The ground shattered as the figure who had absorbed the Primal Star's power descended upon Zaire, radiating raw energy that distorted the atmosphere around them. Cosmic light pulsed through their veins, and their very presence made the fabric of reality ripple and tear. This wasn't just any opponent—this was someone who had tapped into the primal essence of a star itself.
The air crackled as the figure's voice echoed across the battlefield, booming with authority. "I am the embodiment of cosmic wrath, the force that annihilates the weak. You should have turned and run the moment you felt my power, Guardian."
Zaire stood with his hands casually tucked into his pockets, a lazy smirk playing across his lips. His dreadlocks shifted slightly in the wind, and his silver eyes shimmered with a distant, starry glow. "Run? From you? You've gotta be kidding me." He chuckled, voice dripping with sarcasm. "You're talking a big game, but trust me—I've heard it all before."
The figure raised their hand, and the sky itself seemed to darken. Above them, a colossal wave of cosmic energy swirled into being, expanding like the death throes of a collapsing star. They hurled it toward Zaire with enough force to obliterate an entire solar system.
Zaire didn't move—at least, not at first. The massive energy wave screamed toward him, but in the split second before it struck, he casually raised one hand. A small black void appeared in front of him, a gravitational singularity that swallowed the energy wave as though it had never existed. "I was expecting something better, honestly."
The figure's eyes flared with anger and disbelief. "Impossible! No one can stand against the power of a Primal Star!"
Zaire shrugged, still unfazed. "You should do your research. I'm not just 'no one.'" He lifted his right hand, and the Ace of Spades tattoo on the back of it began to glow, the black symbol pulsing with ominous gravitational energy that made the air feel heavy and dense.
Furious now, the figure rushed Zaire with blinding speed, their fist trailing streaks of cosmic light aimed directly at his chest. But Zaire sidestepped the attack effortlessly, his form blurring as he reappeared behind the figure. "Too slow. Again. Honestly, are you even trying?"
The figure spun around, unleashing a furious barrage of molten energy fists. Each strike shattered the ground, leaving craters in their wake, but Zaire dodged with graceful ease, his movements fluid, as if he were dancing through the storm of destruction.
"You're swinging wild," Zaire commented mid-dodge, grinning. "Is the whole 'Primal Star' thing just for show, or what?"
With a roar of frustration, the figure's aura exploded outward, shaking the very heavens. They brought both hands together, summoning an immense surge of star energy into a single point, condensing it until it burned white-hot. The ground quaked violently as they prepared to unleash their most devastating attack.
Zaire's expression shifted, the smirk fading from his face and replaced by something colder, more calculating. "You've had your fun," he said, voice low and dangerous. "Now it's my turn."
As the figure unleashed the beam of star energy, Zaire raised his hand again, this time with far more intensity. The gravitational field surrounding him multiplied tenfold, distorting the space around him. The beam slowed as it approached, warping and bending as it was pulled into the black void forming above Zaire's head—a miniature black hole, swallowing the attack whole.
The figure froze, unable to comprehend what was happening. Their most powerful attack, gone, as if it had never existed. Zaire's silver eyes gleamed with a predatory light as he began to walk toward the figure, each step making the air heavier, denser with an overwhelming gravitational force.
"You were right about one thing," Zaire said, his voice devoid of humor, cold and final. "You are the embodiment of cosmic wrath. But me? I'm The Ace of Spades." His hand clenched into a fist, and the singularity above him collapsed inward, sending shockwaves across the battlefield.
Zaire's grin returned, darker now, more dangerous.
He raised his hand once more, and the space around the figure began to distort violently, bending inward as though reality itself was caving in on them. The figure's eyes widened, fear flashing across their face for the first time. They tried to summon more power, but it was too late. Zaire had already decided that this fight was over.
With a final flick of his wrist, the gravitational pull intensified, and the figure was dragged toward the singularity, their body stretching grotesquely as they were spaghettified under the immense gravitational force. Their screams were cut short as they were swallowed by the void, vanishing entirely.
Zaire exhaled, the weight of the battlefield lightening once again as the void disappeared. He glanced at his hand, the Ace of Spades tattoo still glowing faintly. "See? That wasn't so hard," he muttered to himself before turning toward the horizon. "Now, let's get back to Starlight City."
"You can't just expect us to move on from something like that!" I blurted out, my voice louder than I intended. I felt a rush of frustration and confusion bubbling up inside me, like a storm that had finally broken through.
Zaire turned to look at me, his silver eyes cool and unbothered, but there was a slight arch of his brow. "Seriously, how the hell are you so strong?"
I didn't know why I was saying this. Maybe it was the weight of watching him handle something that seemed impossible—something that I couldn't even dream of facing head-on. Maybe it was the frustration of feeling useless in that moment, like I should have done more. Or maybe I just wanted to prove myself, to show I wasn't just some helpless observer in the fight.
Zaire gave me a crooked smile, his eyes glinting with the usual mix of confidence and amusement. "Relax. You'll get your turn soon enough," he said, his tone dismissive but oddly reassuring.
Somuchi crossed her arms, her sharp eyes narrowing as she scrutinized Zaire. "That was reckless. You're powerful, but throwing around black holes like toys isn't something we can afford to be casual about." Her voice was calm, but there was a clear undercurrent of disapproval. Somuchi's disciplined approach to combat made her cautious, and watching Zaire handle the situation with such ease felt like a slap in the face. This was our first real mission, and the weight of it hadn't hit Zaire the same way it had for her.
Raven, standing next to her, laughed—a nervous, strained sound that barely masked his awe. "Reckless? That was insane! I mean, we're lucky he's on our side, right?" He was trying to make light of it, but it was clear he was still processing what he'd just seen. This was our first taste of real battle, and Zaire had handled it like it was nothing. Raven's usual lighthearted demeanor couldn't hide the fact that the display of power had shaken him, just a little.
I was still glaring at Zaire, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. "We can't all afford to sit back and watch like you do, you know," I muttered under my breath, though it was loud enough for him to hear. My voice was laced with a mix of resentment and self-doubt. I had always been cocky, but seeing Zaire obliterate our opponent without breaking a sweat made me feel small—like I still had so much further to go.
Zaire gave me another one of those infuriating smiles, like he was barely taking any of this seriously. "You'll get stronger, Akame," he said, his tone casual. "But for now, just be glad we didn't all end up vaporized."
Somuchi didn't respond right away, but her jaw tightened. She wasn't used to feeling this… unprepared. Her whole life, she had mastered the art of combat with discipline and focus, but this cosmic power, this celestial chaos—it was something else entirely. She wasn't sure how she fit into this world yet.
Raven was the first to break the silence, his smile returning, though more subdued. "Yeah, I mean, who knows? Maybe next time it'll be one of us saving the day instead of the almighty Ace of Spades."
"Next time, we won't need saving," Somuchi finally said, her voice cold but determined. "We'll be ready."
As those words hung in the air, a sense of resolve settled over us. We turned and made our way back toward the celestial transport, the shimmering portal to Starlight City awaiting us. The landscape was a stark contrast to the chaos we had just faced; the cosmic horizon was painted with swirling colors, each hue more vibrant than the last, but all I could think about was the weight of our mission.
Walking beside Somuchi and Raven, I felt a mix of anticipation and trepidation. This was a new chapter for us—one that came with responsibilities we had yet to fully grasp. As we approached the transport, I spotted Luma leaning against the sleek surface of the vessel, her presence both grounding and comforting. She had been waiting for us, a calm figure amid the lingering adrenaline.
"Glad to see you made it back in one piece," Luma said, her voice warm yet laced with the subtle authority of a seasoned guardian. Her eyes scanned us, lingering on the expressions that danced across our faces. "I was starting to worry."
"We survived, didn't we?" Raven replied, his smile more genuine now, even if it didn't quite reach his eyes. "Zaire just had to show off a little."
Luma chuckled softly, but her gaze shifted to Zaire, concern flashing in her expression. "Just be careful next time. It's good to have confidence, but there's a fine line between bravado and recklessness."
"Yeah, yeah," Zaire waved off her concern, his trademark grin still plastered on his face. "We handled it, didn't we?"
I watched as Luma's gaze softened. "Handled it, sure. But I don't want to see any of you in a position where you're relying on luck instead of skill." There was a sincerity in her tone that made it clear she cared deeply for us, especially after witnessing our first taste of real danger.
As we boarded the transport, I couldn't shake the feeling of urgency that filled the air. This was more than just a mission; it was the beginning of something bigger, and each of us was still finding our place in it. The vessel hummed to life, and I settled into my seat, the soft glow of the controls illuminating the faces of my teammates.
With a final glance at the cosmos outside, I took a deep breath. Starlight City awaited us.
As we descended toward Starlight City, the gleaming towers and floating platforms began to emerge from the vast darkness, their lights flickering like distant stars. The gravity of our first mission weighed heavily on me. It was overwhelming, a reminder of the dangers we had just faced.
Once we landed near the Celestial Transport hangar, the group exited the ship together. Luma, always perceptive, seemed to sense the unease in the air. "You all right, Akame?" she asked, her voice steady.
"Just processing everything," I admitted, my gaze drifting to the city skyline. The thrill of our first mission was overshadowed by a creeping uncertainty.
Raven tried to lighten the mood, a nervous laugh escaping him. "Hey, we made it back in one piece! That counts for something, right?" But even his playful tone felt strained, like we were all just trying to convince ourselves we were okay.
Zaire was already drifting toward the exit, casual as ever. "Let's not dwell on it. We survived. Time to regroup for training."
I felt a pang of frustration. "I think I'm going to skip training today," I said abruptly, the words slipping out before I could think twice. "I need to check in with my mom."
Luma's expression shifted to concern. "Are you sure? We just got back from a mission. You should probably rest."
"I know," I replied, the weight of my decision heavy on my chest. "But I need to. I have to see her."
Raven nodded, understanding glimmering in his eyes. "We can cover for you, Akame. It's not like we know what we're doing anyway," he said, trying to inject some humor into the situation.
"Thanks, but I'll be fine," I replied, already turning away, the chaos of the city awaiting me.
As I navigated through the bustling streets, everything felt different now. The vibrant energy of Starlight City was no longer just a backdrop; it was a world filled with uncertainties, and I was just beginning to understand my place in it.
As I neared my home, the familiar sights and sounds of Starlight City enveloped me, a fleeting comfort in the chaos of the day. I felt the anticipation of returning to my mother, eager to share the experience of our first mission as Guardians.
But as I stepped closer, a surge of energy disrupted the air. In a heartbeat, the tranquility shattered. A blinding flash lit the skyline, and I turned just in time to see a massive eruption of energy erupting in the distance. My heart sank. Orion—a Guardian once celebrated for his protective prowess—stood amidst the chaos, his aura radiating a terrible power.
The ground trembled beneath me as debris rained down. I staggered, struggling to comprehend the sight. Orion was supposed to safeguard us, not unleash destruction upon our home.
Panic surged as the once-familiar streets transformed into a scene of horror. Smoke filled the air, and the screams of citizens echoed through the chaos. My heart raced as I thought of my mother. I sprinted towards our house, weaving through falling debris and terrified civilians, praying she was safe.
But as I reached my street, my breath caught in my throat. The once vibrant homes lay in ruins. My house was engulfed in flames, and I could see the shadows of destruction spread.
"Mom!" I shouted, my voice swallowed by the turmoil. Each step felt heavier than the last as I pushed through the crowds of people, desperate to reach her.
My heart pounded with each frantic thought. Orion—once revered as a Guardian—had betrayed us. He was supposed to be our protector, a beacon of hope against the darkness. How could he unleash such devastation upon us? The thought twisted a knife in my chest.
My feet pounded the pavement, urgency propelling me forward. As I rounded a corner, the sight of my home—a place filled with laughter and warmth—caught my eye. Now, it lay engulfed in flames, the walls bowing under the intensity of the fire. A deep sense of dread gripped me as I stumbled closer.
Fumbling through the debris, I called out again. "Mom!"
The ground beneath me trembled as I stepped through the wreckage, each fallen piece of wood and shattered glass a reminder of the life we had shared. I could hardly breathe, the air thick with smoke that stung my eyes.
My heart raced as I spotted a figure trapped beneath a beam—her silhouette a haunting echo of the woman who had always been my anchor. "Mom!" I rushed to her side, desperation clawing at my throat.
She lay there, her body fragile, trapped beneath the remnants of our once-happy home. Her skin was pale, the heat from the flames licking dangerously close. Her eyes fluttered open, filled with pain but still shining with a fierce love.
"Akame…" she gasped, each word a labor.
"Mom!" I cried, my heart racing as I knelt beside her.
"Listen to me," she struggled to say, her voice a mere whisper over the crackling flames. "You need to get out of here. You have to survive."
"Survive?" I shook my head, my vision blurring with tears. "I can't leave you! We'll get you out!"
Her breath hitched, and she grimaced as she tried to shift. "No… it's too late for me." She locked her gaze with mine, her expression softening despite the agony etched across her features. "You're strong, Akame. You can protect others. Promise me you'll be brave."
Tears streamed down my face, mingling with the soot as I fought against the reality closing in around us. "I can't lose you! Not like this!"
"Even in the darkest times… you carry the light," she murmured, her voice fading like the last embers of a dying fire.
With those final words, her eyes closed, the warmth slipping from her hand like sand through my fingers. "Mom!" I screamed, the sound tearing from my throat as the weight of despair crashed over me.
Just then, a figure emerged from the smoke—a Guardian, resolute and unwavering amid the chaos.
"Akame!" they called, urgency etched across their face. "We need to move, now!"
I felt paralyzed, the world around me collapsing as I struggled to comprehend the enormity of my loss. "No! I can't leave her! She's…"
The Guardian knelt beside me, their voice steady yet firm. "We have to go. There's nothing more you can do. Your safety matters now."
I hesitated, caught between the instinct to stay and the need to survive. But the reality of the situation settled like a heavy shroud over me. I nodded, wiping my tears on my sleeve as I forced myself to look away from her lifeless body.
With a gentle but insistent grip, the Guardian helped me to my feet, guiding me through the labyrinth of destruction. I took one last look back at my home, the remnants of my childhood, the place that had always felt like a sanctuary. It was a hollow shell now, consumed by flames, and the ache of loss burrowed deep within me.
As we fled through the chaotic streets, the cries of the city echoing in my ears, I clung to the memory of my mother's final words. I would protect others, just as she had wanted. I would become the Guardian she believed I could be, even if the path ahead was shrouded in darkness.