The Generation Series: REBIRTH

Layers of ash descended from the treetops. Sakura glimpsed to watch the burnt leaves tumble above her. Her memories of the forest in Los Angeles flashed before her eyes.

Within the desolation, a soft whimper reached Sakura's ears. Her gaze snapped towards the sound, and her heart clenched at noticing a small boy, no older than five, huddled in the debris. His tear-stained face was crusted with dirt, and his wide eyes filled with fear and confusion. A glance told Sakura he was alone in this nightmarish landscape.

Sakura approached the boy, her movements gentle enough not to startle him further. She crouched down, her voice soft and soothing. "Oi, lad," she said. Are you alright?"

The boy's eyes flickered toward her, his fear momentarily overshadowed by curiosity. He sniffled, wiping his nose with the back of his dirty hand. "I can't find my mommy," he murmured, his voice small and trembling.

She extended a hand toward him, offering a reassuring smile. "I'll lend my hand to help you find yer mum, alright? We'll be finding her together, we will."

The boy hesitated momentarily, studying her with wide, uncertain eyes. Slowly, he reached out and placed his small hand in hers, his trust a fragile fire she held delicately.

They moved carefully, Sakura's senses on high alert as they scoured the wreckage. Hours seemed to pass, each moment filled with hope and dread. Finally, just as despair threatened to take hold, a faint sound reached Sakura's ears—a soft, strained voice calling out.

"Mama!" The boy's eyes lit up with relief and joy as he recognized the voice.

Sakura followed the sound, her heart racing as they stumbled upon a partially collapsed building. They could see a woman trapped but alive through a small gap in the debris. Tears welled in her eyes as she met her son's gaze.

"Oi, stay here," Sakura instructed the boy. "Jack, over here."

Only five feet away, Jack was assisting an injured teenage girl. He finished bandaging her and instructed her to change the bandages tomorrow. He raced to Sakura to help remove the debris, piece by piece, until they created a passage for the mother to crawl out.

She embraced her son, tears streaming down her cheeks as she held him tightly. The boy's laughter mixed with her tears.

The sight warmed Sakura's heart. She felt good supporting other people. It was a reminder that even in the darkest times, compassion and resilience could shine through. Jack provided the small family with blankets and bottled water. He also helped them with their minor wounds across their arms and legs. 

Someone called Sakura's name from afar. She glanced at the Torii gate to see Gina with a warm smile despite the recent tragedies. 

She approached Sakura and said, "We must carry the dead to the city's south entrance." 

Sakura hesitated to speak. "Carry the dead? I don't think I can do that, lass."

"Yes, you can. You must learn to do emotionally complex tasks as a leader of an army of werewolves."

Sakura sighed and gradually strode to the city center, observing the moon rise to the sky. Her eyes spotted many sculptures of deities, but only one caught her eye. A man wearing wealthy robes had a crescent moon behind him. They represented wings behind his shoulders. He is standing, reaching up to the sky. Sakura recognized him as Tsukuyomi, the Kami of the moon. Her fingers gently brushed away the soot. "I'm not the biggest fan of ya, but that doesn't mean ya don't deserve to be takin' care of." 

The wooden wheels of a cart sounded more audible the nearer they reached Sakura. She turned around to see Jack and Gina hauling a cart of corpses.

Instead of turning her back on them, she nodded and assisted them in carrying the fallen werewolves from the heart of the ravaged city. Their faces were grim, their steps measured, as they carefully lifted the bodies of the fallen comrades. The lifeless bodies were a stark reminder of the battles fought and the sacrifices made to protect this place. With each step, the trio took gentle care in collecting everyone.

The three reached the torii gate and laid the bodies of the fallen werewolves side by side, forming a solemn row. Once vibrant and alive, their fur seemed to blend with the earth beneath them as if returning to the very roots that had sustained them.

Gina's voice broke the silence. "May their spirits find peace, and their sacrifice never be forgotten."

Sakura's voice joined in. "May their courage inspire us to rebuild and protect what remains. And may their memory guide us towards a future free from this wreckage."

Jack said, "Every day, your English accent gets better." He smiled and rubbed her back. "Once we are done here, we will bury them in the cemetery south of us." 

Sakura wiped away her tears. "Startin' mornin' tomorrow, are we?"

"Actually, it is the morning. We've been working all night."

Sakura gazed up, scanning the dark blue setting, slowly transitioning as the moon descended. Her eyes twinkled under the night sky. "If we keep at it now, we might finish sooner."

No," Gina interrupted. "I received word that the city elders will attend a meeting at the mansion. You should return with haste." 

Jack asked, "Why a summit meeting?"

"The elders want to speak with the Alpha. They know who killed these victims, but I was not informed of any details. I believe they will request help eliminating the threat immediately," Gina said.

Right," Sakura replied.

"I am sure the rest of our pack will be happy to see you when they wake up after surgery. Athen, especially, will demand answers when he wakes up. So, you should be there."

"Thank you, Gina. I hope to see ya soon," Sakura said, waving goodbye.

Gina nodded as she strolled in the opposite direction to care for the dead and for those who survived the wreckage.

The oppressive silence pressed down on Jack and Sakura like a shroud. The wind carried the eerie whimpers and screams of the survivors who might never recover from the attack. Sakura listened carefully to the voices of those she had assisted earlier. The woman whose children died passed them by carrying a sack of their bones and torn flesh. Her daughters were less than a few years old. She mumbled under her breath whether or not she should live without them.

Suddenly, Sakura froze, her eyes darting toward a flicker of movement in the rubble. A faint cry for help pierced the silence, barely audible beneath the weight of fallen structures. Without hesitation, she broke into a sprint, her instincts guiding her.

"Sakura!" Jack called out, startled. "Where are you going?"

Her voice floated back, urgent but distant. "I heard something!"

Jack had no choice but to follow, his heart pounding as he hurried after her. They worked together, their hands clawing through the debris. Beneath the wreckage, they uncovered a small pocket of space—and within it, a bruised and battered man, miraculously still alive.

Jack's breath caught as their eyes met. "Daniel!"

Tears spilled from Jack's eyes as he reached for Daniel, clasping his hand tightly before gently pulling him free from the rubble. Overwhelmed, he wrapped his arms around him, holding him as though afraid to let go.

Sakura watched the reunion unfold. A quiet warmth filled her chest as she witnessed their love and relief. She was genuinely grateful the two could be reunited again.

Jack pressed his lips to Daniel's in a passionate kiss, tears streaming down his face as relief flooded him. "I thought I lost you," he whispered, his voice trembling.

Daniel replied, "I thought I was going to die down there... but thanks to your friend, I'll live to see another day."

Jack smiled faintly, gesturing toward Sakura, who stood nearby, her face and clothes smeared with soot. "She's more than a friend," he said, his tone filled with gratitude. "That's Sakura—The Generations of the Star."

Daniel's eyes widened in shock. He turned to Sakura, clearly expecting someone older, more commanding. "The most powerful warrior in all of Paradise Island?" he asked.

Sakura frowned, squinting at him. "I just got here, lad. I have no power yet."

"Oh, right," Daniel said, his expression softening. "Jack told me you had to leave for your own protection. Did it work?"

Sakura let out a heavy sigh; her gaze dropped as memories surfaced. "It worked for eighteen years," she said, her voice quieter now, "until people around me started dying again." Her mind flashed back to the beach and the weight of it all pressed down on her.

Interrupting their conversation, Jack asked, "What happened here?"

Daniel rubbed the dried blood off his palms, his gaze distant as he began to recount the horror. "Two days ago, I was walking through the shopping district after buying herbs for my mother, who lives under the tree's roots. I heard screams in the distance, and then—what sounded like a stampede heading toward the gates. For some reason, I froze, watching the whole scene unfold like it was a nightmare I couldn't wake from."

He took a shaky breath before continuing. "A massive black wolf led a pack of robotic wolves into the city. They tore through anyone who stood in their way. The city's alarms blared from every speaker on the Kodama tree, but it didn't slow them down. It was like watching a storm rip through everything. One of those robotic wolves caught my tail and hurled me under the tree's roots. I couldn't climb out... I was trapped. All I could do was sit there, hidden, and listen as everyone... everyone else..." His voice faltered, unable to finish.

Jack cradled Daniel closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I feel horrible saying this, but... I'm grateful you were the one who fell here, safe under the tree's roots."

Daniel nodded. "Yeah... me too."

Sakura listened intently; she glanced down at Daniel's legs and noticed the dark stain of blood soaking through his black sweatpants. Her eyes widened as she realized the extent of his injuries. "Lad, you've suffered serious wounds. Let me carry ya to the triage tent for proper care."

"Thanks," he whispered, his voice fragile yet sincere.

Sakura carried Daniel with care, her steps steady as she made her way to the recovery triage tents at the city's edge. The area was a grim scene, filled with the cries of wounded werewolves and the frantic efforts of Delta werewolves tending to their injuries. The air was thick with the metallic scent of blood and the acrid stench of charred flesh. Some of the injured screamed in agony, while others lay motionless on soiled blankets, their eyes vacant as if they were already dead.

The overwhelming despair pressed down on Sakura, making her chest tighten and her stomach churn. She struggled to steady her emotions as she glanced at those whose injuries were too severe to save.

Eventually, they found a spot—a worn, tattered blanket spread over the scorched grass. Sakura gently placed Daniel down, allowing him to settle before stepping aside to call for the Delta wolves. But just as she turned to leave, Daniel reached out, snagging Jack's shirt and pulling him close.

Jack sighed, his voice heavy with regret. "I can't stay with you. My duty is to protect the Alpha Leader. I'm so sorry, Daniel."

Despite his pain, Daniel managed a soft smile. "Don't worry about me, Jack. I know you have a job to do, and I believe you'll be the best at it. Just promise me you'll take care of yourself. I'll wait for you—no matter how long it takes. I love you."

Tears streamed down Jack's face as he smiled through his sorrow. He sniffled and whispered, "I love you too."

Their lips met in a final, tender kiss before Jack stepped back, reluctantly pulling himself away. He turned toward the city's main entrance, his shoulders heavy with the weight of his responsibility.

Sakura watched the scene unfold, her heart aching for the pair. Though she felt a pang of sadness for their parting, she also felt warmth—an admiration for their love and the strength it gave them to keep moving forward.

The ashen path guided them beyond the gates, winding through skeletal trees. A sudden illumination of the sky gave them safe passage. The ground beneath their paws gradually shifted from somber gray ash to a robust, dark brown. Verdant grass unfurled as if sprouting before their very eyes. Dormant trees stirred with life, and the wilderness bustled near the shrubs, seeking berries.

In the soft morning sunlight, the white, graceful mansion emerged. Werewolves wandering the woods alongside their beloveds inclined their heads in respect to their leader. The island seemed to adore Sakura like a deity, a title she felt undeserving of.

They crossed the threshold of the palace walls, bearing witness to a scene where Taylor was absorbed in discussions of grave importance with Paige. As Sakura and Jack drew nearer, the muffled voices became clearer, allowing them to catch snippets of the conversation.

Taylor nodded, her tone steady and professional. "We removed a portion of the damaged muscle from her thigh. With proper physical therapy, she'll be able to walk again."

Paige exhaled in relief. "Good. I couldn't bear the thought of her never fighting again."

With that, Paige stepped into the mansion, her gaze focused ahead as she made her way to the infirmary. Before disappearing through the doorway, she turned back to Taylor, offering a grateful wave. "Thank you for everything, Taylor. I'll personally ensure she gets the care she needs to recover."

Sakura hastened to approach Taylor and seek answers about her comrades. The weight of worry had consumed her for far too long.

Drawing closer, Sakura inquired, her voice carrying her concern, "Oi, Taylor. Are the boys in stable condition now?"

Taylor smiled as she responded, "They are on the mend, though the elders await your presence inside."

"Understood, I'll have a word with 'em, I will.," Sakura affirmed.

"I'll be in the infirmary," Jack said.