Watching a celestial being bleed gold onto her bathroom floor wasn't exactly how Aiko had planned to spend her Tuesday night.
Kael was slumped against the cool porcelain of her bathtub. His eyes were closed. His breathing shallow. The faint, glowing cracks on his skin were more visible now. Pulsing with a soft, ethereal light.
It wasn't blood. It was something else. Pure energy. Leaking.
"Kael?" Aiko whispered, her voice trembling. She knelt beside him. The metallic tang of fear still lingered in the air.
He didn't respond. His head lolled to the side. His dark hair, usually so meticulously neat, was damp against his forehead.
Aiko felt a surge of panic. He was supposed to be invincible. An arrogant, all-powerful Reaper. Not... this.
She reached out, hesitant. Her fingers brushed against his skin. It was cold. Too cold. Like touching marble.
"Hey," she said, a little louder. She gently shook his shoulder. "Wake up, you celestial jerk. You can't just die on my bathroom floor."
His eyes fluttered open. They were still those piercing winter storms. But the usual sharpness was dulled. Clouded with pain.
"Inefficient," he rasped, his voice barely audible. "To expire in such... mundane surroundings."
Aiko snorted, a watery laugh escaping her. "Oh, I'm sorry. Should I have rolled out a red carpet? Gotten you a celestial deathbed?"
He tried to smile. It was a weak, pained grimace. "Sarcasm. Unproductive."
"Yeah, well, so is bleeding light all over my tiles," Aiko retorted. She looked at the glowing cracks. They were spreading. Like fine spiderwebs across his chest.
"What is this?" she asked, her voice tight with fear. "The erosion? Is this what you meant?"
Kael nodded slowly. A painful effort. "My spiritual essence. It is... dissipating. To protect you."
"But you just fought three Nox Mayor!" Aiko protested. "You were fine! You were... amazing!"
"The binding," he whispered. "It amplified the cost. Your power is... potent. It draws from my essence to stabilize itself. To heal you. To shield you."
Aiko felt a fresh wave of guilt. So, her power wasn't just a beacon. It was a parasite. Feeding on him.
"So I'm literally killing you," she murmured, the words tasting like ash.
"Not killing," Kael corrected, his eyes closing again. "Accelerating. My form will eventually dissipate. Return to the celestial realm. A natural process. Just... hastened."
"Hastened?" Aiko cried. "You're breaking apart! You're bleeding light! This isn't natural!"
She placed her hands on his chest again. Felt the coldness. The faint, ethereal pulse. She remembered the sharp pain in her own chest from before. The drain.
She had shared her life force. Sustained him. But it had come at a cost to her too.
"Can I... can I do it again?" she asked, desperate. "Send you more energy? Stop this?"
Kael's eyes opened. He looked at her, a flicker of something unreadable in his gaze. "You would... sacrifice more of your life force?"
"Of course, I would!" Aiko snapped. "You saved me! You fought those things for me! I'm not going to just let you... bleed out on my bathroom floor!"
"Humans are... illogical," he murmured again. But this time, there was a hint of warmth in his voice. A faint, almost imperceptible softening.
"Yeah, yeah, get over it," Aiko grumbled. "Now, tell me how. What do I do?"
"Focus on the binding," Kael instructed, his voice a little stronger now. "On the connection. Channel your essence. Not to heal. But to... reinforce. To mend the tears in my form."
Aiko nodded. She closed her eyes. Focused. Imagined the golden light of her power. The dark energy of his. Intertwined. The glowing tether between them.
She pushed her will into it. Not with a blast. But with a gentle, steady flow. A stream of warmth. Of life.
She felt the familiar drain. A sharp, aching pain in her chest. But she pushed through it. Imagined her energy flowing into his cracks. Sealing them. Mending them.
Kael gasped. His body stiffened. The light from his cracks pulsed. Then, slowly, began to recede. The lines on his skin faded. The coldness lessened.
Aiko kept pushing. Her vision swam. Black spots danced at the edges. Her head throbbed. This was worse than fighting the Nox. This was draining her to the core.
But she wouldn't stop. Not until he was stable.
Finally, the cracks were almost invisible. His breathing was deeper. More even. The coldness in his skin had lessened. Replaced by a faint, almost human warmth.
Aiko collapsed back, panting. Her entire body trembled. Sweat plastered her hair to her forehead. She felt utterly, completely spent.
Kael opened his eyes. He looked at her. His gaze was clear now. Sharp. And filled with an intensity that made her shiver.
"You... you stabilized me," he said, his voice laced with disbelief. "You reinforced my spiritual form."
"Yeah, well, someone had to," Aiko mumbled, too exhausted for sarcasm. "You were being dramatic."
He pushed himself up slowly. The movement was fluid now. Strong. He looked... almost normal. Except for the faint, almost imperceptible shimmer around him.
"This is unprecedented," Kael stated, standing fully. He looked down at his hands. Flexed his fingers. "No human has ever been able to reinforce a Reaper's essence."
"Well, lucky you," Aiko retorted, pushing herself up from the floor. Her legs felt like noodles.
Kael looked at her. His gaze was assessing. Analytical. "Your spiritual reserves are severely depleted. You require rest. And sustenance."
"Yeah, no kidding," Aiko grumbled. "I just gave you half my life force. Again."
"A necessary investment," he replied, without a hint of irony. "You are now even more valuable. And more vulnerable."
Aiko rolled her eyes. "Oh, great. So I'm a walking cosmic target and a walking cosmic battery. My life just keeps getting better."
Kael walked out of the bathroom. Aiko followed, stumbling slightly.
He went to her kitchen. Opened her fridge again. This time, he didn't wrinkle his nose. He pulled out a bottle of water and a half-eaten sandwich.
"Eat," he ordered, handing them to her.
Aiko stared at the sandwich. It was probably a day old. But she was starving. She took a bite. It tasted like heaven. Or at least, like not dying.
"So," Aiko said, chewing slowly. "What happens now? Do we just... wait for the next pack of shadow monsters to show up?"
Kael leaned against the counter, watching her eat. His posture was relaxed now. But his eyes were still alert.
"We train," he stated. "As I said. Your abilities are powerful. But unrefined. They are a danger to yourself. And to the balance."
"And your erosion?" Aiko asked, her voice softer. "Will this happen every time you protect me?"
Kael was silent for a moment. His gaze drifted to the window. The city lights were beginning to twinkle outside.
"The binding has changed the nature of the erosion," he finally said. "Your life force now acts as a constant, low-level reinforcement. It will slow the dissipation. But it will not stop it entirely."
Aiko frowned. "So you're still... slowly dying?"
"It is the nature of my existence," Kael replied, his voice flat. "All Reapers eventually return to the celestial realm. My process is merely... accelerated. A few millennia, perhaps. Or a few decades. Depending on your recklessness."
Aiko choked on her sandwich. "A few decades? You're telling me I'm going to be responsible for your premature cosmic retirement?"
"It is a shared burden," Kael stated. "As is our shared existence."
Aiko sighed. This was going to be a long, complicated partnership.
"So, what kind of training are we talking about?" she asked. "Running laps? Push-ups? Learning how to make my eyes glow on command?"
Kael turned to her. A faint, almost imperceptible smirk touched his lips. "You will learn to control your Soul Resonance. To channel it precisely. To unravel Nox without draining yourself."
"Soul Resonance?" Aiko repeated. "Is that what I did to those things?"
"Indeed," he confirmed. "Your latent power. It resonates with spiritual energy. It can amplify. Or it can unravel. Depending on your intent."
"And the life drain?" Aiko asked, her voice hesitant. "When I help spirits cross over? Does that still happen?"
Kael nodded. "It is a separate function. Your unique ability to guide souls. It draws from your own life force. A direct exchange."
Aiko slumped. "So, I'm still stuck with that."
"Unless you learn to mitigate it," Kael said. "With proper control, you can minimize the cost. But it will always be there. A fundamental aspect of your power."
"Great," Aiko muttered. "So I'm a walking spiritual ATM that charges me for every transaction."
Kael ignored her sarcasm. "We will also focus on combat. You must learn to defend yourself. To anticipate threats. To move with purpose."
"Combat?" Aiko scoffed. "I'm a medium, not a ninja."
"The lines are blurring, human," Kael replied. "The veil is thinning. Your world is becoming increasingly dangerous. You must adapt."
"And you're going to teach me?" Aiko raised an eyebrow. "You, the guy who thinks 'sarcasm is unproductive'?"
"My methods are efficient," Kael stated. "You will learn. Or you will perish. I prefer the former."
Aiko rolled her eyes. "Charming."
"Indeed," he replied, a faint glint in his winter eyes.
Suddenly, Kael's head snapped up. He looked towards the window. His posture stiffened.
Aiko felt it too. A faint tremor in the air. A distant hum. Not Nox. Something else.
"What is it now?" Aiko groaned. "Did Heaven send a cosmic audit?"
Kael's eyes narrowed. "No. Not Heaven. Something else. A message."
His hand went to his ear, as if listening to something Aiko couldn't hear. His expression grew grim.
"What is it?" Aiko demanded, a knot forming in her stomach.
Kael lowered his hand. His gaze was fixed on her. Intense. Grave.
"More are coming," he said, his voice low. "And they are not Nox."
Aiko frowned. "Then who?"
"They are... collectors," Kael replied. "Entities that harvest spiritual anomalies. And they have sensed your presence."
"Collectors?" Aiko felt a cold dread. "Like... cosmic bounty hunters?"
"Essentially," Kael confirmed. "And they are far more dangerous than Nox. They do not seek to corrupt. They seek to contain. To claim."
Aiko shivered. That sounded worse than dying.
"How many?" she whispered.
"Multiple signatures," Kael stated. "Converging on this location. Rapidly."
Aiko's heart pounded. She looked around her small apartment. Her safe space. Now a trap.
"What do we do?" she asked, her voice tight with fear.
Kael looked at her. His eyes, for a fleeting moment, held something akin to urgency. Or perhaps, concern.
"We run," he stated. "Now."
Aiko stared at him. "Run? You, the arrogant Reaper who just told me 'rest is for the weak'?"
"Strategy dictates a tactical retreat when faced with overwhelming odds," Kael replied, already moving towards the door. "This is not a battle we can win. Not yet."
He opened the door. The hallway outside was still. Quiet. But Aiko could feel it now. The faint, distant hum of approaching power.
"Grab what you need," Kael ordered. "Essentials only. We leave immediately."
Aiko scrambled. Her mind raced. What did she need? Clothes? Her laptop? Her sketchbook?
She grabbed a small backpack. Shoved in a few changes of clothes. Her phone charger. Her worn copy of a fantasy novel. Anything that felt like her.
Kael was already by the door, waiting. Impatient. His gaze constantly scanning the hallway.
"Ready?" he asked.
Aiko nodded, slinging the backpack over her shoulder. "As I'll ever be."
He stepped out into the hallway. Aiko followed. The apartment felt strangely empty behind her. Like she was leaving a part of herself.
They moved swiftly down the stairs. Kael was silent, his movements fluid and precise. Aiko tried to match his pace, her heart still pounding.
As they reached the ground floor, the building manager was talking to a delivery man. They didn't notice Aiko and Kael slip past.
Outside, the street was bustling. Normal. Too normal.
"Where are we going?" Aiko whispered.
"A safe house," Kael replied, his voice low. "A place where Heaven's influence is minimal. And where the Collectors will have difficulty tracking us."
"You have safe houses?" Aiko asked, surprised. "Like, secret Reaper hideouts?"
"Standard operational procedure," he stated. "For rogue elements. Or... valuable assets."
Aiko rolled her eyes. "I'm a rogue asset now. Great."
They walked quickly through the streets of Tokyo. Kael moved with a predatory grace, his eyes constantly scanning the crowds. Aiko found herself mirroring his vigilance.
She felt the faint hum of the approaching Collectors now. A cold, clinical presence. Like a hive mind. Searching.
They were getting closer.
"They're fast," Aiko murmured.
"They are drawn to your unique signature," Kael replied. "The binding has amplified it. Made you shine brighter in the spiritual realm."
"So, I'm basically a giant 'Here I Am!' sign for cosmic bounty hunters," Aiko grumbled.
"Essentially," Kael confirmed.
They turned down a narrow alleyway. It was dark. Dimly lit. Smelled of garbage and stale beer.
"A safe house in an alley?" Aiko asked, raising an eyebrow. "Very glamorous."
Kael ignored her. He stopped in front of a nondescript door. It looked like any other service entrance. Grimy. Unremarkable.
He placed his hand on the door. A faint shimmer of light. The lock clicked. Silently.
He pushed the door open. It led into a dark, dusty stairwell.
"After you, human," Kael said, gesturing inside.
Aiko hesitated. It looked like something out of a horror movie.
"Are you sure this is 'safe'?" she asked.
"As safe as we can be," he replied. "For now. The Collectors will be here soon."
Aiko sighed. She stepped inside. The air was stale. Heavy.
Kael followed, closing the door behind them. The darkness was absolute.
He snapped his fingers. A faint, ethereal light sparked from his palm. It illuminated the stairwell. Dusty. Cobweb-filled.
"Follow me," he ordered. He began to descend the stairs.
Aiko followed, her hand on the cold, rough concrete wall. The silence was unnerving.
They went down several flights. Deeper and deeper. The air grew colder. Heavier.
Finally, they reached a metal door. Old. Rusty. Kael placed his hand on it. The light shimmered again. The door hissed open.
It led into a large, cavernous space. It looked like an abandoned subway station. Or a forgotten bunker.
The air here was cleaner. Cooler. And filled with a faint, steady hum of spiritual energy. Not chaotic. But controlled.
There were makeshift living quarters. A cot. A small table. A few crates.
"Welcome to your new temporary residence," Kael said, gesturing around the space.
Aiko stared. "You live here?"
"When necessary," he replied. "It is shielded from most celestial and spiritual detection."
"Most?" Aiko asked, a knot forming in her stomach.
"The Collectors are persistent," Kael stated. "And resourceful. But this should buy us time. To train."
Aiko sighed. "Right. Training. Because that's what I need after almost dying twice in one day."
Kael walked to one of the crates. Opened it. It was filled with various spiritual instruments. Glowing crystals. Intricate diagrams. Ancient texts.
"We begin immediately," he declared.
Aiko groaned. "Can I at least get some more coffee first?"
Kael looked at her. His eyes were unreadable. "There is no coffee here. Only discipline. And survival."
Aiko slumped onto the cot. It was hard. Uncomfortable.
"This is going to be a long night," she muttered.
Kael ignored her. He picked up one of the glowing crystals. It pulsed with a soft, blue light.
"This is a focusing crystal," he explained. "It will help you channel your Soul Resonance more precisely."
Aiko stared at the crystal. It looked pretty. But she doubted it would make her feel any less exhausted.
"Alright, sensei," Aiko said, pushing herself up. "What's first?"
Kael looked at her. A faint, almost imperceptible smile touched his lips. "Your first lesson, human, is patience."
Aiko rolled her eyes. "Great. My favorite."
He began to explain the intricacies of spiritual energy. The flow. The ebb. The way it connected everything.
Aiko listened, trying to absorb it all. Her mind was still reeling from the day's events. But she knew she had to learn. For her own survival. And for his.
Hours passed. Kael was a relentless teacher. Precise. Demanding. He didn't tolerate mistakes. Or sarcasm.
Aiko tried to focus. Tried to channel her energy. But her mind kept drifting. To the train. To the Nox. To the feeling of her life force draining away.
And to the image of Kael, bleeding light. Breaking apart. Because of her.
"Your focus is wavering," Kael stated, his voice sharp. "Concentrate, Aiko. Your emotions are interfering."
Aiko bristled. "My emotions are what make me human, you emotionless robot!"
"And they are a liability in combat," he countered. "They cloud your judgment. They make you vulnerable."
"Well, maybe if you weren't so damn cold all the time, I wouldn't have so many emotions to deal with!" Aiko snapped.
Kael paused. His eyes narrowed. He stared at her. A long, silent moment.
Aiko regretted it instantly. She had pushed too far.
"My emotional state is irrelevant," Kael finally said, his voice flat. "It does not affect my duty. Or my efficiency."
"Doesn't it?" Aiko challenged. "I felt it, Kael. When we bound. Your guilt. Your sadness. Your... ancient pain. Don't tell me you don't have emotions."
Kael's face went utterly blank. His eyes became like frozen lakes again. A wall of ice.
"That was a side effect of the binding," he stated, his voice cold. "An anomaly. It will not happen again."
"Right," Aiko scoffed. "Just like you weren't going to die from erosion. Just like I wasn't going to be a cosmic battery."
She pushed herself to her feet. Walked towards him. Her voice was low. Intense.
"You can pretend all you want, Kael," she said. "But I felt it. You're not just a rule-following robot. You're broken. Just like me."
Kael flinched. A subtle, almost imperceptible movement. But Aiko saw it.
He turned away from her. Walked to the other side of the cavernous space. His back to her.
"The lesson is over for tonight," he stated, his voice clipped. "You require rest."
Aiko stared at his back. He was shutting her out. Building his walls.
"Fine," she muttered. "But we're going to talk about this. Sooner or later."
She walked back to the cot. Collapsed onto it. The exhaustion was immense. But her mind was still racing.
He had emotions. She knew it. She had felt them. And the mention of Yuki. It had clearly affected him.
Who was Yuki? And what had happened between them?
Aiko felt a surge of curiosity. A new mystery. One that was tied directly to the arrogant Reaper she was now bound to.
She closed her eyes. Tried to sleep. But her thoughts kept returning to Kael. To his hidden pain. To the name Yuki.
She drifted into a restless sleep. Filled with flashes of golden light. And cold, winter eyes. And a faint, haunting melody. A sad song.
She woke with a start. The bunker was still dark. Silent.
Aiko looked at the cot next to hers. Kael was there. Lying on his back. His eyes open. Staring at the ceiling.
He looked... vulnerable. Human. In a way she hadn't seen before.
"Can't sleep?" Aiko whispered.
He didn't respond for a long moment. "My form requires less rest than yours," he finally said. His voice was flat. Emotionless.
"Right," Aiko sighed. "Because you're a robot. I get it."
"I am not a robot," Kael retorted, his voice gaining a subtle edge. "I am a celestial being. My physiology is different."
"Whatever you say," Aiko mumbled. "But you're still brooding. I can feel it."
He was silent again. A long, uncomfortable silence.
"The binding," Kael finally said. "It allows for... certain sensitivities."
"Yeah, like feeling your ancient guilt," Aiko shot back. "So, you want to talk about it? Or are we just going to lie here in awkward silence while you bleed light and I feel sad for you?"
Kael turned his head. Looked at her. His eyes were unreadable in the dim light.
"There is nothing to discuss," he stated. "My past is irrelevant to our current mission."
"Nothing is irrelevant when you're literally tied to someone's soul," Aiko countered. "Especially when that 'irrelevant' past makes you act like a giant, brooding ice cube."
He sighed. A long, exasperated sound. "Your persistence is... remarkable."
"I'm a medium," Aiko said. "I deal with stubborn spirits all the time. You're just a really tall, really arrogant one."
Kael was silent. Then, to Aiko's surprise, he chuckled. A low, dry sound. Almost like a cough.
Aiko stared at him. "Did you just... laugh?"
"A physiological response to an unexpected stimulus," he replied. But there was a faint tremor in his voice. A hint of genuine amusement.
"You're weird, Kael," Aiko said, a small smile touching her lips.
"And you are chaotic, Aiko," he countered. "We are well-matched."
The silence that followed was different now. Less awkward. More comfortable.
Aiko felt a faint warmth spread through her. Despite everything. Despite the danger. Despite the fact that he was a Reaper and she was a human.
They were partners. And maybe, just maybe, they could make this work.
"So," Aiko said, breaking the silence. "Yuki. Who is she?"
Kael stiffened. The faint warmth vanished. His eyes became cold again. Like frozen lakes.
"That is none of your concern," he stated, his voice flat.
Aiko sighed. "Come on, Kael. I felt your pain. Your guilt. It's connected to her, isn't it?"
He didn't answer. Just stared at the ceiling. A wall of silence.
"Is she... is she dead?" Aiko asked, her voice soft.
Kael was silent for a long moment. A heavy, suffocating silence.
"Yes," he finally said. His voice was barely a whisper. Filled with an ancient, profound sorrow. "She is dead."
Aiko felt a pang of sympathy. Despite his coldness, his arrogance, she could feel his grief. It was a raw, open wound.
"I'm sorry," Aiko murmured. "I really am."
He didn't respond. Just lay there. Still. Like a statue carved from ice.
Aiko didn't push. She knew what it was like to carry grief. To have a past that haunted you.
She closed her eyes again. Tried to sleep. But her mind was still racing.
Yuki. A dead lover. A source of ancient pain. And somehow, connected to Kael's transformation into a Reaper.
Aiko had a feeling that this mystery was far more complex than she could imagine. And far more dangerous.
She drifted into a restless sleep. Filled with flashes of golden light. And cold, winter eyes. And the faint, haunting image of a woman she'd never met. Yuki.
She woke with a jolt. The bunker was still dark. But something was different.
A faint hum. Not from Kael. But from outside. A high-pitched whine. Getting closer.
Aiko sat up. Her heart pounded. She looked at Kael. He was already sitting up. His eyes wide. Alert.
"What is that?" Aiko whispered.
"The Collectors," Kael stated, his voice grim. "They have found us."
The humming intensified. It vibrated through the floor. The walls.
"But how?" Aiko cried. "You said this place was shielded!"
"Their methods are... advanced," Kael replied. He stood up. His energy blade shimmered into existence in his hand. "They are not like Nox. They are systematic. Relentless."
The humming became a roar. A high-pitched shriek.
Suddenly, the metal door at the entrance to the bunker buckled inwards. With a screech of tearing metal, it ripped from its hinges.
Three figures stood in the doorway. Tall. Slender. Made of shimmering, chrome-like material. Their faces were smooth. Featureless. Except for glowing blue eyes.
They were not spiritual. They were... technological.
"Celestial anomalies detected," one of them said, its voice synthesized. Robotic. "Designation: Aiko Tanaka. Designation: Kael, rogue Reaper."
Aiko stared, aghast. "Robots? We're fighting robots now?"
"Collectors," Kael corrected, his stance ready. "They are constructs. Designed to contain. Or eliminate."
The Collectors moved. Swift. Silent. They didn't walk. They glided.
Their hands transformed. Extending into long, glowing energy whips. Crackling with blue light.
"Surrender," the central Collector stated. "Resistance is illogical. You will be contained."
"Never," Kael growled. He lunged forward. His blade met an energy whip with a shower of sparks.
Aiko felt the surge of adrenaline. She had to fight.
She extended her hands. Focused her Soul Resonance. Aimed at the Collector.
Golden energy flowed from her. It struck the Collector. But instead of unraveling it, the energy seemed to bounce off.
The Collector didn't even flinch. Its blue eyes glowed brighter.
"Spiritual energy detected," it synthesized. "Ineffective against containment field."
Aiko gasped. Her power didn't work on them?
"They are not spiritual entities, Aiko!" Kael yelled, parrying another whip. "They are physical constructs! Your spiritual attacks are useless!"
"Then what do I do?" Aiko cried.
"Evade!" Kael ordered. "Find a weakness! They are designed to counter spiritual threats!"
The Collectors moved with terrifying precision. Two of them focused on Kael, their energy whips flashing. The third, the central one, glided towards Aiko.
Aiko scrambled back. The Collector was fast. Too fast. Its whip lashed out. Crackling with blue energy.
She ducked. The whip sliced through the air where her head had been. A faint sizzle.
"Run, Aiko!" Kael yelled, locked in battle with the other two.
Aiko didn't need to be told twice. She turned and ran. Deeper into the bunker.
The Collector was right behind her. Its gliding footsteps silent. Its humming whine relentless.
She darted between crates. Ducked under pipes. Tried to lose it in the maze of the abandoned bunker.
"Designation: Aiko Tanaka. Containment protocol initiated." The robotic voice echoed through the bunker.
Aiko felt a surge of terror. She was trapped. Her powers useless.
She saw a narrow ventilation shaft. Too small for the Collector. Maybe.
She didn't hesitate. She scrambled towards it. Pushed herself through the narrow opening.
The Collector reached the shaft. Its glowing blue eyes scanned the opening.
"Target too small for direct containment," it synthesized. "Re-evaluating strategy."
Aiko crawled through the dusty shaft. Her heart hammered against her ribs. She could hear the faint sounds of Kael fighting. The clash of energy blades. The hum of the Collectors.
She was alone. Again.
She crawled for what felt like an eternity. The air was thick with dust. It smelled of old metal and despair.
Finally, she saw a faint light ahead. Another opening.
She pushed herself through. Landed on a concrete floor. In another part of the bunker.
This area was different. It looked like a control room. Old, dusty consoles. Flickering lights.
Aiko looked around. No sign of Collectors. Or Kael.
She was truly alone.
Her phone buzzed. She pulled it out. An unknown number. Again.
Unknown:More are coming. Run.
Aiko stared at the message. Her blood ran cold.
She was already running. But it wasn't enough.
The Collectors. They were here. And they were relentless.
And Kael. He was still fighting. Alone.
Aiko gripped her phone. She had to go back. She couldn't leave him.
Even if her powers were useless. Even if it meant facing those terrifying constructs.
She was bound to him. A shared fate. A shared existence.
She wouldn't break that rule.