Chris Reeves gasped as his lungs filled with nothing. The last thing he remembered was golden fire swallowing his body, the shriek of the Zar' Eth gate collapsing, Cecil's horrified face fading into light. Now he floated weightless, the stars sharp and endless around him.
No air. No sound. And yet he lived. His chest rose and fell, steady. A faint golden shimmer clung to him, not protecting or shielding, only regulating his body's functions — keeping him alive in the void, steadying his vitals against the vacuum.
He drifted, trying to make sense of what he had become. His body felt different. Stronger. Denser. Every muscle, every bone — unbreakable. He hadn't yet realized the other truth: the explosion had vaporized everything he had worn. He was utterly, completely naked.
That was when she found him.
A streak of silver cut across the stars, closing fast. In seconds, a figure halted before him, powerful and poised. She had a muscular, athletic frame, her pale-blue and white uniform clinging close, its flowing panels cutting a regal silhouette. Dark cropped hair framed sharp, piercing eyes that locked onto him with cold scrutiny.
She hovered with effortless balance, fists clenched, her gaze heavy with judgment. Her eyes flicked once down his body, then back to his face. One brow arched.
Chris, still dazed, didn't catch it.
Then she struck.
Her fist cracked against his jaw, the shock spinning him end over end. His head snapped, the stars blurring — but his body held. His jaw ached faintly, but there was no real damage. He caught himself, stabilizing, confused more than hurt.
She smirked, tilting her chin, daring him to fight back.
Chris clenched his fists. Something inside him told him what to do, though his body was still clumsy with this new power. He lunged.
They collided in silence, streaks of silver and gold weaving across the black canvas. Fists clashed, sending shockwaves rippling outward. Trails of light burned behind them as they moved at speeds Chris could barely comprehend.
He was raw, untrained, his movements clumsy — but his strength eclipsed hers. Every punch he landed sent her staggering back, surprise flickering across her sharp features. She hit harder, faster, testing him, but no matter how clean the strike, his body didn't break. He was simply too durable.
At last she pulled back, hovering just out of reach. Her chest rose and fell, sweat glistening faintly at her brow. Her eyes studied him now with something different — intrigue.
Then she smirked again, her gaze dropping — deliberately, this time. Her lips curved in amusement.
Chris frowned, confused — then followed her eyes down. His stomach sank.
"Oh, son of a—" He clamped his hands instinctively over himself, floating there awkwardly.
Anissa's expression said it all: smug amusement, mixed with just a hint of approval. She pointed sharply at him, then at the stars beyond, jerking her head in a silent command. Follow.
Face burning despite the vacuum, Chris gave a small, mortified nod.
Her smirk widened, then she turned and streaked off into the void.
With no other choice — and no clothes — Chris followed.