Sister in her eyes

Rose's stomach twisted violently. She barely had time to react before she shut her eyes tight, the nauseating stench of blood filling her senses.

This can't be real... This isn't happening...

Her hands trembled uncontrollably, and her breath came in ragged gasps.

When she finally dared to open her eyes, she saw Blaze standing there silently. The once-shimmering red aura of his sword now dripped with thick, crimson blood. His hands, his clothes—everything was soaked in it.

He didn't move. He just stood there, the weight of his actions hanging in the air like a suffocating fog.

Rose tried to step back, but her legs wouldn't move. Her entire body was paralyzed with fear, an invisible force rooting her in place. Her mind screamed at her to run, but she could only stand there, trembling, thoughts racing wildly.

Why am I not moving? Why can't I run? she screamed internally. Is this... my end?

Blaze slowly approached her, his blood-soaked boots squelching against the ground with each step. Rose's breath hitched as he closed the distance, and a strangled whimper escaped her lips.

He knelt down in front of her, his dark eyes searching hers with an expression that confused her—was it concern? Regret? Or something else entirely?

Gently, he placed his palm against her cheek. The touch was shockingly cold, sending a shiver down her spine. The wetness of his blood smeared across her skin, sticky and warm, and Rose instinctively squeezed her eyes shut.

His voice, however, was soft. Almost tender.

"Now, no one will harm you," Blaze whispered.

Rose's breathing slowed, and despite the terror gripping her heart, she felt a strange warmth beneath the cold blood on her cheek. Cautiously, she opened her eyes, meeting his gaze.

For a moment, everything else—the bodies, the blood, the violence—faded away.

Blaze's expression was unreadable, but there was something in his eyes that made her hesitate. Was he truly protecting her, or was she simply another possession he was safeguarding?

Her lips trembled, but she said nothing. Deep inside, a mix of fear, confusion, and an unexplainable sense of security swirled within her.

Rose stood frozen, her wide eyes locked onto Blaze's bloodstained hand resting gently against her cheek. The warmth of his touch contrasted sharply with the cold, sticky sensation of blood smeared across her skin. Her chest rose and fell rapidly, her breath shaky and uneven.

She swallowed hard, feeling an overwhelming mix of emotions—fear, confusion, and an unsettling sense of... relief? Was she really safe with him? Or had she just escaped one predator to fall into the grasp of another?

Blaze pulled his hand back, his fingers curling into a fist as he looked at the bodies lying in the alley. The neon glow of the floating city flickered against their mutilated remains, painting a haunting picture that made Rose's stomach churn.

"I know this looks bad," Blaze muttered, wiping the blood off his hand onto his jacket with a casualness that unsettled Rose even more. "But trust me, kid. Those scum deserved worse."

Rose took a hesitant step back, her voice barely above a whisper. "You... you killed them."

Blaze turned to her, his dark eyes studying her intently. "I saved you." He gestured toward the bodies with a tilt of his head. "These guys were planning to do things to you that you can't even imagine. I did what I had to."

Her fists clenched by her sides. "But... you were going to sell me too, weren't you?" Her voice cracked, raw with betrayal.

Blaze sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Yeah, I was," he admitted, his honesty hitting her like a punch to the gut. "At first. But..." He looked at her with something almost like guilt. "You're different. I changed my mind."

Rose's mind reeled, torn between running and staying. Her heart told her to run, to get away from this blood-soaked stranger—but another part of her, the part that had been lost and alone in this unfamiliar galaxy, whispered that maybe, just maybe, Blaze was telling the truth.

She looked down at the ground, her voice trembling. "Why?"

Blaze's lips pressed into a thin line, and for the first time, his usual cocky demeanor faded. "Because... I see something in you, kid. You're not just some rare species to be sold off." He took a step closer, his voice quieter but firm. "You're... searching for something, someone. And I get that."

Rose felt a lump rise in her throat. She thought of Anik—the only person in the universe who felt like home. Her last hope.

"Anik," she whispered, almost involuntarily.

Blaze arched an eyebrow. "Who's Anik?"

Rose hesitated before answering. "Someone I lost... someone I need to find." Her gaze was distant, lost in memories of her time with Anik. "He's the only one I have left."

Blaze exhaled sharply and ran a hand through his hair. "Well, then," he said, forcing a grin back onto his face, though his eyes held a lingering seriousness. "We better make sure you find him before someone else tries to snatch you up, huh?"

Rose watched him warily, not sure if she could trust him—but right now, she had no other options.

"Okay," she murmured, wiping the blood from her cheek. "But if you try anything..."

Blaze chuckled, holding up his hands in mock surrender. "Relax, kid. I got your back now."

He turned back toward the alley entrance, sheathing his blade. "C'mon, let's get out of here before someone reports the mess."

Rose took one last look at the bodies before following Blaze. The neon lights of the floating city seemed colder now, less magical than before. As they walked, Rose couldn't help but wonder—was she making the right choice? Or was she walking deeper into another trap?

Blaze and Rose walked in silence as they emerged from the dark, narrow streets back into the glowing heart of the floating city. The neon lights flickered above, casting long shadows that stretched across their tired faces. Rose's gaze drifted toward Blaze, observing how effortlessly he blended back into the bustling world around them. His calm stride, his casual demeanor—it was as if the brutal killings from moments ago had never happened.

Her thoughts churned. "How can he act so... normal? Like he didn't just slaughter those men without hesitation."

Blaze stopped by his spacecraft, parked inconspicuously in a dimly lit docking bay. He tapped a few buttons on the ship's panel, and the hatch slid open with a soft hiss. Turning to Rose, his voice was unexpectedly gentle.

"I grabbed some food from the restaurant earlier," he said, offering a small smile. "I know you must be starving after all that running."

Rose hesitated before nodding slowly. "Okay..." Her stomach betrayed her with a faint growl, but the pit in her chest was heavier than her hunger.

They entered the spacecraft, its dim interior offering a strange sense of comfort—perhaps because it was familiar by now. Blaze gestured toward a small hallway.

"Go wash your face and hands," he said. "Or take a bath if you need to. It'll help you feel better."

Rose stood still for a moment, studying him carefully. Despite his bloody hands and the dark glint in his eyes, there was something oddly reassuring about the way he spoke—like an older brother looking after a younger sibling.

"Why does he treat me like this?" she wondered, stepping toward the washroom. "He acts like I'm... important. But I know I'm just another item to him, right?"

As she walked away, Blaze leaned against the control panel, his expression darkening. He rubbed his temples, sighing deeply before glancing at the glowing console. The ship's system displayed the current galactic standard time:

CTS time: RE250.01.01 - 5:15 PM.

Blaze's fingers tapped the panel restlessly. "Anik... that name." He muttered under his breath, narrowing his eyes in thought. "I've heard it before. Anik Starlight... the future ruler."

He recalled fragmented news reports from days ago—whispers of the once-mighty Regulus Royal Family, ruler of this Multiverse. But then, they vanished. Wiped out. Murdered.

"If that's true, then right now, there's no multiversal ruler," he mused, a sinister grin creeping onto his lips. "Only universal rulers remain... and that makes my job a whole lot easier."

His hand instinctively reached for his sword, still slick with drying blood. The blade pulsed with a faint, sinister red glow. Blaze let out a slow breath, his eyes closing as the world around him faded into darkness. When he opened them again, he stood in a swirling void—an alternate dimension.

Before him loomed Venom Devolos, a massive dragon-like entity shrouded in writhing dark energy, its scales dripping with a toxic, glowing mist.

Devolos' voice slithered through the air, chilling and venomous.

"Why don't you give the girl to me, Blaze?" it hissed, the hunger in its voice unmistakable. "I can taste her fear... She will be delicious."

Blaze smirked, tilting his head. "Patience, Devolos. You'll get your fill soon enough."

The creature growled, eyes narrowing. "I have had many wielders before you, Blaze, and none could release my full power." Its fangs gleamed in the dim void. "Are you any different, or will you fail me too?"

Blaze's grip tightened on the hilt. He could feel the raw power of Devolos coursing through him—dangerous, intoxicating.

"I'll show you," he muttered, his voice low and determined. "Just give me time."

With a blink, Blaze snapped back into reality, standing in the control room of his spacecraft. His eyes gleamed with a dangerous resolve as he wiped the blood from his sword and sheathed it.

"First, I need to find out who killed the Regulus family," he murmured to himself. "Then, one by one, I'll eliminate the universal rulers... and take control of it all."

He glanced toward the hallway where Rose had gone, his expression softening just slightly.

"And as for her... I'll figure that part out later."

Blaze sat down at the pilot's seat, his fingers dancing over the controls. The spacecraft's engines roared to life as they lifted off from the floating city, darting into the vast expanse of the galactic highway.

Meanwhile, in the washroom, Rose stood before the mirror, staring at her own reflection. The water dripped from her face, but it did little to wash away the image of those torn bodies or the cold touch of Blaze's bloodied hand.

"What am I doing here?" she whispered to herself.

Her heart ached as she thought of Anik. "Where are you? I need you now more than ever."

As the ship sped through the stars, both Blaze and Rose were lost in their own thoughts—one driven by ambition, the other by longing and fear.

Inside the dimly lit spacecraft cabin, the soft hum of the ship's systems filled the silence between them. Blaze walked in carrying a couple of food packets and plates, his steps calm and calculated. His eyes, usually sharp and cold, softened slightly as he spread a simple, worn-out carpet across the floor.

Rose sat on the edge of the bed, her knees drawn close to her chest. Her thoughts swirled with doubt and fear. "Why does he act so kindly now? Is it guilt? Or just another trick?" she wondered, eyeing him warily.

Blaze glanced at her, sensing her hesitation. With a sigh, he patted the floor beside him.

"I know what you're thinking," he said quietly. "Come down, first eat something. You'll feel better."

Rose hesitated for a moment, then slid off the bed and sat across from him. She reached for a snack from the packet he handed her, nibbling on it absentmindedly. Blaze, meanwhile, unwrapped a burger and took a bite, chewing thoughtfully.

A long silence stretched between them before Blaze spoke again.

"Rex and Falcon... they were my best friends," he said, his voice distant, as if speaking to himself. "But I had to kill them."

Rose stopped chewing, looking up at him with narrowed eyes. "You also planned to sell me to them, didn't you?"

Blaze met her gaze without flinching. "Yeah," he admitted. "I planned to. But after meeting you, something changed. I realized... for years, I was on the wrong track, with the wrong people."

His words hung in the air, and Rose felt a mixture of disbelief and something deeper—sympathy. She wanted to understand him, but trust was another matter entirely. She studied him closely, searching for cracks in his carefully constructed mask.

"After meeting me, you changed?" she asked cautiously. "Is this some kind of feeling? Or attraction?"

Blaze chuckled, shaking his head. "No," he said firmly. "This isn't about feelings or attraction. This... this is about my sister."

Rose's eyes widened slightly. "Your sister? What happened to her?"

Blaze's jaw clenched, his gaze dropping to the floor. A long pause followed before he finally spoke, his voice heavy with a grief that hadn't dulled over time.

"She was killed," he whispered, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his sword beside him. "Someone took her from me."

Rose felt a pang in her chest. "Someone killed her... but why didn't you do anything? Today, you protected me without hesitation."

Blaze's expression darkened, and he wiped the corner of his eye discreetly with the back of his hand. "Because back then, I was weak," he admitted bitterly. "I was nothing but a helpless kid with big dreams and no strength to back them up." He took a deep breath. "But now... I'm not weak anymore. Now, I have power, and with my partner sword, I'm going to kill every last one of them who took her away from me."

His voice carried a deadly certainty, and Rose could see the fire in his eyes. This wasn't just a mission for him—it was a vendetta carved into his very soul.

She hesitated before speaking again. "Your... partner sword?"

Blaze smirked faintly and patted the weapon beside him. "Venom Devolos," he said. "It's more than just a sword. It's alive, and it craves blood."

Rose instinctively shifted back a little, eyeing the sword with unease. "Alive?"

Blaze nodded. "First, eat something," he said, his tone lightening just a fraction. "Then I'll tell you. There are many things you have to learn."

Despite everything, Rose couldn't help but feel a strange sense of security. Blaze, dangerous as he was, had spared her. And in this cold, ruthless universe, that meant something.

She took another bite of her snack, watching him carefully, realizing that maybe, just maybe, they were both broken in ways neither fully understood.

The atmosphere in the spacecraft was thick with unspoken tension. Blaze sat cross-legged on the floor, eating his food with an almost mechanical precision. His gaze, sharp and distant, was focused on something beyond the present moment. The weight of his words still hung in the air.

"There is a mission I have to complete," Blaze said, his voice steady but distant, as if rehearsing the line for himself rather than for Rose.

Rose, who had been picking at her food with little appetite, looked up, curiosity flickering in her eyes. "What kind of mission?" she asked, cautiously probing, trying to read his face for any clue.

Blaze barely looked at her, his expression unreadable. "I will tell you later," he replied. "Not now. At the right time and the right place, you'll know everything."

Rose frowned, setting her food down. "Why not now?" Her voice carried a quiet determination, but it was laced with uncertainty. She didn't like being left in the dark, not after everything she had been through.

Blaze's eyes darkened, and his jaw clenched. "First finish your dinner," he said, his voice colder, more commanding. "Then I'll tell you."

The sudden shift in his tone made Rose's heart skip a beat. She swallowed her protest, feeling a knot of anxiety tighten in her chest. There was something about the way he carried himself—his sharp, no-nonsense demeanor—that made it clear pushing further would only end in frustration. She looked down at her plate and quietly resumed eating, the once-appetizing meal now tasting like ash in her mouth.

Blaze finished his food quickly, wiping his hands on a napkin before standing up. His movements were efficient, calculated, as if every action was part of a carefully constructed plan. He headed toward the washroom without another word.

As he washed his hands, the cool water running over his fingers, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. His eyes, once filled with fire and rage, now carried something else—regret, perhaps, or exhaustion. He knew Rose wanted answers, but he wasn't ready to give them. Not yet. Some truths were too dangerous to be spoken aloud.

Returning from the washroom, he glanced at Rose, who was still sitting silently, her eyes darting between him and the floor. "After you're done, get some sleep. No more questions," he said flatly.

Rose bit her lip and nodded, feeling a mixture of frustration and resignation. She watched as Blaze disappeared into the control room, leaving her alone with her thoughts.

But then, his sword trembled at his side. A sinister, red aura engulfed the blade, pulsing like a heartbeat.

"Why are you doing this, Blaze?" The voice of Venom Devolos slithered through his mind, a venomous whisper dripping with malice. "Why have you changed?"

Blaze clenched his fists, his jaw tightening. "There's something about her," he murmured under his breath. His gaze softened as he looked at Rose. "She's alone... just like my sister was. And every time I see her, I can't help but think of my sister's face. That's why I'm taking care of her. Nothing more."

Devolos' voice grew darker, more menacing. "You are my holder, Blaze. And I hunger for blood. If you continue down this path of weakness... I will tear her apart."

Blaze's eyes darkened, his grip on the hilt tightening as he spoke with restrained anger. "Just... keep patience, Devolos. You'll get your blood when the time is right."

Silence filled the room once more. Blaze sighed and sat down on the chair near the small, cluttered table, resting his head against the cold metal. As he closed his eyes, the past clawed its way back to him—his sister's screams, the blood pooling at his feet, his own frozen fear. I was a coward then... but not now.

Suddenly, a soft voice broke through his thoughts.

"Now I understand you, brother," Rose said gently.

Blaze's eyes snapped open, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He turned to see Rose sitting up, looking at him with an understanding smile.

"You're still awake?" he asked, masking his surprise with a gruff tone. "Why don't you sleep?"

But there was something about the way she called him brother. It hit him like a wave, stirring something deep inside him. For a moment, it felt as though his sister were still alive, whispering those same words to him in the quiet of the night.

Rose tilted her head, studying him. "But... who were you talking to? You're speaking into the air, but it's just the two of us here."

Blaze exhaled slowly, feeling the weight of her innocent curiosity. He stood up, walked over to her, and without a word, lay down next to her on the bed. The tension in his body slowly eased.

"Alright... I'll tell you," he finally said.

Rose shifted closer, feeling safe beside him. There was something about Blaze's presence that reassured her, even if his past remained a mystery.

"Remember when I told you about my partner sword?" Blaze asked.

"Yeah, I remember. But why do you call it your partner?" Rose inquired, curiosity filling her voice.

Blaze stared at the ceiling, a faint smirk on his lips. "You probably won't believe it... but my sword isn't just an ordinary weapon."

Rose propped herself up on her elbow, eyes wide with interest. "Why? It just looks like any other sword to me."

Blaze's fingers traced the hilt, feeling the pulsing energy within. "In reality... there's a dragon spirit inside this sword."

Rose's eyes widened in awe. "A dragon spirit? Seriously?"

Blaze nodded. "Yes. His name is Venom Devolos."

Rose frowned slightly, her brows furrowing. "That sounds... quite scary."

Blaze let out a short chuckle. "Yeah... he is scary. And he's not just a spirit; he's a predator, always hungry for blood. But..." He hesitated, looking at her. "Only those who share a deep bond with Devolos can communicate with him. The connection between the sword and its holder runs deeper than you can imagine."

Rose looked at him thoughtfully, letting his words sink in. "I understand now," she said softly.

Blaze watched her, a rare flicker of warmth in his usually cold eyes. He realized, in that moment, that Rose wasn't just some burden or lost girl—she was someone who reminded him of what he had lost. And perhaps, in a way, she was giving him a chance to protect what he couldn't before.

For the first time in a long time, he felt something stir inside him—something other than vengeance.

Rose lay quietly next to Blaze, staring up at the dim ceiling lights of the spacecraft. The soft hum of the engines filled the silence between them. Her mind raced, piecing together everything he had just told her. A dragon spirit... a sword with a will of its own... and the pain of losing his sister.

She turned her head slightly, watching Blaze from the corner of her eye. His face was hardened, worn by years of struggle, but beneath that tough exterior, she could sense something more—a weight he carried alone for too long.

"Blaze," she whispered hesitantly. "Do you think... if your sister were here, she'd be proud of you?"

Blaze's eyes remained fixed on the ceiling, his jaw clenching slightly. After a long pause, he said in a low voice, "I don't know." He let out a deep sigh. "Back then, I was weak. I couldn't protect her when it mattered most. No amount of blood can change that."

Rose bit her lip, unsure of what to say. "But you're strong now," she said gently. "And... you saved me today."

Blaze turned to look at her, his piercing eyes searching hers for sincerity. "You were just... in the way," he said bluntly, though his voice lacked the usual coldness.

Rose smiled faintly. "Even so... you could've left me. But you didn't."

Blaze didn't respond immediately. Instead, he sat up slowly, running a hand through his hair. The red glow from his sword pulsed faintly, as if Devolos was listening, lurking in the background.

"It doesn't matter," he muttered, shaking his head. "What matters now is what comes next."

Rose sat up beside him, her gaze curious but cautious. "You said there's a mission... a purpose. What is it really, Blaze?"

He glanced at her, and for a moment, he considered telling her everything. The vengeance, the list of universal rulers he intended to eliminate, the blood price he was willing to pay to right the wrongs of his past. But something inside him resisted.

Instead, he said, "You'll know when the time is right."

Rose sighed, realizing she wouldn't get more answers tonight. She leaned back against the headboard, feeling both relieved and unnerved by Blaze's presence.

"Alright... I trust you," she said softly.

Blaze stiffened at her words. Trust—something he hadn't earned in a long time, and something he wasn't sure he deserved. He stood up, walking towards the door. "Get some rest. We'll reach the space hub soon."

Rose watched him leave, a strange sense of security settling over her despite everything she had learned. The man who once intended to sell her now felt more like an older brother she never had—guarded, dangerous, but somehow... kind.

To be continue....