Kevin's heart pounded as the white light shield around him shattered under the immense pressure of Jack Carter's blood-forged serpent. He wanted to run, but the overwhelming power radiating from the creature made even taking a single step impossible.
The serpent danced in the air, hissing menacingly at Kevin. Its hiss alone was enough to make his bones creak under the pressure, sending a sharp, involuntary scream out of his throat. He was wounded—internally and deeply. At that moment, he accepted his fate. Today would be his last day.
Yet, even as despair took hold, a single face flashed in his mind—Karishma. Her presence alone felt like a soothing balm to his pain.
But then, something unexpected happened. The blood serpent, which had been closing in on him, suddenly paused midair. Then, it slithered forward again, inching closer. As it did, the bridge beneath them groaned, cracks spreading across its surface.
Kevin could see the serpent's reflection in his eyes, knowing he had no chance of survival. It was over.
Just as he braced himself for the end, the space before him blurred. A figure appeared out of nowhere—a girl, standing between him and the serpent. Her form was hazy, but her long, flowing black hair cascaded down to her waist.
Kevin's eyes widened in shock as he recognized her. His voice cracked as he shouted, "Karishma! Get out of here! Don't put yourself in danger!"
But she ignored him. Instead, she raised her hands in an intricate motion. A soft, pink energy began gathering around her. Then, placing a single finger on her forehead, a pattern of five burning feathers appeared, glowing like firebrands. Her eyes burned with flames—flames that seemed eager to consume the blood serpent.
With a deafening roar, she shouted, "Fire Phoenix Solo Attack!"
A fiery vortex erupted above her, releasing waves of heat so intense that even the blood serpent's movements slowed. Smoke rose from its body as its blood began to evaporate. The serpent let out an enraged hiss, trying to resist, but it was too late.
From within the fiery vortex, a colossal phoenix of flames emerged, its wings stretching wide as it soared through the air. The serpent's oppressive aura weakened in its presence.
Now furious, the blood serpent abandoned Kevin and lunged at the phoenix instead. The phoenix met its charge head-on, locking gazes with burning determination.
The instant they clashed, a tremendous explosion rocked the bridge. The impact shattered the structure entirely, sending its remains crashing into the river below. The explosion's force even evaporated the water in the river, leaving behind only barren land.
Amidst the chaos, Karishma swiftly moved, wrapping Kevin in a protective energy shield before grabbing him and soaring into the air.
Kevin wanted to ask so many questions, but the sheer experience of flying rendered him speechless. His mind buzzed with disbelief. Karishma had powers—monstrous powers. But more than that, her form was flickering, as if she wasn't completely there.
Before he could fully process it, they landed atop a massive skyscraper. From its rooftop, half of New York City was visible beneath them.
Kevin turned to Karishma, his eyes filled with countless questions. She exhaled deeply before asking, "Not going to ask me anything?"
Kevin mirrored her tone, replying, "Are you even going to answer me?"
She smiled faintly.
Kevin wasted no time. "You knew about my white light powers, didn't you?"
Karishma sighed, shaking her head. "No. I don't."
Disappointment flickered across Kevin's face, but he pressed on. "Then who was Jack Carter? How did he have such terrifying abilities? And you—how do you have these powers? Why did he call me his greatest enemy? Why did he want to kill me so badly?"
Karishma rubbed her temples. "Jack Carter was a demon. He came from another world—his sole purpose was to kill you. And not just him. Many demons across multiple planets are searching for you right now."
Kevin's breath caught in his throat. "Demons? Multiple planets?" He wanted to dismiss it as nonsense, but the events he had just witnessed—the bridge, the serpent, the phoenix—proved otherwise.
He took a deep breath. "But why? Why are they after me? I've never done anything to them!"
Karishma's expression grew uncertain. "I don't know… I was only told to protect you."
Kevin frowned. "By who?"
Karishma met his gaze. "My father. And before you ask, I don't know why."
Frustration welled up inside Kevin. "You don't know this, you don't know that—what do you even know?"
Karishma chuckled. "I know you."
Her words caught him off guard, and his face turned red. But then, a thought struck him. "Weren't you in love with Jack Carter? You literally kissed him. And then you killed him without hesitation. Don't you feel guilty?"
Karishma scrunched her nose in disgust. "Me? Love Jack Carter? Ew! Death is preferable to that!" She even made a gagging motion.
Kevin froze. What? His mind reeled back to when he saw Karishma and Jack Carter kissing passionately. He couldn't make sense of it. Why was she disgusted now?
Almost as if reading his thoughts, Karishma smirked. "The Karishma who loved Jack Carter… wasn't me."
Kevin's eyes widened. "Then who was she?"
Karishma responded casually, "Karishma."
Kevin's brain short-circuited. "What?!"
She sighed, realizing he needed an explanation. "Listen carefully. I am not from this world. And neither are you. When you were sent here, a fragment of my soul was placed inside the Earth's Karishma… so I could protect you."
Kevin's head spun. "You're joking, right? A different world? Soul fragments? What is this, some kind of fantasy novel?!"
Karishma giggled at his reaction.
Kevin rubbed his temples. "So let me get this straight. Whenever I was near the Earth's Karishma, you took over her body. And when I was away, you released control. Meaning… when she kissed Jack Carter, that wasn't you?"
Karishma smiled slyly. "So? You only 'know' Karishma… not love her?"
She leaned closer, staring into his eyes, waiting for his answer.
Kevin's face burned. He scratched his head, then his cheek, then his head again, looking away awkwardly. Karishma found his nervousness amusing and decided to tease him further. "Fine, I get it. I'll find some other nice guy and marry him instead."
Kevin was startled when he heard this and, stumbling over his words, said, "W-What are you saying? Marriage? No! You can't marry someone else… never!"
As soon as he said this, Kevin averted his gaze, feeling embarrassed. All the planning he had done to propose to Karishma had completely fallen apart.
Karishma's lips curled into a soft smile. She gently held Kevin's face with her hands, making him look at her. Her eyes spoke without words, as if asking, "Why can't I get married?"
Kevin understood her silent question. Gathering all his courage, he said, "You can't marry anyone else… because I love you! Yes, even though you are a spirit, I still love you… and I always will. Do you love me too?"
Hearing this, Karishma's eyes welled up. If she weren't in her spirit form, she would have surely cried. But just then, her soul began to flicker.
Feeling something was wrong, she held Kevin's hand tightly and said, "I love you too! I love you more than anything."
Kevin's happiness knew no bounds, but before he could say anything, Karishma spoke again, "Now you have to return to your world, Kevin. You need to become stronger… or else, everything will be lost."
What did Karishma mean by this? What is she warning Kevin about? Is she planning to take him to another world? Was Jack Carter really a demon? What twists await Kevin and Karishma's love story?
To find out, keep reading…