THE REBORN WORLD OF THE CHRONICLES

"I think I should go find Mama and my brothers," Alfie muttered to himself, turning back from the edge of the cliff. "I can't just abandon them. Or… maybe they left because of how I acted earlier." His pace picked up. "I need to find them and apologize. This power in me… I'll use it to protect them. I won't let that Mr. Shinra take my family away. Never."

As he sprinted down from the cliff, Alfie suddenly froze. A strange, static-like sound filled the air—faint at first, then growing louder, like radio waves vibrating through his skull.

"What is that sound? Where is it coming from?" He looked around, but nothing was visible. "Wait… I can actually hear this? Is this… some kind of new ability?"

But then the realization hit him like a stone—"If I go back to Mama and the others now, I'll only bring danger to them. I can't… I won't risk their lives." He fell to his knees, looking up at the sky, helpless.

"Papa… what should I do?"

Suddenly, like rain from a storm, Renshi attacks poured from the sky—but only toward Alfie's position. His eyes widened in panic. He jumped to his feet, dodging left and right, using his sword to deflect as many attacks as he could. Some still struck him, burning his skin with energy. He gritted his teeth.

"What was that…? Renshi attacks again?" He staggered. "Don't tell me more darkside spirits are here already…"

A chilling voice answered his thought.

"Over here, human."

Three voices echoed from below the cliff as three figures erupted from the ground and landed before him—Alpha darkside spirits.

But these weren't like the one he and Rebekah had barely escaped from before. These were perfect Alpha darkside spirit, stronger, sharper, far more deadly.

Alfie stood frozen, paralyzed with shock. Three? His mind reeled. I couldn't handle one last time—now three of them? This is bad…

"Don't be afraid, boy," one of them sneered. "We're only here for your Renshi. Let us drain it, and we'll let you go."

"Never!" Alfie shouted, gripping his sword tighter. "Your kind already took my father! If you take my Renshi, I'll die too. And I won't let that happen!"

He shifted into stance, adjusting his hold.

The second darkside spirit chuckled. "You think you can fight us?"

"You got lucky against the last one," the third growled. "But this is the end."

"I don't care how strong you are!" Alfie yelled. "I have people waiting for me—I can't die here!"

The first darkside spirit stepped forward with a sneer. "Then let's make this fun."

Alfie charged, sword drawn, eyes sharp. "Why aren't the other two helping him?" he asked.

"He's enough to handle you," the second one spat. "Now shut up and die."

I can do this, Alfie told himself. I have to.

He struck with all his strength, swinging at the lead spirit—but the enemy caught his blade between two fingers.

"You'll never land a hit with that strength," the darkside spirit mocked and kicked Alfie across the ground.

Alfie coughed and staggered to his feet, using his sword for support. "Don't be so sure, you idiot," he growled. "Check your hand."

The darkside spirit glanced down. A clean gash marked its fingers. It hissed.

"This?" it scoffed. "It'll heal in seconds."

As the darkside spirit advanced, it raised a hand to the sky. Clouds churned and turned pitch black above them. "Say your farewell, kid. This is the end."

Alfie's eyes widened. This is the same attack from earlier… So he was the one behind it.

I can't block this… not without Renshi. But if I could just combine this new ability with my Renshi—

"I… can't die," he whispered. "I can't die… I CAN'T DIE!"

His body pulsed with energy. Black Renshi surged through his veins like ink, marking his skin like cursed tattoos. His aura exploded, shaking the ground beneath his feet.

And just as his body threatened to lose control again—Marco appeared from the shadows and struck him down with a swift blow to the neck.

Alfie collapsed instantly.

"You were about to lose yourself again," Marco muttered, standing over him. "But not on my watch."

He stared down at the unconscious boy as the three Alpha darkside spirits turned their attention to the intruder.

"So," Marco muttered, cracking his neck, "you came earlier than I expected."

He stepped forward.

"You really should've waited a little longer. Now I'm in a terrible mood."