Bake-Danuki

Episode 1: Metro Tokyo

(Does it hurt...?)

(I feel... like it's burning me from the inside...)

(You were too reckless with your power...)

(I... I couldn't save you...)

(It's time to wake up...)

(I don't want to... I want to stay here with you...)

(Wake up...)

(No... don't leave me!!)

—KARAZU!!

When Tanuki opened his eyes, he found himself in an unfamiliar place. The walls were a bit worn, the space looked old and battered. But what caught his attention most were the people staring at him, sitting at a small table while drinking something and playing cards.

—Well, finally awake, kid —said an older man, making a small cheerful gesture.

—Where am I? Who are you?

—Calm down, kid, don't freak out.

—They brought you here. They're Sakura, Kaito, and Kenji. I'm Akira.

—Hi! I'm glad you're okay! —Sakura was a friendly girl with a ponytail and pretty brown eyes.

—Honestly, I almost didn't get you into the vehicle —Kaito was strong and handsome, his short hair swept to one side.

—Can you tell us what you are? —Kenji was shorter but looked strong too. His short hair combed back gave him a "bad boy" look.

—Nice to meet you. I'm Tanuki, and I'm... a Telum —he paused, as if expecting a negative reaction.

—A what? What's that? —asked Sakura with a visibly confused face.

—A... Telum. Humans created us... don't you create Telum here?

—Good heavens! Of course not! We didn't even know beings like you existed out there! —exclaimed Akira in shock.

—Where am I?! —Tanuki asked again, now a bit scared.

—This place? This is Metro Tokyo! Welcome!

It was nothing more than a small room with dim light, old posters, the smell of oil, and wires hanging from the ceiling. But in Akira's eyes, he said it proudly.

—Now kid... tell us everything you know about what's going on out there.

Tanuki began to explain the little he remembered from history lessons. Six hundred years ago, a red mist began to descend upon the earth, turning everyone who inhaled it into a monster. The countries that had time to prepare built self-sustaining underground stations while they searched for a solution. The Telum project began as an idea shared among all the bases of the world, until communications were lost more than 400 years ago.

The Amaterasu Station successfully created its first Telums around 200 years ago. The project's idea was to create superior human-monster hybrids capable of breathing on the surface. Since the combination wasn't naturally compatible, they used different kinds of stored animal genetics to create a "Mother DNA," and from there, create the Telum.

—I don't know what else I can tell you, it's not like I have a lot of information.

—So... you're half-monster? —Kenji asked, eyes sparkling.

—Something like that... to keep it simple.

—Woah!! That's awesome!

Tanuki found the reaction quite strange. The only humans he had ever dealt with were officers, doctors, or directors. He didn't know what regular people thought about the Telum.

—Hey, why were you lying on the ground half-dead? —asked Sakura, leaning in way too close to Tanuki's face to look at him.

—That's right! We heard a huge explosion and went to check it out, but when we got there, we only found you—and dozens of dead monsters! —Kenji jumped out of his chair, full of excitement.

—I... don't want to talk about that right now... sorry.

—Alright guys, enough questions. Let's give our guest a break. —Akira noticed the tension and tried to give Tanuki some space.

—When you feel better, you can get dressed and come find me.

—Just like that? You're not going to lock me up or anything?

—Haha, just like that... come out when you're ready, kid.

Tanuki didn't know if they were too trusting, too kind, or just plain idiots. They were in front of a living weapon they'd never seen before, and yet they let him wander freely through the station. Although Tanuki was never fond of strict protocols or security, these people were far more relaxed than he was.

He picked up the clothes they'd left for him—a snug but comfortable pair of black pants, a long-sleeved shirt that had once been white, and a short-sleeved jacket that was a bit oversized. The clothes were worn and old, but he wasn't picky enough to complain.

He approached the room's mirror to see how he looked, but his attention was caught by the black markings spreading from his left eye, crawling down under his shirt and around his neck like vines creeping up his body. He looked at his hands, and the blackness that had once only stained his fingernails had now reached his knuckles.

(Hmm... this doesn't look good...)

Without overthinking it, he left the small room and found himself in a living, breathing world full of people coming and going. Some carried monster parts in carts, others maintained jeeps. Children were playing, and people offered food in small stalls.

Tanuki wandered around, carefully studying the place. The upper levels had been reinforced with sealing plates and containment barriers. The wide hallways that once held escalators were now used as vertical farming corridors, with vegetables growing among rusted structures illuminated by flickering fluorescent tubes.

In the empty platforms, the old train tracks had been converted into paths for improvised electric vehicles, and the abandoned train cars were used as homes or storage units.

Moisture was constant. The walls wept ancient water that oozed from the city's bowels. Corrosion clung to the corners, covering vents, hatches, and old structures in rust. Despite it all, the base was still running—flickering like an old heart refusing to stop beating.

The livable zones were marked with recycled light signs and analog monitors that still worked, either by miracle or desperate engineering. Though time had tried to devour it, Metro Tokyo was an unlikely sanctuary: rough, quiet... but alive.

—Hey! There you are, I didn't see you come out! —shouted Sakura, running over to Tanuki.

—Hey, I was just checking the place out. —Tanuki replied calmly, hands in his pockets.

—Pretty cool, right? Wait till you see it during the festivals!

—Festivals?

—Yeah! The Harvest Festival is in a few weeks! Everything will be decorated with pretty lanterns and flags!

—There'll be games for the kids and a huge feast!

—Can't wait to see it. —said Tanuki with a soft smile in his eyes.

As he spoke those words, he saw black moths fluttering behind Sakura. His gaze drifted off for a moment, following the strange creatures.

—What is it? What are you looking at? —asked Sakura, turning around.

—What are those insects?

—Insects? I don't see anything...

—Ah... no... forget it. Just my imagination.

While Sakura kept talking, full of boundless energy, Tanuki gave a faint smile. The place was beautiful and homely, but it all still felt foreign to him. Sakura pulled him around by the arm to greet everyone and introduce him. Curious children came running, bombarding the newly arrived Telum with questions.

—Wow! You look like a yokai with a tail! What's your name?

—Can you breathe fire?

—Are those black marks tattoos?

—If I rub your belly, will it bring me good luck?

Sakura noticed Tanuki's uncomfortable, forced smile and quickly pulled him away before the questioning went too far. Tanuki silently appreciated the gesture. Though not exactly an introvert, he wasn't in the best mental state.

Before he realized it, he was already in Akira's modest home—which was actually just a train car. Living with him were Sakura, Kaito, Kenji, and Akira's wife, a kind woman named Kiyomi. She was preparing dinner in a pot.

Tanuki watched as she tossed in mushrooms, some canned goods from a jar, what looked like paste, more mushrooms, dried monster meat that he recognized by its smell, and finally—even more mushrooms.

—You guys really love mushrooms... —Tanuki commented in surprise.

—Haha! Not really, but they're easy to grow and a good source of protein. —said Kiyomi, smiling cheerfully.

—I see... Do you hunt monsters and then treat their meat somehow? Sorry for the questions, I'm just curious.

—That's right, kid. Monster meat is tough and bitter, but there are species with softer flesh and a nice salty flavor.

—Wow... I've always eaten them raw...

Everyone turned to look at Tanuki, creating a moment of utter silence. Their faces showed a mix of disgust and amazement.

—Ha... good heavens! No human could do that without at least getting indigestion. —Akira wiped sweat from his forehead.

—I wouldn't be so sure... Koi and Leviathan-type monsters are actually quite tasty.

—Koi? Leviathan? What are you talking about? —asked Kenji, curious but frustrated he didn't understand.

—Oh, sorry. That's how we classified them in Amaterasu. They live in water, a bit tricky to catch, but pretty tasty raw.

—Are you serious? Could you take us to where you found them? —Kaito clearly looked interested in trying this new kind of food.

—Hold on, guys. They might be poisonous for humans.

—Hmm… I don't think so. I'm pretty resistant to toxins, but I know how to identify them. As a general rule, monsters in the insectoid or humanoid groups are toxic.

—But the bird, mammal, and fish types usually aren't... of course, there are exceptions, but I can spot them on sight.

Tanuki's knowledge of monster types left the others in awe. Suddenly, a world of new possibilities opened up before them. If they could make use of his knowledge, they might be able to improve life for the people of Metro Tokyo.

That night, after a surprisingly tasty mushroom dinner—which was undeniably better than the protein mush served at Amaterasu—Tanuki reflected on what he had seen. These humans worked together as a community. He wondered how they had managed for so long with such limited technology.

Without thinking much more about it, he simply closed his eyes and tried to rest. But every time he closed them, he saw Karazu's face in his arms. Tanuki covered his face with his arm. He had seen many comrades die before... but never someone he had spent so much time with. No one whose loss had left such a pain in his chest.

(Do you like this place?)

(I'm not sure...)

(Are you going to stay here...?)

(I don't know...)

(Will you forget me...?)

(I could never do that...)

(Then wake up...)

(I want to stay with you...)

(Wake up...)

(No... Don't leave again!)

—Hey! Wake up!

—Karazu!!

When Tanuki finally opened his eyes, he saw Sakura's surprised face in front of him. Tanuki looked clearly shaken, covered in cold sweat and with a few tears that had slipped out while he slept.

—That's the second time you've woken up saying that name... who is she?

—She was... my best friend...

—Oh... I see... I'm sorry. —Sakura looked apologetic; she didn't want to upset Tanuki.

—Don't worry. What's up?

—I just came to wake you for breakfast, but take your time.

Breakfast was a cup of tea accompanied by a piece of flat bread with a dab of something sweet Tanuki couldn't quite identify. Though simple and plain, it was still tastier than the food at Amaterasu, which made him enjoy it even more.

Tanuki's joyful expression as he slowly savored the food made Mrs. Kiyomi very happy, and even though food was scarce, she always gave him a little more just to see him smile.

—Hey! Last night you mentioned tasty monsters! Do you know where we can find them? —Kenji asked with sparkling eyes and a bit of drool at the corner of his mouth.

—Sure, if you have a map, I can mark it.

—Hey Akira! Got a map?

—I think we've got some in the control room. Once we finish breakfast, we'll go check.

When they finally had the maps in hand, Tanuki started examining both the surface maps of Japan and the Metro Tokyo schematics, finding a possible direct route to the location.

—Mr. Akira, do these paths still exist?

—Yes, of course. But they're sealed off for safety.

—I see... If everything here is correct, there should be three control gates.

—The one from Metro Tokyo that connects to an intermediate chamber, and then the one at the station exit. Are they all functional?

—Yes, but we don't use them. They just lead to destroyed or flooded chambers.

—Perfect. If I'm right, we should be able to fish here. —Tanuki rolled up the map with a big smile, proud of his discovery.

Tanuki, Sakura, Kaito, and Kenji headed to the base's storage to gather useful items: harpoons, ropes, nets, and some weapons just in case. With the equipment in hand, they moved to the hatch that connected to the tunnel. The humans put on their masks and watched as the massive door creaked open with a heavy metallic groan, like it hadn't moved in ages.

They manually sealed the door behind them from the intermediate chamber before opening the next one. Under no circumstances could the mist be allowed to leak in—or the lives of everyone in Metro Tokyo would be at risk.

Once they made it through all the doors, they found themselves in a massive concrete tunnel. Light drops of moisture dripped to the ground, echoing through the space. Tanuki pulled out a flashlight to light the overwhelmingly dark path for the humans with him.

—Ugh, this place gives me the creeps. There aren't monsters down here, right? —asked Sakura, nervously looking around.

—It's possible, but I don't think they're very dangerous. —Tanuki replied calmly.

—And what makes you say that?! Do you have some kind of monster sensor or something? —Kenji asked, trying to hide his fear.

—There's barely any presence of the mist down here, probably because we're far from its surface connection.

They continued walking in zigzags through an old service line sealed off decades ago. The air was humid and heavy, and the smell of rust—an unmistakable sign of the mist—grew stronger, though only Tanuki could sense it. After nearly an hour, they reached a partially open hatch. The floor sloped down into a wet, slippery ramp. Beyond it, a thick silence greeted them.

—Well... I think we're here. —Tanuki said calmly.

Before them, the tunnel opened into a massive chamber, partially flooded. The black water reflected their lights like a dead mirror. Old concrete columns rose from the water like the remains of a sunken temple.

—You've got to be kidding me... THERE ARE NO EDIBLE MONSTERS HERE! —Kenji shouted, clearly frustrated.

—Koi monsters belong to the fish group, which means they live underwater.

—So... you plan to go in there? —Kaito asked, puzzled.

—Ha! No way. Never fight a fish monster in water!

Tanuki began pulling out bags of unprocessed, stinking monster meat. He skewered large chunks the size of an arm with a metal hook tied to a chain and tossed them into the water.

—Let's hope we're lucky and the smell of this filth draws them out...

Tanuki threw the huge piece of meat and planted his feet firmly, gripping the chain tightly. Minutes passed, and then—suddenly—everyone jumped as a powerful tug almost dragged Tanuki into the dark water.

—Yes!! Got a bite!! Come on, bastard! —Tanuki struggled against the enormous, unseen monster.

—Wooo!! You got this, Tanuki!

—Don't let some damn monster win! Kick its ass!

—Yeah!! We're eating big tonight!!

His companions cheered while Tanuki gave it his all, trying to pull the creature out of the water. He didn't want to use his powers unless absolutely necessary. The corrosion in his body was already advanced, so all he had left was his raw, original strength.

—Step back! We still don't know what the hell I caught!

Sakura, Kaito, and Kenji stepped back while keeping their flashlights aimed. With one final tug, Tanuki pulled the creature out of the water.

It was a massive monster—clearly a fish, but a grotesquely fat one, covered in enormous spines running down its back. Its massive jaws could easily swallow a human whole, and its fins were sharp and bladed. This was a creature designed to ram, slash, and devour.

—Now! Stab the harpoons into its head! —Tanuki yelled as he climbed on top of the monster to pin it down.

The strikes were successful. After the monster's body twisted and thrashed for a few moments, they began tying it with ropes to drag their amazing catch home. Kaito and Kenji pulled with all their strength, slipping on the damp concrete, while Tanuki rested, having done the heavy lifting. Trails of slime and blood mixed with the stagnant water, forming a small red stream behind them.

—Holy hell, this thing is huge! You sure it tastes good? —Kenji asked, thrilled.

—Of course it does... well... at least it tastes good to me...

Tanuki's last comment deflated the mood a bit. He had already said he ate raw monsters and really enjoyed Mrs. Kiyomi's flavorless meals. So... their standards might not match his.

Episode 2: Home

The enormous koi fish was being filleted by two of the station's cooks, while Mrs. Kiyomi supervised with a mixture of excitement and distrust. The children of the place peeked from the low rooftops to get a look at the grotesque creature hanging from a makeshift rail.

—Waaah! What an ugly monster!—I wanna try it!—How are we gonna cook it?!

The children watched in horror and fascination as the strange spectacle unfolded. The adults decided to roast it and take the first bites themselves to make sure it was safe for the kids.

—Wow! This tastes amazing!—The boy with the tail was right! It's a delicacy!

The entire population of the station began gathering in the main hall, roasting portions of the great koi on an improvised grill. The aroma of the feast flooded the whole place, and the cheerful faces of the people brought a faint warmth to Tanuki's chest.

It didn't take long before the event turned into a celebration. All of a sudden, the tables filled with fermented drinks, laughter, and toasts. Kaito and Kenji proudly recounted how they had helped capture the monster and debated different ways to catch more in the future.

Tanuki simply watched in silence from a corner. He liked seeing so many happy people, even if he wasn't in the mood to join them as he might have in the past.

(Are you happy...?) —Tanuki quickly turned his head at the whisper behind him. But there was no one—just the cold wall.

—Are you okay? —Sakura approached calmly and sat beside him.

—Yeah. You? Are you having fun?

—Of course! It's the first time we eat something this delicious! And everyone's in high spirits.—You know... if you ever need someone to talk to... I wouldn't mind listening. —Sakura gave him a warm smile, the kind that silently said "Everything's going to be alright."

Tanuki smiled back and turned his gaze to the children playing with a ball. The adults scolded them while the kids screamed and kept on playing, laughing all the way.

—You know, Sakura...—Being here made me wonder... what does it feel like to have a family...?

—I'm not sure... If you mean parents, mine died searching for fuel. But... I think I've found another kind of family here.

—I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bring up something painful.

—Don't worry about it! But you know what? My family is everyone here—old folks, kids, co-workers.—It's not just about who brought you into the world, but about those who give you a home.

—And what do I do if the person who made any place feel like home... is gone?

Sakura noticed Tanuki's eyes welling up a little. It was clear that the wound was still too fresh to heal.

—I don't know for sure... but I think there's more than one answer to that.—You could stay here, too... It's humble, but it might become your home...

The hours went by and the lights gradually dimmed. Tanuki remained seated in the darkness, wondering what he should do now. He had never had to ask himself those kinds of questions before. His whole life had been about following orders—and now, so much freedom felt overwhelming.

—What's troubling you, kid? —Mr. Akira, still awake, walked over with two cups of tea.

—Thanks, sir... It's nothing really. Just wondering what I should do next...

—Don't overthink it, son. What were you doing before we found you?

—I explored the surface. I made maps, logged safe paths, searched for human survivors...

As he said this, Tanuki realized he had actually found what they had been desperately looking for in Amaterasu since he could remember. He also recalled that, during a mission with Mogura, they had managed to pick up a faint signal for a few moments.

—Mr. Akira, do you have radio equipment here?

—Sure, but it doesn't pick up anything down here. We tried taking it up to the surface, but even then, it didn't work—so we gave up.

—I see...

(So it wasn't them we contacted back then...)

—Would you like me to return to Amaterasu and inform them about your station? Maybe they could welcome you?

—Haha! I appreciate the offer, but we like our peace and quiet.—We're not interested in being bossed around by some twisted corporation that manufactures humans like tools.

—Well... I'm not really human...

—To me, you're just a weird kid with a tail—and I bet that's how the rest of the metro sees you too.

Tanuki felt at ease talking with Akira. They chatted for a few hours before the kind old man sent him off to bed. It hadn't been a bad day at all. Their way of life was humble, but not unpleasant. They supported each other, and the atmosphere was warm.

That night, Tanuki went to sleep with a full belly and a quiet heart. For the first time in a long while, he almost allowed himself to believe... that maybe the world wasn't as cruel as he remembered.

Days went by without major incidents. Tanuki, Sakura, Kenji, and Kaito could often be found in the vehicle bay, working with a few mechanics to inspect and maintain the jeeps, ensuring they wouldn't break down on the surface.

Sakura and Kenji started painting the sides of the jeep they always used. Kenji went with skulls and flames, while Sakura drew cute, angry bunnies wielding guns.

—Do you really think those bunnies look threatening? The monsters are gonna laugh when they see that damn jeep!

—Of course they're threatening! Can't you see the machine guns and grenades?

—And what's with the skulls? You trying to predict our death or something?

—Ahh! Women don't get it! Fire is a symbol of power!!

Their laughter and banter suddenly gave way to silence. A loud crash echoed above them, making dust fall from the ceiling.

—What was that? —Sakura asked, clearly scared.

—A giant monster walking, maybe? —Kaito looked up, visibly uneasy.

—Let's hope that's all it is... —Kenji swallowed hard. That sound wasn't normal.

Suddenly, a gigantic black stake pierced the ceiling above their heads, tearing open a massive hole through which the toxic mist began to seep.

Alarms blared. The lights turned red. The emergency sealing protocol kicked in.

—RUN! GET OUT OF HERE NOW!! —Tanuki yelled in desperation.

But the doors locked down fast, trapping the five humans and Tanuki inside the vehicle bay. Panic overtook the room. Tanuki felt like his head was submerged in water—he couldn't hear clearly, couldn't think straight. He wanted to save them, but how? There were no masks within reach.

He could try to smash open the heavy door that had sealed them in, but doing so would only allow the mist to spread deeper into Metro Tokyo. Tanuki looked up at the hole in the ceiling. Someone was standing there, staring down at him.

Their hair and eyes were jet black, their irises shining with an intense silver light. They wore a long white coat over a black shirt. They had large ears and a fluffy tail—like a fox or perhaps a rabbit. The figure reached out a hand toward Tanuki, their gaze filled with eerie mercy.

—What are you waiting for? Climb up...His voice was both soft and deep.

Tanuki looked back at his friends. They were beginning to succumb to the mist, clutching their faces and torsos, screaming in agony. He didn't know what to do—he was frozen in place.

—R-run... save yourself...Sakura grabbed Tanuki's hand with the last of her strength.

—Sakura… no... I can't help you!—I'm sorry! I can't do anything for you!!Tears streamed down Tanuki's horrified face.

—It's not your fault... now... save yourself...

(You couldn't do anything...)(Not again...)

Tanuki felt cold arms wrap around his neck—like someone embracing him from behind with compassion. Like wings folding around his body, clouding his vision. Before he realized it, Tanuki had transformed his arm into a claw and leapt to attack the stranger.

The figure stopped his attack, catching him with black threads that emerged from the walls themselves, suspending him in the air.

—What are you doing? I'm trying to help you...

—Look what you've done! Because of you, they—!

—They're just humans... why are you so upset?

Blinded by emotion, Tanuki shaped his tail into a blade and tried to kill the intruder. Without even moving, the man stopped him again.

—Mmm… you're interesting. But if you care so much about your friends...Then stay here with them...

Tanuki was thrown violently back to the ground by the black threads. As he fell, he saw the figure turning away, leaving him surrounded by the monsters that used to be his companions.

Tanuki didn't want to look at them. Lying on the ground where he had fallen, he covered his eyes with his arm and bit his lip in fury. He didn't want to... but he had to kill them... at least give them the peace they deserved. But before doing so, he let the creatures bite into him—as a way to atone for the sin of his uselessness.

Still covering his eyes, as the monsters devoured him, Tanuki expelled his blood and hardened it. Dozens of sharp blood spikes burst from his body, impaling all the monsters instantly.

—I'm sorry... I'm sorry...

On the other side of the sealed door, Mr. Akira and others were pounding and calling for answers. Tanuki remained on the ground, too weak to face reality.What good was it to be an almost immortal monster, if he couldn't save anyone?

(Get up...)(There are still so many things I want to see...)

—I don't want to get up anymore...—Funny, huh? It's like I'm not allowed to have a home...

(Coward...)

—Go to hell...

(Get up...)

With a darkened gaze and overwhelmed by guilt and pain, Tanuki rose and approached the sealed door beside him.

—Mr. Akira...

—Tanuki! Is everyone okay? What happened?!

—There's no one left in here... I'm going to go up and seal the hole in the ceiling...

—What? What are you talking about?! What happened?!—Tanuki!!

—I'm sorry, sir... I couldn't save them...

—Wait! Tanuki!!

—Goodbye, Mr. Akira... thank you for everything. I'm really, really sorry...

—Tanukii!!Mr. Akira collapsed to his knees in front of the door, small and powerless in the face of it all.

—Goodbye, everyone... thanks for the beautiful memories...

Tanuki leapt out of the room and began blocking the massive hole with metal debris and rocks. It wouldn't fix the problem, but at least it would stop more monsters from getting in while repairs were underway.

As he looked to the horizon, the stranger who caused the disaster was nowhere in sight. He had come looking for Tanuki, but why? Tanuki didn't know him. And he didn't seem to be a Telum—Telums always had white hair and golden eyes.

Tanuki gave one final look behind him, bidding a silent farewell. Once again on the surface, with no place to call home, he had no choice but to follow the erratic crawl of those black vermin ahead.

Episode 3: Rocks and Branches

I don't know how long I've been wandering around the city. To my surprise, it's pretty easy to walk through the wasteland alone. The humanoid monsters aren't very smart or fast, so I can lose them easily. And the big ones… well… they're big, so just sneaking into some corner is enough to shake them off.

I'm going to climb somewhere high and hidden to get a better view. I could enter this building and try to climb from inside, but that would take away the fun, so I'll climb from outside — it shouldn't be too hard considering my impressive skill.

—Right hand, brick 3-B, left foot, branch 2-1-C.

—What kind of instructions are those, Tanuki?

—Shut up, Tanuki, just keep climbing!

—Phew! Finally made it! The breeze feels wonderful up here!

—Excuse me, Mr. Skeleton, I didn't know you lived here.

—Oh, but if it's a Telum brother!

—What's up, buddy? How did you end up here?

—I get it, life can be tough.

—But look at this beautiful view we have here!

—Oh... it's starting to rain.

—Luckily we have some cover.

—Let me see what you have in your backpack, brother.

—Great, bland protein rations, I missed those.

—What? Why are you mad? It's not like you can eat them...

Seeing the humanoid monsters completely still, with just occasional slight spasms, made me think of something… They're different from the transformations I saw in Sakura, Kaito, and Kenji. Rest in peace, by the way.

But where do these monsters come from? I don't think a transformed human can live 600 years… or can they?What's their energy source? I don't see them eating each other. Sometimes they fight bigger, weirder monsters, like those huge mouths with muscular legs and sharp tails… But they feel like prey, not predators.

—Hey, skeleton brother, do monsters reproduce?

—Hey, don't fall asleep! I'm talking to you!

—You can't spend the whole day sleeping! Your life will pass you by before you realize it!

—Haha, come on… don't take it badly, it was just a joke!

—Pff. That's why they left you alone… you have a terrible sense of humor.

—Well, I'm off. I'm going to borrow your backpack.

—Yeah, yeah… I'll give it back, unless I forget. Haha!

While wandering through the ruins of the city, I noticed something curious:

Some of these half-humanoid monsters have black branches growing out of their bodies. The strange thing isn't how they look… but that they're all walking in the same direction, away from the city. Obviously, I have to follow them.

Going back down to the ground feels a bit lazy, but there are no more buildings to climb, so I just tiptoe and keep up with them.

Unfortunately, those bastards are slow… VERY slow. And every now and then, one is devoured by an opportunistic beast.

They remind me of a document I once read about baby turtles trying to reach the ocean, and how everything in their path ate them. Maybe those animals went extinct because of their own incompetence, and the fog is innocent... Heh.

Well, enough of wandering thoughts. Those monsters are throwing themselves off a cliff. Better peek carefully, don't want something to eat me out of curiosity.

—Good heavens…

—What the hell is all that?

From here, you can see a forest. But the trees… they're huge, twisted, black, with red veins running all over their trunks. And on the branches… some kind of pods are growing. From here, it looks like they have monsters inside.

Those that fall from the cliff shoot roots from their feet and plant themselves in the soil.

What the hell are these creatures…?

Do they turn into trees after a while?

Are they a different species?

I don't understand how their life cycle works… Honestly. When one of these pods opens, the creature falls covered in disgusting, viscous liquid. It stands up and goes toward a nearby road… I think that's the path they use to go to the city…

—But why the hell would it do that?

—What do you think, Mr. Branch? You seem very focused…

He looked like he was leaning on his elbows like a bored wise man. He was the most attentive one here, so I named him Mr. Branch, though he never told me he liked the name.

—I see… the way the earth provides food to its inhabitants… Interesting.

—How long have you been observing them to deduce that?

—Without a doubt, you are the smartest branch I've met so far.

—Ha! Without a doubt!

—Hey, how about you come with me?

—I'm doing research on the behavior of the ecosystem.

—Haha, not at all, I'd rather say I'm an enthusiast on the topic!

—Of course! Let me help you climb onto my backpack!

And so I continued my research alongside Mr. Branch, a very friendly fellow and quite an expert on the subject! Our next stop? I don't know, as always I'll follow the black moths, or the rats… or whatever beast comes along.

Night is approaching so we'll have to find some shelter. Mr. Branch suggests we settle and rest on tall, uncorrupted trees, which doesn't sound like a bad idea, so I'll heed his wisdom. I guess that way it also feels like home.

Morning woke me up with an unpleasant surprise — Mr. Branch had fallen from the tree. I apologized to him several times for not noticing, but he's still somewhat upset. Understandable, the ground is cold and damp from the rain; I wouldn't have liked to spend the night there either.

Our journey led us to another strange species, like a huge hippopotamus with spikes coming out of its body and six legs. Its body grotesquely swelled and split open like a rotten fruit. From inside, five horrible drooling little hippos emerged, starting to eat the remains of their mom… or dad…

—What a beautiful spectacle, don't you think, Mr. Branch?

—Wait a moment! Who's that white rock next to you?

—Didn't you think to introduce me to your friend?

—If he's not your friend… and he's not mine either…

—Who are you, Mr. Rock?! Are you following us?

—Oh, my apologies, Doctor, I didn't know you were an expert biologist.

—Wonderful! Now we can share the findings!

—Do you hear that?

—The sound of a beautiful friendship blossoming! Hahaha!

Mr. Branch, Doctor Rock, and I — the handsome Tanuki — continued our journey. We came across all sorts of strange creatures, and we decided to name them simply and kindly to keep things fresh. We saw a "Shortlegs," a "Longlegs," a "Legless," and a "Manylegs"!

Each belongs to a different group of creatures. What intrigues me most is how they reproduce. The insectoids lay eggs, the humanoids grow from plants, the "mammaloids" explode and come out from inside… I still have to see the "birdloids" and "reptiloids"… Oh! and the "fishloids" too!

As we ventured deeper into the forest, we discovered something truly terrifying: the plants were dangerous too. Some of those bastards lure creatures with their tongues, which look like little monsters and move as if they were walking… Terrifying…

Then there are vines that, if touched, begin to wrap around you and drag you into the jaws of a gigantic, ugly red flower with teeth… Spine-chilling…

There are also some with long, thin sticky leaves; anything that sticks to them is then pierced by thin needles that suck it from the inside… Horrifying…

—I'm not going to take samples, Doctor Rock.

—Insult me all you want, but I'm not that stupid.

—That's what I say, Mr. Branch!

—We're not going to have a discussion here!

—I already said no! Now get back into the backpack!

—Are you thinking of rolling on your own, Doctor Rock?

—I thought about it, we're adults, so please behave like it.

Our exciting adventure full of discoveries led us to climb a mountain. Mr. Branch thinks it's dangerous, but Doctor Rock and I do it for science! We have to find a nest of "birdloids" monsters and check if they lay eggs like their ancestors!

The constant danger lurks, "monkey-like" creatures chase us, and I have no weapons to defend ourselves, so we can only run and hit them. My fistfight with one of these monsters will be sung by bards in the future. Let it be clear that I won!

Finally, we arrived! The journey was long and tough, just like life itself. And what did we find? You must be wondering, my dear listeners!

—Since when did I become a reporter narrating my own actions?

—Doctor Rock, you have your doctorate and I have mine! I ask you to respect me.

—Sometimes it's hard to get along with your friend Mr. Branch, he's quite stubborn...

—Haha! Don't get mad Doctor Rock! It was a joke!

—Well, whatever... There's nothing here. This was a waste of time!

—Well, yes... I have to admit the view is nice...

—Doctor Rock, where are you going!!

—Wait! I'm coming to help you!!

Doctor Rock fell and began rolling downhill! I ran as fast as I could until I finally caught him. I was really scared for a moment. We have our differences, but we became good friends anyway.

—Well, since we had to go down forcibly, let's head to that river.

—No idea... maybe we'll see some "fishloids".

—Oh! That reminded me of the Leviathan class! Which group do they belong to, Doctor?

—"Fishloids" or "Crustacealoids"?

Our path to the river was relatively easy, knowing the behavior of the local flora and fauna. Wow! I sounded super scientific! What was I saying?.. Oh yes! The river. Well, arriving is not complicated, but we still don't know what we will find there.

Mr. Branch insists that we must be prudent and become one with the environment, yet he is the first to lose his temper when something stalks us. His wisdom is proportional to his cowardice. On the other hand, Doctor Rock takes notes of everything we see.

—Well, gentlemen... here we are...

—There is nothing...

—It's incredible how we went from a super crowded city to this... What is it called?

—That! Prairie, thanks Doctor Rock.

—Almost empty prairie...

—What? I am not getting into the water to investigate!

My companions have wild suggestions. But something caught our attention in the distance. Some gigantic monsters, about fifteen meters tall perhaps... Their arms and legs are thick and pointy, they don't have fingers, just some weird and ugly cones that look pretty strong. Their huge heads shaped like flower buds have three small eyes on each side.

—Here Tanuki, field reporter!

—The creature's mouth opens like a flower bud and wait...

—Wait...

—It has tentacles coming out of it! What a terrifying thing!

—Sorry Mr. Branch, I didn't hear your question, could you repeat it please?

—Oh! I saw it in the old computer records.

—People used to cover the mist event and then died, very nice actually.

—Are you sure about that Doctor Rock? It has several eyes, maybe it can find us.

—Don't tell me!! Your friend, Sub-officer Stone, volunteers for the experiment?

—All for science then!

We never got to meet Sub-officer Stone, but I wish him a good journey to the head of that creature! Make sure to hit it hard enough so it reacts and we can study its behavior! Now! GO!!

—Impact confirmed, gentlemen! The monster is coming towards us!!

—What are you doing standing still? Run!

—Damn it, why do I always have to carry everyone?

With my loyal friends, we ran together to hide behind some fallen logs. The monster searches desperately, pushing trunks and small trees. Each of its steps makes the ground tremble slightly.

—Mr. Branch, please be quiet! You're going to get us found!

—Doctor Stone, make him shut up! I can't take care of everything!

I found a safe place inside a hollow tree. It seems we lost it, but Mr. Branch won't stop shouting—he's out of control!

—Where's the wise man I met, Mr. Branch?!

—If you don't shut up... I'll have to do it for you!

—Please don't make me! I can't risk Doctor Rock and myself dying too!

—I'm sorry Mr. Branch! I swear I'm very sorry!

I had no choice... I didn't want to do it... but he had lost his mind... Our little experiment ended up destroying what was left of his fragile mind. I had to break him to silence him and keep us safe... I... I don't want to cry again...

—I had to do it Doctor Rock...

—Who are you to judge me?! I only observed!

—You know what?! Go to hell too!

—Do you think I need you?!

—Of course not!

—I was always alone! And I feel good that way!

—Don't you dare say her name again.

—Doctor Rock, I won't say it again...

—You didn't know Karasu, so don't dare mention her!

—Is that what you think?... Okay...

—Then say hi to Officer Stone!

After throwing Doctor Rock, I regretted it immediately... How could I do that to my friends? What kind of monster am I? I should be the one to jump straight into the monster's jaws, maybe I will...

(Have you finished?... )

—What are you talking about? I'm just getting started...

(You're pathetic...)

—I'm pathetic?!

—I've managed to survive here alone for over a month!

—And where are you?

(With you... I'm always with you...)

I can feel as if his arms are reaching out to me... I really miss him. Everything has become strange and confusing since he left... When was the last time I felt calm?

Oh... I remember now... In Metro Tokyo I felt comfortable... But that bastard in black killed my friends... Were they really my friends? Did he really kill them?

(What if you look for him?)

—How the hell am I supposed to do that?

—I haven't seen any living Telum since I was in Amaterasu.

—And I don't plan to go back there.

(Loser...)

—I'm tired of everyone making fun of me!

—I'm not going to talk to anyone anymore...

—I don't need friends to live, much less to laugh!

I will go to the road and walk in the opposite direction. Maybe I'll find something interesting to do; after all, no one will find me so far from the stations...

I've been wandering the surface for months... I keep seeing black vermin all around me... Karasu only talks to me to insult me and sometimes I feel like I see her hiding behind the trees. The memories of what I did to Mr. Branch and Doctor Rock torment me... How could I be so stupid?

I should have been less proud, looked for other solutions... I let myself be carried away and acted impulsively in both cases... I'm really sorry friends... I don't deserve you...

It's no longer worth thinking about it. Maybe I should look for the guy with rabbit ears... Could he be a Telum? I don't think so...

His power was too strange, when he held me in the air it seemed like the shadows themselves were around me. And his eyes were a bright silver... But where could I start looking for him? I've traveled quite a bit these months and only seen different types of monsters...

—If I were a hidden station to survive from the monsters on the surface for more than 600 years, where could I hide?

—What do you think, Mr. Horned Skull?...

—...

—Where did this Telum body come from? His uniform is different...

—Sir, would you mind telling me where you come from?

—Permission, sir, I'm going to check your belongings...

—No... nothing useful, not even a weapon...

—My instinct as an enthusiastic surface life detective reporter tells me there are more humans here...

Now that I remember... Mogura had contacted humans, and Mr. Akira told me they haven't used radios for years. How did I forget such an important detail... The presence of this corpse gives me clues that not far from here there must be another station.

—Tanuki, you're a damn genius!

—Haha, I know, I know...

—Now which direction should I take? I only see mountains...

—I've never been here before...

—What do you say, Mr. Horned Skull?

—No! I won't take anyone else with me.

—Believe me, I say it for your own good, I'm not entirely trustworthy.

—Hmm... What if instead of going after them, I make them come to me?

Now that I remember, there are several creatures with glowing parts on their bodies. I think I can do something similar, if I manage to make the tip of my tail light up like a little bulb, I could make them come just out of curiosity.

It's also possible I'll attract nocturnal beasts. But as my dear Inu used to say, rest in peace by the way, no risk no reward, and whatever happens next, I leave it to future Tanuki!

—Hey why do you always leave me with all the work?

—Shut up! It's not your time yet.

—Now it's Tanuki, Lord of Light's turn!!

—Yesss, it worked!

I'll move my little tail on top of the hill until someone, or something, comes for me... Sometimes I'm surprised by how bright I am! HA! Bright! I should have been a comedian instead of a reporter and detective...

I've been here for several hours and haven't seen anything yet... I don't know how bright this plan really was... ha... ha... bright... OKAY ENOUGH! You have to be patient like any good hunter. How is it that during the night I still see those annoying black moths?

Don't they have anywhere else to go or anyone else to bother? What an annoying species... Oh!... OH! And that noise? It sounds like engines in the distance! You're a damn genius past Tanuki!

—Thanks future Tanuki... who is now in the past...

—What a space-time paradox...

Anyway! Enough daydreaming, I'm going to approach those people. WAIT! WHAT'S GOING ON?! What if they get scared?... Good point... better wait here waving my hands...

They're taking their time, bastards... oh they're arriving!

—Hello! My name is Tanuki, what station do you belong to?!

Four men begin to get down from the vehicle, heavily armed with very peculiar rifles, which seem to have both mechanical parts and biological organisms attached.

[Confirmed, it's a Telum.]

—Ha, yes, I'm a Telum. What are your names?

[Affirmative. We will take him.]

—You're going to take me to your station? Great! Where do I get on?

One of the men aimed his weapon at Tanuki. As he pulled the trigger, a large net wrapped completely around him and started giving electric shocks, again and again, until he fell unconscious.

[We have him. Proceeding with transfer.]