Hiro Chronicles Ch.5

Chapter 5
End of the world

Back at Redtail, while everyone was settling in, Hiro and Taro are in the living room. He couldn’t look in his uncle’s eyes because he remembers the heated argument before.

(Hiro: Why are you buying into that crap? Ace would never stand by. He fought for what he believed in; freedom and peace for this land!

Taro: Yeah, I remember and look where it got him!

Hiro: If he was still around, you wouldn't be acting like this.

Taro: That's enough out of you!

Hiro: Lily is going to die and no one’s gonna help her?

Taro: Everyone here lost their loved ones because they tried to fight back. Do you think they want to be involved?

Hiro: So that's it? Nero wins, huh? I'm out of here.

Taro: What do you think you're going?

Hiro: Let me go.

Taro: You're not going anywhere.

Hiro: I’m going to help Lily.

Taro: I don't think so!

Hiro: Who cares you what you think, you're not my father!)

Then he finally found the courage to look at Taro, however when he tried to speak, Taro interrupted.

Taro: I’m sorry.

That wasn’t really what Hiro expected to happen. He was expecting his uncle to yell at him for putting himself in serious danger and about the things he said before.
“Oh, whoa, wait a minute. Why are you apologizing, Uncle?”

Taro: For everything that’s been happening so far. I’ve been too much of a teacher than a parent to you. Honestly I’ve tried to keep my distance so I couldn’t feel that pain again after losing Luna and Ace, while you still had unresolved issues with losing both your parents. Then round the time you mentioned your mark was glowing, I was worry about you. And also when I saw you picking a fight with the Elite, I got angry with you because that’s the very thing that got my son killed. I could’ve helped Lily then, instead of letting all this happen.

Hiro: Uncle…I -

Taro smiles and says, “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it, though you were right on one part.”

Hiro: Which part?

Taro: You said that I wouldn’t buy into Nero’s crap if Ace was still alive. You were right. I could’ve gone with you and help rescue Lily from Nero, but I was afraid.

Hiro:….

Taro: Do you know the one thing I keep forgetting? That you’re Sol and Luna’s son and you act just like them. What you said before would’ve been the very thing Luna would say, if she was still alive and Sol would jump head first into trouble help someone in trouble.

Hiro:…

Taro hugged him and said “One last thing, no matter what happens, no matters what you decide, or what you say, the one thing that will never change; I love you, son. I’ll always be proud of you.”

Hiro: Uncle….

This was the first time since Ace’s death that Taro says what he really feels. To Taro it was his final farewell to his nephew.

Taro: Listen, why did you see if everyone’s settled in okay?

“All right.”, Hiro says as he was leaving.

As soon as he left, Roku walked in the room and patted Hiro’s head.

“Feeling okay?”, Roku asked.

“Yeah thanks.”, Hiro says as he leaves

Taro: It’s been a long time old friend. How‘s Mira?

Roku: She’s fine. I see Eden’s is a lot worse than I’ve imagined.

Taro: Yeah. Let me guess; you came here looking for Hiro, right?

Roku: Yes. The Soul Eaters are attacking full force in various worlds. It’s very important that he comes with us.

"Because of those powers, huh? Sometimes I wonder if things were a lot easier if Sol was still around.” Taro said.

“I doubt he could’ve handled this any better.”, Sama says as he walked in the room.

Taro: Well, I won’t stop you from taking him with ya.

“Are you really sure about this? He may not go for the idea.” Roku says.

Taro: Believe it or not, he always dreamed of seeing other worlds. Just make sure he’s safe, okay? Promise?

Roku: I promise.

Taro: Thanks. Sama, have told Lily everything about hers?

Sama: I couldn’t get a chance to do so.

Meanwhile in Hiro’s room, Snow, Dani, and Lily were talking about what happened in Nero’s castle while Hiro was lying on his bed thinking about Shadow said before.

(The day of Apocalypse will come soon. The only thing you need worry about is how to leave this world alive. Remember that warning, because that day is coming sooner than you think.)


“Yo, Hiro, you haven’t said a word for a while. You feelin’ okay?”, Snow asked.

Hiro: Huh? Yeah. Yeah I’m fine.

He wanted to tell them about Shadow’s cryptic words, but to him they were all relieved that the nightmare in Nero’s castle was over.

Dani: Hey,..

Hiro: Yeah?

“Thanks for helping us save the captain.”, she says.

Snow: Yeah, we owe you big time, man.

Hiro sat up and says “Well you can show us around in your ship tomorrow, morning before you leave?”

Dani: That depends on what the captain says.

Hiro: I’m sure he won’t mind.

“I seriously doubt that.”, Lily says.

Snow: Look it’s late. Let’s see what happens tomorrow, ‘kay?

Snow and Dani left the room while Lily stayed behind.


Lily: Hiro. Thank you.

Hiro: Hmm? Oh uh…n-no problem.

“I mean it. I didn’t think you would go that far to save me.”, She says.

Hiro: I’m sorry that you’ve gone through all that with Nero.

Lily: It’s okay, I’m just glad it’s over.

Hiro: Same here.

Lily looked out the window and stared at the stars wondering about the different worlds beyond this world.

Lily: How many other worlds do you think are out there?

Hiro: Well, I remember I asked my mom that. She says that the worlds are like the stars.  
There are an infinite number of them out there. One day I hope see them all.

Lily: You think my world is out there, too?

Hiro: I think so.

Lily: I can’t wait to see it, along the other worlds. When that time comes, will you come with me?

Hiro: Yeah of course.

“Thanks. I’ll see you tomorrow, ’kay?’’, she said as leaves the room.

Hiro: Yeah sure.

He laid back down on his bed thinking about everything that’s been happening lately and weary about Shadow’s words before finally falling asleep.
Moments later, he opened his eyes and finds falling in darkness again.

Hiro: ( Am I dreaming again?)

Then he hears that voice again saying, “You and I are one.”

Hiro: Who’s there?

"Your journey will begin. You must find the chosen few. Beware of the Reapers."

Suddenly Hiro wakes up in cold sweat again and was more confused than ever about that dream.

Hiro: (Journey begins? Chosen few?  Reapers? What was that all about?)

He looked at his clock and sees that it’s five in the morning. At the same time he hears a strong wind and the boom sound of thunder from outside.

Hiro: Still early. Man, must be bad storm outside.

He looked out his window and was shocked to see was happening.
“What the hell!?”, he yelled

The clouds were pitched black with red lightning striking. There were flying Soul Eaters almost covering the sky. Hiro couldn’t believe it. He pinched himself hoping that this was nothing more than a dream.

Hiro: Ow! Okay, not a dream.

He ran out of his room to warn everyone in the house.

“Everyone! The Soul Eaters are here! They’re attacking the town!, he yelled, but there was no response.. He looked through all the rooms and sees no one was in them.

Hiro: Lily? Uncle Taro? Dani? Snow? Uncle Roku? Master?  Where is everyone? Are they outside?

He ran outside and sees that the town looked a lot worse up close. The buildings were deteriorated by the dark winds and the Soul Eaters were running rampant around the town. There were no sign of any of the people of Redtail. The town was falling apart.   Hiro couldn’t believe what he was seeing.

“W-what’s happening!?”
Suddenly ten Soul Eaters appeared in front of him. Then his sword appeared in his hand.

“All right, bring it on!”, he yelled as he ran towards them. He has slain them one by one with ease. After he killed the last one, Hiro realized where Lily and the others may’ve gone.

“The ship. That’s where they are. I just know it!”, he said as ran towards the Willow forest.

Minutes later when he made to the forest, he found the spot where he and Holly first found the ship, but to his surprise, the ship was gone.

Hiro: Did they leave already!?

He didn’t know what to do. It was way too dangerous to go back to Redtail, with all the Soul Eaters running rampant.

Hiro: No choice but to go to Eden.

He ran through Willow Forest, hoping that the Soul Eaters weren’t following him. As he was running he thought about what Shadow said before.

(The only thing you need worry about is how to leave this world alive. Remember that warning, because that day is coming sooner than you think. )

When he made it out of the forest, he couldn’t believe his own eyes. Eden was gone. There was nothing, but a giant gorge where Eden once stood. Hiro fell on his knees in despair. The ship was gone, his home was being destroyed, and now Eden is gone. He was all alone and nowhere else to go. He was afraid and at the same time angry about what was happening. He had no choice but to keep fighting. He stood up and looked at the forest.

Hiro: If I’m going to die, then I’ll go down fighting!

He ran back into the woods to get back to Redtail to fight the Soul Eaters. When he made it to the clearing, He sees Lily standing there alone looking in Redtail’s direction. He was relieved to see her.

“Lily, thank God you’re okay.”, he said as walked toward her.

Lily: This is it.

Hiro: Huh?

Lily: This our only way out of this world.

Hiro was confused about what she just said. “What are you talking about? The world is ending and no sign of the others!”
She turns to him and says “Let’s go Hiro. We can leave together. Just the two us.”

She held out her hand to Hiro. He tried to slowly reach for her hand, but some for some reason he felt there was something off about Lily. She would never think about other worlds if something bad happens. He backed away from her.

“You! You’re not Lily!”, he said.

Suddenly the darkness surrounded her body.  Then the darkness transformed to a dark pool that appeared under Lily. It began to drag him into the Abyss. He tried to break free of the pool, but it was like trying to escape quicksand. Moments he finds himself falling into darkness, just like his dreams only this time it was real. He was confused about what was happening to him.
As he was falling into the endless darkest Abyss, Hiro began to lose consciousness. He tried to keep his eyes opened to stay awake, but to no avail.

Hiro: (What’s happening to me?.... It can’t end this way. I…can’t give...up…not…. now.)

The darkness nearly consumed him as he fell further into the darkness. Suddenly a small glimmer of light from emits within his chest. Then his mark began to glow. They began to emit a bright light. It was so bright that the darkness surrounded him disappears. He opens his eyes and sees that the darkness disappeared. He had no idea how it happened.

Hiro: What-

Suddenly the light shined so bright for him to cover his eyes. Moments later, he opened his eyes and sees that he was back where he started before being dragged into the darkness. He looked around the area and sees Shadow and Nero at a distance. Nero looked surprised to see him again.

Nero: How is this possible?

The sight of Nero infuriated him. He had a feeling that Nero was the cause of this chaos.
“You bastard! This is all your fault!”, Hiro said as ran to attack Nero.

Shadow stood in front Nero to defend him. Hiro was ready to take him down as well, but at the last minute Shadow used an invisible barrier that blocks his sword. When Hiro hit the barrier, the force bounces him backwards and towards the ground. Hiro stood back up to face both Nero and Shadow.

“I told you before. I will get my revenge on you.”, Nero said.

When he said that, Hiro remembered what he said before.

“Where are they?!”, He yelled.

Shadow: Don’t know. But I do know what happened to Taro. He met his end when he tried to stop me from getting to you.

Hiro: No…

“That’s right. I killed him. His blood is stained on my blade.” Shadow said when pulled his sword out.

Hiro was shocked to see that the blade was stain in blood. He couldn’t believe it. Taro was killed trying to protect him.

Hiro: No. No, it can’t be true. It’s a lie!

Nero: As for Miss Highwind….

A dark portal appeared behind him. To Hiro’s surprise, Lily emerged from the portal. She looked as though she was in a trance.

“W-what happened to her?”, Natsu asked.

Nero: She’ll be coming with us.

Shadow: In the meantime, why don’t spend your last moments with the Soul Eaters.

Nero, Lily, and Shadow stepped into the portal. Then Lily’s pendant fell out of her pocket.
“Wait!”, Hiro as he ran after them, but the portal disappeared.

He looked down on the ground and picked up the pendant.

Hiro: Lily …..

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a dozen Soul Eaters surrounded him. They were all ready to attack him.  Hiro was ready to fight to the very end. They jumped in the air to pounce him, until a blue blur destroyed most of them. The blur was Roku.

Hiro: Roku!? I thought you were….

Roku: Never mind that, come on!

Hiro and Roku ran as fast as they could to get away from the other Soul Eaters chasing after them.

“Where are we going?”, Hiro asked.

Roku pointed straight ahead. Hiro sees the ship was floating ten feet from the ground.

Roku: Eagle! Transport us up!

A bright circle appeared around Roku and Hiro. Then the ship shined its light down on them and they started float into the air. Suddenly they were inside the ship. Hiro was amazed to see what was inside the ship. Inside it there were seven guest rooms, a bathroom, training room, an engine room, a medical facility, and finally the bridge were Snow and Dani were in.

“You guys okay?”, Dani said as she approached them.

Roku: Yeah, we made it on time. Snow, get us out of here.

Snow: Roger, Captain.

He drives the ship out of orbit in time before the Soul Eaters reached them. Hiro looked out the window and sees that his world was being consumed by the darkness.