Tuesday, August 19, 4:15 PM, 3074 AE – Aurora City
The sky loomed heavy over Aurora City, a tapestry of gray clouds casting a murky veil across the streets. A palpable tension hung in the air, as if the very atmosphere was bracing for something shocking to unfold.
Blaze ambled through the bustling streets, his fiery crimson eyes distant, lost in thought. Beside him, his sister Lyria walked with a gentle grace, while their vivacious friend Scarlett bounced along, her energy infectious.
“You got any ideas on where we should eat? I wanna try a new place,” Scarlett said, her voice bright and eager.
“I don’t know,” Lyria replied, her gaze drifting until it landed on a vibrant poster flapping in the breeze. It announced the grand opening of a restaurant called Quintos. “Hmm, maybe we can eat there. What do you guys say?”
“I say let's do it!” Scarlett declared, her enthusiasm palpable.
“Hn. Sure, let’s go.” Blaze shrugged, leading the way as he sensed a shift in the air, a spark of anticipation igniting within him.
“Wait, how do you know how to get there? I doubt you’ve gone there before,” Scarlett challenged, raising an eyebrow.
“I just have a feeling it’s this way,” Blaze replied cryptically, the intensity in his tone unwavering.
“Whatever you say,” Scarlett scoffed, but she followed without further protest.
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Tuesday, August 19, 4:23 PM, 3074 AE – Quintos
As the trio stepped into Quintos, a warm and inviting aroma enveloped them, making their stomachs rumble in unison. Their eyes darted around, taking in the elegant décor and the buzz of excited patrons.
“Is that who I think it is?” Lyria asked, spotting a familiar figure across the room.
“Of course it is! Who else would it be?” Scarlett scoffed, a playful grin on her face.
Blaze squinted, focusing on the woman at a table piled high with empty plates, sweat beading on his forehead. ‘How can she eat that much?’ he thought, incredulous.
“Because I have a black hole of a stomach,” their sensei’s voice rang out, a smirk playing on her lips. “And it’s not good to talk about others behind their backs, you know.”
“Yeah, whatever,” Blaze said, rolling his eyes as he joined her at the table, Lyria and Scarlett sliding into the seats beside him.
“So what brought you guys here?” Aeloria asked, leaning back in her chair, a playful glint in her eyes.
“Well, we came to check out the food here and see if it’s any good. Judging from how many plates you have, I’d say it is,” Scarlett replied, grimacing at the empty dishes.
“Anything in particular you think we should try?” Lyria inquired, her curiosity piqued.
“Ohh, you have to try the Kiyomizu Cloud Roll and the Tsukimi Essence Soup—those are the best! And when you’re done, don’t forget the Zenith Dessert Plate,” Aeloria said, her eyes sparkling with delight as she recalled the flavors.
Scarlett’s eye twitched at the sight. “Can you stop drooling? It’s disgusting!”
“Those sound wonderfully delicious! Let’s try them!” Lyria beamed, summoning a waitress to place their order.
“So tell me, Blaze, what’s on your mind?” Aeloria asked, her tone shifting to something more serious.
“There’s nothing,” Blaze replied, his voice flat.
“I could look into it if I wanted, but I’ll let you tell me,” she teased, her voice laced with genuine concern.
“Hn. Good luck with that. I don’t have to tell you; it’s for me to figure out,” Blaze brushed her off, but a flicker of vulnerability flashed in his eyes.
Aeloria pouted, leaning forward. “But I’m your sensei! Besides, you can’t handle everything alone. It’s not good for your health.”
“I will be fine. I can handle anything on my own.” He stared directly into her blindfold, his piercing crimson gaze unyielding.
“I hope a fight doesn’t start,” Lyria whispered to Scarlett, anxiety lacing her voice.
“Same! But if one does, I’ll gladly join,” Scarlett responded, cracking her knuckles with a confident grin.
“Always ready for a fight, aren’t you?” Lyria remarked, a small smile breaking through her worry.
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“Of course! I live for fighting!” Scarlett declared, her enthusiasm shining brightly.
Just as the tension began to rise, the waitress returned, placing their plates before them. The first dish featured light pink rice rolls adorned with vibrant green avocado, delicate edible flowers, and a sprinkle of gold leaf. The second was a crystal-clear soup, its quail eggs glimmering like tiny moons in a fragrant broth, garnished with microgreens.
Scarlett’s eyes widened, and she couldn’t help but drool at the enticing aroma. “Now this is what I’m talking about!” She dug in with reckless abandon.
“Don’t eat so fast; you’re going to choke!” Lyria warned, her voice laced with concern.
“I’ll be fine!” Scarlett replied, her mouth full.
“And don’t speak with food in your mouth; that’s rude!” Lyria chastised, shaking her head.
“Haha, look at those two. They’re great friends,” Aeloria said, watching the exchange with a warmth in her eyes. “Don’t you think so, Blaze?”
“Hn. Yeah, of course. Ever since we met, those two have been like sisters,” he recalled, a hint of nostalgia washing over him before he shook his head, dismissing the thought.
As laughter and friendly banter filled the air, a sinister presence lurked outside the restaurant. Perched atop a nearby roof was a man clad in tactical black combat gear, his silhouette melding into the shadows. He adjusted his long, dark trench coat, his heart racing with anticipation.
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“I have the target in sight,” he spoke into the mic of his earpiece, his voice a low growl.
“Good. Make sure you don’t miss and take her head off,” a distorted voice crackled back.
“Roger that.” The man, known only as Kill Shot, peered through the scope of his high-caliber sniper rifle. Its matte black finish absorbed the light, its design sleek and deadly, etched with the name Specter.
His breath steadied as he zeroed in on his target. Every heartbeat echoed in his ears as he anticipated her next move. “One bullet is all it will take. I never miss a shot, after all.” The woman inside, relaxed and unaware, leaned back in her chair, blissfully oblivious.
“Now,” he whispered, squeezing the trigger. Time seemed to slow as the bullet launched from the barrel, a streak of death aimed at its unsuspecting victim. The projectile tore through the air, traveling at a blistering Mach 5, a lethal force ready to claim its target.
To his shock, a shimmering barrier materialized just in time. The bullet ricocheted off, flying back with double the force, piercing through Kill Shot’s chest. The impact was jarring, sending a shockwave through the rooftop.
“What? How?” He gasped, disbelief flashing across his face. “I could have sworn I hit my shot!”
Aeloria’s voice, calm yet laced with authority, echoed from behind him. “That you did, but my sweet little student protected me right before it hit.” Her eyes sparkled with a mix of pride and amusement, even in the face of danger.
“Why didn’t you try to dodge the bullet, Sensei?” Blaze grumbled, irritation lacing his voice.
“It wouldn’t have injured me,” Aeloria replied with a smirk. “I was going to create a barrier in the area where the bullet would hit and make it bounce off. I didn’t expect you to pull out your scythe and hit it back at double speed. Quite the reflexes you have.” She chuckled, lightening the mood despite the chaos.
As if on cue, a barrage of bullets rained down from the rooftop, forcing them to dodge and weave.
“How about you don’t shoot when others are speaking?” Scarlett shouted, her voice dripping with indignation. She leaped into the air, bringing her flaming fist down with fierce determination. The man on the rooftop blocked the strike with his sniper rifle, the impact sending shockwaves that created a small crater beneath them. He quickly released the rifle and jumped off the building, vanishing from sight.
Scarlett rushed to the edge of the rooftop, her heart racing. “He’s gone! How?”
Aeloria joined her, a frown on her face. “He wasn’t alone; there were multiple of them. The reason he jumped off is that they have a user who could teleport away at the ready.”
“And how do you know that?” Lyria asked, her curiosity piqued.
“Well, let’s just say I’ve had a few bounty hunters after my head for quite a few years now,” Scarlett replied, her tone a mix of seriousness and playful bravado.
“But why would you have bounty hunters after you?” Blaze asked, genuine curiosity sparking in his crimson eyes.
“Let’s just say my cousin has never been a fan of mine since we were kids, and now he has a bounty on my head,” she shrugged, nonchalant despite the gravity of her situation.
“How much?” Blaze pressed, intrigued.
“Oh, do you want to join the hunt for my head as well?” she teased, a playful smirk dancing on her lips. “Around 1 billion gold coins. As for how he got the money, no one knows.”
“Why do you think they all left, Sensei?” Lyria asked, glancing between the two women.
“It seems they believed I would be alone and thought numbers would play to their advantage to make up for the power difference. But that changed when they saw I wasn’t alone,” Aeloria replied, her voice firm with confidence.
“Cowards, all of them! The next time I see them, I’m gonna burn their faces to ash!” Scarlett growled, her fiery spirit ignited by the thought of revenge. Blaze nodded in agreement, his expression fierce.
“Come on, you two, no need to be so violent all the time,” Lyria chided, her tone half-hearted as she shook her head.
“That’s not violent! If I wanted to be violent, I’d burn their fins off and then roast them slowly until there’s nothing left!” Scarlett shot back, her eyes ablaze with fervor.
“Yeah, I think something is mentally wrong with her,” Blaze remarked dryly. “Sure, I’d burn them to a crisp, but not that far.”
“You’re just a wuss! I bet you couldn’t stand it!” Scarlett retorted, fire dancing at her fingertips.
“What was that? Want to find out? I can make you the first!” Blaze ignited the tip of his scythe with flames, the air crackling with tension.
“Bring it on!” Scarlett grinned, flames enveloping her fists in a fiery display.
“Ugh, calm down, you two!” Lyria exclaimed, delivering playful punches to their heads that caused lumps to form on their skulls. “You’re both going to give me a headache!”
“Haha! I’m so glad I met you guys! It’s always fun being around you all. I hope to spend every day like this,” Aeloria said, her voice light and warm, the bond they shared evident in her eyes.
“Ha! Humans, always getting into fights for no reason. Pathetic,” a mocking voice echoed in Blaze’s mind. Ēteru no Eikō was relishing the chaos, a smirk in its tone.
“Shut it,” Blaze shot back, his brow furrowing. Despite the banter, a sense of unease settled within him, lingering like the distant echo of a storm brewing on the horizon.