The Generation Series: REBIRTH

After the meeting, Sakura stepped outside. She inhaled deeply, hoping to calm the nausea churning in her stomach. She lifted herself onto the gravel path by the Koi pond and let the tension melt from her body. Her fingers dipped on the cold surface of the clear water to calm her thoughts. Delicate cherry blossom petals, soft pink and fragile, floated gracefully along the river's gentle current.

Bearing medical supplies, Jack and Taylor approached her, their figures emerging from the distance near the gate. 

Sakura asserted, "Me safety is important, I understand. We're in a state of lockdown. None step in or out, other than The Generations and Alpha Protectors. Another assault may be imminent; we must stand ready." 

Jack's anxiety etched lines on his face, his grip on the medical bags producing a telltale crinkle. He spoke in horror, "Sakura, you're certain?" 

"Taylor, what have ye to share 'bout yer brother?" Sakura inquired. 

"Atlas? Yeah, he passed beyond eighteen years ago." 

"What held his attention before he passed?"

"Atlas had a kind heart. He unearthed a metal he christened 'Lunanium.' With a vibrant blue Sharpie, he penned it on the periodic table, inside the box bearing the number one hundred and nineteen in the top left corner. 'LN' he etched; 'LU' already claimed. He forged an unbreakable metal, known only to a few, but he took pride in his creation." 

"What path did it tread?" 

"Lily begged him to dispose of it. She foresaw the desperation it would provoke in humanity and wanted no part." 

Jack's shrug conveyed agreement. "Can't fault her for that." 

"Ye've not addressed me question. Where is it?" 

"Buried alongside my brother in the City of Lights." 

Jack queried, "Could someone privileged to this secret pursue it out? Humans couldn't possibly have known." 

"They've been privileged all along. 'Twas, but a matter of time." 

Jack contemplated, "Who'd betray the island?" 

"Me own father."

"What are you talking about?" Jack asked.

Sakura took a steadying breath. "The Alpha Lieutenants have photographs of me biological father... from when he attacked the City of Lights," she said quietly.

Jack frowned. "How do you know for sure it was him?"

Taylor's curiosity got the better of her. "Yeah, are you certain?"

Sakura nodded grimly. "Isabella revealed it to me in a dream about the war. She showed me father carryin' me off the battlefield, away from the island. I saw his face—I know what he looks like. But now... he's changed."

Taylor's eyes widened. "Changed? How?" she asked.

Sakura's jaw tightened as she spoke. "He stormed the city, but his body... it's not the same. Parts of him have been replaced with metal. The humans turned him into a robotic monster. Maybe it made him feel powerful—stronger than ever. But now, he's searchin' for somethin' even greater."

Taylor's breath caught. "The Lunanium," she murmured, a weary sigh escaping her lips. Rubbing her forehead, she tried to piece the puzzle together. "Of course... it all comes back to that."

Jack exhaled a deep sigh. "How are you doing? That's a lot to process."

Sakura's voice quivered with emotion as she tried to hold back her tears, her world unraveling before her eyes. "I'm still processin' that all of this exists. None of ya told me father was dead, so I figured he was alive somewhere, maybe missin' me. I thought he might have regretted lettin' me go."

Taylor nodded. She replied, "I know it's hard, Sakura, but sometimes the people we thought we could trust can be capable of terrible things."

Jack nodded in agreement, offering his support. "We're here for you, Sakura. We'll protect you from him."

Sakura managed a faint smile, appreciating their kindness, but her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. She couldn't bear to let them see her cry, not at this moment. With a quick, apologetic glance, she excused herself. "I need a moment alone."

Leaving Taylor and Jack behind, Sakura made her way toward the grand entrance of the Generation Tomb, a place she had visited only once before but had never felt as significant as it did now.

As she ascended to the fifth floor, Sakura's footsteps echoed through the silence. She could no longer hold back her tears. Her mother's absence, her father's betrayal, and impending danger weighed heavily on her. Torches lined her path, casting flickering shadows on the ancient walls. At the far end of the tomb, she found her mother's coffin—a lifelike statue of her mother in indefinite peace.

She kneeled beside the coffin, the chill of the stone seeping through her clothing. Her left hand was gently on her mother's statue, her fingers tracing the delicate features etched in stone. The soft torchlight played tricks with the shadows, creating the illusion that her mother's figure might awaken at any moment.

"Why, Mum?" Sakura whispered through choked sobs, her voice trembling. "Why does father hate me so much? I wish ya were here to tell me what to do." She rested her head against her mother's stone coffin, her voice barely a whisper. "I wish I could hear ya voice."

Of course, there would be no response from the lifeless statue, but Sakura needed this moment to pour out her heart, to voice the questions that tormented her.

Sakura's eyes appeared hollow, and her spirit seemed drained. She felt as lifeless as the cold stone surrounding her.

Minutes passed, and Taylor entered the tomb, her footsteps soft against the ancient walls. She approached Sakura with a gentle, empathetic expression, her heart aching for her friend. Kneeling beside Sakura, she whispered softly, "Sakura..."

Sakura slowly turned toward Taylor, her eyes displaying a deep sorrow. Tears glistened in her eyes, yet they no longer fell; they seemed suspended.

Taylor reached out and placed a comforting hand on Sakura's shoulder, offering reassurance in her presence. "I was looking everywhere for you. Alexa and Hailey told me you were sitting here. I'm so sorry for your loss, Sakura. I can't even imagine how hard this must be for you."

Sakura gently wiped away her tears, her voice reduced to a whisper, almost lost to the somber atmosphere. "It's foolish missin' someone I never met."

Taylor's empathetic smile reflected her compassion as she looked into Sakura's eyes. "Not at all, but I'm here for you. We all are. Lily was always looking out for me in our childhood, so I know right now she would probably tell you to be strong, to keep going. You've already faced too many challenges at a young age, but it strengthens you."

Sakura gazed at her mother's serene statue resting upon the coffin. "I hope you're right, Taylor. She was so stunning."

Taylor's comforting hand squeezed Sakura's shoulder gently, and her smile remained warm. "And so are you. On the island, we believe in rebirth. Your mother is here watching over you. She loved monarch butterflies and asked the Kami to turn her into one. Maybe she asked so that she could look out for you that way."

Sakura's tears finally broke free, streaming down her cheeks as she embraced Taylor in a heartfelt hug. "Thank you, Taylor. Your support means the world to me."

The weight of Sakura's father's actions and the recent discoveries about her mother had left her feeling drained and defeated.

"Sakura," Taylor said softly, concern in her eyes. "You need to eat something."

She nodded, realizing she had not eaten in hours, maybe even longer. Taylor helped her up, and they ascended to the first floor of the luxury mansion. Sakura was grateful to have at least one of the Generation's women on her side, as she couldn't help but worry that others might not like her.

Taylor led Sakura to a door that opened to a tavern. The tavern's wooden beams and cozy nooks created a sense of warmth and comfort that enclosed them upon entering. The walls and floor featured exquisite stone cuts separated by lumber molding and support beams. Sakura's eyes widened in awe as she took in the scene.

Taylor and Sakura settled at a tavern-style table, the atmosphere providing a sense of coziness and comfort. As they found their seats, Taylor spoke softly, shifting the conversation. "The City of Lights funeral is coming up in three days, Sakura. Are you feeling up to it?"

Sakura sighed, her burdens still weighing heavily upon her. "I'm not sure, Taylor. Everythin' is so overwhelmin' right now. I should go to be supportive."

Taylor nodded. "If you need help, you can always come to me."

Jim returned, carrying a steaming ramen bowl resembling a culinary masterpiece. Sakura's eyes widened with amazement at the presentation. The bowl contained a perfectly cooked egg with a gooey center, four thinly sliced pieces of tender pork stacked neatly, and two salted seaweed strips draped across the center. A small mound of corn and sesame seeds garnished the dish while delicate noodles swam in a pool of Miso broth.

Jim placed the ramen in front of Sakura, and she couldn't wait any longer. With chopsticks in hand, she took her first bite, savoring the explosion of flavors in her mouth. "Grand, I mean... Cool."

Taylor chuckled, pleased to see Sakura enjoying her meal. She knew that sometimes, a warm bowl of ramen could work wonders for the soul.

"Hey, take it easy. You are eating like no one has fed you in days."

Sakura slowed, savoring each bite, and began sharing her stories with Taylor, recounting her earliest, heart-wrenching, and beautiful childhood memories. Taylor listened intently, absorbed in Sakura's tales, and their conversation continued for over an hour as Sakura finished her meal.

Taylor gently remarked, "You must be worried about Athen and your friends by now."

"I wish I could see them right now."

"I know, but for their protection, the boys will be under heavy sedation. They have a habit of disappearing out of the blue."

"That sounds like them," Sakura said. She chuckled, leaning her head on her forearm.

Taylor said, "It's getting late. A crowd of hungry werewolves is going to burst through those doors soon. Let me take you upstairs."

Sakura followed Taylor as they ascended to the second floor of the magnificent mansion. The mansion hallways have embellished the hallways with paintings, sculptures, and elegant furnishings. Sakura was thoroughly impressed. 

Taylor led Sakura to a room with a plaque already bearing her name. Sakura raised an eyebrow in surprise. "What's this?"

Taylor smiled warmly and explained, "I had the blacksmith add your name, Sakura, because deep down, I knew that someday you would come home."

With that, Taylor opened the door to the bedroom, revealing a space that left Sakura breathless. It was an enormous room boasting high ceilings with intricate moldings and chandeliers that cast a soft, warm light over it. The walls were painted lavender and cream.

The room's centerpiece was an immense four-poster bed of rich, dark wood and sumptuous silk sheets. It was inviting and queenly, with a built-in bookshelf filled with many books.

Sakura couldn't believe her eyes. "And I thought I would be sleepin' on a bed of straw for the rest of me life. This room is so cool."

Taylor grinned. "It's all yours, Sakura. Rest up and make yourself comfortable. You deserve it."

Sakura looked towards the bookshelf, curiosity getting the better of her. "What are all those books on the shelf?"

"Our island history. You can read about any of us and the hardships we faced."

"That's not a bad idea to do some research for this new mission."

Taylor tilted her head in curiosity. "New mission?"

Sakura caressed her new, luxurious bed and replied, "When we go back to the City of Lights, I need to confirm whether the newly discovered metal is still here or not."

Taylor raised an eyebrow, concern in her eyes. "Not tonight, you won't."

Sakura sighed, feeling the motherly love. "Okay, I won't read tonight."

"Goodnight, Sakura," Taylor replied, closing the door behind her as she left for her room.

Sakura stood in awe of her new and luxurious queen-sized bedroom in the Generations Palace. Exhaustion finally overcame her, and she drifted into a restless slumber beneath the elegant covers of her lavish bedding.

Her peaceful dream brought a glimmer of joy. Sakura seated on a beautiful beach, the soothing waves serenading her. The wind played with her hair, and she felt content for the first time.

However, her dream suddenly turned for the worst. A small sports plane in the sky. Initially, Sakura mistook it for a distant passenger plane, but she realized the truth as it approached. The plane was tiny and headed straight for the shallow waters before her.

Fear gripped her heart as she tried to move to prevent her death, but some mysterious force held her in place, rendering her helpless. She watched in horror as the plane plunged into the shoreline, creating a tremendous splash.

Sakura's voice caught in her throat as she desperately tried to call the medical emergency line, but her trembling hands betrayed her. She closed her eyes, unable to bear the sight any longer, and everything went black.