Silence.
Rei stood alone outside the infirmary, hands bloodied, shirt torn, heartbeat unstable.
Through the small glass window he could see her
Aira.
Sleeping.
Peaceful.
Untouched by the chaos…
because she didn't remember him anymore.
Ryouma's voice echoed through the hallway:
"You did the only thing you could."
Rei didn't answer.
His eyes stayed locked on Aira
her fingers twitching faintly, as if reaching for someone she no longer knew.
His chest tightened painfully.
She used to reach for him like that.
Ryouma sighed.
"If you still stay around her… your bond might re-form. And that will kill both of you."
Rei clenched his teeth.
"I know."
"Then leave her."
Rei closed his eyes.
"I can't."
Ryouma's jaw tightened.
"It'll destroy you."
Rei whispered:
"I've already been destroyed."
---
Aira Wakes Up But Not the Same
Aira shifted in her sleep, her lashes trembling.
Rei stepped closer to the glass.
Her eyes slowly opened.
Silver.
Confused.
Empty.
She blinked, staring at the ceiling.
Rei's heart broke again.
She sat up slowly, touching her head.
"…Where… am I…?"
Her voice…
God, he missed it.
Aira turned her head
and her gaze accidentally met Rei's through the glass.
Instantly
her breath hitched.
Her chest tightened.
Her fingers curled against her heart.
She didn't know him.
Yet her soul reacted to him.
Rei felt something inside him shatter deeper.
Aira whispered softly, pressing her palm to her chest:
"Why… does it hurt?"
Rei turned away, swallowing tears.
Ryouma spoke gently.
"She doesn't remember you.
But the soul… doesn't forget easily."
Rei clenched his fists.
"I have no right to be near her now."
But he stayed anyway.
---
The Close Moment (Safe, Mature Tension)
Later that night, Rei slipped into the infirmary quietly.
Aira was awake
sitting alone, hugging her knees to her chest, moonlight falling on her like a fragile goddess.
She looked up when he entered.
Her voice was soft but guarded.
"…Who are you?"
Rei inhaled shakily.
"No one important."
Aira frowned at the tremor in his voice, unaware she once held his heart.
She studied him.
"You're hurt."
Rei forced a small smile.
"I'm fine."
Aira stood up slowly and walked toward him.
Her steps were hesitant…
like her body remembered him even if her mind didn't.
She reached out
Her fingers grazed his cheek.
Just a touch.
Warm.
Electric.
Rei froze, breath catching.
Aira whispered, voice trembling:
"…Why do I feel like… I've lost something…?"
Rei looked down.
If he touched her, even a little more, he knew he'd break completely.
He stepped back
But Aira grabbed his wrist.
Her voice shook with something close to desperation.
"Please… stay.
I don't know why… but being near you makes my heart feel… less empty."
Rei's throat trembled.
He gently removed her hand… but held it for one second longer than he should.
Aira blinked, confused by how warm his touch felt.
Rei whispered:
"I can't stay close to you.
But I'll stay alive for you."
Aira didn't understand—
but the sadness in his eyes made her chest ache.
She took a small step forward.
Her forehead lightly touched his chest.
Not a kiss.
Not intimacy.
Just painful closeness.
"Then… don't leave me."
Rei shut his eyes, holding himself back from embracing her.
"I promise."
As he turned to leave, Aira whispered:
"…Why do I feel like you're lying…?"
Her voice cracked.
Rei stopped but didn't turn around.
Because if he did
he would fall on his knees and break.
---
🔥 Beginning of Rei's Power Arc
When he left the room, something inside Rei snapped.
If he couldn't have love
He would take strength.
Monstrous strength.
Unmatched strength.
Enough to defy fate, clans, Alpha, all the rift gods
enough to rewrite destiny itself.
He whispered to himself in the empty hallway:
"I'll become the strongest…
even if it destroys what's left of me."
In the distance, the rift trembled
as if acknowledging the birth of a new monster.
Rei's monster.
---