Early morning. Even with the addition of an unexpected guest, to say the least. Arctaius’ apartment was relatively quiet. At the least, aside from the thumping of walls that came from the bedroom. The source of which being, a certain large youth, twisting and turning in his sheets. Just like he had the previous morning. At the least, until he jolted awake some moments after, his eyes shooting open… Afterward, he just sat there, staring at the wall in silence. He sighed.

“Not this again…”

He sat there unmoving for some moments before he scratched the back of his head. He pondered his next course of action. As he went to tap the holo-phone at his side, bringing the display back up. His gaze fell upon the time, 7:20. At this point, was there really a point to staying asleep? He lifted the covers off of him as he swung his legs over the bed’s edge, standing up. He soon began to stretch, starting with his shoulders, and then, his legs. He would stop shortly after, opting to walk to the desk by his room’s window... At the least, until a thump echoed through his ears. His eyes soon went to his left, the door to his room. With his attention caught, he turned and began to walk toward the door. Beyond it, however, the brown-haired girl squatted by it, with her ear pressed onto it. Unaware of the fact that he was approaching.

“First all that thrashing I heard, And now this? And I could’ve sworn I heard some water flowing earlier, along with the power getting knocked out a few times... Maybe this Is part of why he’s been so distant lately… No, No… It’s stupid of me to make assumptions like that…Anyway, I’m not hearing anything right now. What’s going on?”

She sat there trying to figure out what to do next. Eventually deciding on just pressing her ear closer, her attempt to observe the situation in the room better. Though this was a mostly pointless action, as Arctaius turned the knob, and the door swung open. The youth looked down upon Asami with a raised eyebrow. And as for the girl herself, she did not move, as her brain registered what just took place. A few seconds after, she slowly raised her head, as she returned Arctaius’ gaze.

“Just what is this supposed to be?”

Asami swiftly stood up, shuffling away from him.

“Nothing, of course…”

Arctaius was, to say the least, not impressed by Asami’s antics. Just as she was with his. Who did she think she was fooling with this?

“Pressing your ear against someone’s door... Definitely looks like nothing.”

At his words, pink dusted her cheeks. She quickly turned on her heel, instead facing the wall. For a moment, she was silent as she pondered her next statement.

“I was checking if you were up, I just didn't want to come in. Who sleeps this late anyway?”

Arctaius Scoffed.

“You came here into my home unannounced... Who are you to talk about MY sleeping schedule? I didn’t plan on coming to school in the first place…”

Asami perked up at the statement, and, almost at inhuman speeds, she seemed to shoot over to Arctaius as she spoke.

“Oh no, You aren’t skipping, not while I’m around!”

Arctaius stood there, unfazed at her fiery gaze.

“Rightt, because you’re going to stop me…”

Asami squinted her eyes as Arctaius made this comment. It was after this that she began to close the distance between them, now, there was but a few inches between them. As she spoke, she soon began to tap his nose.

“You know I could keep annoying you until you finally DO come…”

Arctaius blinked as he thought. He couldn’t deny that fact, given what she was doing right now... But, as he thought, he began taking notice of something else. The distance that’d closed between the two.

“Why are you so close?”

As Asami stopped her poking, she’d finally taken notice of how close she’d gotten, and wordlessly created distance once again.

“That’s beside the point, onto this next one. What’s going on with you lately. Don’t get the wrong idea, though... I’m just curious after all.”

“Just curious, huh?”

“You expect me to believe that? Either way, It’s no business of yours.”

It was after this, that his gaze seemed to now bore into her as if he were trying to stave her off. Seemingly, though she was not scared of it, she at the least understood his intent. It was after this that she turned away from him once again.

“Fine then, if you’re going to be like that.”

He silently walked past her, his gaze falling on his school bag past the black linen couch. As his gaze fell upon it, he took notice of the sheets lined across it. Though, he’d only expect that. He picked up his bag, holding it behind his shoulder as he turned on his heel. He soon went past her once again, glancing at her as he did so. Before closing the door to her room as he re-entered. Asami looked upon the closed door for some moments, before sighing. That did not bode well for getting any info out of him. She trudged toward the couch and grabbed her uniform. The school’s black blazer, and blue skirt. It was then that she went over to the bathroom on the other side of the apartment. She tapped a button on the side, lighting up the harsh light on the room’s ceiling, before closing the door behind her. She stood in front of the mirror for some moments before she began to change.

“I need to stop doing that… It’s probably why Arctaius and I have become more distant over the years, but. He’s never been this distant to Yudei and the rest…”

As she continued to change, her mind began to drift back to a different time.

Part B

Years past, in the outskirts of the Shima Ward. There lies a small park, with four stone paths leading up to a fountain, with grass and trees lain around the perimeter. The park was dark, save for the streetlights that lined the paths. Though that wasn’t the main attraction, rather, it was those who were there. Under one of the streetlights, a brown-haired young girl, as one of her age would normally be, she was small, around four feet in height. Her gaze was fixated on the scene in front of her. A dark-skinned boy with an afro, his hands up in front of him. Wearing a simple outfit, a black hoodie, and some jeans. Around him, were six other children. One standing in front of him, 3 behind him, and 2 behind the one standing opposite to him... The one he was apparently confronting, a taller boy with dark blue locks, shifted his feet as he moved around him, his hands balled into fists... Though, it seemed as if it was for naught, as Arctaius began running, or rather, to him, it looked like he’d just appeared in front of him. The boy looked down upon him in surprise, his eyes widened like saucers as Arctaius’ fist shot into his gut, sending him barrelling some feet away. Something which caused the two of his friends to rush to his side.

“Takahashi, you alright?!”

“Talk to us!”

The boy, Takahashi, soon began to sit up.

“I’m fine, he just got one hit on me…”

Soon, the two grabbed his arms, pulling him up. His stand was soon followed by a fit of wheezing, in response to the one hit he “just got”. He was at first gazing at the ground, but his eyes gradually went up to the boy standing in front of him.

“You’re violent, aren’t you… forget this. We’re getting out of here!!’

As this was said, his friends turned, followed by him, and they soon began a mad dash. With Asami stepping out of the way as she saw them run toward her. As they wordlessly ran past, her eyes followed them. But eventually, her gaze fell back onto Arctaius, who dusted his hands off as he watched the three run.

“What a waste of time…”

As he finished, the three boys standing behind Arctaius soon ran up to him, the first to reach his side being a young boy with dark green locks, identifying him as Yudei Sasaki, he spoke jubilantly at his friend’s apparent victory.

“That was a nice punch!!!”

The two were soon joined by the second of the three boys. A boy with short black hair, and thin-framed glasses, Shinto Yoshida.

“Didn’t know you were that strong!”

As Shinto spoke, the third eventually came to his side. An orange-haired boy with short locks, that just reached his shoulders. His black orbs focused on the boy between them as well.

“Right, nice punch Cuorde!!”

“It’s Corde- Akashi.”

As Shinto corrected his friend, Arctaius soon began to walk, in the same direction the other three had gone. With the three soon moving to follow him. Asami heard their words and their approaching footsteps. She turned her gaze to Arctaius, following him with her eyes as he walked past. He, however, gave her naught but a simple passing glance. Well, he noticed she was still here, that was a start at the least. She stood there thinking for a moment, before she began walking, following them.

“Hold on!”

Asami soon grasped his wrist. Arctaius seemed to twitch, surprised at the contact. He stopped walking, instead opting to turn his head and look back at her. A few moments after, he roughly yanked his arm out of her grasp.

“You’re a real pain, you know that? We already chased those guys off. What else do you want from us?”

Asami went silent as if pondering her next words. As they continued to look at one another, chatter began behind them. Though they didn’t notice, all too focused on one another.

“It’s just that… You ignore everybody but those three, You never even told us your name when Yomako-Sensei Asked.”

“And why would that matter to you?”

“I like to know the names of my friends. Especially one who just saved me.”

Arctaius raised an eyebrow in his confusion. Saved her, what was she talking about? Though, he quickly returned to his neutral expression from before.

“I didn’t save you… I took care of those guys cause I felt like it. And who said we were friends?”

Arctaius turned his head away from her as he made his statement. To her, that response was not a good one… Not in the very least. and as such Asami’s expression began to change. Her lip curled, and, as Arctaius looked back, he took notice of the change in her expression. Moreso as she began to tear up. He sighed at this.

“Alright, Alright, I’ll tell you. Just don’t start crying... My name is Arctaius, Arctaius Corde…”

With that, her short fit of crying, or, at the least, coming near it, stopped. As a bright smile made its way onto her face.

“My name... Is Asami Hoshi, I hope that we can be good friends, um.”

For some moments, she went silent. Given that his name was a bit long, she began to think over something else to call him, deciding upon something simple.

“Taius-Kun.”.

Arctaius seemed to go quiet at the nickname, almost seeming to drift off for a few moments. Though, he snapped out of his stupor, soon turning away from her, and only waving as he began walking once again. Asami soon came back from her memories, opening the bathroom door. She soon took notice of her old friend leaning on the back of the couch. He soon glanced up at her as he heard her footsteps.

“Oi, does it take that long to put on clothes? For you to pester me about going to school and then have me waiting, that’s kind of strange, isn’t it.”

Asami turned on her heel and briskly walked past him. She soon grabbed her school bag, glancing at him over her shoulder.

“Well, unlike you... I actually care about my appearance.”

He said nothing in response, simply walking into his kitchen, and grabbing his keys off of the countertop, before slinging the bag in his hand over his shoulder. He soon walked to his door, opening it, and continuing from there.

“Yeah, Yeah… Close the door behind you.”

Asami stammered at this display, going quiet at first. But as she soon frowned at his actions, she continued.

“How rude- I was still talking!”

She soon followed, Exiting the apartment as she slammed the door behind her. Soon, the two were on the same elevated road he’d walked on the previous day. Once again, moving across the sidewalk, until he eventually reached near ground level. Their walk was quiet, one could say serene one if they ignored the others around them. However, this was about to end very quickly. As they entered one of the ground level walkways, they were soon followed by a certain youth, who kept his distance, looking around the corner. A boy of average stature. Mostly unassuming, though, the orange-headed youth could be identified by those who knew him. His expression was a surprised one.

“Huh? Those two are walking together, alone?! What a surprise…”

He went silent for a moment...As his expression changed, a smile crept onto his face.

“But if they’re talking, I have a chance to finally do it. I’ll catch you off guard this time, Taius.”

Akashi soon turned the corner, focusing his gaze on his target. He soon bent his knees, before he burst forward, dashing toward the two. The smirk on his face only grew larger as he got closer to them.

“Morning, Ta-”

His greeting was soon interrupted, as Arctaius stepped to his left, extending his arm. And, with it being too quick for him to stop, Akashi’s face collided with the arm, a perfect clothesline. For a moment, Akashi stood there but soon fell to the ground, holding his face.

“Again?!”

Arctaius soon slung his bag over his shoulder once again, before he turned on his heel, looking down at Ketamura. Though their apparent antics had gained some viewers, they’d seemingly ignored it.

“I’ve told you before... Don’t try to sneak up on me, Akashi.”

Arctaius put his hand out, and, as Akashi took note, he grabbed it, with his friend pulling him up soon after. Before he turned once again, continuing forward. With Akashi soon moving to follow him. Though Asami would stand there for a moment, her eyebrow raised at the display, she eventually went to follow them as well.

“So, You two are walking together?”

He nudged Arctaius

“You finally picked up on the signs?”

Arctaius glanced over at him as he spoke. Though he eventually turned his gaze forward.

“What are you talking about? There are no ‘Signs’ There is simply nothing between us…”

Though it was clear that was his attempt to dismiss Akashi’s words, he pressed on regardless.

“You can’t expect us to believe that, Not with how you two act... Even if you try to reject it, you two do act like lovebirds…”

This made Asami perk up, especially as the man began to speak with a higher tone.

“Corde Kun - no, You can’t do that!!! Come on, Let’s go out together, Corde-Kun”

His impression of Asami only drew Corde's standard blank gaze and Asami arching her brows as she began walking past the two.

“I do NOT sound like that!!!”

As they walked, unbeknownst to them, another two students they knew well walked on the adjacent street, coming directly into their path. Yudei, and another man, about the same height, but of a larger weight, walked behind him. His thin-rimmed glasses on his pudgy face, mostly obstructing the eyes below them. At first, they simply exchanged words as they walked. Until they heard a familiar voice echoing. They glanced at one another before they began walking toward the source. As they waded through the crowds of people, taking notice of the three in front of them. As they walked toward them, a rather deep voice came from the large youth.

“Well, this isn’t a surprise…’

This drew both Arctaius and Akashi’s attention, as they looked over at him.

“Yo, Shinto.”

Shinto waved in response, walking with yudei, and joining them. But, apparently, their impromptu gathering didn’t stop there, as they heard a giggle from under one of the many trees around them. Where Satomi stood, leaning on it.

“You know, you two really are adorable together.”

Pink dusted Asami’s cheeks again, and Arctaius’ gaze shot over to her.

“W- Shut Up, We are not together, Nor are we- I- Nor am I adorable!”

She soon sped up once again, leaving the rest of them in the dust, standing in silence for quite a bit. It was quite clear that the little exchange had changed the mood between them all. Satomi soon drifted over to Arctaius’ side, leaning into him.

“Come on Corde; You’re not even gonna go with her?”

“Of course not…”

And, just like that, the conversation had broken off, they continued their walk toward the school, falling into the other students that entered in droves… Though, Unbeknownst to them, a certain man watched from above. In one of the shima ward’s many buildings, the hooded man stood above, looking down upon his newfound opponent. Behind him were two men, wearing simple uniforms, black button-up jackets, loose fitting and baggy.

“Alright...There he is. It’s about time we make a declaration.”

The man’s hand went beneath his robe, and out came a folded paper, held between his fingers. As he did so, one of the men stepped forward.

“You sure you won’t need our support to take him out? I heard he was a tough nut to crack.”

The hooded man glanced back at him.

“Nah, I’ll be good. You two head on back to base.”

The man folded his arm over his chest, his palm facing himself, and his fingers pointed toward the sky, soon followed by the woman beside him.

“Yes sir!”

The two would soon begin their exit, descending the stairs of an opened door at the other edge of the roof. All the while, the man stood and continued to watch. Elsewhere, Arctaius made it past the school gates. He simply kept his gaze forward, until his ears picked up on something, an object was approaching him. His eyes darted to the left, and, there he saw it, a single folded paper. He soon caught it between his fingers, catching the attention of those around him as well, he soon opened it, as his gaze fell upon the words messily written upon it.

“Arctaius Corde, We meet in the Southern Exclusion zone. There, I will end your life...”.

And, just like that, he began to tune out what happened around him. The gears in his brain began turning, much faster than they had before.

“This… Could it possibly be from that man yesterday? Southern shima as well? This could give me some answers… Considering he just happened to be on my route.”

Behind him, Shinto began to step closer, attempting to look over his shoulder at the note, though, barely able to see it, as a result of the youth’s posture.

“Taius, what might that be?”

His words seemed to snap the man out of his stupor. Only for him to shove the paper in his pockets, as he began walking once again. Though, they weren’t the only ones to take notice, as Asami watched him walk past.

“It’s nothing to worry about…”

He simply continued walking once again. Akashi scratched the back of his head as he watched this happen.

“He really has been acting more distant lately. And I didn’t think that much was even physically possible…”

Asami’s eyes followed Arctaius as he began to walk past her, as she opened her mouth to speak.

“Wait, You’re going to-”

He was. He simply paid her no mind as he walked into the school’s doors, simply disappearing into the crowd. She stood pondering her next action for some moments. Eventually deciding to leave him be.

“Just what is going on in his head?”

Arctaius would soon make his way through the building once again, walking up the stairs, and once again making it to the class door marked 1-B, and entering. He soon made his way to his seat and leaned back into his chair. Silent as the seats around him began to fill up. With chattering beginning around him. At the least, until Goutou entered the classroom. Something which led to the class, excluding Arctaius standing.

“Ohayou Gozaimasu”

Though, he remained silent. The class then retake their seats. Arctaius simply sits there, looking around the classroom, with apparent disinterest. Goutou took notice, though he didn’t say anything about it. After all, he had better things to do than spend his time arguing with this punk again. Instead, he grabbed a book off of his desk, cracking it open, and flipping through the pages.

“Take out your books, we will resume where we left off yesterday.”

Arctaius compiled, placing a rather thick book onto his desk. Afterward, however, he simply did nothing, even as Gouto began his lesson.

“Now, Second World War, which of you can tell me the founding members of the Solar Entente-”

Asami began to tune his words out as she glanced over at Arctaius.

“Well, at least he’s acting normally here... Though, normal for him isn’t exactly good…”

Eventually, they’d go through Gouto’s history class and those that came afterward. Eventually, they reached lunchtime, a well-needed break. Though most were with their friends, there was a single man who was on the roof. Arctaius sat in the very center, his usual spot, with a single cup noodle in front of him. He was silent, looking into the distance, at the shima ward’s skyline. Condensed with large skyscrapers, and elevated the roads which weaved between them. Though it was mostly quiet aside from the sounds of the city. However, walking up the stairs, was a certain girl. As he heard the footsteps, he looked over his shoulder to see who would approach. To his chagrin, the one who would open the door was Asami Hoshi.

“Corde! You aren’t supposed to be up here. We both know that.”

Great... Arctaius sighed as the girl stepped in front of him, now looking down upon him. All the while, he returned her gaze.

“Man… Can’t I eat in peace? At Least stop standing in my sunlight…”

At the least, she gave him this much. She stepped out of the way and went to sit beside him. As she did, she placed a black box in her lap, within, were the contents of a bento. As she grabbed her chopsticks, her gaze began to drift to his… Less than impressive meal.

“Cup ramen again? Geez, with all that time you spend doing nothing, you still haven't learned how to cook?”

He turned his head toward Asami.

“I can cook, I just... can’t cook well.”

Asami’s expression seemed to become blank at his response. For a moment, she went quiet as she pulled out a second box, and began pushing it toward him.

“That’s a strange way of saying that you can’t, you hopeless man.”

He scoffed.

“And how am I hopeless? You’ve always been saying that…”

“Well, we could at first start with your many fights in the time we’ve known each other. And the fact that you don’t do much else otherwise you delinquent… I do wonder how you passed the entrance exam.”

He raised an eyebrow at this, as he reached for the bento she’d pushed at him, grabbing it and bringing it toward him.

“What are you… some kind of stalker. How did you know about those fights?”

“You aren’t exactly subtle, you know… But aside from that, there’s the fact that you're in a rush to hide something all the time, just like- “

Her hand shot forward, ripping the paper out of his pocket.

“This!”

Though Arctaius reaches out to take it back, Asami’s eyes already began to scan the paper…She seemed to freeze, as her mind took in the information. End his life? What was this guy talking about, who was he, how did he know Arctaius’ name? She knew he’d gone into the exclusion zone. Was this whoever was responsible for what happened to people there? The simple thought of that being the case made her tremble. Even so, she would not make this known, instead opting to place the note down in front of her.

“Alright, this needs to be said. what is going on with you? Acting like you have, and it looks to me like you’re planning to run off for a deathmatch.”

The two sat in silence for quite some moments. Asami decidedly waited for a response. Arctaius, in the meanwhile, decided to go with the first thing that came to mind.

“It has nothing to do with you… so stop asking.”

Asami balled her fists at his response, a frown making its way onto her face She soon closed the distance between them, coming face to face with him. Now, unlike before, she began to yell.

“What do you mean it has “Nothing to do with me”?!”

As she spoke, Arctaius soon scooted back, keeping his gaze on her as he did so… Alright, time for plan B.

“Whoa, whoa, Hold on, you got too close. Who knew you were so forw-”

“I know what you're doing. Don’t try to distract me, that isn’t the point here. Do you plan to go?”

She proceeded to move closer to him. And just like that, Plan B went up in smoke. The silence returned between them, as they simply continued to stare at one another. Arctaius soon scooted back once again, as he continued

“So what if I was, I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, it’s none of your business… I believe I can find some answers.”

“It is my business. I wouldn’t allow anybody to rush into a situation like that.”

She began to drift off. The thoughts of what could happen to him ran through her head, and though quietly, she did voice the fact.

“Much less you”

Though, as she looked up, she returned to her normal tone of voice.

“Do you know how many people disappear after going there?! I won’t let you!”

And just like that, Arctaius was left at an Impasse… While he couldn’t disregard Asami’s words, there was no way he could easily discard his other goal of getting answers, even if it meant discarding her wishes. In the end, he decided upon something simple.

“Fine, then, If it gets you to stop annoying me, then I won’t go…”

With his statement made, he stood up, grabbing the box she’d pushed to him. It was only then that he’d walk away, exiting the door and making his way down the stairs. And just like that, he started walking once again.

“A minor inconvenience. I’ll wait until she falls asleep and then leave… There’s still the issue of how powerful h-”

Arctaius’ strategic thoughts were interrupted, as he found himself bumping shoulders with another man. Like the school’s other male students, he wore the same uniform. He was notably shorter, the top of his head only reaching Arctaius’ chin. Though, his height looked to be increased with his golden locks,comed over his head. All the while, his piercing blue orbs bore into Arctaius. Who simply stared back at him… Though, they quickly broke this up.

“Excuse me…”

The man soon continued to trudge forward, as Arctaius moved to do the same. Though, they glanced back at one another as they did so.

“I’m correct. That’s the foreign exchange kid, William Grayhelm, they called him... I sense protomis coming from him...It isn’t a small amount either. And a name like “Grayhelm.” is kind of shady. Though, that doesn't concern me.”

The man stopped walking once again, as he decided upon his next move. Then, his gaze fell upon the stairs, and he decided, turning on his heel, and walking toward the stairwell that led down.

“Alright, forget this… Going back home now.”

The rest of the school day continued without Arctaius, and with it, the activities that came afterward. Once again, the students of the high school found themselves cleaning the school after hours. Though, a certain three slacked off. Within classroom 2-B, two warriors prepared to engage one another. Akashi held the broomstick in his hand as if it were a spear, as he spoke in a deepened voice.

“Face it, Shibuya Ryo, You cannot defeat me! Morikuni-Sama’s rule will not be stopped!”

In front of him was “Shibuya Ryo”. Otherwise known as Shinto, held a stick within his hands, as if it were a katana. He soon swiped it in the air, as he bent his knees.

“We’ll see about that, Ida!”

“Ida'' and “Ryo” Tightened their grips on the end of their broomsticks and sticks respectively, as they began to let out a war cry, charging at one another, and, as Ida prepared to thrust, Ryo prepared to swipe… However, unbeknownst to them, their battle was going to end very soon, as a rather loud womanlike voice echoed through the room.

“Yoshida, Ketamura, Sasaki!”

The two quickly came to a stop. All the while, Yudei glanced over at the door. Taking notice of a woman with short purple hair, that covered much of her pale skinned youthful face. She was somewhat shorter than Yudei, looking to be around 5’4. Like all the other students, wearing the same uniform. Her orbs the same color as her hair, though somewhat lighter, her gaze moved between the three boys as she entered the room.

“Yo, Shizuko.”

The girl, Tsuchiya Shizuko, the student council president, began to walk toward the three.

“Don’t ‘Yo’ Me… We’re supposed to be cleaning and here you three are monkeying around, Acting like your game characters?”

She began to glance around the room as she took notice of something.

“Speaking of that, where’s the fourth one at?”

Shinto soon leaned the stick against a desk close to him, as he pushed his glasses up.

“Taius isn’t here right now, he hasn’t been too sociable lately. I presume he decided to make his exit midday.”

“Somehow I’m not surprised… What a bother, that guy.”

Shizuko turned on her heel and began to exit the room.

“Well, I have other things I have to take care of. I hope that you get to cleaning…”

As she walked out, Akashi sighed as he leaned on the wall of the classroom that lay near the windows.

“It just had to be her, huh.”

Shinto soon looked at him.

“Hey, at the least, if you ask me, you still have a chance.”

While the scene from before she arrived didn’t continue, the talking caused by it continued… Later, as night fell within the shima ward, the one who was the subject of the earlier conversations lay on his bed, facing the ceiling. He wore a simple sleeveless white t-shirt and a pair of black shorts. The room was almost pitch black, lit only by the display of his holophone. Unaware of the man who stood on a skyscraper some blocks away. The hooded man had made his appearance once again, the whole of the central shima ward visible to him. Though the buildings around him were not the focus, rather, the apartment building that lay within his view.

“It seems that he won’t come to battle me... What better way to handle this, then to bring the fight to him.”

Soon, he leaped off the building, before flying toward the apartments, with a boom echoing through the streets as the man flew forward, shattering the glass on the skyscraper behind him. Something to which drew confused gazes from those on the streets below, though their eyes struggled to keep track of the man streaking throughout the sky, due to the speed he moved at. As the man focused his attention on the apartment, a small ember swirled around the man's body. Though, as time went on, it would grow and grow, until, the flames grew wilder. The man smirked, knowing full well what he was about to do, something which made the conversations of those below, turn into panic chattering. All the while, his target continued to lay on the bed, at the least, until, his eyes widened.

“I’m sensing that man’s protomis again, and this heat, dammit!!!”

Arctaius shoved his holo-phone into his pocket, as he burst out of his room. His gaze cut through the pitch-black living room before his eyes focused on the sleeping form of Asami. He soon rushed forward, lifting her, one arm under her legs, and the other, her back. Asami soon began to stir, moving around in his arms. Though, she eventually groggily brought her head up and began stretching. She rubbed her head as she looked around the darkened room.

“Mmm…Morning already?”

As she looked to her left, she saw Arctaius' chest, or what looked like it And, as she slowly looked up, seeing his chin and the few thin hairs coming from it. It is only then that she realized the fact that she was in his arms. At this, she became as red as a tomato.

“What the- Put me down, you idiot!”

“Arctaius: Not now, Hoshi!”

Arctaius ran to the balcony, shattering the glass as he rushed through, shielding Asami from the shards. Before he jumped out of the building. Which soon burst into flames the moment he leaped out. He would soon land on the road below the building. Arctaius looked up, in his attempt to find the source, having since been used to sights such as the one that happened around him. However, Asami was less than ready. with people scrambling to grab their family members or to escape the flames. Some are caught in the flames, leaving scalded bodies laying on the ground. Screams echoed through the streets as the flames melted their bodies. Soon, the culprit would begin to levitate above them, looking down upon them.

“You again… Mind explaining why you're chargrilling the people living here? It looks like you’re just dragging them into our fight.”

A smirk crept onto the man’s face as he bent his arms, and raised them both, with his cloak draping over his toned arms as he did so.

“Me, dragging them into this. If anything... You should be taking responsibility! You did run from our battle, after all.

“Run? Hardly…”

Though he mostly paid his words no mind, the one in his arms did… The man’s words began to echo through her head... Take some responsibility, You did from our battle…

“Wait... He said that he ran away… And since he only stayed because of me… that means that…”

As Asami looked around, a feeling began to wash over her. The people around them who burned, the smoke that came from the areas around them, the terrified people contained behind the walls of flame the unknown had created. As she closed her eyes, it became clear what the feeling she felt was... Guilt.

“All of this is… My fault?”

To Be continued