The air felt heavy.
Too heavy.
Like it was pressing down on us.
…This ends now.
His voice echoed.
And before I could react
He moved.
Faster than ever.
I barely saw him.
Just a blur—
Then impact.
I got thrown back.
Hard.
My body hit the wall behind me.
Pain exploded through my back.
…Too slow.
I forced myself up.
…I'm not done.
He didn't even look at me.
His eyes were already on her.
…You're the problem.
My chest tightened.
…Don't
Too late.
He rushed her.
Fast.
Too fast.
She moved
Dodged
But not fully.
His attack grazed her side
She stumbled.
…Aya.
I ran.
Pushed my body forward.
Ignored the pain.
He was already there
Ready to strike again
No!
I got between them.
Blocked
But the force
My arms shook.
Almost broke.
…Still standing?
He sounded almost impressed.
…I told you…
I said through clenched teeth
…we're not dying here.
He smiled slightly.
…Then prove it.
He pushed harder
I couldn't hold it
I got thrown aside again.
Everything spun.
My vision blurred.
I couldn't
Move.
…Weak.
His steps echoed toward her.
Slow.
Confident.
…Wait…
I tried to stand.
My body didn't respond.
"…Move…"
Nothing.
…MOVE!
Too late.
He reached her.
She tried to stand
But she was slower now.
Injured.
Tired.
…This is the end.
No—!
I forced my body up.
Every muscle screaming.
I ran.
Everything around me faded.
Just him.
Just her.
Just that moment.
He raised his hand
Ready to strike
Then
She looked at me.
For a split second.
Her eyes
Not scared.
Not desperate.
Just…
Calm.
…Don't.
She whispered.
I froze.
…What?
…Don't die.
My chest tightened.
…I'm not
"Stay alive."
Silence.
Then
She moved.
Not away.
Forward.
Toward him.
His attack
Hit.
Direct.
Everything stopped.
…Aya…?
She fell.
Slowly.
Like time itself was breaking.
…No…
My breath stopped.
My mind went blank.
…No… no no no…
I ran.
Dropped beside her.
…Aya!
No response.
Her body
Still.
Too still.
…Get up…
My voice shook.
…Get up…
Nothing.
…You said…
My hands trembled.
…you said stay alive…
Something inside me broke.
Completely.
The world around me
Disappeared.
All I felt—
Was anger.
Pure.
Burning.
…You…
I stood up slowly.
My body shaking.
My breath unstable.
…You…
He watched me.
Quiet.
…Now that's a reaction.
My hand clenched.
The mark
Burned.
Violently.
…I'll kill you.
Silence.
Then
The voice.
Stronger than ever.
Emotional overload detected.
My vision blurred.
New condition met.
Everything around me
Distorted.
Skill evolution available.
…Give it to me…
I whispered.
"Accept?"
…YES.
The pain came instantly.
Stronger than before.
But I didn't care.
Didn't feel it.
Didn't stop.
My vision cleared.
Sharper.
Colder.
Everything slowed.
Even him.
…What…
I moved.
Faster than ever.
He tried to react
Too late.
My fist connected.
Hard.
He flew back.
Hit the ground.
Didn't get up immediately.
Silence.
Heavy breathing.
…Get up.
I said coldly.
…I'm not done.
For the first time
He looked at me differently.
Not calm.
Not relaxed.
Serious.
…You changed.
…Too late for you.
He slowly stood up.
Wiped the blood.
His smile gone.
…Good."
A pause.
…Now it's a real fight.
Behind me—
She still didn't move.
And that—
Was the only thing that mattered.
When he thought he lost her…
Something inside him broke.
But will that make him stronger… or destroy him? 👀💔