"You'll know when the time comes," she said.
We nearly died from a man-made lightning bolt, and she still thinks it's not the right time to tell me about my own life?
And why did she reveal her blood type to me? That's a national secret. Is it even okay for someone ordinary like me to know that?
More importantly—how can blood have that kind of destructive power?
Is it because she's a Guardian?
Did the former Guardians have powers like this?
My train of thought shattered when I saw two men with spears shouting and charging toward us.
They must not fear death—the poison is still thick in the air.
But then... they stop.
The moment their feet near the poison zone, they freeze.
A white fog coils around us, protective and ghostly. Azalea's blood—reacting with the oxygen—has created a barrier. A fog laced with death.
It's keeping them out. Keeping us safe.
I exhale slowly. "I guess we'll have to wait like this… until help arrives."
But I was wrong.
One of the soldiers raises his spear—and I freeze.
That weapon...
That's the spear that fired the lightning bolt.
Without thinking, I throw myself over Azalea, shielding her with my body as we roll to the side.
BOOM!
A second bolt crashes into the spot where our heads had just been.
"Phuu..." I gasp.
I just prevented a world war.
"Are you hurt?" I ask, hands trembling as I check her arms, her face, her sides...
A few scratches, but otherwise—she's fine.
Then I spot him—Blade.
His face is pale with fear. The Steel Blade, the one they all speak of with reverence, is terrified.
Terrified of losing her.
He pulls a dagger from his belt, even though a sword hangs untouched at his waist.
Without hesitation, he slices his own palm. Blood pours out in thick waves—and it begins to take shape.
A weapon.
A sword—but not a normal one. No ordinary blade could hum with that kind of energy.
It feels alive. It feels like... a Virazin—one of the divine weapons wielded by the King of Heaven.
White energy streams from his palm into the weapon, lighting it like a second sun.
Blade charges.
His strike is clean, brutal. The first enemy falls with a cry as Blade slashes his back.
The second blow ends his life instantly.
Only one soldier remains.
He panics, tries to flee—but Blade is too fast.
This time, Blade doesn't go for the kill. He slices the man's ankle, sending him sprawling to the ground.
The soldier stares up, eyes pleading for mercy—
POW!
Blade's punch lands so hard, I swear the man's head almost twists in a full circle.
Unconscious.
Blade drags the limp body and approaches us, his boots kicking up dust.
We're still on the ground.
He offers Azalea his hand, helping her to her feet.
"...Sorry," he says softly.
His voice is cracking. He's on the edge of breaking.
"I failed to protect you. Please… don't forgive me."
He bows deeply. His shoulders tremble. I can tell—he's crying.
Azalea exhales gently. "Look at me."
He lifts his head, barely.
"Am I hurt?" she asks. "No? Then you didn't fail. Like always... Just like when we were kids. You were always there."
She smiles faintly. "Thank you, Blade. For protecting me."
Silence settles in.
The poison fog begins to fade, carried off by the breeze.
Blade starts coughing.
We all forgot—he might've been poisoned just from getting close to us.
He waves it off. "I'm fine. This isn't the first time I've encountered your poison. I'm nearly immune to mercury poisoning… thanks to you, Ali."
Azalea laughs softly and punches him lightly in the chest.
They forget I'm here.
I watch them, smiling. Two people bonded by something deeper than duty or fate.
But then—
A whistle in the air.
A spear, flying straight at my face.
Time slows.
Am I about to die?
I suppose... there are worse ways to go than by a Guardian's side.
I close my eyes—ready.
But instead of death, I fall into someone's arms.
No. No, Azalea. What are you doing?
She wraps herself around me, shielding me with her body.
"No," I whisper. "It won't work. The spear will go through both of us…"
Please, don't throw your life away for me.
My thoughts are screaming, a thousand fears crashing against my skull.
Then—
Blood splatters across my face.
But it isn't hers.
It was Blade.