The End of Roula

"What happened to her so suddenly?" Kiaan's voice was tense, his gaze darting around in confusion. "She has no mana… so what is she using?"

Kyros narrowed his eyes, his voice heavy. "We won't have time to figure that out now," he said. "Haven't you noticed?"

Kiaan quickly scanned the area, his stomach sinking as realization hit him. "Where is Yona?"

"I'm more curious how she fell so easily without using mana," Kyros muttered, lost in thought. "Go to Thalia. Protect her. I'll handle whatever emerged from the ground. It must be the Halcyon."

Kiaan hesitated for only a moment before nodding and pulling Kyros into an unexpected embrace.

Kyros froze for a moment, caught off guard by the sudden gesture. His mind raced for a response, though a hint of warmth passed through him. "Do you think I'll die in a place like this?" He scoffed lightly, though there was no mistaking the seriousness behind his words. "I've faced worse than this." He returned the hug, though awkwardly. "You're too emotional. You should work on that."

Kiaan gave him a brief, concerned look before rushing off toward Thalia. Kyros watched him disappear into the chaos, then slowly turned to face Kaia, who was locked in a glaring match with the knight.

Kaia's power radiated from her, and Kyros could feel the ground tremble underfoot. Something's wrong, he thought, his instincts kicking in as he approached her cautiously.

"Kaia, calm down," he thought, though he couldn't bring himself to speak.

With an almost careless flick of her wrist, Kaia unleashed her power. A deep rumbling shook the earth, and the air around them grew unnaturally heavy. The ground cracked, pieces of it beginning to rise into the air.

The knight stared, disbelieving, as the scene unfolded in front of him. This can't be real…

The earth seemed to rip open as a massive, whale-like creature emerged from the ground, its enormous form terrifying in its sheer size. Its skin, marked by deep, jagged scars, pulsed with energy, and chains burst from its body. The whale let out a horrible, rasping noise, an unnatural sound that filled the air and made the world feel... wrong. It was as if a thousand creatures had fused into one, creating a monstrosity beyond comprehension.

Kaia, her expression unyielding, raised her hand once more. With a violent crash, the whale slammed back into the earth, shaking everything around them. The sound of the impact echoed through the landscape, and the creature writhed in pain.

Kaia wasn't finished. With each flick of her wrist, the whale was slammed back to the ground, again and again, each strike more powerful than the last.

The others watched in stunned silence, terror crawling up their spines as they saw the raw power Kaia was unleashing. Her spiraling red energy wrapped around the creature's body like a tightening vice, and with a single, decisive motion, she ripped through its massive torso, splitting it in half.

The amount of blood that poured from the creature was overwhelming, filling the air with the stench of death, covering the ground in a crimson tide.

"She's... made a mess," Kyros muttered quietly, his eyes dark as he watched the aftermath. "I would have handled it more efficiently."

Kaia collapsed to her knees, the power finally draining from her as exhaustion took over. Her breath came in shallow gasps, and her eyes fluttered. "I feel like my insides are… twisting," she whispered before falling limp, unconscious on the ground.

As the last of the creatures fell, their life force vanishing with their leader's death, the world itself seemed to groan in protest. The very air felt as if it were being torn apart. The entire realm was collapsing.

"This place is going to crumble," Kyros muttered to himself, his eyes scanning the surroundings. "We need to leave, quickly."

He moved toward Kaia, but before he could reach her, a surge of dangerous energy flooded the air. Kyros' instincts screamed at him, and he turned just in time to see the knight, his sword raised, charging toward her.

Kaia was still vulnerable.

"Kaia!" Kyros shouted, his voice filled with urgency.

The knight moved with surprising speed, but just as he was about to strike, another flash of movement caught Kyros' attention. Before the knight could land the blow, a figure appeared behind him, and a sharp strike pierced through his back.

The knight's eyes widened in shock. He stumbled forward, blood dripping from his lips. Slowly, he turned his head, meeting the eyes of the person who had struck him.

Yona.

Her clothes were torn where the knight had attacked before, but the wounds were already healed. Despite the faint signs of exhaustion, her gaze was fierce. "I... I couldn't let you hurt her," she whispered, a look of regret crossing her face.

The knight gasped for breath, his hand reaching out as if to speak, but no words came. He slumped forward, collapsing at Kaia's side.

"I… I just…" He tried to say, but his voice faltered. "I'm sorry… master."

With his last breath, the knight's body stilled, falling silent.

Kyros's gaze softened for a moment, but it was fleeting. Yona swayed dangerously, her strength failing her. Before she could fall, Kyros was there, catching her gently in his arms.

"You're still alive, huh?" Kyros remarked, his voice calmer now, though the weight of the situation hung heavy between them. The blocks surrounding them shifted, gathering around them as another set began to form around Kaia.

"Lead us out," he ordered, his voice firm but filled with a quiet urgency.

As the realm around them continued to tremble, the blocks began to move, guiding them toward their escape. The world was crumbling, and they had little time left.

***

Kaia's eyelids fluttered open, and water splashed onto her face. "Is it... raining?" she muttered, blinking at the wetness. But no, it wasn't rain. It was Thalia—wailing, sobbing, and quite literally crying all over her face. "Kaia..." Thalia's voice cracked, a flood of tears streaming down.

And then, from the other side of the bed—another sob. "Senior! Don't die on me!" Kiki wailed, her voice hitting Kaia's ear like an explosion.

Kaia groaned, rubbing her forehead. "Did... did they seriously not notice my eyes are open? Or that I'm speaking?!" She sat up, and the crying didn't let up.

"Where... am I?" Kaia blinked around, taking in the surroundings. Oh right. The infirmary. The place where she'd spent the night... for... She paused, her face clouding over with a flash of guilt. "I couldn't save her..." she muttered, her voice barely a whisper.

Thalia and Kiki stopped crying, finally, but both immediately threw themselves at her in a hug. The emotions surged through Kaia, an overwhelming wave of guilt. Without thinking, she wrapped her arms around them, holding on as if they were the last thing tethering her to the world.

Thalia pulled away first, wiping her eyes. "Kiaan told me everything, you know."

"He told you? Even though you never asked?" Kaia raised an eyebrow. She knew her sister too well. "I need some fresh air," she said, pushing the blanket aside and swinging her legs off the bed.

"Wait, you should rest—" Kiki started, but Kaia shot her a look. The kind of look that made Kiki freeze and shiver like a puppy in a thunderstorm.

"Fine. Go. Hic," Kiki squeaked, shrinking away.

"Kaia." Thalia gave her a look like a nagging mother. "Don't leave." She commanded.

"I'm fine, sis," Kaia waved her off as she headed for the door. But just as she reached for the handle, a hand shot out, blocking her way.

"Huh?" Kaia blinked, staring up at the figure who had suddenly appeared before her.

"Rest, you idiot," Yona's voice came, cool and confident, her arms crossed and a smirk plastered on her face.

Kaia's face went blank. "What the heck...?" She squinted at Yona's face like she was trying to solve a riddle. Then, she glanced over her shoulder at Kiki. "You didn't say you guys were making a wax statue for her funeral," Kaia said, deadpan.

"Huh? What?" Kiki blinked, confused.

"I remember her being uglier than this," Kaia said, putting on her best philosopher face. "Correct this at once. I want the original uglier one back!"

The next thing Kaia knew, Yona cracked her knuckles, giving her the kind of look that would send shivers down anyone's spine. "What did you just say?" she growled, before smacking Kaia lightly on the head.

"Hehe, you deserved that," Yona chuckled. But then, Kaia did something unexpected.

She hugged Yona.

It wasn't just any hug. It was warm, real, and Kaia held on tight, like she was scared Yona would vanish if she let go.

"I'm... glad you're still alive. And still talking so much shit." Kaia's voice cracked, but she fought back the tears.

Yona buried her face in Kaia's shoulder, holding her tighter and shutting her eyes. "I should say the same to you, asshole."