As the intense battle continued atop the hospital rooftop, the clash between Raika and Ace intensified. Their movements were a blur of speed and precision, each strike carrying the weight of their determination and animosity.
Ace's laughter echoed across the darkened sky, mocking Raika's attempts to gain the upper hand. "Do you think staggering me makes you stronger?" he taunted, his voice cutting through the tension like a knife. His attacks became more ferocious, each blow aimed at testing Raika's defenses and resolve.
Raika, undeterred by Ace's provocations, focused her energy on countering his relentless assault. She parried his strikes with swift precision, her movements fluid and calculated despite the strain on her body. The rooftop trembled under the force of their clashes, the night sky a backdrop to their intense struggle.
With a sudden burst of speed, Raika and Ace surged upwards, their battle taking to the skies. The cityscape stretched out below them, illuminated by the faint glow of streetlights and the distant stars. Their silhouettes danced against the backdrop of darkness, a testament to their fierce determination and skill.
The air crackled with energy as they exchanged blows in mid-air, each combatant pushing themselves to their limits. Raika's mind raced with strategy, searching for any opening to gain the advantage over her formidable opponent. Despite the darkness that surrounded them, she remained focused on the task at hand, her resolve unshaken.
As they clashed amidst the night sky, sparks flew with every impact, the sound of their battle echoing across the cityscape. Raika knew that defeating Ace would not be easy—he was a formidable adversary, skilled and relentless. But she refused to back down, driven by a deep-seated determination to protect and to prove herself as a Guardian Ranger.
The battle raged on, each moment bringing them closer to the edge of their physical and mental limits. In the darkness, under the vast expanse of the night sky, Raika and Ace fought with all their strength and skill, their destinies intertwined in a struggle that would shape the course of their fates.
As they clashed in the darkened sky with astounding speed, Raika and Ace danced a deadly ballet of combat. Suddenly, Ace's taunting voice broke the air, "Times up." With a sinister smile, he seized Raika in his hand with her nick and she was gasping an air, his grip tightening like a vice. The Assistant's warning blared urgently, "Danger, danger, bloodlust incoming!" In response, barriers sprang into existence around them, but Ace's relentless assault shattered them like fragile glass.
Raika cried out in agony as Ace's fingers stabbed into her stomach and slashed across her back. Blood sprayed from her mouth as pain engulfed her, but Ace's voice mocked her relentlessly, "Your father called you a super weapon. What a weakling." Again and again, he stabbed, each blow driving Raika closer to the brink.
With a final cruel laugh, Ace hurled Raika to the ground. In that moment of desperation, Raika's body instinctively transformed into her second form, bathed in her own blood, her stomach torn open by three vicious wounds. As she lay in a ragdoll position on the cold ground, Raika whispered faintly, "Looks like this is the end for me."
The Assistant's voice crackled with static, comforting her, but Raika's pallid skin bore the weight of sadness and pain. Blood stained her lips as she closed her eyes for the last time, the battle lost, her strength and hope fading into the darkness of the night sky.
As Ace soared triumphantly through the night sky, his laughter echoed cold and victorious. "It's over, hahahaha," he taunted, his voice carrying across the silent city below. His victory over Raika was complete, leaving a solemn and eerie finality hanging in the air, marking the end of an intense and tragic battle.
With a triumphant shout echoing through the darkened sky, Ace turned away from the scene of his victory. "My master will be pleased with this," he called out, laughter filled with malice trailing behind him as he disappeared into the night, leaving behind the aftermath of his ruthless triumph.
(Meanwhile)
Mia and Lina paced nervously in the academy courtyard, glancing at each other with worried expressions. "Where could Raika be? She's never late," Mia fretted, chewing on her lip.
Katsuya, ever the joker, quipped with a mischievous grin, "Maybe she's off buying some of her favorite dresses. You know, a nice, cute outfit."
Lay chuckled, nodding in agreement. "Yeah, Raika in a flowery dress? That would be something."
Fay, always practical, shook her head. "I don't think Raika cares much about fashion."
Nana, full of optimism and confidence in Raika, chimed in cheerfully, "Oh, don't worry about Raika! She's probably just handling something important. Raika's strong, she'll be back in no time."
The group couldn't help but chuckle at the thought of Raika, their fearless leader, possibly navigating the world of fashion.
As Fay scrolled through her phone, the laughter faded from their faces, replaced by a deep sense of dread. Her voice trembled as she read aloud the tragic news spreading through the school.
"A girl has been found dead in a Stella Academy uniform... pink hair, three wounds in her stomach, covered in white clothing," Fay murmured, her eyes wide with shock.
Mia gasped, her hands covering her mouth in disbelief. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struggled to comprehend the news. "No, it can't be... Raika..."
Katsuya's expression darkened, his fists clenched in anger. "Who would do such a thing?!" he exclaimed, his voice laced with fury. "Raika... she didn't deserve this."
Lay shook his head, his usual calm demeanor faltering. "This is unbelievable..."
Fay closed her eyes briefly, struggling to keep her composure. Nana stood quietly, her usual energy subdued by the gravity of the news. The entire group was overcome with sorrow and shock, their hearts heavy with the loss of their leader and friend.
In the midst of their grief, Mia couldn't accept the reality. "It can't be true... Raika can't be..." she choked on her words, unable to finish the sentence, her anguish palpable.
Mia's world shattered as Fay's words sank in, announcing the devastating news to their group. Her heart pounded in her chest, refusing to believe what she had just heard. With a cry that echoed through the room, she slammed her fists on the table, the impact resonating with her anguish.
"No! It can't be true! Raika... Raika!" Mia's voice cracked as tears streamed down her cheeks. Each sob was a painful reminder of the vibrant friend she had lost.
Lina, usually composed, couldn't hold back her grief any longer. Tears streamed down her cheeks as she wrapped her arms around herself, unable to comprehend the sudden loss.
Fay leaned heavily against Lay, her tears mingling with his, seeking solace in his comforting presence amidst the overwhelming sorrow.
Nana, unable to contain her emotions, ran off in a blur of tears. Her footsteps echoed through the empty corridors, her heartache driving her to find solace in solitude.
Katsuya, his normally steady demeanor shattered, turned away with tears in his eyes. His fists clenched in futile anger, unable to comprehend the senseless loss of their leader and friend.
In that moment, the courtyard once filled with laughter and camaraderie was now engulfed in sorrow. Their collective grief hung heavy in the air, each of them grappling with the pain of losing Raika, a beacon of strength and courage.
As the news spread, the entire academy mourned the loss of Raika, their hearts heavy with the memory of her unwavering spirit and the void left behind by her untimely departure.
Meanwhile, Dr. Aquinas, with the aid of advanced robotic technology, solemnly retrieved Raika's lifeless body from the designated location. His usually composed demeanor masked a profound sense of loss as he carefully handled her remains, preparing to honor her memory and investigate the circumstances surrounding her untimely death.
The entire academy mourned Raika's passing, each member of their tight-knit group grappling with their grief in their own way, their hearts heavy with the absence of the courageous young woman who had touched their lives so deeply.
In the solemn depths of his underground laboratory beneath the waters, Dr. Aquinas gently laid Raika's body onto a pristine examination table. His hands, usually steady and precise, trembled slightly as he prepared to conduct his initial assessment. As he began to carefully inspect her form, his shock grew palpable with each passing moment.
Raika's body lay before him, but to his utter disbelief, the three grievous stab wounds that had been so clearly fatal were no longer there. Where there should have been evidence of trauma—piercings that should have ended her life—there was only unblemished skin. It was as if the wounds had never existed at all.
The renowned scientist, renowned for his mastery of biometric engineering and advanced medical technology, stood frozen in astonishment. His eyes scanned Raika's body repeatedly, searching for any trace, any sign that could explain this impossible phenomenon. But there was nothing—no scars, no marks, no indication that she had suffered such grievous injuries.
Aquinas's mind raced with questions, theories, and a creeping sense of awe. Could it be technology beyond even his understanding? Was it some latent ability of Raika's that he had never witnessed before? Or was there some external force at play, something beyond the realms of scientific explanation?
As he pondered these mysteries, a sense of urgency mingled with his shock. The implications of Raika's inexplicable recovery were profound and unsettling. With a mixture of disbelief and determination, Dr. Aquinas knew that unraveling this enigma would require all his expertise and more.
As Dr. Aquinas stood there, lost in his thoughts and murmuring to himself, he suddenly felt a presence behind him. Before he could react, Raika's voice rang out, sharp with accusation.
"Pervert!" she exclaimed, startling Aquinas so much that he jumped and nearly dropped the white lab coat he was holding. His eyes widened in shock, his mind racing to comprehend the impossible scenario unfolding before him.
Raika, now awake and clearly disoriented, had mistaken his innocent actions for something far more nefarious. "No, no, Raika, it's not what you think!" Aquinas stammered, trying to explain himself.
Raika's embarrassment turned quickly to indignation. "Don't lie to me, Doctor! I know what you were about to do!" she retorted, her face flushing red with both anger and embarrassment.
Aquinas, flustered and desperately trying to salvage the situation, held up the lab coat as if it were a shield. "I was just going to examine you! That's all, I swear!" he insisted, his voice betraying his nervousness.
Raika eyed him skeptically, still recovering from her shock. "Examine? In that outfit? You're unbelievable!" she accused, folding her arms across her chest defensively.
Realizing the misunderstanding, Aquinas let out a nervous chuckle. "I apologize, Raika. It's a lab coat, not some strange attire," he clarified, gesturing awkwardly with the coat to emphasize his point.
Raika blinked, her initial panic giving way to a mix of relief and amusement. "Oh," she muttered sheepishly, realizing her mistake. "Sorry, Doctor. I thought..." she trailed off, unable to finish her sentence as she chuckled softly at the absurdity of the situation.
Aquinas nodded, still slightly shaken but relieved that Raika was awake and seemingly unharmed. "It's understandable, given the circumstances," he admitted with a slight smile, setting the lab coat aside.
As the tension dissipated, Raika smiled back, her embarrassment easing as she realized the humorous side of their interaction. "Well, now that we've cleared that up," she began, pausing to collect herself, "what's next?"
Aquinas, grateful for the change in tone, turned more serious. "First, we need to figure out what happened to you. Those wounds..." he started, glancing back at where they had been, now miraculously absent.
Raika nodded thoughtfully, her mind racing with questions of her own. "Yeah, about that. Any ideas?" she asked, genuinely curious.
As Raika nodded thoughtfully, contemplating the mysterious circumstances of her recovery, a sudden realization struck her like a lightning bolt.
"Wait a minute... I'm naked right now!" she exclaimed in horror, her face flushing bright red. "Ahhh!" Raika hurriedly covered herself with the sheet on the examination table, her eyes squeezed shut in embarrassment.
Dr. Aquinas, caught off guard by Raika's outburst, quickly turned around to give her privacy. "Oh! I-I'm sorry, Raika! I didn't mean to..." he began, flustered and trying to explain himself.
But Raika wasn't having it. "You pervert!" she accused, grabbing a nearby tray of medical tools and throwing them in Aquinas's general direction. "Don't come in here until I'm done dressing!" she ordered, her voice a mix of frustration and embarrassment.
Aquinas, now dodging flying medical instruments, scrambled out of the room with surprising agility for someone his age. "I-I apologize, Raika! I'll wait outside!" he called back nervously, trying to avoid the barrage of tools.
In the hallway, nurses and other staff members looked on in bemusement as the usually composed Dr. Aquinas hurriedly exited the room, trying to avoid Raika's makeshift projectiles. Some chuckled under their breath, while others exchanged amused glances at the unexpected scene unfolding.
Inside the room, Raika hastily gathered the sheet around herself, cheeks still flushed with embarrassment. "Seriously, can't a girl catch a break around here?" she muttered to herself, shaking her head at the absurdity of the situation.
Meanwhile, outside, Dr. Aquinas took a moment to compose himself, straightening his lab coat and adjusting his glasses. "Note to self: always knock first," he mumbled ruefully, reflecting on the humorous and slightly chaotic encounter with his young and spirited patient.
Back in the room, Raika finally managed to get dressed in a spare set of hospital scrubs. Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, she called out to the now absent Aquinas. "Okay, you can come back in now. But knock next time!" she shouted, half-seriously, half-teasingly.
The door opened cautiously, revealing Dr. Aquinas peeking in with an apologetic smile. "I promise, Raika. I'll remember that from now on," he assured her, grateful that the tension had eased and they could return to discussing the more pressing matters of her miraculous recovery.
And so, with a mixture of humor and relief, Raika and Dr. Aquinas resumed their conversation, both thankful for the unexpected but much-needed moment of levity in an otherwise intense situation.