Project Eden

Despair.

The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the city. Hikari stood on the balcony of her apartment, the wind whipping through her hair as she gazed at the horizon. The recent battle had taken a toll on her, both physically and emotionally. The fight against Hiroshi Sato was far from over, and the darkness that surrounded her was closing in, threatening to consume her entirely.

Hikari's phone buzzed, jolting her from her thoughts. It was a message from an anonymous sender: "You need to see this. Abandoned building, Sector 5. Midnight. Come alone." Her heart pounded as she read the words. The timing was suspicious, but curiosity and a sense of urgency drove her to investigate.

She armed herself and set out into the night, navigating the labyrinthine streets with practiced ease. The abandoned building loomed ahead, its decaying facade a stark contrast to the city's gleaming skyscrapers. Hikari moved cautiously, every shadow a potential threat.

Inside, the air was thick with the smell of mold and decay. She followed the dim light of a flickering bulb, leading her to a small room at the end of a long corridor. The door was slightly ajar, and Hikari pushed it open with trepidation.

The room was empty, save for an old television and a stack of VHS tapes. A note lay on top: "For Hikari." She hesitated before picking up the note, her fingers trembling. It was written in a familiar, elegant script. Her mother's handwriting.

With a sense of dread, Hikari inserted the tape into the player and pressed play. The screen flickered to life, revealing the face of a woman with long, dark hair and sad eyes. Hikari's breath caught in her throat as she recognized her mother, Mei Lin.

"My dearest Hikari," Mei Lin began, her voice trembling. "If you're watching this, it means I am no longer with you. I had hoped to tell you the truth in person, but time was not on our side."

Tears welled up in Hikari's eyes as she watched her mother's pained expression. "I am your mother," Mei Lin continued. "And I have loved you more than anything in this world. But my past has finally caught up with me, and I must tell you everything before it's too late."

Mei Lin took a deep breath, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "Years ago, I was involved with Hiroshi Sato. He was not always the monster you know him as now. But as his ambitions grew, so did his cruelty. I tried to leave, to protect you and your father, but he found us. He always finds us."

Hikari's heart ached with a mix of sorrow and rage. The screen showed Mei Lin glancing around nervously, as if she expected someone to burst through the door at any moment. "I know Hiroshi's men are closing in on me. I cannot let them use me to get to you. So, I have made a choice."

Mei Lin's voice broke, and she wiped away a tear. "I have chosen to end my life on my own terms. It's the only way to keep you safe. I hope you can forgive me, my darling Hikari. You are stronger than you know, and I believe in you."

The video ended abruptly, leaving Hikari in stunned silence. Her mother had sacrificed herself to protect her, and the weight of that realization crushed her. The tears she had been holding back flowed freely now, her body wracked with sobs.

Hikari collapsed to the floor, clutching the VHS tape to her chest. The pain of losing her mother again was almost too much to bear. She had always known that her parents had secrets, but this revelation tore at her soul, leaving her feeling more alone than ever.

Hours passed before she found the strength to stand. Her mother's words echoed in her mind, a haunting reminder of the price of their struggle. Hikari knew she couldn't afford to dwell on her grief. There was still work to be done, and Hiroshi had to be stopped.

With renewed determination, Hikari gathered her gear and set out into the night. She couldn't let her mother's sacrifice be in vain. The path ahead was darker than ever, but she would face it head-on, fueled by the memory of her mother's love and the burning desire for justice.