Umbrela spoke in a serene voice, almost frightening in its certainty:
— So, boys… do you choose to serve, or to disappear?
The silence that followed was heavy, like an anvil.
Axel frowned, uncertain of what he had just heard. Then, with a swift movement, he straightened up.
In a split second, he slipped behind Umbrela, the edge of a knife grazing her neck.
— I don't know who you think you are, but come back down from your cloud… got it?
His eyes shone with contained anger.
But Umbrela didn't move an inch.
She simply turned her head slowly, offering a smile so calm it seemed inhuman.
— Interesting, she murmured. Even facing death, you refuse to bend.
She closed her eyes.
— That's why I need you, Axel.
— What are you talking about?!
Axel clenched his fists, eyes fixed on Umbrela.
— And you all… what is it with this damn Bubble?
Umbrela sighed, almost tiredly.
— You're part of Sentinel Zero, and you don't even know what it represents?...
She gave a cold smile.
— You're really ignorant, Axel.
Benine, still trembling, half-raised himself. His voice rose, broken by a mix of fear and conviction:
— This Bubble… is our last hope!
He stepped forward, his gaze burning.
— If it bursts, then our entire world will shatter with it!
He pointed a trembling finger at Axel.
— So stop playing with it… stop playing with our lives!
Silence fell.
Even Umbrela seemed, for a moment, thoughtful—or perhaps amused.
She closed her eyes briefly, as if to calm the turmoil around her.
Then she spoke in a clear voice, filled with an unusual fervor:
— Indeed… and that is why, boys, you must join me.
She slowly raised her fist toward the veiled sky, her eyes burning with limitless determination.
— As long as the Bubble exists, there is a chance to save this world. But alone, I cannot succeed.
Silence settled, heavy.
A white glow began to pulse in the hollow of her hands, illuminating their frozen faces.
— Join me, she continued, her voice vibrating with authority.
— Together, we will shape destiny before it collapses.
Axel stood still.
His eyes, at first wary, gradually filled with a new light, a mix of admiration and strange calm.
His heart raced, as if responding to a call from elsewhere.
And before he realized it, his lips whispered on their own:
— I'm… in.
Umbrela gave a barely perceptible, almost tender smile.
Around them, the air vibrated as if under the effect of an invisible wave, a sign that something—a promise, a pact—had just been sealed.
Axel remained standing, still disturbed by his own words.
Umbrela stared at him for a moment, saying nothing, then turned her gaze to Benine.
He hesitated.
The young man could feel his heart pounding, not from fear this time, but from emotion.
Umbrela's voice still resonated within him.
She didn't speak like a queen… but like someone ready to sacrifice for an ideal.
Benine took a deep breath.
Perhaps for the first time, he felt his doubts quiet.
— …Me too, he finally murmured.
Convinced by Umbrela's sincerity, he stepped forward.
A faint smile appeared on the young woman's lips.
— Very well. From now on, we walk together.
Let the world collapse if it must… but we will not falter.
Umbrela slowly lowered her arms, letting silence fall again.
Then, with a slight charming smile, she broke the tension:
— Before doing anything… let's start with introductions.
Her tone had softened, almost light, as if the previous scene had been just a test.
She placed a hand on her chest and slightly bowed:
— I am Umbrela.
Her gaze passed from Benine to Axel, piercing each of them with a mischievous gleam.
— And you two, what should I call you…
Benine froze.
Umbrela's smile, her voice, her presence… everything seemed to suspend time around him.
Struck at the heart by such beauty, he felt his throat tighten.
— M… my… my name is Benine, he stammered finally, his cheeks slightly flushed.
Umbrela let out a soft, crystalline laugh, which only worsened the young man's confusion.
— Benine, pleased to meet you. I'm your new partner.
The young man's heart skipped a beat.
His thoughts spun wildly, chaotic and uncontrollable.
(Partner… !!!!) he thought, his face burning.
(Did she really just say that?! Me, Umbrela's partner?!)
He tried to maintain composure, but his eyes shone with a mixture of admiration and pure panic.
Umbrela, on the other hand, seemed fully aware of the effect she was having and clearly enjoyed it.
— As for me, it's Axel…
— You won't fool me, Umbrela said in a cold voice.
She stepped closer, her gaze shining with an almost inhuman intelligence.
— I'll ask again, Axel… what is your real name?
Her angelic smile twisted slowly, giving way to something darker, something ancient.
This smile was far from human.
Axel felt a shiver run down his spine.
This woman… no, this being… knew something about him.
Something he thought buried forever.
His heart raced, fingers tightening on the hilt of his blade.
— How… do you know that? he murmured, his voice trembling despite himself.
Umbrela didn't answer.
She simply stared, a mad glint in her eyes.
And in that heavy silence, Axel understood she was not just beautiful.
She was terrifying.
— I… I don't know anymore…
The words escaped him, barely audible.
His eyes clouded for a moment, as if reliving something old, something broken.
A dull pain pierced his head. Blurred images, faces, screams…
Then, nothing.
Umbrela watched silently, her demonic smile slowly fading.
She tilted her head slightly, almost compassionate.
— So this is what they took from you, she murmured.
— Your name… your identity… even your humanity.
Axel fell to his knees, breathing raggedly.
Benine wanted to approach, but Umbrela raised a hand.
— Leave him. He must face what he has forgotten.
Umbrela finally took a deep breath, then spoke in a softer, almost maternal voice:
— Well… you'll tell it when you're ready.
She slightly turned her gaze toward the horizon, where the red light of dusk reflected on the ruins.
Her expression changed, becoming grave again, yet fueled by a new flame.
— Boys… what if I told you there was a way to save this world?
End