Chapter 17: Beneath the Crimson Sky
The faint glow of dawn crept over the horizon, casting a muted red across the wasteland. The wind whispered through the shattered windows of the gas station, carrying with it the scent of rust and decay. Inside, the trio rested in the fragile peace they had found the night before.
Kaelith stirred first, her eyes snapping open as if pulled from restless dreams. She lay still for a moment, her hand brushing against Asuka's. The warmth of the girl's touch lingered longer than she expected. Quietly, she pulled her hand back, careful not to wake her.
Ryo sat up, rubbing his eyes. "You're up early."
Kaelith, standing by the broken window, glanced over her shoulder. "Couldn't sleep."
He stretched, yawning. "Figured as much. You never do."
The silence between them settled into a familiar rhythm. They had traveled together long enough to know when words were unnecessary. Ryo joined her at the window, his gaze following hers to the barren landscape beyond.
"You're always watching," he said softly. "Always waiting for something."
Kaelith's lips pressed into a thin line. "Someone has to."
"Yeah," Ryo murmured, leaning against the windowsill. "But maybe you don't have to do it alone."
Kaelith didn't respond. Her eyes narrowed as a figure emerged in the distance, moving slowly but deliberately toward the gas station.
Her hand dropped to the hilt of her sword. "He's back."
Ryo straightened, his expression sharpening. "The guy from yesterday?"
Kaelith nodded. "And he's not alone."
Behind her, Asuka stirred. She blinked the sleep from her eyes and sat up, noticing the tension in the room. "What's going on?"
Kaelith's voice was calm but firm. "Stay here."
Asuka got to her feet, brushing her hair out of her face. "No way. I'm coming with you."
"No." Kaelith's tone left no room for argument. "You stay inside. Let me handle this."
But Asuka crossed the room, determination written across her face. "I'm not hiding while you face them alone."
Kaelith sighed, rubbing her temple. She knew Asuka well enough to realize there was no convincing her otherwise. "Fine. But stay behind me."
As they stepped outside, the cold morning air bit at their skin. The wind howled across the wasteland, carrying the scent of sand and steel. The man from the previous day stood a few feet away, flanked by two others. His face bore fresh bruises, and his eyes glinted with a dangerous mix of anger and desperation.
Kaelith's gaze flicked to his companions, assessing them in an instant. One carried a battered rifle slung over his shoulder. The other gripped a machete with knuckles white from the cold. Neither looked like they were here for a friendly chat.
"You've got nerve coming back," Kaelith said, her voice low and steady.
The man smirked, his lips curling into a cruel grin. "Told you this wasn't over."
Kaelith took a slow step forward, her posture relaxed but ready. "What do you want?"
The man spread his arms wide, as if presenting a grand offer. "Join us. You've got skills, Kaelith. With you on our side, we could take control of what's left of this world."
Kaelith's expression didn't waver. "I'm not interested."
The man's grin faltered, turning into a sneer. "Think about it. There's no future out here unless you're willing to take it. You can't keep running forever."
"We're not running," Kaelith replied, her voice sharp as steel. "We're surviving. And we don't need your kind of help."
The man's eyes darkened. "Then you've made your choice."
Without warning, he signaled to his companions. The man with the rifle raised it, aiming directly at Kaelith.
Asuka gasped, but Kaelith didn't flinch. In one fluid motion, she drew her sword, the blade gleaming in the pale light.
The first shot rang out, shattering the silence.
Kaelith moved like lightning, dodging the bullet with a grace born from countless battles. She closed the distance between them in a heartbeat, her sword cutting through the air with deadly precision.
The man with the rifle barely had time to react before Kaelith's blade sliced through the barrel, rendering the weapon useless. He stumbled backward, eyes wide with shock.
"Next time," Kaelith said coldly, "don't bring a gun to a sword fight."
The man with the machete lunged at her, his blade glinting in the light. Kaelith sidestepped the attack with ease, grabbing his arm and twisting it behind his back. The machete clattered to the ground.
Asuka watched in awe, her heart pounding in her chest. Kaelith moved like a force of nature, each motion calculated and precise. There was no hesitation, no wasted energy.
The leader of the group stood frozen, his bravado crumbling in the face of Kaelith's skill. "You… you're a monster."
Kaelith leveled her gaze at him. "No. I'm the one who keeps monsters like you in check."
The man took a step back, fear flickering in his eyes. "We'll leave. We'll go."
Kaelith didn't lower her weapon. "If I ever see you again…"
"You won't," he promised, his voice trembling.
Kaelith watched them retreat until they disappeared into the wasteland. Only then did she sheath her sword, letting out a slow breath.
Asuka approached her cautiously. "Kaelith… are you okay?"
Kaelith turned, her expression softening as she met Asuka's worried gaze. "I'm fine."
Asuka reached out, placing a hand on Kaelith's arm. "You don't have to carry all of this alone."
Kaelith hesitated, her walls beginning to crack. "I'm used to it."
"But you don't have to be," Asuka whispered. "We're here. I'm here."
For a moment, Kaelith allowed herself to believe it. She placed her hand over Asuka's, squeezing gently. "Thank you."
Ryo joined them, shaking his head with a grin. "Remind me never to get on your bad side."
Kaelith chuckled softly. "Just don't try to shoot me, and we'll be fine."
As the sun continued to rise, casting its light over the wasteland, the trio stood together—stronger, wiser, and more united than before.
The road ahead was still uncertain, but for now, they had each other. And in a world of shadows and whispers, that was enough.
Kaelith glanced back toward the gas station. The building stood in ruins, another casualty of the world they lived in. It offered little protection, but it had served its purpose for the night. Now, it was time to move.
"We should get going," she said, her voice steady. "They won't be the last ones we run into."
Ryo picked up his pack, slinging it over his shoulder. "Where to?"
Kaelith scanned the horizon, her sharp eyes searching for any signs of life—or danger. The distant mountains loomed, their jagged peaks shrouded in mist. Somewhere beyond them lay Astraea, the city that once promised salvation.
"We head east," Kaelith replied, pointing toward the rising sun. "Toward Astraea."
Asuka frowned, her brows knitting together. "Are we really still chasing that dream? Astraea might not even exist anymore."
Kaelith turned to her, the fire in her eyes unwavering. "It's more than a dream. It's a chance—a chance for something better."
"And if it's gone?" Asuka pressed. "If it's just another ruin?"
"Then we keep moving," Kaelith said simply. "Until we find what we're looking for."
Asuka opened her mouth to argue but stopped when she saw the resolve in Kaelith's expression. There was no point in pushing. Kaelith had made up her mind.
"Fine," Asuka murmured, adjusting her pack. "East it is."
Ryo gave a short laugh, trying to lighten the mood. "You know, if we find Astraea, maybe we'll finally get a real meal."
Kaelith smirked. "Don't get your hopes up."
The three of them set off, leaving the gas station behind. The road stretched endlessly before them, a winding path through a world that had long since forgotten kindness. But even as the wind howled and the sun rose higher, there was a sense of purpose in their steps.
As they walked, Asuka fell into step beside Kaelith. "Back there… when you took on those guys. I've never seen anything like it."
Kaelith glanced at her. "It's just survival."
"No," Asuka said softly. "It's more than that. You're protecting us."
Kaelith's gaze softened, and for the first time in a long while, she allowed herself a small smile. "I told you—I'm not doing this alone."
Asuka smiled back, the tension in her shoulders easing. "We've got your back, too."
The three of them continued east, their shadows stretching long in the morning light. Beneath the crimson sky, they walked toward the unknown. But no matter what lay ahead, they would face it together.
And together, they would rise.