Years before Earth was plummeted into war…
Eleven years after the Great Space Pirate Wars.
Aika's voice was quiet, steady.
"Rose's life… was… strict."
Whack!
A sharp cry escaped the lips of a young girl. Rose was no older than seven, panting on the ground, her tiny hands trembling as she tried to shield herself.
Towering over her was a man—short pink hair neatly combed, sharp green eyes that cut like blades. His feline ears twitched with irritation, his tail swishing once like a whip in its own right.
In his hand he held a small leather lash, still dripping with the sting of punishment.
"A woman of your status," he spat coldly, "shouldn't be interacting with such lowly stature."
This was Cedric Valcrest—owner of Earth's most prominent magic stone mines.
Her father.
"I'm… sorry, Da—"
Whack!
"I will be referred to as Cedric."
"Yes Da—… Cedric!"
And so it went on.
Day after day.
Year after year.
Aika's hands tightened in her lap as she spoke.
"Me and my mother were both maids in service to her family. We saw it all. We were treated poorly too… but not nearly as bad as Rose. She… she carried the weight of everything."
There was one time—Rose wanted to invite a friend over. She had begged for days, her voice carrying a rare spark of hope.
Cedric only sneered.
The next week, her friend's home was bought outright, her family swallowed into Cedric's control. He told Rose coldly, "I've already provided you with friends."
The little girl's hope faded that day.
"I slowly started to see her lose herself," Aika whispered. "And it broke me. I wanted to help… but I was powerless."
Until—
One afternoon.
Aika had been watching television in the servants' quarters, flipping through channels.
Rose happened to walk by.
Something on the screen caught her attention, and she stopped in her tracks, peeking curiously.
On the TV was a radiant demi-cat woman.
Confident. Free. Her tail flicked lazily as she spoke into the camera, her voice dripping with defiance.
"Nobody tells me what to do."
She laughed, bold and unafraid.
The woman didn't follow rules.
She didn't bow her head.
She lived exactly as she pleased.
For the first time in years… Rose's eyes lit up.
Rose stepped into the room.
Aika flinched and moved quickly to turn off the TV.
"Wait… um, can I watch?" Rose asked.
"…I was hesitant… but I couldn't say no."
So the two of them sat there, side by side, the glow of the screen reflecting in Rose's wide eyes.
"…We watched that show together. I'm pretty sure it wasn't for kids… but for her… it was everything."
But she didn't care at all.
Aika began to nod off to sleep beside her.
"This is fun, Lady Valcrest…" I mumbled.
"No! Call me Rose!!!"
"Um… you sure that's ok?"
"Well of course it's ok! We are friends now, right!?"
Aika's mother was there too, quietly folding linens in the corner, her eyes as lifeless as always.
I looked at Rose and for the first time… I saw how much better she had become.
She was smiling. Laughing. Free.
This went on for about a week.
Until—
Her father caught us.
"ROSE!" Cedric's voice thundered, rattling the very walls. "This is not how I raised you! Your status is above those lowly—"
I froze. My stomach tightened with fear, and my body trembled, the sound of his footsteps pounding like hammers.
My mother stood beside me, head bowed, her eyes lifeless. She didn't defend herself, didn't defend me—just stood there, silently enduring his scolding as if she were part of the crime. Her hands twisted in her apron, trembling, but she never spoke. She never dared.
Rose, however, stood tall. Defiance burning in her eyes.
"Oh, shut up!! Jackass!!"
His eyes widened, disbelief flashing across his face. "Jack… ass?"
"Yeah, you heard me! Dumbass! Ass face! Butt wipe! Jerk!"
"How dare you—!"
He raised his hand to strike, fury twisting his features—
But Rose's voice cut him again.
"Nuh uh uh! You can't hit me. That's child abuse."
His face burned red with anger, veins pulsing at his temple.
"What did this bitch tell you?!" His glare snapped toward me.
He stormed forward, hand rising, ready to strike me instead.
My mother stepped slightly in front of me, her lifeless eyes wide, her whole body shaking as she tried to shield me—but no words left her lips. Just silence. Always silence.
Before his hand could fall, Rose stepped in front of me.
The slap cracked against her cheek.
She spat out a bit of blood, her lip trembling, but her eyes blazed hotter than ever.
"I'm not gonna take your BS anymore, Dad! I CAN LIVE HOW I PLEASE!!"
"You… you insolent brat…!"
Then—
"Leave her alone."
A woman's voice rang out. Calm. Cold. Cutting.
From the shadows of the room, her mother, Angela Valcrest, stepped forward.
She placed her hand on Cedric's cheek, her grip like iron.
"You never raise your hand to that woman's child… AGAIN."
Her eyes burned into his.
"That is Aika Nemizora. You know who her father was… right?"
My mother flinched at the name. She lowered her head quickly, her hands trembling harder. She took the weight of the moment on her shoulders, silently nodding as if to bear the shame that wasn't hers.
Cedric's fury faltered. For the first time—he looked terrified.
"…Rose…" he growled, voice breaking. "You may do as you please. But you will no longer be allowed to live here. Same with this woman and her child."
Rose huffed, blood still on her lip, but pride blazing in her stance.
"You will be living in the Education Sector. Both of you, from now on."
Angela bowed slightly to my mother.
"Sorry for that. Let's keep this incident to ourselves."
My mother's eyes stayed lifeless. She nodded faintly, still standing there as if the scolding hadn't ended, as if it never would.
Soon after, Rose was sent away.
And not long later… so was I.
I thought that would be the last time I'd ever see her.
But then—school.
I was sitting there, head down on my desk, when I heard her voice.
"Hey! Aika!"
I looked up.
It was Rose.
What were the chances of us being in the same school?
It was a miracle.
We became best friends.
But… Rose… She was hurt, she had never been truly loved.
Still… me and her went everywhere together.
Kai shifted in his seat, finally cutting in.
"I get what you're saying… but how does this—"
Aika glared, snapping at him.
"Kai, for someone so smart, you really are dumb! Just listen!!"
"Anyways," she continued, "Rose started hanging out with all the bad boys. If I wasn't there to keep her out of trouble… she would've… well… you know."
She sighed, shaking her head.
"She was used to all the boys fawning over her. Until…"
High school.
"Ok Rose, we need to get through this class with at least a passing grade!" I scolded her.
Rose grinned. "Easy for me… but Aika, you keep sleeping through your classes. Science isn't our strong suit."
"You can say that again…" I muttered, yawning.
"Anyways, who's the other person in our group?"
Rose leaned back, ears twitching.
"Kai Loke."
"Who's that? Sounds like a nerd."
"Nerd or not, I'll be doing all the work. I know it."A young man was leaning back in his seat, orange hair messy under the light, glasses sliding down his nose.
"Oh, and I'm Kai Loke."
Rose's ears flicked up. "Eavesdropping is very creepy!"
"I wasn't eavesdropping."
"Eavesdropping…" she repeated stubbornly.
Kai rolled his eyes. "I could let you do this all yourself, you know."
Rose shot up straight. "No, no, please!"
"That's what I thought," Kai muttered, smirking faintly. "Now let's set up a time and study."
Aika's voice softened, remembering.
"You were the only boy who didn't take her attitude. But… in a nice way. You were still kind. Rose was mad that she couldn't make you fall in love with her."
Some time later, in the café—
Rose slammed her drink on the table. "I'll make that idiot pay!"
Aika sighed, sipping her tea. "Well… without him we wouldn't have gotten that high of a grade."
"True…" Rose muttered, taking a long sip of her straw, cheeks puffed.
Then her eyes lit up.
"Wait! I got an idea!"
Aika groaned. "What now, Rose…"
She leaned forward, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
"I'll make him fall in love with me!"
Aika nearly spat out my food. "What?! Like… do you have a crush on him?!A big man stood in front of her, towering over their table.
Rose blinked. "O crap…"
I tugged her sleeve nervously. "Who's that?"
Rose sighed, rolling her eyes. "One of my ex's. Listen, dude, get lost… I'm so over you."
"I am too," he said flatly. "I'm just here to pay."
Rose tilted her head, ears twitching. "…Pay for what?"
He pulled a wad of cash from his pocket and tossed it onto the table with a smirk.
"Uhh… why?"
"That's how much it costs, right?"
Her tail flicked. "How much what costs…?"
He leaned in, breath sour, grin wide.
"To get in bed with you, duh, bitch." He laughed, loud and cruel.
The words hit the room like a stone through glass.
Rose's chair scraped violently against the floor as she stood, her ears twitching, tail puffed out, every muscle tight with rage.
"The hell did you just say—?!"
But the damage was already done.
From the other tables, whispers began to rise.
"I heard she flirts with every guy she meets…"
"Yeah… she'll let anyone touch her if they give her what she wants."
"My cousin swore she went out with three guys in one week."
"She's just desperate. Easy."
"She's probably been passed around already."
Each murmur was like a dagger.
They weren't even whispered anymore—some of them said it loud enough for her to hear.
Rose's ears drooped for a split second. Her lips trembled.
Then her eyes sharpened into a glare that could kill.
Rose could hear them.
The shifting of chairs, the stares pressing into her back, the cruel smirks curling across unfamiliar faces.
Laughter followed, sharp and jagged, cutting deeper than any blade. Each word the man had said echoed in her chest, growing heavier with every passing second.
Her ears drooped, her lips trembled, and her tail went still.
For the first time in years, she looked like she was about to cry.
Then—
"Yeah, there's a 0% chance that's true."
"Huh?"
Rose's head snapped up.
At the far end of the café, Kai stood from his seat. His chair scraped lightly against the floor as he rose, unhurried, calm, almost too casual as he made his way toward them.
The ex sneered, baring his teeth. "You must've slept with her too, huh?"
Kai's eyes didn't waver. He didn't even flinch.
"Not my style. I'm no scumbag… unlike you."
The man's face twisted with rage. He lunged forward, grabbing Kai by the collar and yanking him close. "Say that again, punk—"
But Kai's hand was steady as he pulled a folded checklist from his pocket, flipping it open right in front of him.
"Let's see…" Kai's voice was level, sharp as a blade. "Cheating on your last three girlfriends. Lying about being rich just to get dates. And—oh, right—forcing yourself on Clarisse at the end-of-year party. Yeah. I think you qualify as scum."
The café fell silent.
Every eye shifted.
The man's bravado cracked under the weight of dozens of stares, his grip faltering. His confidence slipped like sand through his fingers.
Rose's eyes widened, her breath caught in her throat. Why… why is Kai helping me?
The ex snarled, shoving Kai back. His voice rose, desperation tainting the edge of his anger. "Who is she to you, huh?! Who the hell is Rose Valcrest to you?!"
Kai's gaze didn't falter. Calm. Cold. Steady.
"A friend."
The man's fist drew back, his arm trembling with rage, ready to swing.
"NO!!!" Rose screamed, her voice shattering through the café.
But his punch never landed.
It was stopped.A Demi-Wolf with bright crimson red eyes was holding back the man's fist.
His grip was unyielding, his eyes sharp and intense, glowing like embers ready to ignite.
"I recommend you let him go…" his voice rumbled low, dangerous.
The café froze. Every head turned.
"MARKUS SENTRYON!"
Gasps rippled through the room.
"That guy's trouble…"
"Look into his eyes and… watch out!!!"
"Those aren't eyes monstrous!…"
The man's bravado shattered. His wrist trembled in Markus's iron grip.
He released Kai with a growl. "…Fine. Damn…"
Markus shoved his hand away, crimson eyes narrowing, his tail flicking once in warning.
The ex stumbled back, face pale now, muttering curses as he backed away from the scene.Markus's crimson eyes softened just slightly.
"You good, Kai?"
Kai adjusted his glasses, brushing the man's grip from his shirt. "Of course I am."
Markus frowned. "You're so reckless…"
Before Kai could respond, Rose stormed up to them, her ears twitching furiously, water still clinging to her lashes from earlier.
"Idiot… I don't need your help!!"
Her voice cracked, but her glare burned.
She thought you were looking down on her…
Without another word, she spun on her heel and ran.
Kai scoffed, watching her storm off. "What's her problem? This is the thanks I get for helping her? She's so ungrateful…"
Aika lowered her gaze, whispering softly. "…Rose…"
Rain hammered down outside.
Rose sprinted from the café, the storm soaking through her clothes, her ears drooping under the weight of the water. Her boots splashed against the pavement—until she tripped, crashing into the mud.
"Jerk…" she muttered, pushing herself up on shaky arms. "He just wanted to show off… I didn't need help… I don't need anyone…"
"BITCH!"
Rose froze. She turned her head slowly, water dripping from her bangs.
It was him.
The man from before—back again. And this time, he wasn't alone. Two others flanked him, each wearing the same twisted grin.
"You humiliated me…" he growled. "I won't let that slide."
Before she could react, rough hands grabbed her arms, yanking her to her feet.
"LET GO OF ME!!" she screamed, thrashing violently.
But there were too many.
They gagged her, dragging her through the storm until they reached a nearby abandoned building. The smell of rot and mold filled the air as the door slammed behind them.
One after another, fists met her body.
WHAM!
WAMM!
Rose collapsed to the ground, coughing, blood staining her lip.
"Get up! Come on, girl!"
She staggered to her feet, rage flashing in her eyes. She charged forward, only to be caught—slammed against the wall.
"You're a naughty girl…" one of them sneered, his hand groping at her chest. "Someone needs to teach you a lesson."
"GET OFF ME!!"
Rose's knee shot up—CRACK!—catching him under the chin.
He flew back, crashing onto the floor.
Rose's teeth clenched. "You know who my dad—"
But the words caught in her throat.
Her eyes widened, the realization hitting her harder than any punch.
She didn't have parents anymore.
Not ones who cared.
Her strength faltered. Her will crumbled. She fell to her knees, rain-soaked hair hiding her face.
…They don't care… no one cares…
"Damn you, girl!" the man roared, spitting blood from his mouth. "That's it boys—let's do what we like!"
They closed in, their grins twisted, their hands reaching.
But then—
"HEY!!!"
The door slammed open, wind and rain rushing in with the storm.
Kai stood there, drenched head to toe, water dripping from his hair, his glasses fogged and cracked—but his glare was sharp enough to cut steel.
"You again?!" one of them barked, stepping forward with a sneer.
He cracked his knuckles. "Looks like you need to be taught a lesson too."They rushed Kai all at once.
Fists. Boots. Blows from every angle.
Kai didn't block. He didn't dodge. He stood there and took it.
Each strike crashed into him—his jaw, his ribs, his stomach. Blood sprayed from his lip as he staggered but never fought back.
"Come on, hero, get up!" one of them mocked, shoving him down into the dirt.
Rose's muffled voice broke through the chaos.
"…Stop…" she whispered.
Her eyes welled, her body trembling.
"…Stop… please…"
"Why… why!!" her voice cracked, breaking into sobs. "WHY?!"
Kai coughed blood, forcing a crooked grin through his pain.
"I have… no idea…"
The men laughed, circling him.
"Let's finish this kid."
"NOOO!!!"
A bloodcurdling shriek tore from Rose's throat, raw and filled with everything she had left.
Then—
BOOM!
The door exploded off its hinges, splintering into shards of wood that clattered across the floor.
The storm's light cut into the room, and through the doorway stepped two figures.
Markus Sentryon—his crimson eyes burning like fire in the dark.
And beside him—Arnik Handerfall, his bright blue eyes glowing bright.Kai wiped the blood from his mouth, smiling through swollen lips.
"I brought some friends."
Markus stepped forward, crimson eyes glowing.
Arnik followed, his bright blue eyes gleaming sharp in the dim light.
Markus snorted. "Kai, for someone so smart… you really do things last minute."
Arnik smirked faintly. "Well, better late than never, I'd say."
The men froze. Fear rippled through their bodies as their bravado crumbled.
"RU—"
BAM!!
Arnik's foot cracked against one of their skulls, sending him flying back across the floor.
Markus was right behind him—his knee slamming up into another man's face, the crunch echoing through the abandoned building. Blood sprayed.
The last one panicked, stumbling backward. His eyes darted for the exit. He bolted, nearly making it outside when—
BAMM!!
He collapsed instantly, his body sprawled in the mud.
Aika stood at the doorway, soaked from the rain, clutching a shovel in her hands. Her breath came sharp, her knuckles white on the handle.
Silence filled the room.
Rose lay on the floor, her body trembling, eyes wide with shock as she looked up at her friends—at the people who had come for her.
Kai pushed himself up slowly, wiping the blood from his chin.
"Glad that's over…"
Aika held the shovel tightly, her voice shaking. "We should call the cops…"
"Good idea." Kai nodded.
Markus rubbed the back of his head, crimson eyes dimming. "Mom's not gonna like how I got into some trouble again…"
Arnik chuckled, his bright blue eyes soft. "I think she'd understand."
Aika rushed across the room, dropping to her knees beside Rose. The sight of her bruises made her gasp.
"Rose…"
Rose sat up, spitting blood onto the floor. "Damn perverts…"
Kai staggered closer, his body still aching from the beating. "Rose? …You good?"
Her ears twitched, her tail puffing. Her eyes burned with anger.
"Why would you do something so stupid!!!!" she shouted, voice cracking. "WE AREN'T EVEN FRIENDS!! WE ARE JUST CLASSMATES! WHY DO YOU HAVE ANY REASON TO HELP ME?!"Kai looked down at her, his tone steady.
He exhaled sharply, his voice low but firm.
"I'm sick of seeing people trampled on… You keep pretending you don't care, but I see through it. You act strong because you've had to be. Because no one ever stood up for you. So I will."
He took a breath, his gaze softening.
Rose let out a weak chuckle, though her lips trembled. "…You're so stupid."
Kai frowned. "Well, if you're gonna be so rude about it… nevermind." Dense as always.
Aika's hands clenched the hem of her clothes, her voice trembling as she finished telling the story.
"Rose… she never had anyone say those things to her. She only knew how to look out for herself. But Kai… you did more for her than you'll ever know. More than even I did…"
Her eyes lowered, shadowed. "…I'm jealous of you. Rose likes you more… no… she loves you."
"She doesn't know how to express it. But I bet… you're the same way."
Kai froze. Her words rang deep, louder than any insult or scolding could.
"…Rose… is just like me?"
He looked down at his bruised hands.
"…But… what if I don't feel the same way…"
Aika's eyes flicked up, piercing. "Do you not?"
Kai hesitated. His breath caught in his throat.
"…No… I… I don't know…"
Aika's expression softened, almost a faint smile tugging her lips.
"If you of all people, are stumped… then I think the answer is already there."Kai thought.
He thought hard.
Every moment with Rose came flooding back—
the bickering in class, the way she always pushed his buttons, the way she always called him an idiot…
He thought it meant she hated him.
But then he remembered—
when she was in trouble, it was always him that was called.
When she needed help, she came to him.
Not directly. Never directly. Always in her own stubborn, roundabout way.
And now, realizing it… his chest tightened.
…She's been reaching out this whole time…
A single tear rolled down his cheek as another thought crashed in—his own past.
How he had been afraid to trust anyone again.
How fragile his emotions were, always unstable, always breaking apart when he tried to let someone close.
His voice broke.
"Rose… I… I think… I do… li—"
Suddenly Aika's hand gripped his arm. Her eyes were wet too, tears running down her pale cheeks.
"Save those words… for Rose."
Kai froze, eyes wide. "…But… how should I—"
"Let your heart talk." Her voice was firm but trembling. "You think too much. Just… let it out."
The weight in her words struck him harder than any blow.
Kai's jaw tightened. Then he nodded, determination snapping into place.
He threw the door open and bolted down the hallway, his coms crackling in his hand.
"ROSE!! I NEED TO TALK TO YOU!!!"
Static hissed back.
Rose had muted her channel.
"ROSE, PLEASE!!!" His voice cracked this time, desperation flooding through.
Nothing.
"Damn it…" Kai muttered, shoving the coms away. "I guess I gotta find her."
He ran through the base, his boots pounding against the steel floors.
Every hallway he turned into, he grabbed someone—
"Have you seen Rose?!"
A shake of the head.
Again—"Have you seen her?!"
Nothing.
Time bled away. His lungs burned. Sweat soaked through his clothes. Two hours of frantic searching, his panic clawing deeper every second.
Finally, his knees buckled. He dropped down, palms pressed against the floor, gasping.
"Helloooo!"
Kai's head snapped up.
Miu crouched right in front of him, her hips swishing, a huge grin plastered on her face like she had just popped out of thin air.
"What's wrong?" she asked, her voice bubbly, her ears perked with curiosity.
Kai dragged in air, chest heaving. "…I'm looking for Rose. I need to tell her… how I feel. But…"
"But what?"
Takashima's calm, collected voice cut through the hall. He was approaching slowly from the opposite side, his footsteps echoing. His glasses reflected the dim light.
"Then tell her how you feel."
Kai clenched his fists, shame burning in his chest. "…What if this… affects us? The team…"
Takashima adjusted his glasses, his tone sharp. "You got her pregnant. Anything else you do can't affect the team any more than that."
Kai's eyes widened. "Tch…"
"And besides that…" Takashima's voice softened just slightly. "Love is important."
Miu suddenly jumped up, grabbing Takashima's arm with both hands, her grin widening. "Yup! I love Rintarou! More than anything!"
"Right?"
Takashima sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "…Yes, Miu."
"Say my first name!!" she demanded, puffing out her cheeks.
"…Fine. Mochizuki. I tolerate you more than most."
"Close enough!!" she cheered, leaping into his arms and hugging him tight.
"NOW GO, YOU LOVE-SICK PUPPY!!"
Kai's fists clenched tighter. His heart pounded.
"…Right!"
Rose!!!
His thoughts raced, his emotions spinning faster than his steps.
I know how I feel. I need you to hear it. I need you to know it.
Miu's coms pinged his wrist with a soft chime.
"Sending coordinates now!" she chirped.
A red dot appeared on his screen—Rose's signal.
She was outside… at the very edge of the city's barrier.
Kai's eyes widened. His body trembled, but not from exhaustion. From resolve.
"ROSE!! I'M COMING!!!"
It was dark at this time… around 5 a.m.
The stars were still out, but the horizon glowed faintly, scarred by the endless battles raging far off.
The night was quiet, but the sky itself carried the hum of war.
After what felt like forever, Kai finally found her.
Rose sat at the edge of the barrier, her yari resting across her lap.
She was curled up, shoulders hunched, her ears drooped low against her hair.
"ROSE!" Kai called out, his breath ragged, chest heaving.
Her head turned slowly.
Her eyes were swollen, red from how much she'd been crying.
"Kai?" she muttered. Her voice was dull, flat.
She quickly wiped her own tears away with her sleeve.
"What do you want, Kai…?" Her tone shifted back into her usual bite. "I'm just enjoying the view."
Kai took a step closer, heart pounding.
"Rose… I need to talk to you."
She stood, her back to him, fists clenched tightly at her sides.
"Yeah… what is it, idiot…"
Kai swallowed hard. His voice shook.
"Rose… I know how hard it's been for you. I know your life was a disaster. How much pain you've carried. How much of a jerk I was… and how I never noticed sooner what you were going through."
Rose puffed her cheeks, trying to act annoyed, but her voice trembled.
"Well… it's a little late for that now…"
"No. It's not."
Kai walked closer, his boots scraping against the stone.
"Rose… I need to tell you this. I need to tell you how I feel."
He grabbed her shoulders firmly, making her face him.
"Rose… I—"
Her ears twitched sharply. Every muscle in her body went tense.
Something was wrong.
"Kai, wait—" she cut him off.
Her eyes darted, scanning the skyline—then she shoved him hard, her leg snapping up in a kick that sent him flying back.
Kai crashed to the ground, coughing. "Rose?! What the hell, let me tell you how I fe—"
ZZZZZZZPPP—BOOOOOOM!!!
A massive beam of pure magic tore through the air, scorching the earth where he had been standing seconds before.
The blast nearly vaporized them both.
Rose had reacted in the nick of time.
Kai's heart pounded, his mind racing. "What the hell!?"
He scrambled to his feet, eyes darting wildly. "Rose!!"
"I'M ALRIGHT!!!" she shouted back, gripping her yari. "KAI!! WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!!!"
Kai spun his head—and froze.
Dozens of Demon Users were advancing, their silhouettes cutting through the storm of dust and smoke, their eyes glowing with malice.
"They're attacking…!" Kai muttered. His throat went dry.
"RUN, KAI!!!!"
"DON'T HAVE TO TELL ME TWICE!!!"Both of them bolted.
Their feet pounded against the glowing pavement as sirens wailed through the streets. Neon signs flickered above, explosions lighting up the skyline like artificial lightning.
Beams of magic rained down, ripping through skyscrapers, glass shattering in sheets that sparkled as they fell. Steel bent and snapped, alarms blaring.
People screamed—crowds of civilians scattering in every direction, their voices cutting through the chaos.
Rose grabbed Kai's wrist, yanking him forward. "THIS WAY!!"
But then—
ZZZZZPPP—KABOOOOOM!!!
A second blast slammed into the road between them.
The explosion ripped the street apart, hurling them in opposite directions.
Rose was launched left, smashing through the glass façade of a café, tumbling across broken tables as panicked patrons screamed and fled.
Kai was blasted right, his body crashing through the side of an office tower. Sparks rained down as a holographic billboard shorted out, collapsing beside him.
"ROSE!!!" he coughed, choking on smoke as he forced himself up.
"KAI!!!" she screamed, her voice cracking as fire and dust swallowed the street between them.
The inferno roared higher, a wall of flame and wreckage cutting them apart.
And through the smoke—
Dozens of Demon Users emerged.
Their glowing eyes cut through the haze, their steps synchronized, their weapons crackling with cursed energy.
They were surrounded.The inferno roared higher, a wall of flame and wreckage cutting them apart.
Their glowing eyes pierced the haze, weapons sparking with cursed energy as they advanced step by step.
Screams echoed through the collapsing city.
Sirens wailed.
The streets shook under the weight of destruction.
Kai staggered to his feet, clenching his teeth.
Rose spun her yari in a tight grip, her ears twitching, her heart pounding.
Their eyes met once through the fire.
Then the coms in their ears erupted with a sharp command:
"ALL SQUADS! PREPARE FOR BATTLE!"