The night was peaceful—for most.
The air was cool but not uncomfortable, and the weather was clear. Faint sounds of the bustling city could be heard, and the golden glow of its lights in the darkness created a mesmerizing scene.
On the sixth floor of the boys' dormitory, Zen was sound asleep on his bed, his body relaxed and his breathing steady.
But of course, his peace never lasted, even in sleep.
A sudden flicker, his breathing quickened, and his chest tightened. A blurry dream played behind his closed eyes.
He found himself plummeting from high above, his body and hands bloodied, feeling weightless and with zero hope of survival.
The fall kept going until an eerie noise screeched into his ears, suddenly stopping, and everything went dark.
Zen's eyes snapped open, his right hand clutching his abdomen. Though his face was expressionless as ever, horror was evident in his eyes.
He didn't gasp. He didn't jerk upright. He just stayed still for a few more seconds, then tilted his head slightly up to look at the digital clock on the bedside table.
The clock read 00:01 A.M.
"Of course it is," he muttered, letting out a long sigh.
The nightmare had been like an alarm clock itself. He had dreamt this exact scenario countless times. But it never failed to horrify him, even if for a few seconds.
He slowly got off the bed and made his way to the bathroom to freshen up.
After a few splashes on his face, he stared at himself in the mirror, the sound of running water being the only thing filling the quiet room.
He could still feel his heart pounding, completely out of sync with his mind.
He took deep breaths to calm it down, but the throbbing of his heart was intensifying by the second. Soon enough, his left arm followed up with a painful strain in his muscles.
He began coughing uncontrollably as pressure built up in his throat, until he puked a mouthful into the sink, thick blood splattering into the running water.
Not once, but twice.
He clutched his left hand, gritting his teeth, feeling an intense sting of pain. It lasted a few more seconds before finally dying down. With a shaky breath, Zen cleaned up the blood on his mouth and the sink.
This was his usual routine every night. Even in sleep, peace was not an option.
He took a quick shower and changed into a spare gear tracksuit. After locking the door to his dorm, he walked through the quiet, dark hallway towards the staircase.
But before he approached the stairs, he brought up his left hand, and a holographic HUD popped up. A few taps on his HUD and all the cameras monitoring the hallways froze for just long enough so he could make it up to the roof.
As soon as he stepped out of the gate to the rooftop, the cold air of the night hit him, bringing a rare sense of calm. He slowly inhaled, letting the air cool his lungs.
Suddenly, a ping from his gear comms broke the silence. He brought his left hand to his ear, and his earpiece formed. "Report."
Aurora's voice broke through the comms. "The criminal networks have gone dark. No signs of suspicious activities remain."
Zen raised an eyebrow. "Small, scattered bandit groups coordinating? Not something you get to see every day."
"Logged coordinates sent," Aurora said. "Ansar is actively patrolling other cities for potential threats."
"Good. I'll scout the coords," Zen replied.
"Copy," Aurora acknowledged, and the call ended.
Zen clenched his left hand as he walked towards the edge of the roof, and A-02 formed around his body.
The hood of his tracksuit, combined with the black color palette of his gear, made it nearly impossible to recognize or trace him in the dark.
He climbed on the railing with one step and glanced down at the ground far below. The height was extreme, but he had been higher.
A gust of high-pressure wind formed around his feet as he took a deep breath. And then, he jumped, the wind boosting him forward with incredible speed.
Soaring through the cold air for a few seconds, he landed on the next roof with a slide, the metallic coating of his sneakers scraping against concrete. Not the smoothest landing, but it was controlled.
He continued from one roof to another until he vanished into the darkness of the night.
This was but one of many restless nights he had spent scouting, and tonight was no different.
The following morning was bright and beautiful.
The sky was clear, the breeze warm, and the city already alive with weekend energy. Shops had reopened with fresh stock, streets buzzed with chatter, and amusement parks hummed with families looking for a short escape from school and work.
At the East-Wing Warriors Academy gates, Cassie and Viara waited near the exit, chatting idly as students passed by.
"So, what are you planning to buy?" Cassie asked, stretching her arms.
"Nothing specific," Viara replied, cheerful as always. "I just want to enjoy a peaceful day out. But… if I happen to find something cute for my collection—"
Cassie sighed. "You mean anything with a cat face on it? At this rate, your room's going to collapse under the weight."
"That's not true!" Viara puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms. "I have taste. Selective taste!"
Footsteps approached.
Julianna appeared with her usual refined posture, smiling politely.
"Oh? I arrived ten minutes early," she said. "Looks like you two still managed to beat me."
Cassie rolled her eyes. "About time."
"Good morning, Miss President!" Viara greeted cheerfully. "We just got here, too."
"Good morning," Julianna replied. "I'm glad I didn't keep you waiting. But—may I ask why you insisted on wearing our school uniforms today?"
Cassie answered before Viara could open her mouth.
"Because I don't want to end up in tomorrow's headlines for browsing healthcare products."
Julianna raised a brow. "You're afraid of cameras? You?"
Cassie crossed her arms. "I'm not afraid. I just want a normal day for once."
"In fact," she added, "we're taking the subway instead of the usual private escort."
Julianna paused, eyes narrowing with playful suspicion. "The subway? On a weekend? Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure," Cassie replied, feigning confidence. "Now, let's go before every restaurant is packed for lunch."
Viara bounced on her heels. "Alright! I'll lead the way!"
After a short walk, the three girls reached the subway station. The platform was already very crowded.
The LED timetable display overhead had just updated as Julianna glanced at it.
She turned to Viara. "Seven minutes until the train arrives. We made it right on time."
Viara nodded, scanning her surroundings. Her eyes landed on a vending machine with a minimal line.
"You guys want drinks? I'm paying," she offered.
"I'll have a Monster Ultra," Cassie replied.
Julianna smiled. "I'm feeling a little thirsty, too. I'll take the same. Thanks."
"Three Monster Ultras it is! I'll be right back." Viara stepped forward as one last person finished their purchase.
She selected the drinks, pulled out her prepaid student card, and scanned it along the machine's sensor. A soft click confirmed the payment, and three cans slid into the collection tray.
Viara grabbed the drinks and returned.
"I'm back," she called, tossing a can to Cassie.
"Thanks," Cassie said as she caught it.
The train arrived right on time.
The three girls quickly finished their drinks and tossed the cans into a nearby recycling bin. The incoming train slowed with a light screech against the rails, and its hydraulic doors slid open with a soft hiss.
As the trio joined the boarding line, the crowd behind them surged forward, practically pushing them into the coach. In a matter of seconds, the carriage was full. With no seats available, the three had no choice but to grip a handle and stand the entire way.
Halfway through the journey, the train jolted hard enough that the girl in front of Cassie crashed into her. A wave of bodies followed as the entire crowd shifted with the motion, squeezing them even tighter.
Julianna immediately provided support so Cassie didn't lose her balance.
"It's getting hard even to breathe in here," Cassie murmured, steadying herself.
Julianna chuckled. "Weekend subways are always crowded. Precisely why I asked earlier if, you were sure."
Cassie scoffed. "And you didn't bother to warn us. Typical of you."
"I wanted you to experience the 'normal way' of life," Julianna replied with a teasing smirk.
Right beside Julianna, Viara silently stood, listening to the two. Suddenly, her eyes widened in realization, and then narrowed with discomfort.
The grip on her handle tightened, her face went dark, and her legs were slightly shaking.
"You okay, Vi?" Cassie asked, noticing her stiff posture.
"That drink… I need to go to the toilet," Viara whispered, her voice tight.
Julianna and Cassie's eyes widened with alarm. "Heh?!?!"
"This is bad," Viara murmured.
"Hang in there, Vi. Just a couple more minutes. We're almost there," Cassie whispered.
Julianna put her free hand on Viara's shoulder and subtly used her elemental power, easing Viara's discomfort just enough to survive the ride. Elemental powers sure had their mundane uses.
The train pulled out of the station, leaving the commercial district behind.
Cassie dropped onto a public bench beside Julianna, finally catching her breath.
Julianna smirked as she crossed her legs and propped her chin on one hand. "I feel sorry and amused at the same time."
Cassie's eyes narrowed, her tone flat, "I hate you."
Julianna laughed in response. "I know. I'm used to it by now."
Just then, Viara returned from the public restroom nearby, wiping her hands with a tissue.
"I'm never having any drinks before getting on a public transport ever again," she said with a long sigh of relief.
Julianna got up from the bench. "I'll call my butler to prepare a ride back home. Right now, we should get lunch."
Cassie got back on her feet. "I'm starving as well. Let's go."
The trio wandered down the busy streets until they found a restaurant with a small crowd. The lighting was soft and warm, the interior was simple yet very neat, and the waiters were dressed professionally.
The moment they stepped in, the sound of chopping and sizzling filled the atmosphere, followed by the smell of herbs, spices, and all kinds of different cuisines being served at other tables.
A waiter led them to an open booth by the panoramic windows overlooking the street outside. Cassie and Viara slid into one side, and Julianna the opposite.
Everyone picked up their menus and started going through the list of cuisine served here as the waiter patiently waited for them to order—pun intended.
"So, what are you guys ordering?" Julianna asked.
"I don't know, actually. There are a lot of good dishes to choose from," Viara replied.
Cassie read the menu for another second and then put it down. "I'll have the mutton stew and a salad."
The waiter noted down the order and glanced at Viara and Julianna, who were still checking the menu.
Viara's eyes suddenly lit up, and she smiled. "I'll have the spicy chicken, also with a salad."
"And I'll have a grilled fish," Julianna said as she put down her menu.
"Mutton stew, spicy chicken, two salads, and a grilled fish. I'll be right back with your order," the waiter said with a polite bow and left.
Cassie raised an eyebrow. "You're only going to have grilled fish for lunch?"
"I like to keep it balanced," Julianna replied, chin propped on one hand and smiling politely as ever. "My body refuses to function properly if it's too full."
About ten minutes later, the waiter arrived with all the orders. He set the dishes down one by one from the tray, then left with another polite bow.
Cassie glanced at Viara's plate. "That reddish color looks scary. Are you sure about eating that?"
Viara brushed it off. "I'll be fine. I like spicy food."
She picked up her fork and took a bite, and the spice immediately kicked in, slowly turning her face red.
She smiled and chewed through it like everything was fine. "It's… delicious."
Julianna's eyes narrowed playfully. "Oh, really? Then why does your face look like a fresh, ripe tomato?"
Viara's eyes wandered to find an excuse. "I… haven't had anything spicy in a while. That's why."
Cassie rolled her eyes in amusement, and the three of them started laughing.
As everyone ate, Cassie simply stirred her stew, suddenly lost in thought.
Julianna noticed her distraction mid-bite. "Are you okay? You haven't had a single bite yet."
Cassie snapped back to reality. "Huh? Oh, it's nothing. Just… feeling a little uneasy."
Viara placed a hand on Cassie's shoulder. "Still thinking about Zen? Jeez, Cass, live a little!"
"I'm curious about him too," Julianna said with a reassuring smile, "but I'd also like to enjoy this outing."
Cassie nodded. "Right."
She finally tasted the mutton stew. "Delicious," she murmured.
And everyone returned to enjoying their meal in each other's company.
Once they'd finished lunch, the three couldn't resist ordering a round of desserts.
Cassie ordered a fruit pastry, Viara ordered a caramel pudding, and Julianna went with a slice of cheesecake.
Cassie took a bite of her pastry. "The food here is amazing! I'm definitely coming back some other time," she said with a contented sigh.
Viara smiled. "Yeah, me too."
The waiter returned with the cheque and neatly set it down on the table.
Cassie was about to reach for her card, but Viara reacted lightning fast and lightly smacked Cassie's hand.
"No! I'm paying."
"Huh? But you paid for the drinks earlier," Cassie argued.
"Yes. But the shopping trip was my idea. So that makes you both guests," Viara replied.
Cassie looked like she was about to pull a counterargument, but she hesitated, then sighed. "Fine. You have a point."
Julianna chuckled at the exchange. "No objections."
Viara nodded. "Good."
She took the cheque to the counter and paid, humming softly to herself as the waiter processed the payment.
When she finally stepped out of the restaurant with Cassie and Julianna behind her, she stretched her arms toward the sky with a bright grin.
"Alright! Now for the real deal—shopping!"
Cassie and Julianna exchanged a pair of amused glances before trailing after the overly energetic Viara.
The shopping mall stood just a short walk away—an enormous, multi-floor structure with tall glass façades that reflected sunlight like polished steel.
Right before they were about to approach the entrance, two men in their early thirties approached them—dressed casually yet professionally, blending in effortlessly among the crowd.
They greeted Julianna with a respectful nod, pulling out their identity cards bearing the Marcevelle state insignia.
"Miss Marcervelle, we were sent to escort you back to the academy."
"Perfect timing. I wasn't expecting you two quite this early," Julianna said with a satisfied nod. "You can join us for now—and carry the bags once we start shopping."
She then turned to Cassie and Viara. "Don't worry, I made sure they don't draw too much attention."
Cassie and Viara nodded, a silent understanding passing between the three.
With that, the three girls headed toward the mall, the two guards falling into step a short distance behind them—close enough to respond if needed, far enough not to intrude.
As they approached, the automatic doors whooshed open, releasing a rush of cool, conditioned air.
The high ceiling lights reflected off the tiled floors, and the hum of escalators, punctuated by occasional laughter and the clatter of footsteps, created a lively atmosphere.
Each shopfront was beckoned with bright displays, crowded with customers browsing, chatting, or trying on items.
Upon entering the mall, snacks were Viara's immediate priority.
She skipped ahead into the supermarket section, scanning the shelves with a gleam in her eyes. A family-size bag of chips, chocolate chip cookies, Snickers bars—anything remotely tempting went straight into the cart.
Cassie and Julianna just watched as Viara practically emptied an aisle.
Cassie let out a long sigh. "Oh boy."
She glanced at Julianna. "Sorry for all the bags your subordinates will have to carry."
Julianna chuckled, eyes still following Viara. "Not a big deal. They're stronger than they look."
Her gaze wandered until something made her pause. "Limited edition Oreos!"
Cassie's head snapped toward the shelf. "Where?!"
Julianna pointed, and as soon as Cassie spotted the packages, she gasped. "Get them!"
The two of them bolted, racing toward the limited stash and leaving the two guards behind, who exchanged a look of dread at the thought of hauling the loot.
After a wild session of food shopping, the trio left the overflowing bags with the guards and took the escalator to the clothing and cosmetic section on the second floor.
They wandered from store to store, but nothing immediately caught their eyes.
Julianna let out a small sigh. "This is a little disappointing."
Cassie crossed her arms, scanning the neatly arranged racks. "Can't blame them. I have every type of clothing I'll ever need. Bet you do too."
"Quite right," Julianna replied with a chuckle, her fingers lightly brushing the soft fabric of a nearby scarf as she spoke.
After a bit more wandering, they stopped at a jewelry store. The golden light from the display cases reflected off the polished counters, casting small glimmers across their faces.
Julianna tried a pair of elegant, crimson-red earrings. "How do I look? Think I should buy them?"
Cassie's expression remained flat. "I'm not going to compliment you."
Julianna tilted her head and smiled. "I'll take that as a yes."
Just as she turned to ask Viara's opinion, she was nowhere to be seen.
"Where did Elysia go?" Julianna asked.
"Huh?" Cassie scanned the area. "Not again!"
A few seconds later, they spotted Viara sprinting back, clutching something in her hands with a triumphant grin.
"Where were you?" Cassie asked, crossing her arms.
"To buy something I couldn't ignore after one glance," Viara replied, holding up a towel patterned with dozens of tiny, meowing cats.
Julianna shook her head in amusement. "At least tell us before you vanish off by yourself."
Viara stuck out her tongue with a sheepish smile. "Sorry… I just couldn't wait. It's so cute!"
Cassie rolled her eyes but couldn't hide a tiny smirk, while Julianna's lips curved into an indulgent smile.
By the time they finished shopping, the sun was already setting, painting the sky in a soft gradient of orange and pink.
The two bodyguards carried the heavier bags and escorted the trio toward a white, modern sedan waiting outside the mall. After loading everything into the trunk, the girls slipped into the backseat while the guards took their places in front.
The car pulled out of the parking lot and merged onto the highway leading back to the academy.
Viara stretched with a satisfied groan. "Today was so much fun!"
Cassie shot her a tired smile. "You were a menace."
Julianna laughed softly. "Thank you for inviting me. It was… refreshing. A temporary break from academic rivalry."
Cassie narrowed her eyes playfully. "Just so you know, I still hate your guts."
"Oh, trust me. The feeling is mutual," Julianna replied.
The car filled with laughter.
Soon, night settled around them. Only the headlights carved a path through the dark as the road narrowed, lined on both sides by quiet residential houses.
After the long day, the trio was practically drifting off. No one spoke. The hum of the engine was the only sound.
As the car approached a four-way intersection, a massive container truck suddenly barreled in from the right and screeched to a halt across the entire road.
The driver slammed the brakes. The kinetic force jerked everyone forward.
"What the—?" Cassie gasped, steadying herself against the backseat.
The driver reacted instantly. "Everyone, sit tight!" He shifted into reverse.
But before he could back up, another container truck rolled in from behind, sealing them in completely.
"What's happening?" Viara asked, her voice rising as she glanced outside.
"Seems like we've run into a trap," Julianna said sharply, eyes narrowing.
For a moment, everything held still.
Then—
BANG!
Both container doors burst open at once, slamming against the metal sides. Dozens of armed mercenaries poured out, both men and women, some swinging weapons, some lightly geared.
"Gear up," Julianna ordered, her fingers tapping fast over a holographic HUD. "I'll issue three temporary permits for combat gear use outside of the academy."
Viara swallowed nervously. "Is it… really a good idea to step out?"
"It's not safe," Julianna said, focused. "But staying in the car while they surround us is suicide."
The bodyguards deployed armored gear and rifles from their nanotech housing units. They immediately raised their rifles at the thugs closest to the front, halting their advance.
Julianna focused her elemental energy. From a pendant concealed beneath her uniform, a ripple of nanoparticles spread across her body, assembling her gear—Leviathan—within seconds.
An aquatic lance materialized in her hand, gleaming faintly under the streetlights.
Viara followed, activating the metallic hairband holding her ponytail.
A black-and-orange flare of particles washed over her, forming Death Ember. Her modern scythe snapped into existence, its curving blade glowing like molten metal.
Cassie activated the arrow launcher of her twin blades and charged up a flame arrow.
The three girls and the guards formed a tight back-to-back circle, forcing the nearest thugs to hesitate.
"Stop right where you are. Our gears are far more lethal than yours," Cassie warned, lowering her stance.
The mercs didn't advance. They only positioned themselves, waiting for a signal.
A muscular man stepped forward—a long scar on his left cheek, twin cleavers in each hand, boots crunching on gravel. He grinned, amused.
"Cute toys," he said. "But it's five of you against forty-two of us."
"And you are?" Julianna asked, her tone calm.
"Doesn't matter. Just know I'm in charge." He pointed a cleaver toward Cassie and Viara.
"We need you alive. Specifically, you two. Come quietly, and we won't hurt anyone."
Cassie scoffed. "Yeah, no. Try harder."
"Last chance," he said, dragging one cleaver along the other with a metallic scrape. "No surveillance drones will save you. Any signal around us is jammed."
"No wonder my comms module failed…" Julianna muttered.
The mercs began closing in—slow, cautious steps, weapons shaking slightly in the dark. They didn't wish to underestimate the power of the modern military-grade technology they were against.
"Everyone," Julianna whispered, her voice steady despite the tension. "We're surrounded. On my signal, bolt east. I'll make us an opening."
They nodded in unison.
The ring of mercs drew closer—eight meters… six… five.
Julianna inhaled sharply.
Then—
A dense wall of water erupted in front of the largest group, slamming down like a tidal shield and cutting them off.
She spun, firing a compact water orb.
It shot forward with a whistle, hit the thug in front, and exploded into vapor, knocking several others sideways with a concussive burst and steam.
Grunts could be heard from the injured. "SHIT!"
"NOW!" Julianna called out.
All five sprinted toward the opening at full speed. One by one, they slid beneath the container truck blocking the road—the metal of their gears scraping against the road.
Shouts erupted.
The mercs forced their way through the broken formations—some pushing through the dissolving water wall, others stumbling to their feet after dodging the vapor blast—and the chase began.
The five of them sprinted in a straight line, as fast as their legs could carry them.
But the mercs were gaining—especially the Wind and Lightning users.
"What do we do?" Cassie panted, breath breaking.
"I still don't have a signal. We need more distance." Julianna replied.
She slowed, letting the others pull slightly ahead. Then she spun mid-air, both hands sweeping across her body.
Left to right. Right to left. Again, and again.
Dense water walls burst in from either side of the street in rapid succession, blocking the path and slowing the pursuers.
"Dammit… this drains too much…" she hissed, before pivoting and sprinting forward again.
The mercenaries bulldozed through the barriers, splashing and tearing their way through.
Their leader snarled as he broke through the last one, then channeled his element and slammed his heel into the ground, unleashing a massive Earth-shockwave.
It traveled beneath the road like a living thing and hit its target.
Cassie, Julianna, and the bodyguards were thrown left. Viara was blasted right—violently separating the group.
They scrambled to their feet, but Viara barely had time to reorient before the mercenaries closed in, cutting off her path and forcing her to flee deeper into the alleys.
"Viara!" Cassie screamed, reaching forward helplessly.
"Loop around!" Viara shouted as she bolted towards an alley.
The attackers split instantly: fifteen after her, the rest swarming Cassie and Julianna.
Julianna immediately grabbed Cassie's hand to pull her along. "You heard her, we have to find a way around."
Just as the four were about to bolt, Julianna's body gave up.
She clutched her head, swaying. "I'm… almost out of energy…"
They were already being surrounded again.
The bodyguards moved in front of the girls and opened fire.
The second-in-command—a woman with sharp eyes—stepped forward and raised a Wind shield. Bullets smacked into it and fell harmlessly at her feet.
The guards emptied their magazines. Useless. They didn't even have time to reload.
"Get them!" the woman shouted, grinning widely.
The enemies surged forward, Cassie and the two guards prepared to defend—and a brutal dogfight erupted.
Viara sprinted through a maze of cramped alleys, looking for any route that would let her circle back. But her luck ran out, her path tightened—and she hit a dead end.
She skidded to a stop at a dimly lit alleyway, breath ragged. She turned to run, but the gang was already pouring in behind her, blocking the only exit.
Her fingers tightened around her scythe. She stood still for a second, catching her breath and weighing her options. But there was only one way out of this.
She held a stance, waiting for them to make a move. The moment they charged at her, she charged too.
Flames ignited along the scythe's blade as she swung wide, carving burning arcs that forced the closest attackers to recoil. They stumbled back—until their leader pushed through them, cleavers in hand.
"Just give up, kid. Nowhere left to run," he said, cracking his neck and strolling toward her with lazy confidence.
"No." Her grip tightened. Her stance lowered.
"Alright, your choice," he said with a menacing smile as he charged at her.
Viara aimed a kick, but he sidestepped effortlessly. She swung her scythe in a tight arc—fast—yet he caught it with one cleaver, redirecting her momentum effortlessly, clearly more experienced.
His second cleaver came down fast. The blow tore the weapon from her hands, clattering across the alley.
Before she could react, he tackled her hard with his elbow, knocking her flat onto the concrete.
She tried to force herself up quickly, but he walked over and stomped on her right leg with enough elemental force to make it feel crushed.
Pain exploded. Viara screamed in agony, tears rolling down her cheeks.
"M-my… leg…"
He grabbed her by the throat—firm enough to lift her, loose enough to let her breathe. Then he hauled her upright and slammed her against the wall.
"This is what happens when you don't listen, brat!"
Viara clawed at his arm, kicking weakly. Her burned-out body wouldn't respond. She couldn't pry his hand off, no matter how hard she tried.
The mercs laughed as she struggled.
"One down."
Helpless, pinned, her vision blurring, all she could do was whisper a prayer—hoping someone, anyone, would answer.
Someone sure did.
A flicker.
A blur cut across the alley.
One mercenary dropped. Then another. Then another.
In just four seconds, all fourteen lay unconscious on the ground.
Only the leader remained, frozen in place, barely registering the thuds of bodies hitting concrete.
Slowly, he looked over his shoulder. "What the—?"
Then he felt it.
A presence behind him. A fist already centimeters from his face, moving too fast for his mind to process.
A single second stretched into eternity as dread hollowed out his expression.
Then the punch landed.
He flew across the alley like a rag doll, smashing into the wall hard enough to crack it.
Viara collapsed to the ground, coughing, finally free.
A figure in black approached the fallen leader, hood casting their face in darkness. They paused, then raised a foot and stomped on his leg with full force.
Once.
Twice.
Thrice.
He groaned, scrambling blindly—until a kick to the face knocked him out cold.
Viara looked up at the figure now turning toward her.
She didn't recognize the silhouette.
But she recognized the weapon they carried.
"...Zen," she whispered, voice trembling.
His jaw tightened with guilt.
"I'm sorry," he murmured, kneeling beside her. "If only I could make it here sooner…"
He retracted his weapon and lifted her arm around his shoulder, trying to help her up—but her leg buckled. Even her gear couldn't support her.
"Retract your gear," he said softly.
She obeyed, the housing unit absorbing the shattered armor in an instant.
Zen scooped her into his arms—one behind her back, one beneath her knees.
She clung to him, burying her face against his shoulder, exhaustion overwhelming her.
After everything—the fear, the pain, the chaos—she finally felt safe.
And more importantly, she truly felt like a princess, being carried by her knight.
Across the road, hell was still unfolding.
Metal clashed. Sparks flew. Some residents peeked out of windows, while others hid in a corner out of fear.
Cassie parried blow after blow, her twin flame-infused blades eating up her stamina.
Julianna guarded her flank, barely staying upright.
The two bodyguards were barely keeping up, both armed with only a knife.
They were cornered by a bunch of mercenaries, cutting them off from helping the two girls.
Cassie and Julianna were still surrounded.
They continued to defend themselves against wave after wave of attacks, both their minds drowning in worry and frustration for Viara
Cassie kicked an attacker back, but a brute seized her ankle mid-strike, swung her through the air, and slammed her against a wall.
She crumpled with a cry of pain.
"Lysandra!" Julianna sprinted to shield her, lance trembling in her hands as the enemy closed in.
Then—the screaming roar of thrusters.
Ansar flew in and dropped from above, landing with a metallic crash that shook the ground.
A second figure followed, landing in front of the guards from a low roof, cracking the concrete beneath its feet. A heavier android, bulkier, painted entirely black with pulsing purple corruption lines.
His visor glowed an ominous red. A massive double-edged axe rested lazily on his shoulder, gleaming with kill intent.
The mercs froze, face already sweating.
"What the hell is THAT?!"
"It looks dangerous!"
One mercenary hesitated, then spun around and ran immediately. The others followed, tripping over themselves.
"HEY! Come back!" the second-in-command shouted—until she felt the android's gaze.
Her eyes met the glowing red eyes projected on his visor, and she felt as if he was staring at her soul.
Umbra-01 groaned, his voice deep and unbothered. "Scram…"
She turned and bolted without hesitation.
Julianna lifted Cassie as Ansar approached. "We apologize for the delay. It seems our failure caused you harm."
"My cousin…" Cassie breathed. "We have to save her…"
"Don't worry. She's safe," Ansar assured.
He opened a hardline comm override. "Ravynne—pursue fleeing hostiles."
"Copy," a mechanical female voice replied.
From the opposite side of the road, Zen emerged from the dark, carrying Viara.
Cassie's breath caught. Every ache, every bruise—forgotten in an instant.
She sprinted toward them. "Is she okay?!"
Zen reached a bench nearby and gently laid Viara down. Cassie dropped to her knees beside her, brushing a trembling hand across Viara's cheek.
"Talk to me, Vi…"
Viara slowly opened her weary eyes, a tired smile tugging at her lips.
"My leg… not great. But Zen saved me just in time."
Julianna looked at Zen—hooded, geared, and unrecognizable.
"…That's really you?"
Zen exhaled, tired. "I don't have time for this."
He pulled out a glowing green crystal, its surface shimmering with Nature energy, and tossed it to Umbra-01.
Without hesitation, Umbra closed his fist and crushed the crystal into fine dust, releasing the elemental energy within that flowed smoothly into every human nearby, slowly healing and revitalizing them.
Cassie stared wide-eyed. "A condensed energy pellet. Those are worth a fortune. How do you even have—?"
"Don't question it,"
He turned to Ansar and Umbra.
"Escort them home before someone calls the police."
Then to the girls, sharp and low:
"And don't drag the Solheim or Marcevelle families into this."
Julianna crossed her arms. "You expect us to stay quiet after all this?"
"No. I expect you to realize nothing good will come from it." Zen said.
"At least do me a favor for saving your life."
He turned around to leave.
"The academy will take responsibility and investigate."
With a burst of wind, he launched himself onto a rooftop.
He looked back once—just once—then disappeared across the skyline.
Everyone remained frozen, eyes locked on the place he'd disappeared from.
Cassie sighed. "My list of questions just tripled."
Ansar stepped forward. "I passed a stranded car on my way here. The plate was registered to the Marcevelle state."
"That's our car," Julianna said quickly. "We were blocked in—two trucks boxed us from both sides."
Umbra tilted his head. "I saw no trucks around it."
Julianna's expression turned thoughtful for a moment. "Maybe they removed them to hide evidence?"
Viara sat upright on the bench. "Probably."
Cassie held her steady. "Feeling better?"
"Yeah," Viara replied with a nod. "I think the strain on my leg is gone. I can walk now."
"Let's head back then," one of the bodyguards said, pulling out keys from his pocket. "I made sure to pull the keys when we stepped out of the car."
Umbra-01 took the lead.
"Follow," he instructed, tracking the car's last location.
Ansar covered their flank as everyone retraced the path they escaped through earlier. After a long and careful walk, the car finally came into sight.
The bodyguards rushed forward and checked it properly. "Seems like nothing was stolen. I'm surprised they didn't try to break into the car."
"They were probably too busy picking themselves up after that water blast," Julianna muttered with a quiet, amused chuckle.
Ansar began tracing the car live in his visor. "I'll keep watch from above until you safely reach your destination."
He turned to Umbra and nodded. Umbra nodded back in response, a silent communication passing between them, and then he walked away into the dark, moving onto his next task.
Viara bowed her head politely. "Thank you… for everything."
"Just doing my job," Ansar replied in his composed mechanical voice.
The girls got into the back seat, the bodyguards taking the front.
Ansar took flight, thrusters set low to maintain stealth.
The car rolled towards the academy once again, this time under Ansar's protective gaze.
Zen vaulted from rooftop to rooftop, the city blurring beneath him as Ravynne streamed the hostiles' live coordinates into his visor.
But once he'd gotten far enough from the others, his pace faltered.
First, his sprint slowed.
Then it became a walk.
Then—he stopped.
His right knee hit the roof with a dull thud.
An intense sting of pain surged up his left arm, sharp and burning. He clutched his arm, jaw tightening.
Ravynne's voice cut sharply through his comm. "Sire, are you alright? Your vitals just spiked."
Zen exhaled hard, forcing his voice to stay level.
"I'm fine."
He pushed himself back to his feet—slowly, stiffly—and stepped toward the edge of the building.
The streets below were alive with noise, people, and movement. It felt distant, muffled by the pounding in his arm and the pressure creeping up his chest.
He drew a long breath.
His jaw set, steel settling back into his voice.
"Keep moving," he said. "We have a job to finish."