Last time Kaito while making his way to his first class at West Genetics ended up caught up in the Worms first attack on the Academy. Calling upon the Kabuto Zecter, Kaito revealed his ability to transform into a form of combat armor that allowed him to fight alongside Satellizer and Ganessa. However two of the Worms escaped and are still at large at the Academy.

Kaito once again found himself sitting in Sister Margaret's office as the Headmistress stared at him with a neutral expression on her face.

Kaito: I'm assuming you have questions in regard to ZECT's Limiter Program?

Margaret: Yes, however we must wait for two other individuals. They had been monitoring the attack after word reached the staff, suffice to say they are rather worried about you.

Kaito cocked his head to the side in confusion at the Headmistress's words, only for the door to the office to unceremoniously burst open. Kaito barely had time to look over his shoulder before he was yanked out of his chair. The teen found himself being pulled into a rather strong hug by an older woman who appeared to be twenty-three years old. She had a very buxom figure, with short brown hair and brown eyes. She was dressed in a teacher's uniform.

This young lady was Yu-Mi Kim, a former member of the elite team Numbers and one of the teachers at West Genetics. Yu-Mi looked down at Kaito with an expression that was a mixture of frustration and concern.

Yu-Mi: Honestly Kaito, your first day here and you end up fighting some oversized bugs? Are you trying to give me a heart attack?!

Yu-Mi shot a glare at Kaito who simply stared back at her with his usual stoic expression.

Kaito: As an Agent of ZECT, it is my responsibility to dispatch any Worms that threaten West Genetics.

Yu-Mi stared at Kaito, surprised for a moment before a look of anger spread across her face.

Yu-Mi: What the hell is that Tech Company thinking handing out some untested technology to a teenager to fight aliens?!

Kaito: Is it any different from teenagers being genetically modified to combat the Nova?

Yu-Mi shot Kaito an unamused glare at his comment.

Yu-Mi: Don't be a smart ass, the Stigmata enhances the body, it can't malfunction or break down. Do you know how much danger you would be in if that suit of armor broke down?

Kaito once again stared at Yu-Mi with a blank stare, which earned another annoyed glare from the teacher. Yu-Mi released the hug before quickly putting Kaito into a headlock.

Yu-Mi: Am I going to have to drill it into that skull of yours to not do something stupidly reckless?!

????: Yu-Mi could you release the kid from your gorilla strength for a moment? I need to check his body for any injuries.

Yu-Mi and Kaito both turned their attention towards the doorway to the office. Standing there was another woman who appeared to be twenty-three years old. She had short green hair pulled back into a ponytail and dark eyes. She wore a lab coat over a lavender shirt, brown skirt, brown stockings, and brown boots.

This was Elize Schmitz, another former member of Numbers that served in the 8th Nova Clash, she is currently the Nurse of West Genetics.

Yu-Mi begrudgingly released Kaito from the headlock while letting out an annoyed grumble. Elize walked up to Kaito, a calm yet serious expression on her face.

Elize: Kaito, remove your shirt, most of the attacks you took seemed to be localized to your torso and back.

Kaito gave a brief nod of his head before taking off his uniform jacket before removing the white button up shirt he had on underneath. Elize scanned over his well toned physique, not seeing any noticeable injuries.

Elize: Turn around please.

Kaito turned around as Elize began looking over his back. A frown immediately spread across the Nurse's face as she noticed three sizable bruises littering Kaito's back.

Elize: I suppose the injuries could've been worse, but next time don't use your body as a shield.

Kaito: Rubor was targeting Satellizer, the Kabuto Armor is designed to withstand attacks from Worms. I was merely performing my duties as a Limiter.

Yu-Mi and Elize both look at Kaito, taken aback by his statement however Margaret clears her throat, gaining the attention of the two staff members and student.

Margaret: Yes, speaking of the rather odd attack that occurred earlier today. Mr. Aoi, what exactly were those creatures that attacked our school?

Kaito turned to look at the Headmistress, a serious expression on his face.

Kaito: You remember the meteorite that fell to earth three years ago correct? In it was an alien species known as the Worms. ZECT has been preparing for their arrival for decades. I am not privy to how they knew about their arrival decades in advance. However they pose a major threat to humanity, wishing to take our planet for themselves.

Margaret, Yu-Mi, and Elize's eyes widened in shock at this revelation as there was another alien species attempting to invade their planet.

Yu-Mi: How is that possible? How have these things been on our planet for three years and we are only now finding out about it?

Kaito: The Worms have the ability to take on the appearance of the people they kill, allowing them to blend in and integrate themselves into human society. They aren't like the Nova who go for a destructive frontal assault, they prefer operating in the shadows.

The Headmistress and the two teachers grimaced at this information, these aliens were far more subtle about their operations than the Nova were.

Elize: So we've got a bunch of aliens that have the potential to infiltrate major organizations or even branches of the military all without us having the slightest idea. As if our war against the Nova couldn't get any harder.

Margaret: That only leaves one final matter, what was that strange insect robot you used to don that combat armor?

Kaito: the Kabuto Zecter, it is one of four Zecters developed by ZECT to combat the Worms. They have advanced AI that gives them a level of sentience. They choose one of the Limiters from the Rider Program they deem worthy. When used in tandem with one the transformation devices, they produce the heavily armored Masked Form over the Limiter's body. While having exceptional defense, the combat ability of this form lacks offensive power.

The trio of adult women looked at Kaito in disbelief as the Zecters gave Limiters the ability to engage in proper combat.

Margaret: It certainly proved effective against the Worms that attacked the academy, however that last one you fought, it transformed. What exactly happened to it?

Kaito: Those Worms were Salis Worms, the pupa form of their species, when they molt they become an Evolved Worm. Evolved Worms are capable of moving at Light speed, hence why Ganessa and Satellizer were unable to react to Rubor's attacks. The human eye cannot see objects moving at the speed of light.

Margaret, Yu-Mi, and Elize all shared a worried look between each other as the Worms only seemed to become more dangerous the more they learned about them.

Elize: Moving at Light Speed? You got lucky with that strategy of yours kid, if you performed a Baptism, your Freezing Field probably would've been the only way to effectively fight those things.

Kaito: It would have made no difference, Salis Worms can be affected by a Freezing Field, but Evolved Worms move so fast they completely bypass the effects of the Freezing Field.

Margaret, Yu-Mi, and Elize's eyes all widened in sheer disbelief at this information as nothing in the decades humanity has been fighting the Nova has been capable of completely bypassing a Freezing Field.

Yu-Mi: Great so the alien bugs are immune to Freezing Fields. We have a real uphill battle on our hands with these things.

Kaito: Not particularly, the Zecters have the Cast Off Function, this lets us dispose of the heavy armor of the Masked Form and enter the offensive Rider Form designed to combat Evolved Worms.

Elize: As expected of the largest tech company in the world, they really thought of everything.

Margaret contemplated the information that she just received, if these strange aliens kept attacking West Genetics, it could prove disastrous.

Margaret: As much as it pains me to put such a responsibility onto a student, Mr. Aoi, can you continue to protect Academy from the Worms?

Kaito: As the Chosen One, it is my sworn duty to safeguard the Pandoras and Limiters, you have no reason to ask. I intend on hunting down the two Worms that managed to escape the battle earlier.

While Margaret gave Kaito an appreciative smile, Yu-Mi and Elize shot Kaito a worried look, not liking the idea of their deceased friend's little brother fighting these aliens all alone to defend their academy.

Elize: Kid, you said there were four of these Zecters right? That means there are three more of these Rider guys right? Couldn't we get in contact with ZECT and see if another one of them could be sent here to help keep the students safe?

Kaito contemplated the question for a moment before giving a response.

Kaito: Yes, however two of the other Riders are my age, seventeen. They are still undergoing the last few weeks of their training. There is the first successful Limiter of the Rider Program. He was actually a student of West Genetics during the 8th Nova Clash.

Margaret, Yu-Mi, and Elize looked at Kaito in surprise, none of them expecting a former student from West Genetics to be apart of ZECT's Rider Program.

Margaret: A former student? If he was present during the 8th Nova Clash, he fought alongside Yu-Mi, Elize, and your sister. What is his name?

Kaito: Lorenzo Esposito, he was born and raised in Italy before being accepted into West Genetics.

When Kaito said that name Margaret and Elize's eyes widened in shock while Yu-Mi lost her footing slightly, needing to lean against the Headmistress's desk for support.

Yu-Mi: Lorenzo works for ZECT?

Kaito shot Yu-Mi a mildly surprised look, his stoic expression barely faltering.

Kaito: You know Mr. Esposito?

Elize: Lorenzo was Yu-Mi's Limiter back when we were students. After your sister's death they drifted apart, both going their separate ways after graduation. Yu-Mi and I worked towards becoming an educator and nurse, Lorenzo up and disappeared.

Yu-Mi walked up to Kaito before resting her hands on his shoulders, a nervous look in her eyes.

Yu-Mi: Would he be willing to return to West Genetics to help protect it?

Kaito noticed a light blush on Yu-Mi's face and could deduce that his teacher wanted him to come back for more than just helping protect the academy.

Kaito: It might take awhile, but if the Headmistress got in contact with ZECT and requested another Rider help guard West Genetics, I'm sure they would send him to help in academy defense.

Margaret nodded her head in understanding while a hopeful look spread across Yu-Mi's face before she let go of Kaito and stepped back.

Margaret: Thank you for diverging this information to us Mr. Aoi, once again I apologize for asking you to defend West Genetics from the Worms. I intend on requesting assistance from ZECT on top of the technology they will be providing.

Kaito nodded his head in understanding before he turned to walk out of the office.

Yu-Mi: I'll let it slide today, but try not to make a habit of being late to class alright?

Kaito: Understood Yu-Mi-Sensei.

Kaito then walked out of the office, leaving the three adult woman to contemplate the new threat they found their planet facing. One thing was for certain, they had a lot of work ahead of them.

The Next Day
The day after the Worm attack and Kaito's meeting with the Headmistress and staff, the teen found himself walking to class once again. Kaito however let his mind wander to the two Salis Worms that had escaped the battle.

Kaito's Thoughts: Finding those two is of the utmost importance. If they are left unchecked for long enough, they could kill and take on the appearances of staff or students to infiltrate the academy. Or the far worse scenario, they both molt and go for another frontal assault.

As Kaito let his thoughts wander, he rounded a corner, bumping into someone who fell to the ground.

????: S-Sorry about that! I forgot my bag and was running back to my dorm to grab it!

Kaito looked down at the person who ran into him, he was seventeen years old just like Kaito himself, most likely a second year like him as well. He had a mop of brown hair on his head and timid green eyes that were framed by a pair of glasses. He wore a West Genetics Uniform with a gray jacket over top of it.

Kaito: My apologies for knocking you over, I was rather lost in thought.

Kaito offered his hand to the teen who graciously took hold of it. Kaito pulled the teen back onto his feet as he began to dust himself off.

????: Still, I'm really sorry. My name is Daigo, Daigo Nakamura. Although most people call me the Lone Limiter. I was the only Limiter in my first year to not get a Pandora Partner.

Daigo scratched the back of his head in embarrassment as he still couldn't believe that he failed at one of the most basic aspects of being a student at West Genetics. Kaito however studied Daigo closely for a moment, his usual stoic expression never faltering.

Kaito: I imagine that outcome was your own fault.

Daigo flinched at Kaito's words, a downcast expression spreading across his face.

Daigo: Y-Yeah you're probably right, I mean who would want to be partners with a country bumpkin like me?

Kaito: That's not what I meant.....

Daigo looked at Kaito in confusion, not fully understanding what he meant. Kaito however raised his right hand above his head, pointing to the sky above.

Kaito: Big Sister once said the first step to success is confidence. Therefore your failure in gaining a Pandora Partner is due to your lack of confidence.

Daigo blinked a few times, staring at Kaito completely dumbfounded by his statement.

Daigo: You really think that's all it is? Me not having confidence?

Kaito stared at Daigo once again, studying the teen. Daigo for his part flinched under Kaito's gaze, slightly uncomfortable from the look of judgement he received from his fellow Limiter.

Kaito: Tell me, why did you choose to walk this path? Why become a Limiter and risk your life?

Daigo was taken aback by the question, not exactly sure how he should answer. The brown haired teen looked down at his feet for a moment. Daigo thought back to his childhood and how his family's farm would help deliver crops to survivors of Nova Clashes.

Daigo: I became a Limiter to help protect people, I've seen how much suffering the Novas have caused. I know I'm nothing special, but if people are in danger I'll fight to protect them!

A determined look spread across Daigo's face as he locked eyes with Kaito. The brown haired teen thought he imagined it, but for the briefest of moments, he could've sworn he saw a tiny smirk spread across Kaito's face.

Kaito: Well said, it appears you have the potential to walk the path that I walk as well.

Daigo: The Path you walk?

Daigo tilted his head to the side in confusion, not understanding what exactly Kaito was talking about.

Kaito: The Path of Heaven, as the Chosen One it is my duty to guide humanity down this path to a brighter future! You will be the first I lead down this path, we first need to build your confidence.

Daigo: You're gonna help me? Why, how does it help you?

Kaito however merely pointed to the sky above with his right hand again.

Kaito: The more people that walk the Path of Heaven, the brighter humanity's future shall become. Therefore helping you is paramount to my duty.

Daigo once again cocked his head to the side in confusion, still completely lost in regard to what Kaito was rambling on about. However another part of him was inspired, someone wanted to help him simply because they believed he was important enough to receive help.

Daigo: I don't fully understand what you're trying to tell me, but I really appreciate the offer! I'll be in your care moving forward.

Daigo then bowed to Kaito before they both heard footsteps. The duo then saw Satellizer walking towards them. Daigo stiffened in fear while Kaito watched the blonde Pandora closely. 

Daigo: T-The Untouchable Queen! We better get out of her way before we anger her!

Daigo was about to drag Kaito away, but Satellizer called out to them.

Satellizer: Kaito, I need to have a word with you.

Daigo stiffened in utter terror as he shot Kaito a look of pity, Kaito however calmly walked up to Satellizer, stopping a few feet in front of her.

Kaito: How can I be of assistance Satellizer?

Satellizer: You are strange, I refuse to let others touch me, yet your touch does not cause my nerves to spike.

Kaito looked at Satellizer, a hint of curiosity in his eyes, but he remained silent as he let Satellizer continue to speak.

Satellizer: I still have no desire to have a Limiter, however if you would allow me. May I accompany you around campus? I wish to understand what makes you different from everyone else I've encountered.

Kaito contemplated the blonde Pandora's words for a moment before nodding his head in agreement.

Kaito: Very well, if it will help you in anyway, I would be more than happy to have you accompany around the campus.

Satellizer nodded her head in understanding before she turned to look at Daigo, who stiffened under her gaze.

Satellizer: Is this a friend of yours?

Kaito: This is Daigo, I intend on helping him walk the path I walk. I hope you don't mind him accompanying us.

Satellizer looked Daigo over before simply nodding her head at Kaito.

Satellizer: Very well, we should make our way to class. Yu-Mi-Sensei does not take kindly to tardiness.

Kaito and Daigo nodded before all three of them began to walk to class, however none of them noticed two figures watching them from on top of the roof. The two figures swiftly disappeared, they had a lot of work to do and a target in mind to get their revenge.

So Kaito has explained the Worms and Zecters to Margaret, Yu-Mi, and Elize. The headmistress now intends on contacting ZECT to request a second Rider to come help defend the academy. Satellizer has also requested that Kaito allow her to follow him around the academy.

Now I just want to let everyone know that I have Drake, TheBee, and Gatack. The only one that I haven't figured out yet is Sasword, I'm open to possible suggestions in that regard.

As always leave your thoughts and opinions in the comments! What awaits Kaito next at West Genetics now that Satellizer intends on following him around? How exactly will he help Daigo improve himself? Who else will they cross paths with? What could the two surviving Worms be planning? Find out in the next Chapter of Freezing: The Path to Heaven!