(Theme: A Scent Beyond Hierarchy)
Crimson lightning tore through the air. Akari surged forward, her horn blazing like a bloodied spear tip aimed at the mountain of scales. Her armor smoked, joints screaming under the strain of her own power.
"H-halfbreed..." The dragon's voice rumbled like tectonic plates grinding, dripping with contempt. "...pathetic."
Its claw descended—a obsidian scythe aimed at Kaito's exposed throat. Then... stillness.
Absolute silence. The claw froze, trembling inches from Kaito's skin. Molten eyes narrowed.
This human... his blood sings of forgotten epochs.
Akari skidded to a halt, chest heaving. Blood trickled from her temple. "Tch... why's it hesitating?"
"Hey!" Akari screamed. "Fight me, you overgrown lizard!" She lunged again.
The dragon flicked a talon.
Akari crashed through ferns.
BERSERK MODE.
She attacked with tooth and claw, crimson energy boiling off her skin. Muscles frayed beneath armor.
"Captain's burning out!" a soldier yelled.
GLITCH.
—Child Akari strapped to metal—needles piercing skin—black dragon blood snaking into veins—
Kaito dove onto Akari's back, arms locking like iron bands.
She bucked. An elbow snapped backward—shattering Kaito's ribs. Blood sprayed Akari's armor. His vision blurred. His grip tightened.
"H-human... binds dragon? Amusing."
GLITCHED MEMORY.
—Young Kaito pinning rabid Rusty—same desperate grip—before the gunshot—
"RRRAAAAAGH!" Akari screeched. Claws raked Kaito's forearms. Blood welled. He didn't flinch. Cold eyes locked onto hers. Stop.
The crimson inferno flickered. Died. Trembling replaced thrashing.
Kaito's whisper cut through the silence, wet with blood:
"I've watched too many die for nothing."
A ragged breath.
"Don't... be the next."
Akari went limp. "...Why?"
Kaito released her. Wiped blood from his lips. No answer.
The dragon snorted sulfurous smoke. Melted ferns.
"Y-you... interest me. Next time... I won't watch."
Shadows swallowed its form. The squad stared at Kaito, slack-jawed.
Akari pushed up. Guilt flashed as she saw Kaito's bleeding arms.
Medic's scanner whirred. "Your ribs... they're knitting back together?!"
[ DNA: 99.8% HUMAN | 0.2% ERROR ]
Steam rose from closing wounds.
High in the pulsating trees, purple eyes glowed in the shadows.
ORION'S NOTE: "Dun dun DUN! Who's this shady spectator? Tune in next time for 'Why Is Everyone Obsessed With Kaito?' Seriously guys get a hobby!"