OTHERS: Five elements

CHAPTER 1.10: NEW MISSION

22 March 2033, 7:35am

The Other had been kneeling and crying for some time. Can an Other shed tears? Aren't they supposed to be monsters? That's what the other soldiers and I were taught at the base. That's what August taught me as well.

- "It's your fault," said the Other to the White Ghost. "You were in the warehouse when you knocked out his colleague. What did you do with my daughter?

- "I didn't do anything. I came to help you!"

- "I don't need your help. I don't need help from anyone. And why would you help me? I’m an Other, a monster."

- "I’m also an Other," White Ghost replied.

- "I don’t care. You kidnapped my daughter."

The Other was furious. He wanted to kill White Ghost. This time, he turned his entire body, except his head, into mist and charged at White Ghost, but he dodged the attack.

- "Stop! Don’t do it! I’m not your enemy. I just want to help you."

- "I don’t need any help. I’m going to kill everyone here. I’ll kill all the humans if that’s what it takes to find my daughter

The mist began to spread from his body into the yard. I need to stop the Other before the mist becomes too thick. It will be difficult to catch him then. And I promised August I would complete the mission. This one, however, is quite a challenge.

The blinding light that had appeared at the beginning returned. White Ghost vanished. It was just me and the Other left. The mist had already spread, making it hard to see. I could only see my hand in front of me; the rest of my surroundings were obscured.

- "That white bastard disappeared. He escaped. But no matter. I’ll be satisfied with your death."

- "That’s what you think," I replied.

- "You’re no challenge for me. I’ll cut off your head and send it as a gift to August. He’ll be surprised when he sees his student’s severed head."

I couldn’t see the Other, I could only hear his voice. He was taunting me. I tried to figure out where he was, but it was impossible. The light was still present. The Other was trying to provoke me, circling me like a predator stalking its prey, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. I had lost my gun and had no idea where it had gone. In my hand, I only had my sword. Swinging it wildly would be futile. One wrong move, and I’d be dead. But how can I catch him? How can I wound him?

Then I noticed something—the mist was no longer spreading, no longer thickening. He had stopped using his powers—or perhaps, he was no longer capable of doing so. Now, he was vulnerable. This was my moment to seize him. I recalled what August had taught me: to rely on senses other than sight. Human beings are predominantly visual creatures, with the majority of stimuli processed through the eyes, while the other senses are often underutilized. A few times, we had sparred with my eyes blindfolded, and I had struggled immensely. With my sight taken away, I was forced to sharpen my other senses. I decided to attempt that now.

Gripping my sword tightly, I closed my eyes, immersing myself in complete darkness. I focused solely on my other senses. And after some minutes it worked. I could detect the scent of the Other’s cologne—an inexpensive men’s fragrance. In the distance, I could hear faint noises, likely passing cars. And I heard two voices. They were talking about something.  I didn’t understand what they were talking about. The conversation ended quickly, and the Other continued moving. I could feel his movement around me.  The Other was drawing closer and closer, seeking out my blind spot. Then, in a sudden rush, he attacked. I sensed his approach, turned swiftly, and swung my sword. I severed his ear. He collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from the wound as he tried to stanch the flow with his hand. He screamed with tears in his eyes. I approached him, pressing my sword against his throat.