Chapter 6: Love In A Dying World

Third Person's POV

Axel landed on his feet, barely sliding back before summoning another burst of golden light. But this time, the darkness didn't retreat.

A figure emerged from the swirling void. Unlike the writhing tendrils, this one had shape—a humanoid form cloaked in pure blackness. Its eyes were two hollow voids, locked onto Selene with an unnatural hunger.

Selene's breath caught in her throat.

Axel's expression darkened.

"Damn it."

The creature raised an arm, and the shadows around it surged forward. Axel moved instantly, intercepting the attack with a brilliant flash of light. The impact sent sparks flying, the force shaking the ground beneath them.

Selene forced herself to her feet, ignoring the sting in her limbs. She knew she couldn't fight like Axel could, but she couldn't just stand there.

The Dark Matter creature shifted, its gaze flicking between her and Axel before speaking in a voice that barely sounded human.

"She does not belong here."

The words sent a chill through her.

Axel's energy flared.

"She's not going anywhere with you." The creature didn't respond. It lunged.

Axel met it head-on, their collision sending a shockwave through the street. Light and darkness clashed violently, illuminating the night in flashes of gold and black. The force of their battle cracked the pavement beneath them, sending debris flying.

Selene barely had time to react before a tendril shot toward her again. She jumped back, but it was faster.

Axel's voice rang out.

"Selene—!"

A golden barrier slammed between her and the attack just in time. The tendril struck the shield with a sharp hiss, dissolving into black mist.

Axel gritted his teeth. He was holding back the entire swarm on his own.

Selene clenched her fists, frustration burning inside her. She had to do something. She couldn't keep relying on Axel to protect her every time.

The shadows twisted around them, growing more aggressive. The battle was far from over.

Selene watched as Axel clashed with the Dark Matter creature, golden energy colliding with pure darkness. Each strike sent waves of force through the air, rattling the ground beneath her. The creature was strong—too strong—but Axel refused to falter.

The tendrils surged again, aiming straight for him. Axel dodged, twisting mid-air as his golden aura flared. With a swift motion, he raised his arm, and a radiant blade of light formed in his grip.

The creature lunged, its hollow eyes locked onto him. But Axel was faster. In a single, precise movement, he drove his blade through the creature's core.

A sharp, inhuman screech filled the air as the shadows writhed in agony. The tendrils that had been attacking Selene froze, their connection to the creature severed. The black mist began to disintegrate, the once-overwhelming darkness now collapsing in on itself.

Axel didn't stop. With a flick of his wrist, he slashed again, sending a shockwave of golden energy that shattered the remaining tendrils. The creature let out one last shriek before its body cracked apart, dissolving into nothingness.

Silence followed.

Selene's breath came in short gasps as she stared at the empty space where the creature had once stood. The oppressive energy that had surrounded them was gone, replaced by the eerie stillness of the night. Axel lowered his hand, his energy dimming. He turned to her, his expression unreadable.

"It's over," he said. Selene swallowed hard.

"For now."

He nodded, wiping a stray drop of sweat from his forehead.

"They'll come back. Stronger." His golden eyes changing back to blue flickered to hers

"We don't have much time."

She knew what he meant. This wasn't the last fight. The real battle was still ahead. Selene tightened her fists.

"Then we better get ready." Axel held her gaze for a moment before sighing.

"You're really stubborn, you know that?" A small smirk tugged at the corner of her lips.

"And you're just figuring that out now?" He let out a short chuckle before shaking his head.

"Come on, let's go. We need to prepare before they find us again."

Without another word, they disappeared into the night, leaving behind the remnants of their battle. The war was far from over—but this time, Selene wasn't running.

The dim light of the abandoned building flickered as Selene sat on the dusty wooden floor, leaning against the cold wall. Her body still ached from the fight, but her mind refused to rest. Axel stood near the broken window, arms crossed, staring at the city beyond.

For the first time, the silence between them wasn't tense—it was something else. Something fragile.

Selene let out a slow breath.

"So... what happens now?" Axel turned to her, his golden eyes softer than usual.

"We prepare." She nodded, tracing circles on the floor with her finger.

"I know that. But I meant... after all this. If we stop Doomsday." He was quiet for a moment before stepping toward her.

"Then you live. A life without all this fear."

Selene tilted her head up at him.

"And you?" Axel hesitated.

"I... don't know." Something inside her clenched at his words. She hated the idea of a future where he wasn't there.

She patted the floor beside her.

"Sit with me." Axel raised an eyebrow but obeyed, sinking down next to her. His warmth was a stark contrast to the cold air around them. She glanced at him.

"I never really thanked you."

"For what?"

"For saving me. More than once." She let out a small, breathy laugh. "I probably would've been dead five times over without you." Axel smirked.

"You're not wrong."

Selene nudged his arm.

"Hey."

His quiet chuckle faded into something softer as he looked at her. "You don't need to thank me, Selene." His voice was low, almost gentle.

"Protecting you... it's the only thing that feels right." A strange warmth spread in her chest. She looked away, suddenly feeling shy. "You always say things like that so easily." Axel leaned in slightly.

"Because I mean them."

She swallowed. The space between them had disappeared, his presence overwhelming yet comforting. She wasn't sure when it happened—when the fear of him turned into trust, when trust became something deeper. Her voice was barely above a whisper.

"Promise me you won't disappear when this is over."

Axel reached out, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. His touch was careful, almost hesitant.

"If you want me to stay..." He exhaled softly.

"Then I will." Selene met his gaze, and for the first time, she allowed herself to believe in a future beyond the chaos. A future where he was still by her side.

The days leading up to Doomsday blurred together—preparations, training, searching for any possible way to stop the catastrophe without losing everything. Selene and Axel had grown inseparable, their connection deepening with every passing moment.

But peace never lasted long.

To be continued.