"Kisaragi," Selene said the moment she saw me. Her voice cracked—raw, desperate. Without warning, she dashed forward and threw her arms around me, hugging me so tightly that I could barely breathe.
"Selene…" I muttered, stiff as a board, trying to wriggle free. Her grip was like iron.
"I'm glad you're okay, Kisaragi. I thought I'd never see you again… my love," she whispered, her breath warm against my ear.
"Huh?!" My entire body froze. Love? Did she just—what?! Why is my heart beating so fast? Why does this hug feel… warm? Comfortable? For one terrifying moment, a part of me wanted to stay like this forever. No, no, no—get a grip, Rin! This is not right.
With effort, I shoved her back, face burning. "Me and Rei were handling the situation. You didn't need to barge in and steal our moment," I snapped, folding my arms, trying to look cool. Truth be told, though, I had been waiting for someone to save me. Just a little thought. Just a tiny hope.
Selene narrowed her eyes. "Oh really? Because the way I saw it, Rei's fire wasn't working against that thing. And don't lie—you were expecting me."
I scoffed, tossing my hair. "Haha, you wish. Remember, I don't need saving because I can't die. I was already negotiating with the queen. She was about to set me free. You don't have to play the hero." I tapped my foot dramatically, arms crossed. If arrogance were an art, I was painting a masterpiece.
"Queen? You call that thing a queen?" Selene snapped, visibly annoyed.
"Well, that's what they're called," I replied flatly.
"Are you kidding me? I am the only queen here in Kaida!" she shouted, her voice echoing across the walls.
"Queen of what exactly?" I teased with a sly grin.
Her cheeks flushed pink. "You—!"
"Uh, guys…" Rei finally spoke, breaking her long silence. Her fiery blade crackled faintly in her hand. "Can you stop flirting and look."
"I am not flirting with her!" I yelled. My voice cracked at the end, completely ruining the effect.
But my protests died in my throat as the golden queen—shattered into chunks of icy rubble just moments ago—began to twitch. Slowly, horrifyingly, it started reassembling itself, the broken shards knitting back together like grotesque puzzle pieces.
"Well, 'queenie,' looks like your icy sword couldn't kill the ant queen after all," I said, trying to sound mocking. But my voice was tight, because in truth… I had thought this nightmare was over.
Selene's brows furrowed. "Lately, when I freeze things and break them, they just… come back."
"Did you just call me a thing?" I muttered, but my sarcasm barely covered the unease crawling up my spine.
"Alright," Rei cut in, her voice sharp and steady. "Since the ant queen can't be killed and Rin is safe, why don't we leave? I have night watch duty. If my father finds out I skipped, my powers will definitely be taken away, and this time for real"
"Sounds good. Kisaragi is safe and alive. Let me take you home," Selene said quickly, as if that settled everything.
Both of them were ready to leave. Just like that. But… what about the people trapped in resin above? What about the enslaved black ants?
My fists clenched. "We can't just leave," I said firmly.
"What do you mean?" Selene asked, her eyes narrowing into dangerous slits.
"Yes, Rin, what do you mean?" Rei echoed, sounding genuinely puzzled.
"These people up there need saving. And those ants—they deserve to be free. They should have a choice of their own. Just because I'm safe doesn't mean we can walk away. These people have families and—"
Before I could finish, Selene grabbed my hand, yanking me forward with surprising force.
"You really talk too much, Kisaragi. I don't care about this cave or anyone else. All I care about is you, and only you. No one else!" Her words cracked like a whip, sharp and desperate.
I yanked my hand free, glaring at her. "But I care about everyone. It's not right to leave them."
Her jaw tightened, her icy aura flaring faintly. "No matter what we throw at that ant, it won't die. The best option is to leave before it finishes regenerating. We'll report to the clan lord—he'll deal with it," Rei reasoned, always calm, always pragmatic.
But I couldn't. My chest ached with the weight of it. I couldn't just abandon them. Not when I had the chance to do something.
"Rin, if you don't come with me, I'll freeze you and carry you out myself," Selene said coldly.
"Wouldn't that kill her? Maybe just use telekinesis to drag her out," Rei muttered dryly.
"Sounds fair, Lady Rei," Selene said, raising her hand. Invisible force wrapped around me, lifting me like a ragdoll, dragging me across the floor toward her.
Panic surged. No. This isn't how it's supposed to go.
"This shouldn't be happening… You have to listen—you have to!" My voice cracked as I struggled.
"Let go of me, now!" I snapped, and to my surprise, Selene froze mid-step. Her telekinesis flickered, breaking off.
I stumbled back to my feet, glaring at them both. My heart was pounding, but my voice was steady. "You two are going to stay and help me defeat that!" I pointed up at the regenerating golden queen. Her mandibles dripped with fresh blood, her massive form twitching and expanding as if mocking us. "I don't care how long it takes—we have to defeat the queen and save everyone trapped in this place!"
For a moment, silence fell.
Then Rei raised her swords, fire curling and flaring into shape. "Okay, Rin. What do you want us to do?"
Selene's icy sword shimmered into her grip, frost mist curling around her arm. Her expression was unreadable, but her voice was sharp. "I don't know what changed my mind, Kisaragi, but fine. Just don't end up disappearing or anything."
My chest swelled. Did my words really convince them? For once, I wasn't just the one getting rescued—I was leading. Cool. Finally, I had backup. Hippie.
"Cough, cough," I cleared my throat, trying to act unfazed. "Well… from what I noticed, the queen never leaves her nest. She only commands from above while the workers do everything. So… we lure them outside. Selene can freeze the swarm, and while they're distracted, we trap the queen. Since it can't die, we'll buy time and free the hostages." I nodded to myself. "Sounds like a solid plan, right?"
Rei tilted her head, unimpressed. "That plan looks boring. But fine—we'll try it."
Selene narrowed her eyes, her tone low and threatening. "Whatever you say, Kisaragi. But don't think I'll leave you alone, no matter what. If I have to—I'll kill you and drag you away myself."
Was… was that supposed to be supportive? Or a threat? Honestly, with her it was impossible to tell.
Before I could untangle her words, Selene's gaze flicked toward the cave entrance. Her posture stiffened.
"Why aren't they here yet?" she muttered.
"Who? Did you come with someone?" I asked quickly.
"Ice, Lady Akari, and two other maidens," she said flatly.
"Akari!" Rei gasped instantly. Her flames flared higher. "Where is she?!"
"They were right behind me, but now… they're not."
Before Selene could finish, the golden queen reared back, her mandibles parting. A hiss ripped from her throat, and then—she spat.
A glob of green, sizzling resin shot through the air, straight at Selene.
And instead of screaming a warning… my body just moved.
I threw myself in front of Selene and took the hit.