Amphere Harrison
Within the desolate confines of the crumbling cathedral, the air hung heavy with an eerie stillness, broken only by the melodic trickle of water cascading from the fountain. It was in this solemn sanctuary that Reina's measured footsteps resounded, the echoes of her approach amplifying the tension that enveloped both Airi and me. An intensity emanated from her being, suffusing the atmosphere with an unyielding pressure, making it impossible to discern her intentions. Could she have overheard our clandestine conversation? Was she poised to confront us, her will clashing against ours in a fierce battle?
"Richard...," Reina's voice pierced the silence, her eyes shimmering with a glint of emotion. Yet, even in the midst of her gaze, the weight of her presence remained unabated.
"I-I..." Richard stammered, his gaze averted, struggling to find the words to bridge the chasm of his revived existence. "I was..."
A breath caught in the air as Reina spoke with a voice both grave and knowing, revealing a truth that struck Richard to his very core. "You fell victim to the hand of Kyle Leviticus, consumed by the jaws of death itself." With each syllable, Richard's hand clenched into a fist, his entire being quivering with an unspoken anguish. "And now, it seems you have been granted a second chance, bestowed life anew by the Crimson Priests. Is this the veracity of your resurrection?"
A mix of astonishment and apprehension welled up within me, compelled by Reina's uncanny insight into our clandestine discussions. "How did you...?" I began to question, my voice trembling with disbelief. Yet, before I could complete my sentence, Reina interjected, her words slicing through the air.
"It was during that class presentation, remember?" she chimed in, wearing a disarming smile that cast doubt upon my own recollections. The certainty of my memories wavered under the weight of her assertion, though deep down, I knew her claim to be true.
Without skipping a beat, Reina continued, unfurling a revelation that sent a chill racing down my spine. "Furthermore, I have long been aware of your involvement with Arcadia," she declared, her tone dripping with an air of knowing. The realization struck me like a lightning bolt, and I could sense the shared unease that gripped Airi's being.
A Chevalier Unit, entrusted with the solemn duty of capturing or neutralizing Arcadia, now possessed knowledge of our closely guarded secret. Reina's relentless pursuit had led her to our doorstep, shattering the illusions of anonymity that we had carefully woven. If she had tracked us, it stood to reason that they had pieced together the puzzle, connecting Airi and me to the very terrorist organization they sought to dismantle. Panic surged within me, questions swirling in a maelstrom of uncertainty. What course of action should we take? Murdering Reina was not an option, unless she intended to snuff out our lives as well. The delicate balance of power hung in the balance, demanding a swift and calculated response.
A realization dawned upon me as I surveyed the scene. With Eva's potential presence lurking just beyond the threshold, poised to defend her knight should the need arise, engaging in a direct confrontation with Reina seemed perilous. Doubts about our ability to overcome her formidable prowess swirled in my mind, leaving me teetering on the precipice of uncertainty. Instinctively, Airi and I tensed, preparing to draw our swords, but Richard interposed himself, positioning his body as a shield between us and the blonde knight.
Reina's smile remained intact as her gaze met mine, a subtle shift occurring within her countenance. The oppressive aura that had enveloped her dissipated, and an inexplicable sense of assurance washed over me, gradually eroding my lingering trepidation. "Your secret is safe, Neo Black Phantom," she assured me, her words echoing with a peculiar blend of understanding and acceptance.
"How did you...?" I began to question, my voice tinged with incredulity, only to be silenced once more.
Reina's response unfolded with a discerning clarity that cut through my perplexity. "Your movements, though haphazard, bore a striking resemblance to your performance in the tournament three nights ago. Identical battle patterns are not difficult for me to discern. Rest assured, I am the sole harbinger of suspicion thus far, with Rudolf and Kyle oblivious to your true identity."
A wave of discomfort washed over me as Reina's revelations unfolded. The realization that I had been under her watchful surveillance for an extended period sent ripples of unease through my being. However, the fact that she had chosen to withhold my true identity as the new Black Phantom from others instilled a glimmer of trust within me, a flicker of hope that perhaps she could be relied upon.
Turning her attention back to Richard, Reina's voice carried a tender nostalgia as she addressed him. "I've known for quite some time that you were behind the teleportation circle, Richy. Your magical aptitude has been evident to me since our childhood days," she admitted, causing Richard to blush, a faint reminder of their deep-rooted friendship.
Yet, she wasn't finished. Raising her index finger, Reina made her condition known. "I will safeguard your secret, but on one condition. It has long been apparent to me that both Richard and Airelina are members of Arcadia. However, I have no desire to see all of you, the Arcadians, meet a bloody end. I bear no grudge against the dragonoids, Arcadia, or even the Black Phantom. My sole objective is to glean information from you."
Curiosity burning within me, I couldn't help but interject, "Information about what?"
Without missing a beat, Richard picked up on Reina's cue, sustaining the momentum of the conversation. "Reina's mother, a victim of the tragic Vanilla City incident, seeks answers about the enigmatic Crimson Dragonfly," he revealed, his voice tinged with solemnity.
A chilling realization coursed through my veins, rendering me immobile. My suspicions had been confirmed— the Crimson Dragonfly was indeed responsible for the devastating annihilation of Vanilla City. Croft's painstaking research had revealed the grim truth, a haunting testament to the fifty thousand lives lost in that fateful incident. The memory of the monstrous abomination, tearing through the city with merciless ferocity, resurfaced with a visceral intensity.
However, Richard's words inadvertently revealed a crucial gap in his understanding. It became evident that he possessed no further knowledge regarding the enigma of the Crimson Dragonfly. As the weight of this revelation settled upon my shoulders, I turned to face Airi, who stood before me, trembling and drenched in a sheen of perspiration. The pieces of the puzzle began to align, pointing to her as the one bearing the mantle of the Crimson Dragonfly. Yet, something didn't quite add up.
Recollections from three years prior flickered through my mind, a glimpse into a moment when I had witnessed Airi's unwavering commitment to preserving innocent lives. I had seen her valiant efforts to evacuate the populace before igniting the power plant explosion, sparing as many lives as she could. It clashed with the image of a heartless perpetrator, synonymous with the Crimson Dragonfly's actions.
Confusion mingled with a surge of conflicting emotions, as the only link between Airi and the Crimson Dragonfly lay in the words uttered by the Black Phantom, Alder. Uncertainty engulfed us, casting a shadow upon the path we were destined to tread, as the true nature of the Crimson Dragonfly remained shrouded in enigma, awaiting its unveiling.
Alder's words echoed inside my mind: "Let me ask you one thing. Do you even know your dragonoid?... Do you really know the Crimson Dragonfly?"
The weight of uncertainty pressed upon me, exacerbated by the absence of any substantial evidence linking Airi to the Crimson Dragonfly. The image Rudolf had shared, depicting a colossal metallic dragonoid with blazing crimson wings, seemed incongruous with anything I knew about Futuretech Dragons. It cast doubt upon the veracity of the claims, leaving me questioning the very foundation of our assumptions.
"I'm sorry, but we truly have no knowledge of the Crimson Dragonfly," I responded, my voice laced with a frigid detachment.
Reina's response, uttered with a tinge of disappointment, only served to further solidify my resolve. "As I suspected, you remain blissfully unaware," she mused. "You possess an innocence untainted by the harsh realities that surround you."
A flicker of relief danced across Airi's features, a glimmer of hope ignited within her eyes. I refused to jeopardize my partner's safety by revealing her potential association with the Crimson Dragonfly. The mere utterance of a misplaced word could thrust her into Reina's clutches, leading to a swift and brutal end. In that moment, I found solace in my silence, concealing the truth not only to protect Airi but also to preserve our own fragile alliance.
The pieces of the puzzle began to coalesce in my mind, forming a narrative that painted Airi as a potential victim rather than a malicious perpetrator. If she possessed the ability to transform into a Monolith Dragon, the destructive force she unleashed upon Vanilla City may have been beyond her control. The thought of her succumbing to the overwhelming power within her, unwittingly causing the loss of countless lives, tore at my heart.
Yet, lingering questions continued to haunt me. How did Airi become the Crimson Dragonfly? And what role did Zac play in this enigmatic tale? The mere mention of his name had caused Airi to tremble, a reaction that hinted at a deeper connection between them. Who was Zac, and what secrets did he hold?
My thoughts were interrupted as Reina removed her gloves, a gesture laden with significance. She turned to Richard, her expression resolute, and extended her hand in an imperative manner. Richard's cheeks flushed, momentarily hesitating, but the gravity of Reina's request left him with little choice but to comply.
Without hesitation, Richard clasped her outstretched hand, their fingers intertwining in a poignant moment of reunion. Time and destiny had conspired to separate them, and now their connection was rekindled. As Reina's white cheeks flushed with a tinge of crimson, she threw herself into Richard's arms, embracing him tightly. The sight before me was one of pure romance, two souls torn apart by the whims of fate, finding solace in each other's embrace.
Reina's voice trembled with emotion, her cry resonating through the ruined cathedral. "I missed you so much, Richy," she confessed, her vulnerability laid bare. Tears streamed down her cheeks, mirroring the sorrow that had burdened her heart in Richard's absence. The weight of their separation had felt insurmountable, and now, their reunion ignited a wellspring of overwhelming emotions.
Richard, his eyes reflecting the same crimson hue that marked his dragonoid lineage, returned Reina's embrace with equal fervor. Tears cascaded down his face, mingling with the bittersweet joy of their reconciliation. "I am here for you, Rei," he murmured, his voice laced with determination. "I will fulfill my promise to you. Never again will I leave your side... I promise."
Airi and I stood witness to the poignant moment, deeply moved by the rekindling of their love. The palpable connection between them radiated in the air, their compatibility reaching an undeniable pinnacle. A warm glow emanated from their chests, a tangible testament to the depth of their bond. I couldn't help but wonder if the resonance between their souls might trigger the emergence of a majestic seven-meter Portal Dragon, its magnificent form brought forth through the power of their unity.
In the midst of this heartfelt scene, I felt Airi's presence drawing near. Her voice, a soft whisper against my ear, carried a profound gratitude. "Thank you for safeguarding my secret, Amphy," she murmured, her words filled with sincere appreciation. "This is why my love for you knows no bounds. Totally!"
As I gazed upon my partner, Airi, a profound realization washed over me. In the span of our journey, she had transformed, blossoming into a breathtaking vision of beauty. Her features, once familiar, now held an enchanting allure that captivated my senses. Her rosy cheeks added a touch of innocence and charm, drawing my eyes to their delicate hue. Each glance revealed a shimmering radiance within her, as if her very presence illuminated the world around us. Her eyes, akin to glistening pools of ruby gloss, reflected not only her own reflection, but also the mirror of my own soul.
In that moment, our faces drew nearer, an irresistible force compelling us to bridge the divide between us. Our attraction, like opposite poles of a magnet, grew stronger with each passing moment, drawing us inexorably closer. The air crackled with anticipation, charged with the energy of an unspoken connection that defied words.
And then, with a voice that reverberated through the hallowed walls of the cathedral, Airi declared her love, her words echoing with a resounding clarity. "I love you, Amphy, Totally!" she proclaimed, her voice filled with unbridled passion and devotion. The sheer intensity of her declaration enveloped us both, intertwining our souls in a tapestry of affection and desire.