The infirmary was silent save for the crackle of torches and the faint whistle of wind seeping through cracks in the stone. Asori lay on the cot, his body frozen, his breathing shallow and uneven. Blair kept her hands pressed to his chest, her fire aura fighting to restore warmth, but it wasn't enough.
She knew it. Each time she intensified her Astral, Asori's skin flushed red, dangerously close to burning. She bit her lip in despair.
—I can't… if I push harder, I'll hurt him. —She clenched her teeth, shutting her eyes—. I have to try something else.
Trembling, she began to strip down, stopping only in her underclothes. Her face burned crimson, but she didn't hesitate.
Asori stirred, his eyes half-open and dazed.
—B-Blair…? What are you…?
—Close your eyes, idiot. —Her cheeks glowed like fire—. It's… it's the only way.
She lay down over him, pressing her body to his, then pulled a blanket over them both. Resting her ear on his chest, she listened to his weak, faltering heartbeat.
—This way… you'll warm up faster.
Asori's blood surged to his head. His heart, once sluggish, now thundered like a drum.
No, no, no! Why—why do I feel like this? Her body's so warm… her skin so soft…
Blair, though flustered, froze for a moment. Then the sound of his heartbeat wrapped around her. Never had she been this close. Never had she felt something so tender: his heart pounding beneath her, reminding her he was alive.
Her cheeks burned hotter.
—Asori… —she whispered without meaning to—. Every time you smile… every time you say something foolish… you make my heart race.
The warmth spread deeper into Asori until the ice inside him melted. Exhausted, he drifted into unconsciousness.
Blair didn't notice. Her lips moved in a fragile murmur:
—Every kiss we share makes me feel something I can't explain. It isn't just the Sweet Kiss… it's mine. It's real. Asori… I want to stay by your side forever.
When she finally realized Asori was sound asleep, her eyes widened in horror. She shot upright, face flaming.
—Y-you were asleep…?!
The door creaked. Mikan slipped in, her steps light, and froze at the sight of Blair sprawled over Asori. A wicked grin spread across her face.
—Well, well… finally getting intimate, huh? Want me to join? I can show you a few ninja tricks… very useful ones.
—W-what are you saying, you pervert?! —Blair nearly screamed, scrambling to cover herself, cheeks aflame.
Mikan laughed aloud.
—Relax, princess. I'm just saying it looked like you were finally about to do it.
Blair's blush deepened.
—I was only trying to warm him up. Nothing like that.
Mikan narrowed her eyes slyly.
—And it never crossed your mind to take it a little further?
Blair's silence was answer enough. She lowered her gaze, betraying a thought she could not admit aloud.
Minutes later, dressed again, Blair drew a steady breath.
—I'll bring food. Stay with him, please.
—Of course. —Mikan smirked, teasing—. Don't worry, I'll keep him warm until you're back.
—Mikan! —Blair snapped, but the ninja only laughed.
Blair left the infirmary, nearly stumbling over her own steps, her face burning as if fire were running across her cheeks. Shame chased her, but so did something new—something filling her chest to the point of bursting: Asori.
She replayed the moment again and again, like a melody that wouldn't stop. Feeling him so close, hearing his voice tremble with sincerity, confessing that he wanted to always be by her side… it was like a dream she never wanted to wake from. Never before had she allowed herself to let her guard down like that. Never before had she felt that someone saw her not as a princess, not as a bearer, but simply as Blair.
She stopped in a lonely corridor, breathing heavily. Slowly, she brought her fingers to her lips, still trembling. Asori's image wrapped around her: his clumsy ways, his insecure smiles, his promise to protect her even if the whole world stood against them. A deep blush spread across her face, and for the first time, without fear of admitting it, she felt in love.
It wasn't just affection or gratitude. It was deeper, purer: the certainty that at his side, she was safe. Loved. Heard. That she had someone she could trust even in the darkness of war. That indescribable peace made her laugh softly, her eyes sparkling with emotion.
"So this is what it feels like… is this love?" she thought, hugging herself as if to keep that warmth forever.
But in that exact instant, when her heart beat harder than ever, a sharp blow to the back of her neck shattered the magic. Blair barely had time to let out a startled gasp before her strength abandoned her. Her fingers, still brushing her lips, fell limp as her body collapsed into the shadows.
The hallway fell silent, as if mocking cruelly the fleeting moment of happiness that had just been stolen from her.
When she awoke, she was shackled in a pitch-black chamber. She tried to burn the chains, but her fire refused to answer. Panic rippled through her.
—What's happening to me…?
A voice emerged from the shadows.
—You can't use your Astral. The poison in your veins has blocked it. And don't bother with brute strength—your flow is sealed.
From the darkness stepped Sir Kael, clad in his black armor. His smile was twisted, merciless.
—You… —Blair's voice cracked in horror.
—That's right. —His voice dripped like venom—. I was the one who attacked you in the forest. Remember? That air brat almost died… and I was nearly disgraced forever. Since then, I've been watching you. Ever since you arrived in the Capital.
Blair's eyes widened. It all made sense: Asori's instinctive fear, his trembling body. It wasn't trauma of the mind—his body remembered the man who nearly killed him.
—Zeknier restored my honor. He gave me power, strength, and a beautiful task: to take my revenge.
Blair tugged at her chains, but it was useless.
—You won't hurt Asori!
Kael's grin widened, twisted and cruel. He stepped closer, predator savoring prey. His fingers slid across her shoulder, trailing downward with deliberate slowness.
—You should worry more about yourself than that brat.
With a sudden pull, he tore back her hood and tugged her blouse aside, exposing pale skin. Blair's breath caught, chest rising and falling rapidly.
—When I saw you in that forest… —his fingers brushed her cheek— you looked so lost, uncertain. Every step back, every flicker of fear, only made me want you more… made me want to possess you.
His hand roamed lower, across her arms, her legs, savoring her every shiver. Blair squeezed her eyes shut, tears spilling as her body locked in terror.
—Asori… —her voice broke.
A thunderclap shattered the moment. The door exploded into splinters. A white blaze stormed the chamber, searing like the sun bursting into night.
—BLAAAIR!
Asori's roar shook the walls. His body blazed with aura, burning like a comet unleashed. The Delta Burst consumed him, draining his energy at a terrifying rate, but rage alone kept him upright.
Kael sneered, unfazed, and in a blink vanished into shadow.
Asori caught only a glimpse of him retreating from Blair's side. He tried to lunge, but his muscles failed. His aura fractured around him like shattered glass, and he fell to his knees, chest burning, breath ragged.
—Asori! —Blair cried, trembling.
Mikan burst in moments later, her kunai slicing the chains that bound Blair. The metal rang like a cry of freedom.
—Blair, are you okay? —her voice, uncharacteristically serious, held no mockery.
Blair didn't answer. Her body trembled, lips dry, eyes vacant, haunted by Kael's touch.
Asori, kneeling, pulled her into his arms, tears choking his voice.
—I'm sorry… I'm sorry I was late…
Blair collapsed into him, unable to speak, shaking.
—I felt your aura through the Sweet Kiss… when it faded, I panicked. I came with everything I had left… —Asori gasped, his body quivering from the strain.
Mikan crouched beside them, her tone grim.
—You made it in time. If you hadn't… —she bit her lip—. Better not finish that thought.
The silence was heavy, suffocating. Finally, Blair whispered, her voice broken:
—I was so scared… Thank you, Asori… thank you, Mikan. I owe you my life.
The relief lasted only a moment. Asori's body convulsed, his aura flickering faintly. Reality crashed back down.
—The semifinals… —Mikan muttered, glancing at the fading moonlight outside—. They're in just a few hours. And in this state, Asori… you can't fight.
Blair's eyes burned with feverish resolve. Without thinking, she kissed him fiercely, pouring every ounce of energy into it. The Sweet Kiss flared, trying to awaken his dormant strength.
But nothing happened.
Her eyes flew open. The light did not appear. The energy did not respond.
—Why…?
Mikan spotted a shattered vial on the floor. She picked it up, her face darkening.
—Poison. Anti-Astral. Blair, it's in your system. The poison blocks your energy. The Sweet Kiss won't work if you're contaminated.
The words fell like an axe. Blair stared at Asori, tears streaming, while he, barely conscious, held her weakly against him—aware he was standing on the edge of collapse.
The silence pressed down like iron. There was no comfort, no escape. Only the grim truth: the hours ahead would decide everything… and Asori had never been more vulnerable.