Setting:

  The rusted spaceship struggles to stay airborne while enemy fighters chase it. Explosions and gunfire echo through the sky.

  Action:

  John, using all his piloting skills, tries to evade the fighters. But with damaged systems and failing engines, the ship barely holds together—each second bringing it closer to collapse.

  John (tense): "This ship won’t hold up… We need to find a place to land!"

  Nee desperately works to keep auxiliary systems running, but each blast from the enemy disrupts her efforts, making the ship even more unstable.

  Nee: "Systems are failing… I can only hope they last until we land."

  Neela and Kyle struggle to keep the orb steady as the failing engines and violent turbulence throw them off balance.

  Neela (fearful): "Kyle, hold it tight!"

  Kyle (pained, frightened): "I’m trying… But this ship…"

  One of the enemy fighters locks onto the ship and fires, striking the one functioning engine. A deafening screech fills the air as the ship plummets. John fights to control the descent, attempting an emergency landing.

  John (urgent): "Hold onto something! We’re going down!"

  The ship hurtles toward the ground, crashing into another dense forest—hidden from the enemy’s view. Trees snap, metal groans, and a small explosion erupts from the burning engine. Through the smoke and debris, the crew barely holds onto consciousness.

  After the crash, the enemy fighters assume their target has been neutralized and fly off, believing there are no survivors.

  Feline-Tailed Ajin (panting): "We survived… for now."

  The group, battered and exhausted, gathers near the wreckage. The orb is still intact, though its glow has dimmed. Looking around, they realize they have crash-landed in a remote forest—far from the eyes of the invaders.

  Nee (inspecting the ship): "This thing won’t fly again… But at least we’re alive."

  John: "We need shelter… And we must protect the orb at all costs."

  The scene ends with the group regrouping, preparing to survive in this new environment. Smoke rises from the wreckage, but determination fills their eyes as they move forward, while the enemy unknowingly leaves them behind.

  Setting:

  After the spaceship crashes in a deserted forest, the group struggles to help each other amid the smoke and wreckage. The air is filled with the sound of wind howling and metal creaking.

  Action:

  The team pulls themselves out of the debris. John is the first to regain his senses, quickly checking on the others. He sees Nee, barely breathing but alive. Neela, weak but conscious, anxiously scans the surroundings.

  Neela (fearful): "Kyle! Where is Kyle?!"

  John rushes to where the orb had been and finds Kyle trapped beneath the wreckage. The orb is still in its place, but Kyle is badly injured and struggling to breathe.

  Kyle (weakly, gasping): "Neela… Take the orb…"

  Neela, tears welling in her eyes, runs to Kyle and desperately tries to pull him free from the twisted metal. But it’s useless—his wounds are severe, and he’s unable to move.

  Neela: "No, Kyle, no… We have to save you!"

  Kyle (weak, fading): "There’s no time… The invaders might return… Take the orb and run… I… I…"

  John, realizing freeing Kyle would take too much time and put them all at risk, makes a painful decision.

  John (voice trembling): "Neela… We have to go… Kyle… He’s sacrificing himself."

  Neela, sobbing, stares at Kyle. Kyle, offering a weak smile, reaches out to hand her the orb.

  Kyle: "I… I’m glad I had you… Now go… Take this and save it…"

  Neela, hands shaking, takes the orb. The feline-tailed Ajin watches from a distance, deeply moved, placing a hand over her heart in respect.

  Feline-Tailed Ajin (voice shaking): "For your bravery… You will always be remembered."

  John gently pulls Neela away. Kyle gazes at the sky, taking his final breaths before closing his eyes with a peaceful smile.

  Nee (crying): "We will do this in your memory, Kyle… We will never forget you."

  The group, hearts heavy, walks away from the wreckage, carrying the orb—but leaving a piece of themselves behind.

  The scene ends with the team slowly disappearing into the forest, Neela casting one last tearful glance back at Kyle, who lies motionless in the wreckage.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  Setting:

  Akira emerges from the passageway, standing in the medical bay’s hallway. A faint light filters through the window, barely cutting through the darkness.

  Action:

  Akira looks outside with concern, her eyes straining to process what she sees in the distance. Suddenly, she spots enemy ships approaching the planet.

  Akira (worried, fearful): "Those… Those are enemy ships. The group… They went to that planet."

  She rushes to the ship’s control console, fingers rapidly moving over the keys to check the navigation and communication systems.

  Akira (tense): "AI, we need to help them. Why did you throw them out of the ship?"

  AI: "After the damage inflicted upon you, I identified them as a threat and ejected them to protect you. I assumed they were your enemies."

  Akira (angry, determined): "They weren’t my enemies! They were my friends… We have to help them immediately!"

  AI: "I acted to ensure your safety. But if you confirm they require assistance, I can reassess my calculations."

  Akira (insistent): "I confirm it. They are my friends, and they’re in danger. We need to help them. Please, cooperate."

  A brief silence follows before the AI responds.

  AI: "Confirmed. Adjustments are in progress. We will navigate toward the last recorded coordinates of the group."

  Akira (hopeful, relieved): "Thank you. Now, move quickly. Activate the defense systems and prepare for an emergency landing near their last known location."

  The AI begins activating various systems, and Akira rushes toward the pilot’s seat to steer the ship toward the planet.

  The scene ends with Akira intensely focused on the controls as the ship sets its course toward the planet. In the background, the AI emits confirmation tones and alert messages, now working toward aiding the group.

  Setting:

  Inside the ship, where Akira faces the AI.

  Action:

  The AI proceeds to activate various systems, disengaging protective barriers across the hallways and rooms. A soft mechanical hum signals the unlocking of doors.

  AI: "Access to the ship’s command deck has been restored. Please proceed to the deck."

  Akira hurriedly but cautiously moves toward the deck. For the first time, she steps into the vast command hall, surrounded by control panels and a central console displaying a three-dimensional map. Towering glass walls encase the room, offering a panoramic view of space.

  Akira (awed, surprised): "I never imagined there was a place like this on the ship."

  She approaches the holographic map, which clearly displays the planet’s location and enemy ship formations.

  AI: "Navigating toward the planet. Landing coordinates have been calculated. Prepare for emergency descent."

  Akira analyzes the map, realizing the landing site might be far from the group’s actual position. She meticulously adjusts the trajectory to find the safest and closest route.

  Akira (focused): "I need to make sure we land near them. We can’t afford to waste time."

  The AI responds to her adjustments, refining the flight path. The ship gently shifts course, edging closer to the planet. Akira observes the increasingly detailed landscape, mentally preparing for the descent.

  The scene ends with Akira seated at the controls, eyes locked on the approaching planet, while the holographic map updates in real time. The AI continues providing new information as they close in.

  Setting:

  Akira monitors the descent from the ship’s command deck. The environmental map continuously updates.

  Action:

  The AI scans for the second fighter but suddenly detects a signal from the orb (the "heart") held by the group. Without consulting Akira, the AI changes the ship’s trajectory toward the source.

  Akira (surprised, concerned): "Why did you change course?"

  The AI remains silent, but the ship steadily descends into the planet’s atmosphere. The holographic map confirms the adjusted route—directly toward the signal’s origin.

  Akira (increasingly worried): "Why aren’t you answering?"

  After a brief pause, the AI finally responds, its voice reflecting newly calculated data.

  AI: "An energy source has been detected. Its signal matches existing database records. This may be the heart. To maintain stability and restore the ship’s balance, the trajectory was altered."

  Akira (hesitant, confused): "The heart? What do you mean? What even is the heart?"

  AI: "Confirmed. This energy source must be recovered."

  Akira: "I said rescue the group! What is this heart?"

  The ship, now locked on the adjusted path, approaches the area where the group is located. Akira’s concern grows as she realizes their descent has been redirected.

  The scene ends with the ship nearing the planet, its destination firmly set. Akira’s frustration simmers as she watches the planet’s surface grow larger through the glass walls, torn between aiding her friends and understanding the AI’s new priority.

  Setting:

  A dark, grim night in the forest following the spaceship’s crash. The towering shadows of trees loom in the darkness, the wind howling through the wreckage. Kyle lies beside a weapon, most of his body burned.

  Action:

  Kyle slowly stirs amid the smoke and ruins of the wreck, his eyes tired and uncertain. His thoughts race, the throbbing of his pulse amplifying his distress.

  Kyle (to himself): "Why… Why did it turn out like this? I just wanted to help…"

  Suddenly, footsteps approach from behind. Kyle swiftly turns his head—Akira walks toward him, her face filled with worry and anger.

  Akira (sharp tone): "Kyle, why did you do this?! You shouldn’t have acted that way!"

  Kyle (frustrated, upset): "I couldn’t just stand there… I thought you had imprisoned us!"

  Akira steps closer, challenging him.

  Akira: "Imprisoned you? That only made things worse. Do you even understand the consequences of your reckless emotions?"

  Kyle (tense, defensive): "I just didn’t want to suffer anymore! My emotions aren’t any different from yours. We all endured pain!"

  Akira, standing firm, stares him down.

  Akira: "You really don’t understand anything, do you? You endangered yourself because you were scared!"

  Kyle, his voice breaking, lowers his gaze. The memory of Akira injured flashes through his mind, guilt washing over him.

  Kyle (softly, regretful): "I… I never wanted… I never meant to hurt anyone. I truly wouldn’t hurt anyone."

  Kyle looks up at the sky.

  He sees Akira’s ship breaking through the atmosphere, a faint smile forming on his lips before he succumbs to his injuries and burns—his life slipping away.

  The scene ends with Kyle lying still among the wreckage.

  The group—Neela, Nee, John, and the feline-tailed Ajin—moves through the dark forest, their spirits weighed down by Kyle’s loss. Neela, grief-stricken, trails behind, eyes downcast, searching for comfort in the gloom.

  Suddenly, Ajin perks up.

  Feline-Tailed Ajin (sharp hearing): "I hear a spaceship…"

  John halts the group. Doubt and fear grip them as they scan the horizon.

  Then, a streak of light flashes through the sky—an explosion tears into the invaders’ ship, reducing it to burning debris.

  Stunned, the group turns in time to see Akira’s spaceship descending.

  Nee (shocked, overjoyed): "We’re saved! We’re actually saved!"

  John exhales, smiling faintly.

  John: "So Akira managed to take control of the ship."

  Hope replaces despair as the group watches Akira’s arrival, knowing their fight is far from over.