Godzilla: The Monarch of Ruins

───「 Human POV 」───

Tears spilled onto Hideo Takahashi's trembling hands, his body wracked with sobs he refused to let escape fully. He wanted to scream, to cry out into the uncaring night, but his rational mind held him back, reminding him of the others still nearby, sharing his burden of despair.

He dug his nails into his palms, the sting grounding him, anchoring his spiraling thoughts. Only this small, self-inflicted pain kept him from collapsing entirely, allowing him to cling to a sliver of sanity.

He had prepared himself for this moment—or so he thought. Days of backbreaking labor and relentless focus on logistics had dulled his emotions, numbing his heart with sheer exhaustion. But now, as he knelt before the charred remains of his wife and daughter, locked forever in a final embrace, all pretense of strength crumbled.

A raw, inhuman wail tore from his throat, a sound born of anguish too great to contain. His knees hit the scorched earth, and he could only stare at them—frozen together in death as they had been in life.

At least now, they would never be apart.

"Are... are you sure you're okay?"

Wei Zhang studied his superior and friend, his brow creased with concern.

"Me? I'm fine," Hideo replied, his tone clipped and rehearsed, as if saying the words often enough would make them true.

Wei's frown deepened. "Are you really fine? Because, no offense, you don't look like someone who just walked away from... that."

Hideo waved him off, straightening his posture and tugging at his disheveled jacket. "I said I'm fine, and I mean it. I'm not the only one here who's lost family. As the head of the Emergency Response Department, I don't have the luxury of falling apart."

Wei hesitated. He could see the strain in Hideo's bloodshot eyes and the stiff, almost mechanical movements of his hands as he adjusted the bandage on his palm. Hideo wasn't fine—not by a long shot—but Wei also knew better than to push.

"Alright," Wei relented with a sigh, stepping aside. "But for what it's worth, you don't have to carry this alone, you know."

Hideo gave a faint nod, his lips twitching in a shadow of a smile. "Thank you, Wei. But I have a job to do."

The rescue team's headquarters loomed ahead—a massive, hastily assembled tent buzzing with activity. Inside, the air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and the low hum of conversations in multiple languages.

Hideo stepped inside, greeted by Captain Dong Gongyong of the Asian Rescue Team. The man was solidly built, his broad shoulders giving him the appearance of someone accustomed to bearing great burdens.

"Hideo Takahashi, head of the Hokkaido Emergency Response Department," Hideo introduced himself, bowing slightly.

Dong returned the gesture with equal respect. "Captain Dong Gongyong. My deepest condolences for your loss."

Hideo's face tightened, but he managed a polite nod. "Thank you. Let's get to work."

The meeting was long and grueling, involving meticulous discussions about supply distribution, personnel accommodations, and the monumental task of repairing the breach in Gryphon Dam. Representatives from European and American rescue teams joined via video, their pixelated faces flickering on the screen.

Despite the gravity of the topics, Hideo's mind occasionally drifted. Each mention of timelines and resource constraints felt like a cruel reminder of how little time his family had been given.

As the meeting adjourned, Hideo lingered near the exit. His gaze flickered to a group of researchers huddled around a monitor, replaying footage of Godzilla's landing.

"Could you answer a few questions for me?" he asked suddenly, his voice uncharacteristically hesitant. "Please. I need to know more about that creature."

His plea hung in the air, drawing the attention of everyone in the tent. The researchers exchanged nervous glances, unsure how to respond.

General Luo, seated nearby, cleared his throat. "Go ahead," he said, his tone surprisingly gentle. "Answer his questions."

Relieved, the lead researcher stepped forward. "What would you like to know, Mr. Takahashi?"

Hideo's eyes burned with intensity as he asked, "What are these Titan behemoths, exactly?"

The researcher blinked, momentarily caught off guard. "Ah, well... they're the stuff of monster movies, really. Or rather, monster movies were inspired by them. Biologically speaking, they're the pinnacle of K-selection evolution—creatures that prioritize individual growth over reproduction. Think of them as living, breathing nuclear reactors."

She gestured to the screen, where Godzilla's towering form loomed over a devastated landscape. "The one we're dealing with now is unprecedented. At 200 meters tall, it's the largest Titan ever recorded. We're calling it 'King of the Titans.'"

Hideo's stomach churned. "Two hundred meters... And you're sure we can defeat it?"

The researcher hesitated, glancing at General Luo. When the general gave a slight nod, she continued.

"Don't worry, Mr. Takahashi. Our weapons are far more advanced than anything in those old monster movies. Godzilla may be big, but it's not invincible. The military will handle it."

Hideo nodded, but the reassurance felt hollow. His mind returned to the image of his family, burned beyond recognition. His fists clenched at his sides, the bandaged hand throbbing in protest.

"Thank you," he said quietly, bowing to the researchers. "I appreciate your time."

As he left the tent, Hideo's resolve hardened. He didn't know if humanity could truly defeat Godzilla, but one thing was certain—he would see it fall, no matter the cost.

Outside, the cold night air bit at his face, but it did little to cool the fire burning within him. Somewhere in the distance, the low rumble of explosions echoed—a reminder that the battle against the Titans was far from over.

And neither was his.