Bound by Guardian Duty

A blood-red sky cast eerie shadows over the city as Ryan arrived at the scene of the demon attack. Beside him, Liora and Jace took defensive positions, prepared to engage the monstrous creatures. Without hesitation, Ryan summoned his glowing blade, the edge shimmering with divine light, and charged into battle.

Each swing of his sword cut through the darkness, light flaring with every strike. Around him, the ground sparkled with residual energy as defeated demons vanished into smoke.

Aren arrived shortly after, his presence calm yet powerful. He leapt into the fray, helping to fend off the demons that had begun targeting civilians. Their faces were concealed beneath black scarves, but something in their movements felt... familiar.

He couldn't place it, not entirely. But deep down, Aren knew who they were. Still, his priority was clear: protect the people. The team fought side-by-side, and slowly the demonic force began to fall back.

Just as they thought the battle was over, a chilling aura surged through the air. A dense shadow formed in the center of the street, morphing into a towering demon, unlike any they had faced. His presence bent the very air around him.

The general of the demon army had arrived.

With a malicious grin, the demon slammed into Ryan, knocking him back several feet. "At last," he hissed, voice like gravel, "I've found you. My master will be pleased."

Before Ryan could respond, Aren appeared behind the creature, his blade flashing. "Stay away," he warned in a voice as cold as ice. "Or your next step will be your last."

The general growled. "You dare threaten me? I am the General of the Abyss. You cannot defeat me."

"Then try me," Aren said calmly.

The general snarled and summoned more demons. Liora and Jace immediately leapt into action, striking down the lesser creatures before they could reach the fleeing crowd.

Steel clashed against the corrupted bone as Aren and the demon general battled in the street. Sparks flew with each impact. Aren's strength was unnatural, graceful, honed. As if he had been training for this fight his entire life.

With a powerful strike, Aren forced the demon back and spoke, his voice laced with quiet authority. "Go back to your master and tell him: you can't touch Ryan. He is our Guardian now."

Jace and Liora froze. The air around them seemed to still.

He knows, Liora thought, stunned.

But Ryan's expression remained unreadable.

The demon general let out a low snarl, but he knew he was outmatched. With one final glare, he vanished into a swirl of black mist.

Silence fell over the battlefield.

Aren stepped toward Ryan, knelt on one knee, and placed a hand over his chest in a sign of deep respect.

Jace broke the silence. "You know about us... but how?"

Aren stood. "Did you really think that sending me an anonymous message would keep your identity hidden?"

Jace gave a small smile, trying to keep the mood light. "Well, you're on our side now, right?" He reached out to clap Aren on the shoulder.

But Aren stepped away, his eyes locking with Ryan's.

"They know where you are now. And I'm warning you… stay away from Ealina. She has nothing to do with this war."

He turned and began to walk away.

"If you hate us," Liora called after him, "then why help?"

He didn't look back. "Because it is my duty. To protect the Guardian." And with that, he vanished into the shadows.

---

At the Office –

Aren returned to the office quietly, his face calm but his aura slightly tense.

Lyra spotted him immediately and hurried over. "Are you okay?" she asked, concern in her eyes.

He gave a short nod. "Yeah."

"Is Ryan alright too?" she asked again.

"He is," Aren replied, lowering his voice. "But make sure Ealina doesn't find out about what happened."

Just before heading out earlier, Aren had told Lyra everything—about Ryan, Ealina, the demon attack. She was still processing it.

As they whispered, Ealina approached from behind. Catching them mid-conversation, she raised an eyebrow.

"You two look suspicious," she teased lightly. "What are you whispering about?"

Startled, they straightened up quickly, pretending to act normal.

But Ealina's gaze shifted to Aren's hand, where blood was seeping through his sleeve.

Her expression changed. "What happened to your hand?" she asked, stepping closer.

Aren looked down quickly, trying to hide it. "Oh… uh… it's nothing. I got smacked by a door."

"A door?" Ealina narrowed her eyes. "You expect me to believe that? You're bleeding, Aren. Doors don't injure like that."

"I was in a rush," he said, offering a half-smile. "Just an accident. I'm fine."

Before he could argue further, she gently pulled his arm and made him sit. "Let me see it."

Lyra, sensing the moment, smiled and quietly walked away to give them space.

Ealina began cleaning the wound with care. From afar, through the half-open blinds of his cabin, Ryan watched the entire scene. His jaw clenched.

Then—crash.

A sharp sound echoed in his cabin. Ryan had crushed a glass in his hand, unable to contain the strange burning sensation inside him.

Why do I feel like this?

---

Later, Ealina walked into Ryan's cabin with a file in her hand.

"Sir, these documents need your signature," she said, placing them on the table.

But Ryan didn't even glance at the papers. He was staring at her. Just staring—his expression unreadable, something turbulent in his eyes.

"Annoyed by his constant staring, she snapped, 'Sir, I'm leaving the documents here. You can sign them later.'"

As she turned to walk away, Ryan stood abruptly, circled the desk in swift steps, and grabbed her wrist, pulling her close.

"Are you two close?" he asked in a low, sharp voice—cold as ice, but burning with something more.

She stared at him in disbelief. "What are you talking about?"

He didn't blink. "Why were you taking care of his wound? He could've handled it himself. Or someone else could have. But why you?"

"Because he's my friend!" Ealina snapped. "And what I do is none of your business."

Ryan took a step closer. Then another.

Until her back touched the wall.

His face was inches from hers, their noses nearly brushing. His voice dropped into a whisper.

"I don't know if it's my business or not... but I can't watch you care for anyone else. I can't stand it."

He raised his hand—and she saw it. Blood, dripping from a fresh wound.

"You should take care of this," he said, eyes locked on hers. "Because you should only be taking care of me."

Ealina's breath caught.

She glanced at his bleeding hand and muttered,

"You should go see a doctor. I'm not one… and I'm certainly not yours."

But before she could turn away, he gently grabbed her wrist.

"Wait."

Something in his eyes made her pause.

Without another word, she led him to the nearby couch, fetched the first aid kit, and sat beside him. She began cleaning the wound in silence, carefully avoiding his gaze. But he never took his eyes off her—not even for a second.

As she focused on wrapping the bandage, he slowly raised his hand, fingers hovering near her hair. He stopped mid-air, caught in hesitation, then clenched his hand into a fist and lowered it again.

Why do I feel this way? he wondered.

Why does it hurt to see her with someone else? Why do I want her close—every second, every breath?

But he said nothing.

When she finished, she stood up briskly.

"All done," she said softly and walked away—leaving him behind with his thoughts louder than ever.

---

Back at her desk, she slumped into her seat.

Lyra was waiting with a knowing smile.

Ealina groaned. "Don't start."

Lyra giggled. "Too late. Spill. What happened?"

Ealina told her everything. Lyra burst into laughter.

"He totally has a huge crush on you!" Lyra said.

"Don't be ridiculous," Ealina muttered, flicking her forehead. "He's rude, arrogant, and completely incapable of normal emotions."

Lyra grinned. "Yeah, sure. But jealousy? That doesn't lie, babe. No guy gets that jealous over a friend unless… there's something more."

Ealina huffed. "Whatever. Where's Aren?"

"He went to the cafeteria," Lyra said.

---

Cafeteria –

Aren stood alone, making coffee, lost in thought. The weight of everything was slowly catching up to him.

A light tap on his shoulder snapped him out of his daze.

"Hii," came a soft voice behind him.

It was Liora. She smiled warmly, her presence surprisingly gentle.

"I know about your powers," she said calmly. "I didn't tell anyone. I wasn't sure if you were on our side… not after the way you acted before. But now… I'm glad you are."

Aren smirked, though his eyes stayed cold. "I don't like people touching me from behind. So… better luck next time."

His voice dropped slightly. "And I'm not on your side."

Liora blinked, surprised.

"I said it before—it's my duty to protect the Guardian. That's all. Don't mistake duty for loyalty. And for your own safety, stay away from us."

He left without waiting for a reply.

Liora stood frozen, watching him disappear down the hallway.

Her thoughts swirled. There's something deeper here... something bigger. And they're all part of it. But what is it?