The night air carried a soft chill down the mountain slope, where silver fog clung to the trees like whispered secrets. The others had gone out for a walk, leaving only Angelly and Lilly behind in the quiet, lantern-lit mansion.
Lilly smiled gently, brushing her long hair aside. "You know, Angelly, you're the best friend I could've asked for. You've always had my back."
Angelly beamed. "Of course. We're besties—I'll always be there for you."
Lilly let out a small laugh, resting her hands on her hips. "And all the times I had to protect you… guess I'm just used to it."
Angelly giggled. "You always look so cool doing it, too."
"Aw, thanks. I try my best."
Angelly looked away bashfully. "You're the third-strongest student in the academy. I wouldn't have made it this far without you."
Lilly smiled wider. "You've done great on your own too. That's why you're here."
The warmth between them felt real… until it wasn't.
Lilly stepped forward, a shadow flickering behind her smile. She leaned in close, whispering into Angelly's ear:
"You're so stupid to be deceived by me."
Her hand plunged into Angelly's chest—light flashing, energy swirling—as she extracted something glowing and vital.
Angelly's eyes widened in horror.
"That immortality," Lilly purred, "wasn't a blessing. You were cursed with it. Without it, you'll die. Your parents gave up everything—body parts, even—to bind it to you. And what did you do? You became weak. Clung to comfort. You wanted to play hero, but you were always just a liability."
Angelly stumbled backward, eyes brimming with tears. "But… I thought we were best friends…"
Lilly smiled with venom. "You were useful. That's all. Just a walking relic I could snack on."
Her fist cracked into Angelly's abdomen, sending blood spilling to the floor.
"Now sit there and die. I sped up the process, so it won't be long."
Lilly's eyes glinted as she devoured the immortal core.
"Finally… the dog is dead."
Elsewhere, the others wandered through a glowing aquarium at the mountain city's edge, laughter echoing through the exhibits.
Riah pointed at a striped shark. "Kazimir, look! That one's got such a cool pattern."
Kazimir, his arms folded, glanced over. "Tiger shark. Cute face, but second-most dangerous shark—just behind the great white."
Raijin blinked. "You two are way too educated for this."
Gendai's voice cut through. "Guys, I'll be right back. I forgot my phone at the mansion."
"You want someone to come with you?" Riah offered.
Gendai shook her head. "No, I'll call you. I won't be long."
Back at the mansion…
Gendai stepped through the silent halls, unease crawling across her skin.
Something was off.
A chill ran down her spine as she heard a voice echo from deeper inside.
Lilly's.
"Maybe I'll torture her a little more."
Gendai's eyes widened. "What…?"
She rushed forward—and froze.
Angelly lay in a pool of blood, barely breathing, her body twitching in pain.
"Lilly?" Gendai choked, her mind struggling to make sense of the scene. "What did you do?"
Lilly turned slowly, her smile wicked. "Oh, you're back. Guess you're next."
Gendai's fists clenched. Light erupted around her as she summoned her battle attire. "I won't let you get away with this."
Meanwhile…
Riah narrowed her eyes. "She's been gone too long."
Raijin frowned. "You think she ran off again? Maybe it's about what happened between her and Kazimir…"
Kazimir's expression shifted. He turned sharply.
"Something's wrong."
Without another word, they all broke into a sprint.
Inside the mansion, Gendai charged forward, spear in hand.
"Why would you kill your best friend?!"
Lilly danced aside, hurling her into a wall. "She was never my friend. Just a pet."
Gendai launched herself back with a dropkick. "She trusted you!"
Lilly winced. "I felt that. I can't die… but I can feel pain. Not that it matters. That dog was always meant to be eaten."
"You hate humans so much," Gendai growled. "But you're worse than any demon."
A beam of corrupted light pierced Gendai's shoulder. She grunted, blood dripping.
"Stop this," she pleaded. "Angelly's still alive—help her!"
Lilly glanced back. "Still clinging on, huh? Guess I can send her to Solaris… if he'll have her."
Gendai hurled her spear. Lilly deflected it.
"Annoying mutt," she snarled, blasting Gendai and ripping through part of the mansion.
"You're pathetic," Lilly spat. "Dependent on Kazimir. He'll fall too."
"I don't need him," Gendai rasped. "I can fight on my own!"
Lilly roared and unleashed a point-blank blast, the mansion cracking apart.
Lilly turned to leave—
But a spear pierced through her spine.
Blood splattered.
Gendai stood, barely breathing, clothes torn, bleeding from every limb.
"I said…" she panted, "you're not getting away."
Lilly shrieked, eyes glowing with fury, lunging at her.
"I'll die here if I have to," Gendai screamed, parrying with her last strength.
The battle ignited—flesh, blood, and power colliding.
Lilly transformed into her true form, a radiant draconic beast pulsing with corrupted light. Gendai barely held on, shielding against rapid light attacks.
"I understand it now…" Gendai whispered.
Lilly blinked. "What?"
In a flash of movement, Gendai flipped into the air, slamming her heel down and cracking the floor beneath them.
"I have to stop her," Gendai thought. "She's lost in rage… I can't beat her in power. But if I can trap her—"
Lilly's rage grew, blinding her to everything.
Gendai soared upward, dragging Lilly into the sky with pure force.
"She's going to throw her from the atmosphere!" Tojo gasped as civilians screamed below.
Kazimir's voice cut through: "If she lands like that, the shockwave could destroy the entire city."
Riah turned to him. "So what do we do?"
Kazimir's eyes sharpened. "Raijin. You and I are fast enough. Let's get the people out—NOW."
Above, in the air so high it froze breath…
Gendai held Lilly in place, her energy faltering.
"I'm weak… but this is my way. My choice."
She hurled Lilly downward like a meteor.
The earth trembled.
A demon's scream tore through the clouds.
And Gendai, bleeding and broken, whispered into the night:
"I'll never let you hurt anyone again."