Gate Hunters

My investigation led me to discover something horrifying. When we entered the different patient's rooms, we discovered that most of them were killed.

But the disturbing part was that most patients had their stomachs eaten out.

Zero's expression said it all—the wide-eyed stare of an innocent child encountering horror for the very first time.

If only I could tell him that this may not be the worst challenge he might face.

We continued our walk where we noticed that these people who were killed were mainly young woman. Their stomachs were toned open from the inside with a purple liquid oozing from the belly.

Zero's stomach couldn't take it anymore, and he promptly vomited in the corner of the room.

I primarily inspected the body but chose to step away because Zero was struggling with the sight. Additionally, listening to him vomit was quite unpleasant.

"How do you remain so calm?" he inquired.

Continuing to walk down the hallway, I kept my guard up. "When you've explored the Gates for years and witnessed the extent of its inhumanity, vomiting becomes the least of your concerns. Control your emotions, or it might be the death of us," I said to him.

Directly beneath us, a collision broke the floor, causing us to fall to the level below.

To the place where we saw Evergreen, drenched in monster blood, carrying a body shrouded in a white sheet, concealing the individual in question.

Zero began to smile and rushed toward him, exclaiming, "BIG BROTHER!" Those two unexpected words took me by surprise.

"Wait, what?" Discovering that those two are siblings must be the biggest surprise of the day.

Upon arriving at Evergreen, Zero attempted to grasp his shoulders, but as he slowly turned around, I was met with his dark and hollow eyes.

"ZERO, WATCH OUT!" I extended my water hand to snatch him away from danger. Once Zero was safe, I positioned myself protectively in front of him, baton at the ready. "Stay back," I cautioned. "I recognize the look of someone who's truly lost themselves. He's not himself right now, so it's best we keep our distance," I advised.

Ignoring my advice, "Amari, it's me, Zero, your younger brother. Why are you carrying—" Zero attempted to reason with him, but Evergreen removed the sheet.

Showing a black middle-aged woman, whose stomach was destroyed.

Who was that woman, both these two were silent.

Evergreen draped the woman in his embrace, a fractured smile and tears streaking his face. "You know, brother, I think I understand what the man who sealed the Gate implied about the houses. Father and I, we're unique, living in our own realms where only the chosen can enter. I've been in denial, not acknowledging that I am like him the moment I inherited his innate ability. It just took a simple catalyst to understand that playing the hero against a monster that will eventually consume you leads to the ruin of your own house, while theirs remains untouched. I think it's time I play a new game." he said, lost in his revelation.

Zero and I saw it. "BROTHER... Aunty Jade wouldn't be happy to hear you speaking like this," Zero shouted.

Evergreen chuckled before uttering his final words, "You're right, but she's gone now. That doesn't trouble me anymore. Death is irreversible, so to continue being a version that the departed remembers seems torturous doesn't it. When you see our brothers, sisters, and aunties, tell them I truly love them all, but I think I need to head north for a while." Suddenly, a giant tree appeared, wrapping itself around him.

Zero wanted to intervene, but I held him back as Evergreen was completely engulfed by the tree, then slowly descended to the earth.

...

"Guys, I got a report. Krist said that he defeated the boss and destroyed the entire population of the monsters. He also found a temple with information about the monsters. I already taken notes of them so once the operation is complete we can revise them." Molly said.

I'm happy that he is fine.

"And guys, something weird just happened. Evergreen who you were talking with just disappeared with another Gifted on the ground floor." said Molly.

...

I'm not fond of this situation, but I can confirm that the operation is finished. We just need to conduct a quick search for any survivors—

Yet again, a flashy bolt of lightning past us with that demand annoying laughter.

"Zero, I'll escort you to my navigator. I'll leave the cleanup to that idiot. Afterwards, you're going to explain your story," I said.

Suddenly, the sky returned to its normal state, unveiling the bright orange sun.