Fantasma

Cast

San (Selector One/Ability User): Nekoashi Tsubomi

Dina (Selector One/Ability User): Shiromaru Mito

Riri (Guardian/Non-Ability User): Motosou Towa

Act 1 -

In the near future on planet Hinative, a new energy source was discovered. People abandoned resource-depleted Earth and migrated to this new world. As time passed, humanity once again faced resource problems when a substance named "Fantasma" was discovered as a new energy source.

Despite insufficient research, only its benefits spread, and under public pressure, Fantasma was produced in massive quantities. Meanwhile, the anti-Fantasma faction, skeptical of the new substance, argued for more safety investigations, but their voices went unheard by public opinion.

When some radical factions attempted to destroy research facilities, an accident occurred that scattered chemically altered Fantasma into the atmosphere.

People looked up anxiously at the sky as particle vortices spread across it. This altered substance would later be called "Neo-Fantasma."

San leaned against a building wall, surveying the surroundings.

"Fanbomb set, complete."

San turned at the voice behind her. There stood Dina, carrying her favorite sword.

"Wow, that was fast! As expected of a Northern Lights member."

Ignoring San's surprise, Dina began walking briskly without even a smile.

"We don't have time before the next mission. I'm leaving you behind."

"You're so impatient."

"To change the world as quickly as possible—that's the mission of us [Selector One]."

Selector One—humans born with special abilities due to the Neo-Fantasma scattered in the atmosphere. They believed themselves to be the chosen bearers of a new era and were trying to create a new world.

Act 2 -

From a window in an abandoned factory, Riri gazed at the sky. Before she was born, this blue sky had been covered by a vortex of Neo-Fantasma particles. Within days, the particles had shimmered as they rained down across Hinative, dissolving into the atmosphere.

Since then, the world had experienced many anomalies. Numerous new species were discovered, supernatural phenomena beyond conventional understanding occurred frequently, and humans with special abilities began to appear.

Convinced this was the influence of Fantasma, proponents pushed for further research and development.

Riri took out her sketchbook and pencil and began drawing: majestic mountains, flowing rivers, trees swaying in the wind-the image of Earth she had heard about many times from her grandfather.

"I wish I could have seen Earth."

Just then, rough footsteps approached. Her comrades seemed to be returning from battle with Selector One. Riri put away her sketchbook, quickly stood up, and ran toward the footsteps.

Against the Selector Ones who sought to create a new world, they called themselves "Guardians" and continued fighting to protect the current order. They were all ordinary humans without special abilities.

The battle between Selector One, who planted "Fanbombs" to spread Neo-Fantasma and increase ability users, and the Guardians trying to stop them, had intensified year by year.

Act 3 -

"That power of yours is convenient."

Dina spoke flatly to San, who had just lit a fire with kindling.

"Why don't you join any organisation? With that ability, even Northern Lights would welcome you."

"Hmm..." San smiled ambiguously while staring into the flames.

-It happened on a cold day like today.

After planting a Fanbomb, San was running through narrow alleys toward the base, avoiding detection by enemies. Along the way, a Guardian was lying on the ground.

San cautiously readied a weapon, but the person remained motionless, seemingly unconscious.

Slowly approaching to observe, San saw it was a girl around the same age. Her breathing was rough, and when San placed a hand on her forehead, it was burning with fever. She seemed to have collapsed from an infection.

After a moment's hesitation, San carried the girl to a nearby building and lit a fire using fallen wood and paper.

"Ugh...ugh..."

"Good, you're awake."

Eventually, the girl regained consciousness.

"I gave you medicine I had with me. It should make you feel better once it takes effect."

"...You helped me? Thank you..."

The confused girl expressed her gratitude and introduced herself as Riri.

"You're...a Selector One, aren't you?"

San nodded quietly.

For a while, the two silently watched the campfire. With time, they both became confident the other meant no harm. Eventually, they began to share details about themselves.

"Eh, you know about Earth?"

"My grandpa's grandpa lived on Earth..."

Before they knew it, they were talking for hours, forgetting about time. They discussed abilities, Earth, Fantasma, Hinative...

Two people who should be incompatible understood and accepted each other, if only for this moment.

As morning arrived:

"See you. Next time I won't help if you collapse."

"Yes, and I won't let the bombs explode! Goodbye."

The two said their eternal farewells.

San was still smiling while gazing at the flames.

Dina stood up and shouldered her weapon.

"...Break time is over. It's mission time."

Act 4 -

The massive tower called "Shin," a Neo-Fantasma research facility, was heavily guarded again today. From the city below Shin, flames and smoke rose in various places, with fierce shouting and the sounds of car horns and sirens echoing.

San and Dina moved through the darkness, running through alleys with Fanbombs in hand.

Meanwhile, Riri, gun in hand, quietly psyched herself up with a "Right...!" as she left the abandoned factory with her comrades.

There is no end to the battle between those who cannot coexist.

Aftertalk -

Motosu Towa:
Uhihi, I can see your whole body. Come on, here! Take this!

Shiromaru Mito:
Eek! Another headshot...!? Amazing...

Nekoashi Tsubomi:
Hmm...to think that my San and Shiromaru's Dina can't even get close to Motosou's Riri...

Motosu Towa:
Well, it was definitely the right call to practice in custom matches before queuing for a real game together. You both expose yourselves too much-if you were more aware of sightlines, you'd die less frequently.

Motosu Towa:
Well, I guess it can't be helped since you're not used to FPS games. When you're starting out, even just focusing on sticking to walls makes a big difference.

Nekoashi Tsubomi:
I see, so there are such techniques. Then is there something you're doing that lets you land all those headshots?

Motosu Towa:
Of course. All the characters in Fantasma have the same head hitbox height. So if you pre-aim at that headshot line-

Nekoashi Tsubomi:
(I can feel her passion in her explanation... But I guess that's natural since she plays so much that she gets invited to events.)

Shiromaru Mito:
(Towa-chan really loves Fantasma, doesn't she...!)