Kaelos's voice dripped with venom, his eyes gleaming with sadistic joy. "So, you're Squad Omega... "
"It would be intriguing to break all of you to shreds..."
Kaito's voice trembled as he struggled to speak, his body weakened. "Who... who is this guy?"
He tried to push himself up with his left arm, but the pressure was too strong, and he fell to the ground.
Mizuki's mind reeled in panic, her thoughts racing. 'What's going on? Why can't I move?'
Mizuki, flat on the floor, struggling to push herself up, but her body felt heavy as if pinned down.
Just then, the water ball burst apart, releasing the prisoners, who fell to the ground.
Mizuki's thoughts turned desperate. 'I can't keep the water together in this condition! '
' I don't think I would survive this much pressure... '
'What about Yukiko?!'
She forcefully turned her head toward Yukiko, and her eyes widened in horror. "Yukiko!!" She yelled out.
Yukiko was on the ground, her chest heaving, her face pale. 'I can't... I can't breathe... '
'The pressure is too much; the air is thin...'
Still on the floor with his cast, Toru thought grimly, 'I was off my guard...'
'We might die...'
Kaelos's smirk grew wider, his eyes flashing with excitement. "Your struggles are... entertaining."
"But soon, you'll be nothing but shattered remnants."
Kaelos's joyful laughter sent chills down their spines. "The four of you got beaten by the three of them?!" His eyes sparkled with amusement.
The four prisoners knelt, their heads bowed in shame. "We're sorry, sir..." The butterfly wielder stammered.
Kaelos's smile grew wider, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "How many times did I tell you to stop talking to me under your shadow cloak?!"
The shadow dissipated, revealing the prisoners' identities. Kaito's eyes widened as he took in their X-spec uniforms.
Four girls, each with vibrant hair colors - purple, green, red, and brown - knelt before Kaelos. Kaito's mind reeled. 'They're wearing X-specs uniforms... What does this mean?'
He turned back to Kaelos, his gaze locked onto the menacing figure. 'That makes him...'
Kaelos's sharp gaze snapped toward Kaito. "You figured it out, huh?!" His smile spread, his eyes gleaming with malevolence.
"I'm one of the Higher Four," Kaelos declared, his voice dripping with pride.
Mizuki's thoughts raced. 'He's a Higher Four?'
'Impossible...'
'So he's Akari's level of power?'
"And this is the end of you." Kaelos declared,
Kaelos's eyes sparkled with anticipation, his smile twisted. "Let's see how long you'll last."
Toru, Mizuki, and Yukiko gasped in unison, their eyes wide with horror.
'We're going to...' Mizuki's thoughts drifted,
"I don't... think so," Kaito said, his voice strained, as he struggled to find the strength to speak.
Kaelos raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Hm?"
Kaito slowly began to push himself up, his arms trembling under the effort. He clenched his teeth, his face twisted in a mixture of pain and defiance.
As he raised his head, his gaze locked onto Kaelos, his eyes burning with resolve.
"None of us is dying here..." Kaito declared, his voice growing stronger with each word.
Mizuki's eyes sparkled with hope, her face set in a determined expression.
Toru's jaw clenched, his cast-covered arm tightening into a fist.
Yukiko's chest heaved, still struggling to breathe.
Kaelos's smile faltered, his eyes narrowing. "Bold words, considering your condition," he said, his voice laced with skepticism.
Kaito's eyes widened in defiance, but Kaelos's increased pressure pushed him down onto the ground.
Mizuki's voice echoed in panic, "Kaito!"
Kaito gripped the ground, his fingers digging deep into the earth as he struggled to push himself up. Kaelos bent down, his face inches from Kaito's, and laughed.
"Is that the best you can do?!" Kaelos taunted.
"Isn't impressive now, is it? "\
Kaito grunted,
"How can you protect your friends when they need you..."
Kaito's eyes flashed with shock and desperation. Kaelos stood up, his smile twisted. "Let's see if you can handle me killing them..."
He raised his hand, and Yukiko floated up, her eyes wide with fear.
Mizuki's voice trembled. "Yukiko..."
Kaito's eyes locked onto Yukiko, his face contorted in rage.
Kaelos's gaze turned cruel. "What do you think if I do something like this..."
He focused on Yukiko's arm, and it slowly began to twist in an unnatural direction.
Yukiko strained, her face pale, before screaming in agony.
"It would hurt a little," Kaelos said playfully, his eyes gleaming with sadism.
"Now, let me rip that arm off!"
Kaito's eyes blazed with fury, lightning sparkles erupting around him. In an instant, Yukiko vanished.
Kaelos stumbled backward, confusion etched on his face. "Where did she...?"
He spun around, and his eyes widened in shock. Kaito crouched upside down on the house's ceiling, holding Yukiko in his arms.
"Are you okay, Yukiko?!" Kaito asked, concern lacing his voice.
Yukiko coughed weakly. "Yes... I am..."
Kaito performed a slow backflip, descending to the ground. As he landed, he gently set Yukiko down.
His eyes locked onto Kaelos, blazing with fury. "I'm gonna tear you to bits."
Mizuki's eyes blazed with determination, her gaze locked onto Kaelos.
Toru's jaw clenched, his cast-covered arm tightening into a fist.
Kaelos's smile grew wider, his eyes gleaming with excitement. "Idiot..."
The purple-haired girl stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper. "Kaito, Don't!"
Kaito didn't hesitate, he dashed toward Kaelos, his eyes fixed intently on his target.
In an instant, Kaito was inches away from Kaelos, his fist cocked back.
But before he could land the blow, an intense force slammed into him, sending him crashing to the ground.
The impact sent dust flying everywhere.
Mizuki's eyes widened in shock. "Kaito!" she yelled, her voice laced with worry.
Kaelos's laughter echoed through the chaos, his voice dripping with sadistic pleasure.
The dust slowly settled, revealing Kaito's crumpled form, his body motionless on the ground. His eyes fluttered open, locking onto Kaelos.
Kaito's eyes glazed over, and his head dropped to the ground, unconscious.
Kaelos's smile faltered, replaced by a look of mild surprise. "Huh? He's out cold..."
He turned to the purple-haired girl, Hinata. "Hinata!" he called out.
Hinata stood up, her expression neutral. "Sir..."
"Take him inside and treat his wounds," Kaelos instructed, his voice devoid of concern.
"I'm stepping out for a second."
Hinata nodded curtly. "Yes, sir."
Kaelos turned and walked away "Make yourselves at home," he said as he waved his hand, leaving Hinata to attend to Kaito's limp form.
Yukiko, Mizuki, and Toru stood up in confusion Hana ran toward them and panted "What... what did I miss?"
The three of them looked at her as confused as they were