for a while.

- Tell me, should I be worried ? - Alina looked at him seriously.

- Everything will be fine. I'll be back soon,- he answered, looking at her with his gray eyes.

- Then I don't mind, - Alina sighed. She had been thinking about returning to the city for a long time, but watching Zero's progress, she hadn't even dared to bring it up before.

- How long will you be gone for ?

- A month. But first we'll settle in the city.

- And the deposit ? - she asked. After a long stay outside the city, it was necessary to make a contribution to become a resident again.

- We have enough of it, - Zero nodded to the side where the mutant cores, very strong mutants, were lying.

Alina breathed out a sigh of relief. He had calculated everything long ago. As always, he had everything under control.

- Then we're leaving tomorrow, we're resting today.

They woke up early, had breakfast, washed their faces and packed everything they needed, and taking the mutant cores, they set off. Previously, this journey would have taken weeks, but now their physical strength allowed them to reach the city in a few days. They moved quickly, passing animals. Zero was pleased to see how his mother could sense the auras of the creatures around her and easily avoid them, making a minimum of movement to do so.

Somewhere in the distance they heard a whistle, it was the whistle of cars that sometimes flew near the forest. They were researchers studying the outskirts of the forest.

- It looks like we'll get to the city even faster than we planned. - Alina smiled, emotions overwhelming her.

There are five days left before the neon storm...