Arnold walked into the room, his eyes immediately landing on Kuri, who was now in her human form, looking up at him with wide, curious eyes. He blinked a few times, clearly more confused than surprised.
"Uh... who is that child, and why does she look like both of you?" Arnold asked, completely thrown off.
Akari looked at him like he'd just asked the dumbest question. "Hey, it's Kuri, duh."
Arnold stared at her, his brow furrowed. "Kuri? As in... that Kuri?"
"Unca!" Kuri exclaimed, waving her tiny arms, and Arnold's confusion deepened.
Akari smirked and crossed her arms. "Yep, that's her. The dragon baby, all grown up and looking like a tiny version of us."
Arnold just shook his head. "And here I was, worried about what you two were doing behind my back."
Akari leaned in with a grin and kissed him on the cheek. "You know I would never betray you, Arnold."
Kuro, who was standing off to the side, just rolled his eyes dramatically at the sight. "Them again..." he muttered under his breath.
Kuri, meanwhile, watched the exchange with wide eyes, clearly confused by the display of affection. She furrowed her tiny brow and waddled up to Akari, her small voice filled with genuine curiosity. "Why Mama do that?"
Akari froze, suddenly unsure of how to answer a question she never thought she'd have to explain. "Uh... You're too young to know that, Kuri."
Arnold, ever the awkward one, quickly tried to back her up. "Yeah, exactly. Way too young for you to understand all that."
Kuri tilted her head, clearly not satisfied with the answer. "But why?" she asked again, her tiny voice demanding clarification.
Akari and Arnold exchanged a look, both realizing they were caught in a parenting conundrum they were definitely not prepared for.
"Maybe we should... uh... talk about this later?" Akari said, trying to change the subject.
Kuro, who was enjoying every second of this awkward moment, chuckled to himself. "Good luck explaining that one to her, lovebirds. Maybe give it a few years."
Kuri, still confused, simply shrugged and then let out an exaggerated sigh. "Okay. But I still don't understand why Mama kisses Unca."
Akari sighed, running a hand through her hair. "Trust me, kid. You're not the only one who doesn't understand."
Arnold, still trying to regain his composure, glanced at Kuro with a sheepish grin. "So... about that dragon thing..."
Kuro smirked. "Ah, yes. Kuri's little... side effect," he said, raising an eyebrow at Akari. "Not only can she turn into a dragon, but now she's... well, let's just say she's very good at turning into a human too."
Akari shot Kuro a warning glance. "She's still getting used to it, okay?"
"Yeah," Kuro said, grinning. "It's a real gift."
Arnold just blinked again, clearly unsure if he was ever going to fully understand what was going on with their family.
As they were spending time together, Arnold and Akari had a peaceful moment, chatting about everything and anything, enjoying the brief calm before the storm. But then, the sudden alarm of an emergency echoed through the air, bringing their conversation to a screeching halt.
"We need to move, now!" Akari said, her tone urgent as she jumped to her feet.
Arnold quickly followed suit, his expression hardening as he saw the concern in Akari's eyes. "The border?"
"Yes, it's happening again," Akari replied, already moving toward the door.
Kuri, who had been lounging nearby, immediately perked up, sensing the danger. With a burst of energy, her small form shifted into her massive dragon shape, the air around her rippling as she grew in an instant. Her golden eyes locked onto Akari with an understanding that only a dragon could possess.
Akari smiled at her. "Stay safe, Kuri. We'll meet on the other side."
Kuro, who had already shifted into his hawk-winged form, flew over to Kuri's side, his expression fierce. "Let's go, Kuri. We've got the other side covered."
With a mighty flap of her wings, Kuri took to the skies, her dragon form towering above the others. Kuro followed closely behind, his hawk wings catching the wind, both heading for the opposite side of the border.
On the other side, Arnold and Akari mounted up and raced towards the threat. Arnold's wings unfurled, powerful and sleek, as he took off into the sky beside Akari, the two of them expertly working together.
Akari focused on the horizon. "Stay sharp, Arnold. We don't know who's behind this yet."
Arnold nodded, his eyes scanning the skies. "I'll take the high ground. You handle the front lines."
"Got it!" Akari called back, already weaving her Noor into a defensive spell, preparing for whatever was waiting for them.
As they split up, each on their own path, Kuro and Kuri soared above them, the massive dragon gliding effortlessly through the sky, while Kuro kept pace with her, his wings cutting through the air. Both teams knew the stakes were high. This wasn't just about defense anymore. It was about survival.
But the most terrifying thought echoed in Akari's mind—would they get to the bottom of what was causing these attacks, or were they just caught in a never-ending cycle of war?
The battle was intense, and the air crackled with the tension of magic and power as the shapeshifters relentlessly attacked. Each one had transformed into different beasts, their forms ranging from towering giants to quick, elusive creatures, using their powers in a coordinated assault. But Akari was in her element, effortlessly shifting through her abilities with grace and ferocity.
"I don't have time to play games!" Akari muttered under her breath, as she summoned the power of the plants around her. Vines erupted from the ground, tangling the shapeshifters' legs and immobilizing them. With a sharp wave of her hand, the vines grew into thorn-covered walls, trapping the enemies in their own prison. But Akari wasn't done yet—she channeled the darkness within her, the shadows swirling around her like a storm.
"Try hiding from this!" she said as a wave of darkness shot out, engulfing dozens of shapeshifters, weakening them, and rendering them unconscious with a single hit. Ice followed soon after, freezing any remaining attackers in their tracks, their beastly forms encased in ice like statues. Akari's Noor was flowing like a river, her abilities combining in a deadly dance of destruction.
"Another hundred down," Akari said casually, wiping the sweat from her brow, as if it was just a casual workout. She could feel her energy draining, but she pushed through, the adrenaline of the battle coursing through her veins. She couldn't stop now; too many were depending on her.
From above, Arnold was no less impressive. His hawk-like wings allowed him to soar through the skies, keeping his enemies at a distance with his precise archery and mastery of light manipulation. Arrows of pure light shot down from above, piercing through the shapeshifters, their bodies disintegrating upon contact. He wasn't just using regular arrows; each shot was infused with his light power, making them even more deadly.
"Target neutralized!" Arnold called out as another shapeshifter fell. His eyes scanned the battlefield, locking onto the next group of enemies.
But even with their impressive teamwork, the sheer number of shapeshifters kept coming. There was no end in sight.
"We need to finish this quickly, Akari!" Arnold shouted, maneuvering into position for another attack.
"I know! I'm already on it!" Akari yelled back, focusing harder as she poured more of her Noor into the battlefield, summoning a mental wave that disoriented the remaining enemies. They staggered, their movements sluggish as they were overcome with confusion. Akari then used a final push of ice and plants, trapping them all in a massive entanglement of roots and frozen ice.
"Got them," Akari said, breathing heavily. "We just need to—"
"Look out!" Arnold shouted from above, his eyes widening in warning.
A massive shapeshifter, even larger than the others, burst through the debris, its form shifting rapidly between several terrifying creatures—some sort of monstrous hybrid of a wolf, bear, and serpent. It was a beast unlike any Akari or Arnold had seen before.
"That's no ordinary shapeshifter!" Akari yelled. "It's a damn chimera!"
The creature roared and charged at them with terrifying speed. Akari reacted instantly, summoning a powerful shield of pure light and darkness to block its advance, but the creature broke through, its claws slashing at her shield. Akari gritted her teeth, her Noor flaring as she reinforced her barrier.
"Arnold, cover me!" she yelled.
Arnold nodded, his light arrows raining down from above, hitting the chimera squarely in its chest. The creature let out a screech of pain, but it wasn't enough to bring it down. The chimera seemed to heal with every strike, its form morphing and adapting to every attack.
"We need a different strategy!" Akari said urgently, beginning to feel the strain on her Noor.
"Leave it to me!" Arnold called, diving down to join her. "I've got an idea!"
Akari shot him a questioning glance but didn't argue. They had to work quickly.
As Arnold hovered above, Akari channeled all of her power into one final spell, a combination of her ice, plant, and mental abilities. She called on the power of the earth beneath her feet, twisting and growing roots to ensnare the chimera's legs, while frost formed on its massive body, freezing it in place.
"Now!" she shouted.
Arnold released a blast of pure light from his hands, creating a blinding sphere of energy that engulfed the chimera, overwhelming its senses and causing its healing ability to falter. It roared in agony as it was consumed by the light, and with a final shriek, it collapsed, defeated.
"Well, that was fun," Akari said with a dry laugh, panting heavily. "Not."
"Yeah, fun," Arnold echoed, wiping his brow as he landed beside her. "But I think we've got this under control."
Akari smiled at him, though exhaustion was visible in her eyes. "I hope so... Let's just hope this is the last of them."
But deep down, Akari knew this wasn't over. The shapeshifters were relentless, and there would be more battles ahead.
The moment of peace was over.
A man with a glowing face suddenly appeared in front of Akari, flanked by his army. His aura was unlike anything she had felt before, a strange, almost otherworldly energy that made her instincts flare.
"Hey, there's a person with a glowing face out here. His Noor feels different. I can't see him clearly," Akari said, her voice tinged with confusion and curiosity.
Arnold, standing beside her, squinted in the direction she pointed. "There's no one glowing," he said, a frown crossing his face. "I can see the army, but no one's glowing."
Akari's eyes narrowed as she focused again on the figure. She pointed once more. "That's a young man, about our age, with blue hair. He definitely feels strong, but why do I see him glowing?"
Arnold took a step closer, his expression thoughtful. "I can see him clearly, and he doesn't appear to be glowing for me. Are you sure it's not just a trick of the light?"
Akari's brow furrowed in deep thought. "I don't know... maybe it's related to the dimensional theory I've been working on."
Arnold's expression shifted to one of realization. "Yes, I think you're right. But we can figure it out later. For now, I think we should fight first and talk later."
Akari nodded, her hand subtly moving toward her weapon as she prepared herself for the upcoming confrontation. The glowing man and his army were not something she could ignore, and the fact that Arnold couldn't see the glow only added to the mystery.
As she focused on the blue-haired figure, her mind raced, trying to piece together the strange feeling in the air. What is he? she thought. What does this all mean?
Her senses sharpened as she felt the tension rise. The unknown had arrived, and there was no turning back now.
That man stepped forward, his glowing form radiating an intimidating presence that Akari couldn't ignore. Without warning, he extended his hand, and the ground beneath them rumbled. Metal shards, seemingly from nowhere, tore through the earth and launched toward her with alarming speed.
"Metal manipulation," Akari muttered, dodging the sharp projectiles. He's not holding back.
The man's attack was relentless, the air filling with the clang of metal crashing against the ground and slicing through the air. Akari's movements were quick, but the precision and power behind his attacks revealed he was no amateur.
Akari retaliated, summoning her own Noor with a flick of her wrist. Vines erupted from the ground, twisting and coiling toward the man, trying to snare him. He countered effortlessly, the metal shards slicing through the vines like paper.
The two clashed repeatedly, each strike pushing Akari further to her limits. Every time she thought she had an opening, the blue-haired boy adapted, his attacks faster and more calculated. He's good. Too good.
Arnold watched from the sidelines, his sword drawn but unable to intervene. "Akari, he's experienced! You need to be careful!"
"No kidding!" she shouted, ducking under another wave of razor-sharp metal. "This guy fights like he's been doing it his whole life!"
The glowing man didn't speak a word, his piercing blue gaze fixed on her as if analyzing her every move. The sheer intensity of his attacks made it clear—this was no ordinary opponent.
Akari gritted her teeth, summoning another surge of Noor to her hands. She leaped back, putting some distance between them. "You're strong, I'll give you that," she said, her breath slightly labored. "But I'm not going down that easily."
The boy tilted his head slightly, a faint smirk on his lips, as if acknowledging her resolve.
The fight was far from over, and Akari knew she had to give it everything she had to stand a chance.
Arnold circled in the sky, his wings slicing through the air as he unleashed arrows of light at the invading army. He kept an eye on Akari's battle below, but something felt... off.
"Do you remember me, Lior?" the glowing boy asked, his voice calm yet laced with menace.
Akari froze mid-step, her heart skipping a beat. That name... it sent chills down her spine. "What? How do you know that name?" she demanded, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to stay composed.
The boy smirked, his glowing aura intensifying. "Hmm... maybe because I am your end," he said, his words cold and final. "And your friends' end as well.
Akari's Noor flared in response, her fear fueling her strength. "I don't know who you think you are, but I'm not going down without a fight!" she shouted, lunging toward him.
But Arnold, watching from above, heard something entirely different. To him, the boy's words were lighthearted and taunting: "I'm going to defeat you. You' re pretty strong-I like people like you."
Arnold narrowed his eyes, confused. "Akari, what are you saying to that guy? Your answers don't match his questions!"
Akari barely dodged another metal shard, sweat dripping down her temple. "What are you talking about?" she shot back, glancing briefly at Arnold.
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"I said your answers don't match! What is going on down there?" Arnold yelled, sending another barrage of arrows toward the invaders.
The boy's smile widened, his voice dropping to a whisper only Akari could hear. "You're scared, aren't you, Lior? You should be. This is just the beginning."
Akari felt her stomach churn, an unfamiliar wave of dread washing over her. She tightened her grip on her Noor, her voice steady but her resolve shaken. "I'm going to kill you before you get the chance."
Arnold's head snapped toward her, his brow furrowing in concern. "What the hell, Akari? That's not what he said! He's comlementing you, and you are planning to the killing him? What are you hearing "
Arnold's head snapped toward her, his brow furrowing in concern. "What the hell, Akari? That's not what he said! He's complimenting you, and you're talking about killing him? Are you hearing the same conversation I am?"
Akari's grip faltered for a moment, her mind racing. Why is he hearing something else? She glanced back at the boy, whose glowing face remained eerily calm.
"Akari..." Arnold called again, his tone wary. "What's going on? Why does it feel like he's messing with your head?"
The boy laughed softly, as if savoring the confusion he was sowing. "Poor Akari. Poor Lior. You' Il never figure it out in time."
Akari was too focused on the glowing boy in front of her, her energy fully concentrated on breaking through his relentless illusions and attacks. She didn't notice what was happening to Arnold until it was too late.
"Wait! No, don't!" Akari screamed, her voice trembling with desperation as her eyes widened in horror. But her warning came a heartbeat too late.
The glowing boy's illusion shattered like glass, revealing the truth: Akari hadn't been fighting him at all. He had trapped her in an intricate cage of twisting, unyielding metal while his real body had crept toward Arnold, striking him from behind with a sharp, deadly attack.
"Arnold!" Akari cried, her fists slamming against the cold, unbreakable bars of her cage. Her Noor flared violently, but the metal absorbed her power like a void, leaving her helpless.
Arnold lay on the ground, his wings splayed out beneath him, feathers torn and blood pooling beneath his body. His breathing was ragged, and his hands clawed weakly at the ground as he struggled to push himself up.
The glowing boy stood over him, his expression unreadable, his face still shining with that eerie light. He tilted his head as if pondering a riddle only he could solve. "Hmm... so how should I end you?" the boy said, his voice cold and detached—or so it sounded to Akari.
But to Arnold, the boy's voice was different. He sounded remorseful, almost pleading. "I'm sorry... I can't control my body," the boy whispered, his voice trembling as if he was fighting against something unseen.
Arnold looked up, his vision blurry but his resolve unbroken. "What... what are you saying? What do you mean you can't control yourself?" he managed to rasp out, his voice weak but defiant.
"Arnold!" Akari screamed again, tears streaming down her face as she slammed her hands against the cage. She tried everything—Noor, physical force, even her desperate prayers—but nothing worked. "Leave him alone, you coward! Fight me instead!"
The boy's glowing face turned toward Akari for a moment, his expression unreadable. Then he turned back to Arnold, his hand raising for what could only be the final blow.
"No!" Akari's voice cracked, raw with desperation. "Don't you dare touch him!"
Arnold's fingers twitched, and he tried to summon his Noor, but his strength was fading fast. "Akari... I... I'm sorry I couldn't protect you," he whispered, his voice barely audible.
"Stop it!" Akari screamed, her heart feeling as though it would shatter in her chest. Her vision blurred with tears, but through them, she saw something strange. The glowing boy's hand trembled, hesitating just inches from Arnold's chest.
For a brief moment, his glow flickered, and his face twisted with a mix of anger and pain. "Help me..." he whispered—not to Akari or Arnold, but to someone unseen.
"Don't you dare," she whispered, her voice breaking. "Don't you dare take him away from me."
Akari's heart pounded in her chest as she finally broke free from the cage. The glowing boy and his army were gone, vanishing into the thick darkness, leaving her alone with Arnold—who was barely clinging to life.
"Arnold!" Akari screamed, rushing to his side, her hands trembling as she cupped his face. He was pale, his breaths shallow and weak, blood staining the ground beneath him. She could feel the warmth of his skin slipping away with every passing second.
"I will save you, I promise," Akari whispered, her voice cracking with desperation. Her Noor flared around her, but it was no use. Arnold's body was far too damaged—his injuries too deep for her to heal.
"It's impossible," Arnold whispered, his voice barely audible, each word a struggle. "I've been struck too hard... It's impossible to heal. I'm... I'm on my last breaths." His lips trembled as he tried to reach for her, but his strength was gone.
"No, no, no!" Akari cried, the tears spilling from her eyes. She pressed her palms to his chest, her Noor surging into him, but nothing changed. The damage was too great.
"Akari..." Arnold's voice was so faint now, it felt like a distant echo. "It's okay... Let me go... I'm not going to make it."
But Akari wasn't ready to let go. She couldn't. Not after everything they had been through. Not after everything she had promised.
"No!" she sobbed, shaking her head, her hands trembling as she reached out. "I'll save you. I won't give up on you. Not now, not ever!"
With trembling hands, she invoked her time manipulation, reversing his body just a little—just enough to buy her some time. Arnold's form shifted slightly, the wounds in his body closing just enough to make it seem like there was hope.
But the damage was still too severe. He wasn't healing fast enough.
"Thank you, Akari," Arnold whispered, his voice strained, his eyes dimming as he looked up at her. His gaze softened, filled with an emotion that made Akari's heart ache. "I... I have something to say."
Akari didn't want him to speak. She wanted to fix him, to heal him, to keep him with her. But she couldn't. She couldn't deny him this last moment.
"No, Arnold. I'll save you, just let me—"
"Akari..." He smiled faintly, his hand weakly gripping hers. "It's okay. I... I need to say this."
Akari's breath hitched, her hands shaking as she continued to pour her Noor into him, desperate to keep him alive.
"You're special to me," Arnold whispered, his voice shaking with every word. "You're the only one I wouldn't mind losing sleep for. The only one I can never get tired of talking to... The only one who crosses my mind constantly throughout the day. You... You're the only one who can make me smile without even trying. The only one who affects me in ways I can't explain."
Akari felt her heart crack as she listened to him speak, her body trembling with sorrow and love for him. She couldn't bear it. She couldn't bear losing him like this.
"I can't explain in words how much you mean to me..." Arnold continued, his eyes closing as he fought to stay awake. "But you're the one I'm afraid of losing. And the one I want to keep in my life forever." He took a shaky breath, his chest heaving with the effort. "Now it's time for good-bye. I wish we could stay together a little longer…"
"Please, don't say that," Akari choked out, her tears falling freely. She leaned over him, her voice breaking. "Don't leave me. Please don't leave me."
Arnold's eyes fluttered open one last time, and his lips curled into a soft smile. "Let me finish, Akari," he said, his voice barely more than a whisper. "I... I loved you. I loved you and only you."
Akari gasped, her heart soaring and breaking all at once. She had never expected him to say those words, not now, not in this moment.
"I even planned our entire future... Our marriage. I thought of you as my wife." Arnold coughed, a thin trickle of blood escaping his lips. "Wasn't I silly...?"
Akari shook her head, sobbing. "It isn't silly, dummy. I loved you too. I always did."
Arnold's eyes softened, filled with a painful understanding. "Akari... I know you said it, but... you know Kuro loves you too. Don't leave him. I don't want to be selfish, but... at least give him a year. After that... you can be with him."
Akari's breath caught in her throat as she shook her head violently. "No... Arnold, no, I... I can't do that. I can't lose you. Not now, not ever."
But Arnold's hand fell limp in hers, his body growing colder with every passing second. He took one last breath, his voice just a whisper, "Sorry... I couldn't... be with you longer..."
"Arnold..." Akari sobbed, her voice breaking as she pressed her forehead to his. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry... please don't leave me..."
But it was too late. Arnold's hand slipped from hers, and the light in his eyes faded. His final breath left him, and the warmth she had felt in his touch disappeared, leaving her cold and broken.
"No... Arnold... please don't go..." Akari whispered, her voice hollow with grief. She held him close, wishing desperately that she could turn back time, that she could undo this loss. But all she could do was weep, her tears falling like a torrent.
The world around her felt like it was collapsing, the weight of her sorrow pressing down on her heart, suffocating her. Arnold was gone. And no amount of Noor or power could bring him back.