The moment Dawn left the house, Minka felt a sharp, solid strike at the back of her head. "Ow!" she yelped, whipping around just in time to see a compressed bullet roll to a stop by her feet.

Confusion and adrenaline surged through her, and before she could fully process what had happened, more bullets sliced through the air toward her. Minka moved on instinct, dodging the shots with a precision she didn’t even have time to question. Her hand found “The Weapon,” unsheathing it in one fluid motion to intercept the next round. "What the hell?" she thought, catching sight of a glint—a sniper’s scope flashing from a rooftop across the street. And then footsteps, closing in fast. But she was too occupied to care.

Without warning, something struck her back with a force that felt like a full-speed truck. Pain tore through her muscles and bones, and her vision blurred. She wasn't bleeding, but the sheer kinetic energy had left her senses spinning. Before she knew it, her body had crashed into the wall, splintering wood and filling the air with dust.

Disoriented, Minka struggled to get up, but a heavy boot stomped on her face, slamming her back down. She barely registered the blow before a fist came down, sending sharp shocks of pain through her jaw. “Don’t move,” growled a voice she vaguely recognized, though the ringing in her head made it impossible to place. She felt cold metal around her wrists—handcuffs clicking shut. That was it. Anger surged within her, and with a fierce shout, she released a blast of psychic energy, throwing her assailant across the room.

"Shit…" came a voice from the shadows, breathless and full of fury. Her vision cleared, Minka squinted and finally saw her attacker. It was Knight.

“Why did you attack me?” she yelled, anger and confusion blending in her voice.

“Because you crossed a line,” Knight sneered, pulling a gun and shooting Minka in the stomach. The impact sent her reeling, though she managed to stay on her feet, clutching her middle. “Do you really think you can act without consequence? You helped someone you shouldn’t have. That person—the one you saved—was wearing the Armor of Fate. It belonged to the Archivist. Now, tell me, how the hell did she get her hands on it?”

“What in the world are you talking about?” Minka gasped, breathing heavily. “I don’t know anything about that.”

Knight gave a cold, humorless laugh. “Maybe, maybe not. But the point is, Dawn had the armor, and you helped him escape with it. It was a perfect setup, Minka, and you ruined it. We had him cornered; we were about to reclaim what was ours. And then you showed up.” Her voice dropped to an angry hiss, eyes narrowed in frustration.

Him? Minka thought, the image of Dawn snapping into focus in her mind. She spoke, more to herself than to Knight. "So, what’s the deal with this Dawn person?"

Knight's expression turned livid. "The deal? The deal is that you destroyed everything we worked for, everything we’d planned!" In one fluid movement, she clenched her power fist, blue energy crackling around it as she charged at Minka with lethal speed.

Minka raised her arm to block, absorbing some of the blow, though it still forced her back a step. She swung “The Weapon” toward Knight, but Knight grabbed the blade, twisted, and struck Minka in the stomach again, this time sending her stumbling. Minka’s arm burned with fatigue—she had to find a way out. Knight slammed her fist into the ground, unleashing a shockwave that sent Minka flying into a wooden table, which shattered under her weight.

“What do you even want?” Minka gritted out, swallowing the pain.

“Oh, this feels good,” Knight taunted. “Finally, someone annoying and naive enough to make a real punching bag.”

Minka felt anger boiling in her chest. She lunged forward, attacking with renewed determination, her movements swift and precise, but Knight dodged easily, anticipating her every strike. Frustration blurred her vision, clouded her focus, and before she knew it, Knight found an opening. A fist struck Minka’s face with brutal force, snapping her head back. She barely kept her balance, fighting to stay on her feet.

Minka knew Knight didn’t have any special enhancements. This was raw skill and sheer, practiced power, yet somehow, Minka—the one with powers—was struggling to keep up. “What do you want from me?” she demanded, feeling the helplessness creep into her voice.

A smirk curled on Knight's lips. "You’re going to fix this for us." Knight closed the gap, wrenching “The Weapon” from Minka’s hand and tossing it aside. Grabbing Minka by her hair, Knight started to drag her toward the door. “We have work to do. And you’re going to help us, whether you like it or not.”

Minka fought against the grip, but Knight’s strength was unyielding. “You can’t do this! I don’t know anything!” she cried, panic breaking through her voice.

Knight looked down at her, expression blank. “You don’t need to. You’ll find out soon enough.” A syringe appeared in Knight’s hand, and before Minka could react, a sharp prick to her neck pulled her under, darkness closing in.

When she awoke, her head felt heavy and blurred. She struggled to move, but her limbs were restrained, bound by steel chains thicker than anything she could shatter. She was in an unfamiliar room, the scent of food and coffee mingling in the air, and a voice drifted from behind her.

“Minka,” the voice said, low and almost friendly. Ravager stepped into view, standing beside her with a small, unsettling smile. “I trust you had a nice rest.” She walked to a table nearby, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

“You,” Minka spat, hatred sharpening her senses.

“Calm down, Minka,” Ravager said, not sparing her a glance as she sipped her coffee. “No need to be so hostile. I’m sorry for the rough handling—Knight didn’t mean to hurt you more than necessary. But you went and saved Dawn, and now that’s a problem. Because now the Archivist has a clear path to the armor. Once he has that… none of us will stand a chance.”

“Fuck you!” Minka’s voice echoed, her rage punctuating every word. “You’ve ruined everything. The world is falling apart because of you!”

Ravager met her gaze, eyes cold, calculating. “Do you think this world was clean before we stirred it up? No, Minka. It’s always been rotting. All I did was kick up the dust and let the cockroaches crawl out. The Imperium was infested with corruption long before any of this started.”

“So, you caused all this, and you have the nerve to act like you’re fixing it?” Minka scoffed, struggling against the chains.

“You’ll understand in time. For now, we need you to help us retrieve that armor. Track Dawn, find her, and bring it back.” Ravager’s tone was calm, steady, almost comforting. “And that’s all we’re asking.”

“Why should I?” Minka shot back, refusing to meet Ravager’s gaze.

Ravager set her cup down and stepped closer, bending to look Minka in the eyes. “Because, Minka, if you don’t, we’ll be forced to make you. And if that doesn’t work…” Her voice dropped to a whisper, cold and final. “We’ll find your family. Your team. And they’ll suffer because of you.”

“You’re insane!” Minka said, but her voice wavered, fear slipping into her tone as Ravager’s threat sank in. She strained against her chains, fighting back desperation, but there was no escape. Not yet.

And Ravager’s smile, as she resumed her coffee, was as unyielding as the chains that bound Minka in place.

After a while, Ravager left and Knight entered, looking at Minka with cold detachment. She pulled up a chair, sitting beside Minka and saying nothing for several moments, the silence between them heavy. “Look at you,” she finally spoke, her voice quiet and tinged with something Minka couldn’t quite place.

“What?” Minka spat.

“I don’t know what to say.” Knight’s words were flat and unfeeling.

Minka turned her head, refusing to look at Knight, her eyes fixed on a small stain on the ceiling. She didn't answer.

"You and I are going to find Dawn." Knight said, her voice a low and menacing whisper.

Minka didn't respond.

Knight shifted in her seat, her voice low, controlled. "We don't need you to track her. We have our ways."

Minka's voice was quiet, defeated. "So why are you here?"

"Because you are going to be the bait. Clearly that Dawn person is quite fond of you, and that will work in our favor."

Minka's gaze remained fixed on the stain. "I won't help you. You're going to kill him, and I won't be a part of it."

"No." Knight's tone was cold and flat. "If that were the case we wouldn't have brought you here."

Minka's gaze snapped to her. "Then what?"

Knight smirked. Suddenly, she bagged Minka's head and soon Minka passed out. The next thing she knows is that her body is full of pain and she is currently being bound on a pillar while high on the city center's tower. She is alone. "Fuck..." Minka cursed as her voice was weak and soft, her body aches and throbbing as her head feels dizzy, she feels so weak and tired.

"Behold! The traitor of our imperium." Knight's voice came through a megaphone. She is below the pillar that Minka is in. There's a lot of people surrounding the area below her. They were watching. "You all see this pathetic traitor." She said, pointing her hand to Minka. "She betrayed this imperium. Betrayed our trust. She helped an outlaw escape." Knight said.

People started booing at her. "Fuck you, bitch!" Someone from the crowd said.

"Boil in oil!"

"Fuck you! You whore!"

"Kill her!"

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People shouted at Minka. They are full of hatred. And that hurts Minka more than any kind of torture. She didn't even know what was going on and that pure hatred she had just received hurts. Her body and mind is in pain and confusion.

Knight then gestured her hands and two people went to Minka's side. "She is to be whipped 200 times. And you are all invited to watch this pathetic traitor receive her punishment."

The crowd cheered loudly as one man began whipping her. From Minka's perspective the pain is endurable but as time goes on, her body is screaming in agony. The pain from her back is too much. The man whipping her is not showing any signs of slowing down and the people are just cheering as she receive such brutal torture.

Someone from afar clenched her fist and her and shook in rage as she watched from afar.

After 200 times of being whipped. The man stops and leaves her. Blood is dripping from her body, her clothes and her back are full of wounds. Her face is full of tears.

"Look at her." Knight said, making sure that the people will look at her.

"She is so pathetic."

"I hope her wound gets infected."

"I want to whip her more."

"Kill her."

The crowd shouted. Knight raised her hand. "We are not finished here. Our beloved traitor is yet to receive more. As she has betrayed this world, she will be flayed alive. But we can't just kill her right now... we need to make her suffer more." Knight said.

"Fuck her up."

"I wish I could cut her throat myself."

"Pathetic whore!"

They shouted.

Knight then turned around to look at someone and nodded at him. That man nodded and went to the center of the area. About an hour later the crowd disperses and Minka is left there alone, bleeding and in pain. Her mind is full of questions. What had she done? Why is she here? What did she do wrong? And a lot more questions flooded her mind. Just when she's lost in her thoughts, she hears something flew over and landed next to her.

"You okay?" The voice asked. Minka's eyes widened as she saw the familiar face. "Dawn? W-what are you doing here?" Minka asked, weakly: "No... You shouldn't be here... this is a tra-" Just when Minka finished her sentence, suddenly a forcefield appeared in a dome shape covering them. Dawn's suit glowed a little. She then removed Minka's chains. Minka's body fell but Dawn caught her.

"Thanks..." Minka said: "This entire scene is just to capture you..." She added.

"What did they do to you?" Dawn asked, concerned as she looked at Minka's condition: "What did they do?" Minka didn't answer and her eyes started to close slowly.

"We need to find a way to get out of here..." Dawn said. Suddenly the dome shook violently and they both heard Knight's voice from afar: "I see that our guest has arrived." Knight said as she's watching from afar. Dawn then looked at Minka and noticed that Minka was about to pass out. She placed her gently on the ground and then a smaller dome appeared that was covering Minka.

"What do you want?" Dawn asks as she activates the dome forcefield that is covering Minka.

Knight smiled as her eyes met Dawn's visors: "If you just willingly give up your armor, there's a lot less trouble that will be caused." Knight said as she walked forward.

"You will have to get it by yourself." Dawn said. Her suit glows as her weapons materialize in her hand. Knight stopped and looked at her: "I was afraid that you would say that." Knight snapped her finger and the dome began shrinking violently.

"Go on. Use your power to stop that dome." Knight said. "If not, you are both going to get squashed."

Dawn tries to hit the dome but it doesn't even flinch, she can't use the fire in there as it will cook both of them inside.

"I guess you won't have any other choice." Knight said, Dawn quickly assesses the dome, searching for any structural weaknesses or possible energy sources powering it. She attempts to identify any flaws or irregularities, hoping to find a vulnerability she can exploit. As Dawn's focus intensifies, her powers begin to activate, and her armor emits a faint glow. She concentrates her power on manipulating the forces that bind the molecules of the dome. Her hand reaches out, fingers splayed as if grasping an invisible web of energy. With a sudden surge of will, she pulls, attempting to break the bonds and cause the dome to disintegrate. As the energy dissipates, the dome shatters into tiny particles, vanishing into the air as if it were never there at all.

"Very impressive." Knight said, her eyes fixed on Dawn: "However... that is not enough." Suddenly Knight's hand dropped, a rocket flew at Dawn's direction and Dawn dodged it, she then started firing her weapons at Knight but she's very agile and evades each one of the shots. Dawn tries to hit Knight but she is able to dodge each of them. Knight then pulled out her anti material rifle from her back and shot a barrage of bullets at Dawn.

The bullets hit her suit, and she's sent back flying. Dawn quickly recovers and activates her thruster, but then a barrage of minigun bullets hits Dawn's armor, causing some cracks. Knight quickly closed the distance and then punched Dawn with her powerfist, the impact sent Dawn flying to a building: "Amateur." Knight said as she watched as Dawn struggled to get back to her feet: "You know that this is a hopeless fight, just give up your armor and I won't have to hurt you...More." Knight said.

But when dust settles, Dawn is nowhere to be found, instead Knight suddenly ducks under when she hears something coming to her with intense speed. It was Dawn using her boosters. Knight looks at Dawn with intensity: "Good, you are not backing down." She then pulled out a tesla gun and a bolt of lightning shot at Dawn's direction. Dawn tries to dodge it but the lightning bolt hits her, paralyzing her and causing a massive damage on her armor, she falls to the ground and was electrocuted. Knight fired her anti-material rifle again at her. Dawn was sent flying back to a building, crashing into the wall with immense force. Her armor was badly damaged and she struggles to get up.

Knight walks towards Dawn, confident and arrogant, while Dawn tries to regain her composure, still reeling from the attack.

"You're done. I can't believe that you think you are some sort of a hero." Knight says as she approaches Dawn who is still trying to get back to her feet: "Give it up." She pulls up her grenade pistol and aims at Dawn's face: "Game's over."

Dawn was able to kick her legs, tripping Knight off balance and then Dawn pushed her away. She got back to her feet and activated her boosters. "I'm not done yet." She said, her armor started repairing itself and it's getting better.

“Oh yes... you are done." Knight laughs, then Dawn can see something in the air bending the lights around it and the sound of jets. Knight smiled as she looked up to see the sky and then she looked back at Dawn, her smile still in her face.

After a loud sonic boom, a figure appeared. It's the Ravager, she puts her hands behind her back and floats in the air like some creature from myth: "Hello Dawn." She said with a cold voice.

Everyone including Knight could feel the pressure from Ravager, her mere presence feels so overwhelming that they could only imagine what she's capable of. Knight then steps back, she knows that her role in this fight is over and she just watches from the sideline.

Minka opens her eyes in a slit, her mind still foggy and her body aches, the wounds in her back are throbbing. When she sees the Ravager the moment her vision clears, her heart starts racing as her body is filled with fear, she tries to stand but she can't move. "Dawn...run..." Minka said as her weak and shaky voice escaped her lips.

Suddenly Dawn dropped on his knees and his armor began crumbling in front of Minka: "Dawn!" Minka shouted: "What are you doing to him?" She yelled at Ravager who was still floating in the air, watching Dawn suffer.

Soon enough, the faceplate fell, and Minka could finally see who was behind the helmet: “Leanna!?” She yelled as she watched in surprise: “Leanna! No!” She tried to crawl her way towards her.

Leanna spat out blood on the ground, her body felt heavy and she’s having a hard time moving, it was like something heavy was pushing her to the ground and the only thing that she could do was look at the person that was floating on the sky, looking at her: “Ravager…” She said as her eyes met the floating figure: “Please… let Minka go.” She pleaded.

"The armor." Ravager demanded, her cold eyes fixed on Leanna, the weight of the force on Leanna's shoulders grew heavier, and it was clear that the armor was what she wanted.

Leanna retracted her armor into the bracelet, she tossed it to Ravager who caught it with ease: “Let her go… please.” She said,

"Your little heroism cost us plenty of trouble, Leanna." Ravager said, her eyes cold and unfeeling.

"No... DON'T YOU DARE TOUCH HER!" Minka yelled, her voice filled with fear and rage, she could barely move, and her body was still in pain.

“Remember this, both of you. Next time, I won’t just take your armor, Leanna… I’ll take your lives,” Ravager’s voice echoed coldly before she flew up, disappearing into the sky. As she vanished, Knight slipped away into the shadows, leaving them alone.

The oppressive force on Leanna’s body lifted. She coughed, tasting blood, and let out a shaky breath as the weight dissipated. As she raised her head, her gaze met Minka’s—a gaze filled with raw, unspoken emotion. Leanna looked away, her face marked with guilt. “I’m… sorry,” she whispered.

Minka’s silent tears fell, each drop staining the ground, carrying the weight of her fear and helplessness. But without a word, she crossed the space between them, wrapping Leanna in a fierce, almost desperate hug. The warmth of Minka’s embrace surged through her, and for the first time, Leanna felt her heartbeat thundering in her chest, almost painfully so. A flush crept across her face as Minka’s arms tightened around her, drawing her closer.

“W-wait…” Leanna stammered, her voice breaking with surprise, but Minka buried her face against Leanna’s neck, her voice muffled yet tender. “You are such an idiot…” she murmured, her tone soft, holding a hint of both anger and affection.

Leanna’s breath hitched as she stood, frozen, feeling Minka’s warmth seep into her, grounding her in the aftermath of their ordeal. Her body felt like a furnace, overwhelmed by the closeness and the silent comfort in Minka’s embrace. She didn’t speak, only closed her eyes, her heart pounding as the world around them finally settled into silence. In this stolen moment of quiet, they clung to each other, drawing solace from the chaos.

“You scared me. When you took off the armor… I thought I lost you.” Minka's voice trembled with a mixture of fear and relief. Her grip tightened around Leanna as she held on like she would never let go again. Leanna could feel Minka’s heartbeat, rapid and unsteady, mirroring her own.

“Minka, I—” Leanna started, her voice catching in her throat as the realization dawned on her. Minka's wounds had begun to heal, albeit slowly. Leanna’s expression twisted in concern. “You're hurt...”

Minka released her hold, stepping back slightly. “It’s nothing, I’m okay,” she assured her, but her voice betrayed a lingering pain. Leanna's hands moved instinctively to touch the injured areas. She could feel the uneven, broken skin, and the thought of it made her heart ache with a protective instinct.

"Knight... that bastard... whipped you," Leanna's voice trembled as she traced a hand along the raw wounds on Minka’s back, her touch gentle but firm.

“It doesn’t matter, we're alive and that's what counts.” Minka’s voice was strong, almost defiant in the face of her pain.

Leanna’s hands shook, and her face grew pale, a mix of anger and anguish etched into her features. “We can't stay here. Let’s go back to my house and treat these properly."

They moved slowly through the darkened streets, the silence between them punctuated only by Minka’s unsteady breaths. Leanna kept a steadying hand on her shoulder, guiding her, her own steps careful, as if one wrong move might break the fragile moment of calm.

When they reached Leanna’s home, she ushered Minka inside, sitting her down by the soft glow of a nearby lamp. Without a word, she gathered a basin of warm water, a clean cloth, and some bandages. Minka sat quietly, her shoulders tense, but her eyes softened as Leanna knelt before her.

With gentle hands, Leanna dipped the cloth in the water, wringing it out before pressing it to Minka’s wounds. Minka flinched, a soft hiss escaping her lips, but she held still. Leanna’s hands were careful yet trembling, brushing lightly over the bruised and broken skin.

“I thought it was over,” Minka whispered, breaking the silence. “When I saw her—Ravager—I thought I’d never see you again.”

Leanna’s hands paused, her eyes meeting Minka’s. The fear she’d buried beneath her strength flickered, raw and undeniable. “I was afraid too, Minka,” she admitted, voice barely a whisper. “More than I want to admit.”

They held each other’s gaze, a shared understanding passing between them. Slowly, a sense of determination replaced their fear.

“We’ll be ready next time,” Minka said, her voice steady, defiant. “Stronger.”

Leanna nodded, her hand finding Minka’s, squeezing it firmly. “No more surprises. We’ll face her together.”

As Leanna finished tending to the wounds, they both fell into a comfortable silence. Minka leaned her head against Leanna’s shoulder, letting her eyes drift shut. The quiet of the room wrapped around them, a protective cocoon that held back the dark memories, if only for this moment. Leanna’s hand rested gently on Minka’s, and together, they found a moment of peace amid the chaos, drawing strength from each other’s presence.