The city lay in ruins below, but Akira hovered above it, crimson-and-gold aura pulsing gently now instead of violently. The Blood Bloom Bean's effects continued to surge through her veins, each day pushing her strength higher, her senses sharper, her control tighter.
Rin approached cautiously, eyes wide. "You… look different. Calm… but still dangerous."
Akira smirked, fangs glinting. "Danger never takes a break, Rin. But even predators need a moment to breathe."
She landed gracefully on a ruined rooftop, observing the streets. Her blood constructs slithered around her like obedient shadows, reacting only when she willed them. Training herself, testing her new powers, and planning the next moves—this was the calm after the storm, and she liked it.
Takumi appeared again, hesitating. His betrayal lingered in the air, but she didn't strike him. Instead, she tested him. With a flick of her wrist, crimson threads of blood snaked out, not to harm, but to guide him. "Follow the rules," she purred. "Or stay out of my way."
He flinched, caught between fear and fascination, and for once, Akira let him watch instead of attack.
She flexed her claws, feeling the surge of power from the Blood Bloom Beans. Each day, her aura grew stronger. Each day, Rank 12 felt closer—yet she didn't rush it. Patience was as much a weapon as speed, strength, or cunning.
From a nearby broken window, she caught the faintest glimmer of the Architect's presence. He was still watching, still plotting—but she was no longer the prey. She was consolidating, evolving, and preparing.
Akira smiled, a dangerous glint in her eyes. "The storm isn't over. It's just… learning to wait."
🔥 Cliffhanger: Akira is settling into a period of calm, consolidating power and mastering her Rank 11 abilities while edging toward Rank 12. The Architect is still watching, hinting that the next phase of chaos is coming—but for now, she's in control, testing her powers daily and letting the anticipation build.