"Why do you want to learn Raiki?"
Ruqayya's eyes studied Ryo carefully.
Ryo didn't hesitate.
"Because I made a promise. And I can't keep it by staying this weak."
For a second, she just stared at him.
Then she laughed.
"I've never met a damik user who wants to learn Raiki. You're interesting."
She turned away slightly.
"Fine. The way you're looking at me… I can't say no. Tomorrow morning. 7:30. Arena."
Ryo's face lit up. "Thank you!"
They went their separate ways.
That night, Ruqayya stopped by a small pharmacy. She handed over her prize money and received a small bag of medicine.
When she reached home, she slid the door open.
"Mom, I'm home!"
Her mother lay weakly on her futon, breathing shallow.
"Welcome back… Rukaiya."
Ruqayya knelt beside her.
"I got the medicine. Come on, let me help you."
She gently helped her mother wash, then gave her the medicine.
Her mother, Rabia, smiled faintly.
"You don't have to keep fighting for me."
"Mom—"
"No. I don't want you risking your life in that arena."
Ruqayya looked away so her mother wouldn't see her expression.
"…Okay, Mom. I'll stop."
But her hands clenched slightly.
Morning.
Ryo stood in the arena with Team Z behind him.
Ruqayya approached—and stopped.
"What is this?"
Ryo blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I thought I was training you. Not an entire squad."
Ryo scratched his head. "Yeah… sorry. They insisted."
Her eyes moved past him.
They landed on Zain.
She froze.
"Is that… Zain Akashi?"
She stepped forward, nearly stumbling.
"I—I want to join the military someday! I want to be like you!"
Zain gave a small awkward smile. "That's… nice to hear."
Ryo tilted his head. "Military? Why?"
For a split second—
Something dark flashed across Rukaiya's face.
"…Just for fun."
Ryo noticed.
But he didn't push.
Training began.
Ruqayya stood firm.
"You all know Raiki has four stages. But there's something different between us and damik users."
She looked directly at Ryo.
"If a Raiki user reaches Stage Four… they die."
The group stiffened.
"But if your foundation is strong, you won't need to reach that point. Control is everything."
She focused energy into her feet.
She stepped forward—
And stood on air.
Aisha gasped.
"If you can channel Raiki properly, you unlock high-level skills naturally."
Sulaiman narrowed his eyes. "Why is your Raiki red?"
"The color reflects personality. It doesn't increase power."
"Alright," she said, clapping once. "Let's begin."
No food. No water.
All day.
She hurled boulders at them.
Again.
And again.
And again.
They dodged, blocked, endured.
Zain watched from the side, smiling.
"Best day ever."
As night approached, Ruqayya walked toward him.
"…Was I a good teacher?"
Zain nodded. "You trained them for battles that could last days. That's smart."
Before she could respond—
A siren echoed.
The ground trembled violently.
A voice boomed from above through a device.
"Attention. The underground district will be demolished. It serves no purpose to the kingdom."
Silence.
Then chaos.
"What?!" Aisha shouted.
Ryo's fists trembled.
"That's it. I don't care about war. This is wrong."
He dashed toward the surface. Leona, Rimazu, Aisha, and Benjamin followed.
The rest stayed behind.
Scarlet lifted civilians upward with waves of water. Sulaiman formed soft cushions of power for them to land safely. Abraham carried the injured.
Zain turned sharply.
"Ruqayya!"
She was already running.
"Mom is okay… Mom is okay…"
Smoke filled the tunnels.
Bodies lay scattered.
She reached her home.
Or what remained of it.
Rubble.
Broken wood.
Dust.
Her hands trembled as she dug.
"Mom…?"
No answer.
Then she found her.
Still.
Too still.
Ruqayya's breathing shattered.
"…No…"
A scream tore through the underground.
Zain arrived moments later.
He stopped when he saw her.
"…Ruqayya."
She clutched her mother's body desperately.
"There has to be something—there has to be a way—"
Zain's voice was steady, but softer than usual.
"There isn't."
Tears streamed down her face.
Her fingers slowly loosened.
"…Let me take her scarf."
She wrapped it around her hand carefully.
Zain placed a hand on her shoulder.
Scarlet's water lifted them upward.
They rose—
Leaving the underground in ruins.
And when they reached the surface of Mirumania…
The sky above looked peaceful.
Like nothing had happened at all.