Where’s Rose?

Kai closed the medbay door behind him, his expression unreadable as he exhaled sharply.

Arnik's voice crackled over the comms. "Be safe! And don't do anything stupid!"

Kai rolled his eyes, adjusting his glasses as he pressed the button to respond. "I have a higher IQ than all of you put together. I think I'll be fine."

Then, he switched the comm off.

But I'm not as strong… that's for sure.

Without another word, he dashed into the heat of battle.

Kai moved quickly, making his way toward Rose's last known location. The battlefield around him was a mess—bodies, wreckage, and craters left behind by the sheer carnage of war. The air was thick with smoke and ash, stinging his eyes.

"Rose… you better not be getting yourself into major trouble," he muttered, stepping over the scattered remains of destroyed machines.

When he finally reached the spot, he froze.

So much destruction.

Machines torn apart like paper. The ground scorched with deep gouges, telling the story of a battle fought at full force. There were no survivors—at least, none that were still standing.

Kai called out. "Rose!"

No response.

His eyes darted around, scanning for any sign of movement. That's when he saw it.

A weapon buried beneath rubble—the head of Rose's Yari.

Kai's stomach twisted. "No way…"

He crouched down, placing a hand over the weapon. His mind worked fast. Too much destruction, too much chaos to get a read on what happened just by looking. He needed more information.

He closed his eyes.

"Investigation magic."

A faint glow pulsed around him as the last four hours began to replay in his mind.

Flashes of movement. Blurred figures clashing. Explosions ripping through the air. But it was too chaotic, too much violence at once.

He couldn't see her.

Kai cut off the spell, clenching his fist.

He stood up, his brain working overtime. If Rose was still alive, where would she go? She wouldn't just disappear. And if she was taken…

His eyes scanned the area again, looking for anything that stood out.

That's when he noticed it.

A fallen skyscraper. Blood smeared on the broken steel.

It could be anyone's.

But it was the only lead he had.

Kai adjusted his glasses and stepped forward.

Kai quickly knelt beside her, pressing his hand against her worst wound. A faint glow pulsed from his palm as he sealed it shut with magic.

"Your armor held up well," he muttered, checking the rest of her injuries.

Rose huffed. "Pff, yeah! But this Yari didn't!"

Kai glanced at the broken weapon beside her. The head of it was completely severed, wires sparking from the damaged base.

"It was still in testing," he pointed out.

"Testing my Ass" Rose snapped. "Everyone else's works just fine!"

Kai turned to leave. "Let's go—"

Before he could move, Rose's hand gripped his wrist.

"Kai…"

Something in her voice made him pause. "Umm… yes?"

She swallowed, her voice lower this time. "Kai…"

His brow furrowed. "Wh-what?"

"I… I can't walk…"

Kai sighed. Of course.

Without another word, he crouched down and scooped her up.

The moment his hand accidentally pressed against her thigh—nowhere inappropriate, just supporting her weight—her face went bright red.

"STOP, PERV!!"

Kai's eye twitched. "Shhh! You want us to get killed?!"

Kai carried her out of the wreckage, his grip firm but careful. The battlefield was eerily silent now, the distant sounds of gunfire and explosions muffled by the ruined skyscrapers around them.

He pressed his comm. "I found Rose."

Silence.

Kai's brow furrowed. "Arnik? Markus? Aika?"

Still nothing.

Concern settled in his gut before realization hit—his suit's energy was almost drained. It had been pulling from his magic reserves this whole time, and with Rose already out of her pre-stored magic, they were running on fumes.

He exhaled sharply. "We gotta walk."

3 Days later…

Kai had been walking for three days straight. No sleep. No rest. His body screamed at him to stop, but he didn't. The micro-resource food supplements in his suit were almost depleted, and his magic reserves were running dangerously low. Still, he pressed forward, step after step, his mind locked on survival.

Rose, for once, didn't tease him. She could feel the strain in his every movement. His grip on her never faltered, but the exhaustion in his eyes was undeniable.

"Kai," she murmured. "Take a break. Let's set up a camp."

Kai didn't respond at first, his expression locked in determination. The demons had pushed forward, taking more of the city, forcing their team to scatter. He had no idea where the others were—only that stopping wasn't an option.

But when his legs nearly gave out, he finally sighed, muttering, "Fine."

He found a ruined building, half-collapsed but sturdy enough to offer some cover. Carefully, he set Rose down, his hands trembling slightly from fatigue.

She studied his face, noticing the dark circles under his eyes. "You're pushing yourself too hard."

Kai sat down heavily beside her, rubbing his temples. "Yeah… but we're still alive."

She sighed, leaning her head back against the wall. "For now."

Kai glanced at her legs, his eyes narrowing. "Rose… your legs still aren't working."

Rose avoided his gaze.

"What happened?"

She hesitated, then exhaled, her ears twitching slightly as she thought back to the fight.

"I fought a demon user…" Her voice was quieter now, her usual cocky tone replaced with something heavier. "He was strong. Way stronger than the ones we've fought before."

Her mind drifted back to the battle—the chaos, the blood, the overwhelming force she had faced.

The way her body had screamed at her to move, but the sheer power of his attack had crushed her.

Kai's vision blurred for a moment. His legs felt heavier with every step, his body screaming at him to stop.

Rose noticed. "Take a break. Now."

"No," Kai muttered, shaking his head to stay alert. "I need to get you back."

Without hesitation, Rose curled her fist and punched the back of his head.

"Set up camp in one of these buildings, idiot!" she snapped. "Lionel's forces have advanced farther up! If we keep walking, we'll run straight into his front lines."

Kai exhaled sharply, rubbing his head where she hit him.

"…Fine," he muttered. "Just for tonight."

Kai set up camp right beneath the ruins of a collapsed skyscraper.

Rose watched, unimpressed. "Why don't we just go inside?"

"Shut up," Kai muttered, shoveling away debris with practiced efficiency. "They won't expect us here."

It took a lot of digging, but with a bit of simple ground manipulation magic, he carved out a small shelter beneath the rubble. It wasn't much, but it would do.

He lifted his hand, murmuring a few words under his breath. A faint shimmer rippled through the air as cloaking magic took effect.

"Now we can rest in peace," he said, before pausing. "Well… there's still about a 40% chance we get found."

Rose huffed, crossing her arms. "Comforting."

Kai sat down beside her, exhaling deeply. "You owe me big time."

She smirked. "Haha, you wish."

He just shook his head, leaning against the rough wall of their hideout. His body screamed for rest, but his mind was still running, calculating their next move.

"Well, get some sleep," he muttered.

Silence settled between them.

Then—

"Kai…"

"What?"

Her tail flicked, swishing nervously. "I—"

She was cut off by a sharp beep from his comm.

Kai's attention snapped to it immediately. Rose clenched her fists, her face turning red with embarrassment and annoyance.

He pressed the device to his ear. "This is Angel Kai."

Static crackled before Arnik's voice burst through the line.

"FINALLY, YOU PICKED UP, IDIOT!!!"

Kai winced. "Yeah, yeah, nice to hear from you too—"

"I'VE BEEN NONSTOP TRYING TO REACH YOU FOR DAYS! IT'S BEEN ALMOST A WEEK SINCE YOU LEFT!"

Kai rubbed his temple. "Sorry. All this fighting damaged the suit's systems. I must've finally gotten close enough for it to reconnect."

Arnik's voice was sharp. "Please tell me you found Rose."

"I did. She's alive. Just as much of a bi—"

"YOU BETTER NOT FINISH THAT SENTENCE!" Rose barked.

Kai smirked but quickly got serious. "I need a pickup."

A long pause.

Then, Arnik spoke, his voice slow and heavy.

"Kai… the enemy has advanced since you left. There's no way we can reach your position."

Kai's breath hitched.

"Got it," he said after a moment. "Send an evac location."

"How bad is it?"

"It's bad," Arnik admitted.

Kai closed his eyes briefly, running a hand through his hair.

"I see."

He exhaled.

"Angel Kai out."

Kai set the comm down, his mind racing with possibilities. The enemy had pushed forward, cutting them off. That meant their situation was worse than he thought.

He sighed. "Well, that's just great."

Rose shifted beside him, clearly annoyed. "Now that you're done talking, maybe you can pay attention to me."

Kai rubbed his eyes. "Alright, alright. What was so important?"

Her tail flicked, and she hesitated for a second before crossing her arms. "Forget it."

Kai scoffed. "Well, that was a waste of time."

Rose muttered softly. "…Thanks."

Kai blinked. "Huh? What?"

She sighed, her voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks… for coming to save me. It means a lot."

Kai's eyes widened. His brain short-circuited for a second. Rose? Thanking me?

His face twisted into exaggerated suspicion. "Impossible. You must be a fake."

Rose's face turned red in an instant. "O-OH SHUT UP, FOUR EYES!"

Kai burst out laughing.

Rose huffed, crossing her arms, her tail swaying in frustration. "It's not funny."

Kai wiped a tear from his eye, his grin softening. "You're right."

There was a beat of silence.

Then, quieter. "Thanks, Rose."

Rose didn't look at him, but her tail flicked again—this time slower, more at ease.

"Let's just go to sleep," she mumbled.

Kai laid back, exhaling. "Yeah… we'll figure out the rest tomorrow."

When day came, they were back on the move.

Kai adjusted his glasses, the faint glow of his cloaking spell still flickering around them. The ruined city stretched endlessly ahead, smoke rising in thick pillars as distant battles raged on.

Rose, still unable to walk, was slung over his back once more.

"This is getting old," Kai muttered.

"Oh? You prefer carrying me like a princess instead?" Rose teased, her voice laced with amusement despite their dire situation.

Kai scoffed. "Not happening."

He pressed forward, each step crunching against broken glass and debris. The weight of exhaustion pressed on him, but stopping wasn't an option.

The demons had taken more ground. The longer they lingered, the worse their chances became.

Kai's vision blurred, his steps unsteady as exhaustion threatened to take over.

Boom.

The sounds of destruction grew louder, creeping closer with every passing second. Smoke filled the air, mixing with the stench of scorched metal and blood.

A ship flew into view, cutting through the gray sky like a beacon of hope.

Finally. We're getting out of here.

Rose shifted slightly on his back, her arms loosely draped around his shoulders. Even through the weight of fatigue, she still had enough energy to tease. "This piggyback ride was nice."

Kai exhaled sharply, adjusting his grip. "Speak for yourself."

The ship's ramp lowered, the warm glow of the interior lighting up the dust-filled air. He stepped forward—

Then—

That feeling. A sharp, violent pulse at the back of his mind.

Danger.

Kai reacted instantly. He leaped backward just as—

A streak of light cut through the air, slicing straight through the ship's hull.

BOOOOOM.

The explosion swallowed the air, fire and debris erupting outward. The force sent Kai skidding back, his arms tightening protectively around Rose.

Her voice rang out, but the roar of flames nearly drowned it out.

Kai forced himself upright, eyes darting through the smoke—

Then he saw him.

A figure stepped through the haze, moving with an unnatural stillness.

He was clad head to toe in deep red armor, its surface worn, cracked, but somehow more ominous because of it. Unlike the sleek technology of modern warfare, this armor was old—ancient. Battle-tested.

But that wasn't what made Kai's stomach twist.

It was the aura.

Malice dripped from his very being. A slow, crawling, suffocating presence that weighed down the air like thick tar.

Rose gritted her teeth. "He's fast."

Kai narrowed his eyes, adjusting his stance. His hands were empty, but his magic hummed at his fingertips, ready to strike.

This wasn't just another enemy.

This was something else entirely.

Kai threw Rose onto her butt, and she clearly didn't like that.

She shot him an annoyed glare. "Hey!"

Kai ignored her, already drawing his weapon. The blade shifted, extending into a spear, its edge gleaming under the dim battlefield light.

Rose's eyes widened. "That's him! That's the demon user I fought!"

Kai narrowed his eyes. "Him?" He glanced at her. "How did you manage to survive?"

"I'M STRONG, YOU KNOW!"

The figure in red armor finally spoke. His voice was calm, yet carried an undeniable presence.

"My name is Ajitus, one of the Demon Lord's loyal subordinates."

Kai felt a drop of sweat run down his temple but didn't step back. He adjusted his grip on his spear, keeping his stance firm.

Ajitus tilted his head. "I told you my name. Won't you give me the honor of telling me yours?"

Kai clicked his tongue. "Chivalrous, aren't we? Alright then…" He raised his spear slightly. "My name is Kai Loke."

Ajitus let out a quiet chuckle. "A pleasure, truly."

Kai's eyes flickered around. "Tell me, Ajitus, where's your army of machines?"

Ajitus smiled behind his helmet. "It wouldn't be a fair fight."

Kai scoffed. "Since when did demons care about being fair?"

"Don't lump us all into one category," Ajitus replied smoothly. "But it can't be helped—most of us are dreadful." His voice remained steady, unwavering. "I don't take pleasure in killing innocents as much as the rest."

Kai wasn't sure if he believed him. Not that it mattered. His stance shifted slightly.

"You think we've had enough chitchat?"

Ajitus nodded once. "Indeed."

Then—he disappeared.

It wasn't speed.

It wasn't movement.

It was as if he had been erased.

Kai's eyes darted around, but before he could react—

Ajitus reappeared right in front of him.

Kai barely had time to shift his weapon. His spear collapsed into twin daggers in an instant, just in time to block Ajitus' incoming fist.

The impact sent a sharp tremor up Kai's arms.

Ajitus grinned. "Interesting. A fascinating weapon."

Then—poof.

He vanished again, retreating a few paces back.

Kai smirked, rolling his shoulders. "Void magic, huh?"

Ajitus gave a slow nod. "Correct. I'm glad you noticed. It's a rare one."

Kai flipped his dagger between his fingers. "Yeah, I've memorized my fair share of magics."

Ajitus exhaled, raising his arm. "Then I best give you the honor you deserve."

A blade materialized in his grasp, dark and humming with raw energy.

"Well then," he said.

Poof.

Gone.

Poof. Poof.

He reappeared again. Faster.

Kai's muscles tensed.

He was fast.

Slash!

A sharp pain shot through Kai's arm as blood spattered onto the cracked pavement. His teeth clenched, but he didn't stop.

His weapon shifted again—sword to axe, axe to spear, spear back to dagger. Over and over, his hands worked on instinct, adapting to Ajitus' speed. Every strike was met with a counter, every dodge barely keeping him alive.

The fight raged on.

Kai was covered in cuts now, blood dripping down his arms and legs, staining his coat. His breathing was ragged, but his stance never wavered.

Ajitus chuckled, twirling his blade effortlessly. "Interesting… You're still standing."

Kai wiped the blood from his chin, gripping his weapon tighter. His vision was blurring, but he refused to fall.

Rose, still slumped against the rubble, shouted in frustration. "Kai, don't be an idiot! You can't win—run!"

Kai didn't even turn. "No."

"Why?!"

Kai exhaled sharply. "I can't outrun him with you on my back."

Rose's eyes widened. "Then forget me!"

Kai let out a short, breathless laugh, rolling his shoulders as he adjusted his stance.

"Not a chance."

The fight dragged on, the air thick with tension. Kai's breathing was heavy, his grip on his weapon tightening as Ajitus circled him like a predator savoring its prey.

Ajitus put a hand to his chin, smirking. "How come you haven't used your magic?"

Kai exhaled sharply. "You already know." His voice was steady, but his body ached. He knew the truth now. "This whole time, you haven't been trying to kill me… but Rose."

Rose's eyes widened. "What?"

Ajitus' smirk grew. "It's like a hunter finishing off the lame deer."

Kai clenched his jaw. "Then focus on me." He took a step forward, raising his weapon. "Or are you not a real knight?"

Ajitus chuckled. "Fair enough."

Poof. Poof.

In the blink of an eye, he was gone.

Kai barely had time to react before Ajitus reappeared, striking with blinding speed. Their weapons clashed, sparks flying as Kai blocked and countered, shifting his blade between sword, axe, and spear in rapid succession. The battlefield around them became a storm of metal and magic, each strike sending shockwaves through the rubble.

Kai lunged, his spear crackling with raw energy, aiming for Ajitus' chest.

Poof.

Ajitus vanished before the strike could land. He reappeared behind Kai, slashing downward with his cursed blade. Kai twisted just in time, deflecting the attack with his dagger, but the force sent him skidding backward.

"Void magic's annoying," Kai muttered, breathing hard.

Ajitus grinned. "You're telling me?"

Kai launched forward, his weapon shifting mid-swing. A greatsword, heavy and powerful, crashed against Ajitus' blade. The impact sent tremors through the ground, the sheer force splitting the concrete beneath them.

Ajitus vanished again.

Kai's eyes darted around. Where—

Before he could react, pain exploded through his ribs.

Ajitus reappeared, slamming a knee into Kai's side, sending him tumbling across the battlefield. His weapon slipped from his grasp, clattering to the ground.

Ajitus landed gracefully and kicked the weapon further away. "There. Now you can't cause any more trouble."

Kai coughed, struggling to push himself up.

Ajitus sneered. "That's it? Pathetic."

Before Kai could move, Ajitus dashed forward, gripping him by the throat and lifting him into the air.

Rose's voice cracked. "Let him go!"

Ajitus barely spared her a glance. "Shut up, bitch ." His grip tightened around Kai's neck. "Any last words?"

Kai gasped for air, his vision blurring. His hands shot up, gripping Ajitus' forearms with what little strength he had left. His eyes burned with defiance.

"She's not… a bitch…" Kai spat through gritted teeth. "But you… are."

Ajitus' smirk faded. "What—"

Blood gushed from his mouth.

A sharp pain bloomed in his side. He looked down.

Kai had his weapon.

A dagger.

The blade was buried deep in Ajitus' liver.

"You—"

Boom.

A burst of energy surged through the weapon, magic exploding inside him. The shockwave sent Ajitus stumbling back, releasing Kai, who rolled away to safety.

Ajitus clutched his wound, panting as he staggered. "H…How?"

Kai wiped blood from his lips and smirked. "Funny thing. Just figured out my weapon is bound to me. As long as I've got mana, I can call it back."

Ajitus' hands trembled. His body was healing, but slower—too slow. He coughed, his breath shaky.

Kai crossed his arms. "Wondering why it still hurts?"

Ajitus growled.

Kai adjusted his glasses. "Because I didn't just hit your body. I damaged your soul."

Ajitus stiffened.

Kai continued. "Demons don't have physical forms like us. Your body's just a vessel. Your real self—the part that actually matters—is vulnerable to certain kinds of magic and mutations." His smirk deepened. "And if you know the right place to strike, you can sever a soul."

Ajitus' eyes widened.

Kai rolled his shoulders. "Seems like I only damaged yours, though. Shame."

Ajitus clenched his fists. "Damn you…"

His magic flared violently. "Enough of this honor crap. You're dead."

Gravity magic surged around Kai, pressing down on him like an unrelenting force. He gritted his teeth, his knees shaking as he fought to keep standing.

Ajitus roared, teleporting midair, his fist engulfed in pure destruction magic.

Kai's magic was spent. His body was too weak to dodge.

This is it—

BOOM.

A blur of motion.

Ajitus was gone—sent flying across the battlefield like a ragdoll.

A new figure landed in front of Kai.

Arnik.

He flexed his fingers, shaking off the force of his punch. "Made it just in time."

Kai exhaled, slumping slightly. "Took you long enough."

Above them, a ship roared into view.

Ajitus groaned, dragging himself to his feet. His eyes flickered up at the descending aircraft.

"You came for two soldiers?" he scoffed. "Isn't that a little excessive?"

Arnik cracked his neck. "What kind of leader would I be if I didn't?"

Ajitus snarled.

Arnik glanced at Kai. "Idiot. Pay attention to the fight."

Ajitus roared, lunging.

Arnik moved.

The battle lasted mere seconds.

Ajitus swung. Arnik weaved past the strike with precision, gripping his wrist and twisting sharply. The bone cracked.

Ajitus' eyes widened—before a fist, glowing with raw power, slammed into his chest.

BOOM.

The impact shattered the ground. Ajitus was sent flying, smashing through the wreckage of a collapsed building before his body went still.

Arnik dusted off his knuckles. "There. That's how you finish a fight."

Kai groaned. "Show-off."

Arnik grabbed both Kai and Rose by the back of their shirts. "Let's go."

Kai yelped as Arnik leaped high into the air, landing smoothly onto the ship's open ramp.

Inside, the med bay was already prepped.

Aika rushed forward. "Bring them over here!"

Rose's eyes lit up. "Aika!"

Arnik set them down, and Rose immediately latched onto Aika, hugging her tightly, her tail swishing with excitement.

"You're okay! You're okay!" She kissed Aika's face repeatedly.

Aika groaned. "Enough! Let me heal you!"

Rose pouted but sat down.

Rose turned to Kai. "You first."

Kai blinked. "Huh?"

She started healing his wounds. The warmth of magic spread through his battered body, numbing the pain.

Kai watched her work, his mind spinning.

Has Rose… always been this kind?

He shook his head.

Yeah. She's just weird.

As exhaustion pulled him under, Kai let out a tired chuckle.

They were finally safe.