Arou and Airi walked along the morning sidewalk toward the city park. The air was fresh, morning dew clung to the leaves, and the sound of birds added to the calm atmosphere. They chatted lightly about new steps and the challenges ahead, unaware of the danger about to unfold.
Suddenly, the ground trembled violently.
A deafening roar echoed through the air.
People who had been jogging or sitting on park benches turned toward the small forest at the edge of the park in panic.
From behind the trees, a massive figure emerged.
Vendico—the king of monsters.
He towered above everything, his dark-scaled skin glistening, his glowing red eyes burning with menace, and his massive fangs baring intimidation.
Behind him, hundreds of monsters poured out, leaping and rushing toward the park.
Screams erupted.
People ran in every direction. Some stumbled into tables, others cried out for their families.
The peaceful morning shattered into chaos.
Arou looked at Airi, his expression firm.
"You see that? We have to stop them before more people get hurt."
Airi nodded.
"Yeah. We don't have time to wait."
They moved immediately toward the center of the park, facing the first wave of monsters. Arou steadied his breath and drew his sword, while Airi readied herself.
The front line attacked.
Arou deflected a winged creature's strike, while Airi moved swiftly, pushing back monsters that tried to surround civilians.
Vendico let out a terrifying laugh, his voice echoing across the park.
"You dare stand against me? I will conquer this city!"
Arou's gaze hardened.
"You're wrong if you think we'll back down."
Airi stepped forward.
"We won't let you harm innocent people!"
---
The battle intensified.
They fought in sync, cutting down monsters one after another—but there were too many.
Arou glanced at Airi.
"We need to focus on Vendico. If he falls, the rest might retreat."
Airi nodded, her eyes sharp.
"Got it. Fast and precise."
They pushed forward, breaking through waves of enemies as the once-peaceful park turned into a battlefield filled with dust, debris, and clashing sounds.
---
The clash escalated.
Arou slashed through a monster charging from the front, while Airi spun past another, striking with speed and precision. Their movements were synchronized, as if they had trained together for years.
Vendico roared.
"You think you can stop me? My army will crush you!"
Arou exchanged a glance with Airi.
"Now or never."
They charged.
Breaking through the monster lines, Arou delivered powerful strikes while Airi danced between attacks, protecting civilians at the edges.
Then—
Vendico moved.
He leapt high and slammed the ground, sending a shockwave that forced them back. Dust erupted into the air. People screamed.
Airi steadied herself.
"We go for him."
Arou nodded.
"Follow my lead."
They attacked together.
Arou struck from the right. Airi from the left.
Vendico blocked—but their coordination began to overwhelm him.
Arou leapt onto a fallen rock, striking from above, while Airi circled swiftly, targeting weak points. Their blades landed clean, forcing the monster king back.
Then—
Arou cut into Vendico's leg.
Airi followed with a precise strike to his side.
Vendico roared, the ground cracking beneath him.
With a final coordinated assault—
he fell.
The remaining monsters hesitated, some retreating in fear.
---
But the battle wasn't over.
More monsters still surrounded them.
"Don't let them encircle us!" Arou shouted, cutting through two attackers at once.
Airi moved with flawless precision.
Then—
"Airi! Arou! Be careful!"
A voice called out.
Chika.
She ran into the scene, her face pale.
Airi turned slightly.
"Chika—don't come any closer!"
That moment of distraction—
was enough.
Vendico struck.
His claw slammed into Airi.
She was thrown to the ground.
Her breathing faltered.
Her body went still.
"Airi!" Arou shouted, trying to reach her—but monsters blocked his path.
Chika's voice trembled.
"Airi… please…!"
Arou clenched his teeth.
"Vendico… I won't let this happen!"
---
Silence fell for a brief moment.
All eyes turned toward Arou—
standing before Airi.
The battle had entered a far more dangerous stage.
---
Inside Airi's consciousness—
Airi slowly opened her eyes.
The world around her was different.
Silent. Fog drifted in the air. Colors were dim yet clear.
She knew immediately—
this wasn't reality.
In front of her stood a girl.
The same face.
But colder.
Sharper.
Airi stepped back.
"Who… are you?"
The girl answered without hesitation.
"I am who you used to be."
Airi frowned.
"…Me?"
The girl tilted her head.
"Everything you've experienced… everything you've chosen… it all shaped who you are now. I am the reflection of what you left behind."
Airi fell silent.
"So… I used to be like this?"
"Yes."
The answer was firm.
"And I'm here to remind you—no matter how much you change, there are things you must not forget. Your strength. Your resolve."
Airi swallowed.
"Why now?"
The girl gave a faint smile.
"Because you're being tested."
A pause.
"May I… borrow your body?"
Airi's eyes widened.
"…Why?"
"To fight Vendico."
Silence.
Then—
Airi nodded.
The girl stepped forward.
Their forms merged.
A cold, unyielding aura flowed into her.
---
Back in the battlefield—
Arou was cornered.
Vendico raised his arm—
ready to end everything.
Then—
Swoosh.
A blur.
Airi stood before Vendico.
Calm.
Expressionless.
"Airi…?" Arou froze.
She spoke—
her voice cold.
"It's been a while… Vendico."
Vendico narrowed his eyes.
"That aura… isn't yours."
Airi stepped forward.
"If you're done talking."
The air changed.
Vendico unleashed a surge of dark energy. The ground cracked. The wind howled.
"Stay back—!" Arou shouted.
"Don't move."
Her voice cut him off.
Not a request.
A command.
Vendico vanished—
reappearing right in front of her.
His claw struck—
Airi tilted slightly.
Missed.
Her right eye widened.
A thin red thread shot out—
glowing.
Alive.
It wrapped around Vendico.
Arou stared.
"That… came from her eye…"
"What is this?!" Vendico roared.
"Binding," Airi replied flatly.
He unleashed a massive shockwave—
but the thread didn't break.
It tightened.
Airi moved.
First strike—his side.
Second—his balance shattered.
Third—clean and decisive.
Too fast to follow.
Vendico staggered.
"You're… not human…"
Airi appeared before him.
"I'm the part you awakened."
Her blade pierced through.
The red thread followed—
devouring his dark aura from within.
Cracks spread across his body.
Then—
he collapsed.
Turning into dark ash.
Gone.
---
The red thread faded.
Airi stood still.
Back facing Arou and Chika.
"That… wasn't Airi," Arou whispered.
Chika trembled.
"It felt like… someone else."
Airi didn't turn.
Her aura—
cold.
Silent.
Unfamiliar.
---
The dust settled.
The monsters vanished.
Silence returned to the ruined park.
Arou stepped forward.
"Airi… what just happened?"
She blinked.
Confused.
"I…"
She looked at her hands.
"I don't fully remember."
"But I wasn't unconscious either."
Arou frowned.
"Then what was that?"
Airi took a deep breath.
"My body moved on its own."
"And my voice… spoke without me choosing the words."
Chika froze.
"You mean—"
"I was aware," Airi continued.
"I could see and hear everything. But… I wasn't the one making the decisions."
Arou looked at her.
"That wasn't the Airi I know."
Airi nodded softly.
"I know."
She looked at the ruined park.
"It felt like… a part of me woke up first. And my body followed."
Chika held her arm.
"Do you know that part?"
Airi was silent for a long moment.
"…Not completely."
A gentle wind passed through.
"But it didn't feel like a stranger."
Arou glanced at where Vendico once stood.
Then back at her.
"Whatever it is… you're still here. That's what matters."
Airi looked at him.
Her expression softened.
"…Yeah. I'm here."
But deep inside—
she knew.
Something had changed.
And her meeting with that girl…
was far from over.