𝔹𝕠𝕣𝕜 (𝕊𝕋𝔼𝕃𝕃𝔸𝕏𝕀𝕂𝕂𝕀)
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the lush green fields of Vermillion. The evening breeze rustled Stella Vermillion’s crimson hair as she stood atop the academy’s training grounds, her sword, Laevateinn, resting at her side. Across from her, Ikki Kurogane adjusted his grip on Intetsu, his dark eyes locked onto hers with unwavering determination.
“You seem distracted,” Ikki said with a small smile. “Thinking about something?”
Stella huffed, placing a hand on her hip. “More like someone,” she admitted. “You’ve been pushing yourself harder than usual lately. What are you trying to prove?”
Ikki chuckled, shaking his head. “I just want to stand beside you, Stella. As your equal.”
Stella’s heart clenched at his words. She had always admired Ikki’s relentless drive, but she also hated how hard he pushed himself, as if he still had something to prove. She stepped forward, reaching out to touch his cheek. “You already are,” she said softly.
Ikki’s breath hitched, but before he could respond, the ground trembled beneath them. A deafening roar split the air, and a burst of violet flames erupted in the distance.
“The city—!” Stella’s eyes widened. Without hesitation, she turned, sprinting toward the source of the destruction. Ikki was right behind her, his blade glinting under the moonlight.
They arrived to find a monstrous, armored beast rampaging through the streets. Its jagged, obsidian hide pulsed with dark energy, and its crimson eyes burned with malice.
“A Demon Chimera,” Stella muttered, gripping Laevateinn tightly. “This won’t be easy.”
Ikki took a deep breath, calming his racing heart. “Then let’s fight together,” he said.
With a nod, Stella unleashed a wave of dragon fire, her flames spiraling toward the creature. The Chimera roared, lunging at her with its massive claws, but before it could strike, Ikki blurred into motion—his technique, Itto Shura, activating in an instant. He slashed through the beast’s defenses, forcing it back as Stella’s flames consumed it.
The battle was fierce, but side by side, they were unstoppable. With one final strike—Ikki’s sword slicing through the core of the Chimera and Stella’s flames engulfing it in a blinding inferno—the creature let out a final, agonized cry before vanishing into ash.
As the dust settled, Stella turned to Ikki, her eyes filled with warmth. “You always say you want to stand beside me,” she whispered, stepping closer. “But the truth is, we’ve always been together.”
Ikki smiled, exhaustion clear on his face, but his grip on her hand was firm. “And I always will be.”
Their fingers intertwined, their hearts beating in unison as the stars above bore witness to their unbreakable bond.
The End