Makoto: (gritting his teeth) “Where… am I?”

  He tries to stand, but his legs feel weak, and his vision blurs as his mind tries to catch up. The overwhelming fatigue and pain from his earlier battle with Ian and the others weigh him down. But there’s no time to waste; he has to get back to his team. His thoughts are suddenly interrupted as his fist clenches uncontrollably.

  Makoto: “Ugh… why can’t I move properly?”

  As if responding to his inner turmoil, Makoto’s body goes into overdrive. His hand shoots out, and before he can even process what’s happening, he punches the wall beside him. The force of his punch is so intense that it obliterates the entire structure in front of him, causing the walls to crack and crumble in an instant.

  Makoto: (in shock) “What the hell…?”

  Before he can fully comprehend his own actions, he’s struck with an overwhelming surge of energy. His vision sharpens, and the space around him begins to warp. In his blurred state, Makoto’s instinct takes over, and his body begins to lash out in reflex.

  He punches and kicks with so much force that the ground beneath him cracks and shatters. Nearby structures crumble into dust. It’s like he’s a force of nature, uncontrollable and wild. His fist punches through another wall, and his body moves almost of its own accord.

  In the midst of the destruction, Ian, who had been lying unconscious from the previous fight, starts to stir. Seeing Makoto’s rage-fueled onslaught, he tries to push himself up but isn’t fast enough.

  Makoto: (voice trembling with fury) “You’re… not… getting away.”

  Makoto, in a dazed frenzy, lurches toward Ian, throwing a punch so powerful that it sends Ian flying across the room, slamming into a distant pillar. The blow is enough to knock Ian out cold, leaving him incapacitated.

  Makoto stands there, panting heavily, his body still trembling with the aftereffects of his sudden outburst. His mind is clouded, and he doesn’t understand why he’s been acting like this.

  Meanwhile, Bondo, who had been searching for his way out of the area, is ahead of Makoto. He looks back, noticing the destruction that Makoto has caused, a mix of concern and confusion on his face.

  Bondo: (under his breath) “What the hell…?”

  Seeing that Makoto is still out of control, Bondo races ahead, not knowing exactly what’s happening but trusting that the fight with Ian is over. He needs to catch up to Makoto before things escalate even more.

  Makoto stumbles to his feet, his vision fading again as he struggles to stand upright. His body is giving out, but there’s still a flicker of determination in his eyes. He knows his friends need him, even if he doesn’t know exactly what’s going on with his powers right now.

  As Makoto tries to move forward, he collapses back onto the ground, losing consciousness, his body finally succumbing to the strain.

  Makoto’s immense power and the toll it took on him are evident, but he’s not out of the fight just yet. It seems like something in his mind has triggered this explosive power surge, and now, with Bondo rushing ahead, there’s still hope for him to catch up and join the rest of the team. Makoto’s body shakes as he picks up the gun, the cool metal in his hand a stark contrast to the fire raging inside him. His fingers curl tightly around the grip, his knuckles white with tension. He stands over Ian’s fallen form, his breathing heavy, and his heart racing. The chaos of the fight and the frustration of his own out-of-control powers weigh on him.

  Ian, barely conscious, smirks up at him, his eyes glinting with mockery despite his injuries.

  Ian: (grinning) “Go on, then. Do it. I dare you. You won’t.”

  Makoto’s heart pounds in his chest as his finger hovers over the trigger. The gun shakes in his hand, the weight of the moment heavy, his mind spinning between the desire for vengeance and the reality of the situation. He can hear his pulse in his ears, the words echoing in his head.

  Makoto: (breathing heavily) “I… I don’t know anymore. Am I… am I really that far gone?”

  Ian’s grin only widens as he starts to laugh, blood seeping from his wounds.

  Ian: “You’re all the same. Weak. You can’t do it. You’ll hesitate. You’ve always been the boy who can’t pull the trigger. But here’s the thing, Makoto: You want to. You want to so badly. And that’s why you’ll never be able to.”

  Makoto’s hand trembles, the weight of Ian’s words sinking in. The rage and the pain are clawing at him, but something inside him holds back, something deeper than his desire to end this fight. His instincts scream at him to pull the trigger, to stop Ian from ever threatening his friends again, but the internal struggle becomes too much.

  For a moment, everything seems to freeze. He’s caught between two worlds—one where vengeance reigns and the other where his own morality holds him back.

  Makoto: (whispering, eyes wide) “I… I’m not like you.”

  With a sharp exhale, Makoto lowers the gun, though his hands are still shaking, and he takes a step back, his eyes never leaving Ian’s smirking face.

  Makoto: (gritting his teeth) “I’m not like you. I won’t become a killer.”

  Ian’s expression falters for a split second, but his grin returns, albeit a bit more strained.

  Ian: “Tch. Pathetic. You could’ve ended it all, but you’re too soft.”

  Makoto slowly walks away from Ian, gun still in hand, but not pointed at him. He doesn’t look back.

  Makoto: (to himself) “I won’t fall to that level.”

  Makoto’s decision to spare Ian marks a turning point for him. His internal battle isn’t over, but he’s made the choice not to give in to his darker instincts. Whether he can hold onto that resolve remains to be seen, but for now, he’s chosen a path that keeps him grounded in his humanity. As Makoto steps back, his mind still reeling from the internal struggle, a sudden surge of electricity crackles through the air. A blinding flash of light, followed by a thunderous crack, fills the room.

  Before Makoto can even process what’s happening, Ian’s body jerks violently, and the unmistakable sound of a lightning strike pierces the tense silence. The energy burns through Ian, his smirk disappearing as he convulses in the high-voltage surge. His body goes limp, lifeless.

  Makoto’s eyes widen in shock as the smoke clears, revealing the smoking, charred remains of Ian on the ground. His body trembles with disbelief as he turns toward Bondo, who stands there, still, a look of cold resolve on his face.

  Makoto: (shaken, voice quivering) “W-What the hell, Bondo?! Why… why did you do that?!”

  Bondo’s gaze is unflinching, his eyes hard like steel. He looks down at Ian’s lifeless body, his expression unwavering.

  Bondo: (calm, almost cold) “Because he was already a murderer, Makoto. And so are you.”

  Makoto’s heart skips a beat, the weight of Bondo’s words sinking into his mind like a sharp dagger. He stares at Bondo in disbelief, his chest tight with emotion.

  Makoto: (voice trembling) “What… what do you mean? I… I didn’t kill him! I was going to walk away! I wasn’t going to…”

  Bondo: (interrupting) “You were going to kill him, Makoto. You almost did. And you wanted to. You were that close. Don’t lie to yourself.”

  Bondo steps forward, his voice now carrying an almost haunting calmness, as if he’s speaking from a place of experience.

  Bondo: “You wanted revenge. You wanted to end his life, because of what he did. And I know how that feels. But that’s the first step, the first mark on your soul. The moment you decide to kill, it becomes part of you, no matter how much you try to deny it.”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  Makoto’s breathing becomes erratic as he processes Bondo’s words. The weight of his internal conflict becomes heavier, like chains dragging him down into a pit of despair. His thoughts swirl, struggling to reconcile the two versions of himself—the one who still clings to his humanity, and the one that is starting to understand that darkness.

  Makoto: (eyes wide, almost whispering) “But… I didn’t… I couldn’t… I didn’t want to be like him… like Ian…”

  Bondo’s expression softens just slightly, but his resolve remains.

  Bondo: “I understand that, Makoto. I really do. But there’s no going back once you cross that line. You can’t take back what you almost did. The only thing you can do now is decide what kind of person you’ll become from here on out.”

  Makoto stumbles back a step, his mind racing, struggling to process everything. His hands still shake as he looks at the smoldering remains of Ian, and then back at Bondo, who seems completely unphased by the act he just committed.

  Makoto: (desperately) “But… I’m not a murderer, Bondo… I’m not!”

  Bondo: (firm) “Not yet. But the line is thin, Makoto. And it’s easy to cross.”

  The words hang heavy in the air, a painful reminder that even the best intentions can lead to dark consequences. Makoto stands frozen, his heart torn, as Bondo’s chilling words echo in his mind. Bondo’s gaze snaps upward as a loud, shrill scream cuts through the tense air. His eyes widen in alarm as he sees Amy and Emily plummeting from a high ledge, both of them seemingly caught in a trap. They flail helplessly as they fall, their terrified screams echoing through the area.

  Bondo’s heart races for a split second, his instinct kicking in, but before he can react, a flash of movement catches his eye. Bella, with her powerful wings unfurled, swoops down from the sky, her wings cutting through the air with precision as she flies toward Amy and Emily.

  Bondo watches as Bella reaches the two falling girls, her wings spreading wide, creating a gust of wind strong enough to slow their descent. With expert control, she grabs them both, safely lifting them from their dangerous plummet and hovering just above the ground, gently setting them down.

  Amy and Emily pant heavily, still shaken by the fall but alive, and they look up at Bella with a mix of awe and gratitude. Bella, still hovering, flicks her wings gracefully, landing softly on the ground.

  Bella: (looking serious, but with a hint of relief) “Are you two okay?”

  Amy: (still gasping for air, but relieved) “Y-Yeah… thanks, Bella. That was way too close.”

  Emily: (nodding, her voice shaky) “I thought we were done for…”

  Bella: (smirking slightly) “It’s all good. You owe me one now.”

  Bondo, watching the scene unfold, feels a brief sense of relief for the two girls, but his attention quickly returns to the situation at hand. His eyes narrow as he scans the area, the feeling of an enemy presence lingering.

  Bondo: (to himself) “This was a trap… but by who?”

  Before anyone can respond, a familiar, sinister voice echoes from the shadows.

  Voice: “Well, well… seems like the little birds are all fluttering about.”

  Out of the darkness steps a figure shrouded in a cloak, their face obscured, but their voice unmistakable. It’s clear they’ve been the one orchestrating the trap, and the smile in their tone suggests this was just the beginning. The ground beneath everyone’s feet rumbles, and Bondo knows that this momentary distraction was nothing more than a setup for something far more dangerous.

  Bondo’s eyes narrow, his body tense and ready to spring into action.

  Bondo: (gritting his teeth) “We’ve been played. Get ready. Something’s coming.”

  Bella’s wings flex, ready to spring into action as well, while Amy and Emily take a defensive stance, recovering from the fall.

  But then, out of the shadows, more figures emerge, their movements swift and deliberate. The trap was only the start, and now, it seems like the real fight is about to begin. As the figures continue to emerge from the shadows, Amy instinctively moves behind Bondo, her heart still racing from the fall and the danger that looms ahead. Her face flushes a deep shade of red as she hides behind him, her actions quick but unintentional.

  Amy: (softly, avoiding eye contact) “S-Sorry… I just… I don’t know what to do.”

  Bondo, unaware of the slight blush on Amy’s face, glances back at her, his eyes narrowing with focus. He can sense the danger, but he also notices how she’s taken shelter behind him. He shrugs it off, his mind more focused on the situation at hand than anything else.

  Bondo: (grimly) “Don’t worry about it. Just stay behind me and let me handle this. We need to stay sharp.”

  His tone is firm and determined, but the way Amy is clutching onto him for safety doesn’t go unnoticed. His heart beats a little faster, but he doesn’t show any sign of it, channeling all his energy into preparing for the inevitable confrontation.

  Amy’s blush deepens as she realizes how close she is to him. She can hear her own heartbeat in her ears, and it only adds to her nervousness. She fidgets slightly, not used to being in such close proximity to someone, especially in the heat of battle.

  Amy: (muttering to herself) “I-I just didn’t want to get in the way…”

  Emily, noticing Amy’s behavior and the obvious blush on her face, raises an eyebrow with a smirk.

  Emily: (teasing) “Looks like someone’s a little… flustered.”

  Amy spins around, her face completely flushed now, her eyes wide with embarrassment. She glares at Emily, trying to hide her feelings but failing miserably.

  Amy: (stammering) “Shut up, Emily!”

  But Bondo, completely unaware of the teasing and the undercurrent of awkwardness, stays focused on the approaching enemies. His mind sharpens, ready to deal with whatever threat is looming.

  Bondo: (stoic) “Focus, both of you. We’ll talk later.”

  Amy quickly nods, her embarrassment fading as the seriousness of the situation hits her again. She grips the edge of Bondo’s cloak, standing ready but still somewhat flustered by her own reactions.

  The enemy, sensing the shift in the group’s demeanor, steps closer, and the tension thickens. It’s clear this encounter won’t be easy, but for now, Amy stays behind Bondo, her heart racing for both the danger ahead and the strange feeling of security she finds being close to him. Bondo’s eyes flash with intensity as he focuses on the approaching enemies, their presence looming like a storm. He clenches his fist, a surge of power coursing through his veins. Without hesitation, he raises his hand, channeling his mastery over lightning magic. His body crackles with electric energy as a blue aura envelops his form.

  Bondo: (gritting his teeth) “Stay back.”

  With a sharp motion of his hand, arcs of raw electricity shoot out from his palm, crackling through the air. The bolts of lightning strike the enemy forces, surging through the ground and hitting multiple targets at once. The powerful current courses through the enemy’s bodies, sending them writhing in pain as they’re electrocuted. The bright light of the magic illuminates the area, casting flickering shadows as Bondo’s spell rips through the battlefield.

  The enemies scream and stagger, their movements jerking erratically as they try to shield themselves from the relentless barrage. The smell of ozone fills the air as Bondo holds nothing back. The lightning continues to crackle and surge, striking each enemy relentlessly, breaking through their defenses like a hammer to glass.

  The electricity surges through their bodies, their muscles spasming uncontrollably. Some of them fall to the ground, convulsing in agony, while others are completely incapacitated, unable to move as the electricity courses through them. The power in Bondo’s strikes is overwhelming, sending a clear message to anyone still standing.

  Bondo: (calmly, lowering his hand) “That’s enough.”

  His expression remains stoic, though his chest rises and falls with the exertion of the powerful attack. The enemies who remain standing are dazed, disoriented, and barely able to lift their weapons. Bondo’s lightning magic is terrifying in its intensity, and the battlefield falls into an eerie silence as the effects of his magic settle.

  Amy, still behind Bondo, watches in awe at the sheer power he displayed. Her heart races again, but this time it’s not from fear of the enemies—it’s from the raw force and control Bondo has over his magic. She can’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of safety being close to him as the battlefield quiets down.

  Emily, slightly out of breath from the battle, cracks a grin at the devastation Bondo caused.

  Emily: (impressed) “You sure know how to light up the place, Bondo.”

  Bondo simply nods, not one to show much emotion after such an attack. He scans the area, making sure no threats remain.

  Bondo: (quietly) “Let’s move. We still have more to do.”

  The enemies who survived the lightning storm retreat, regrouping to try and mount a defense. But Bondo and the others are already preparing for the next wave, their resolve stronger than ever. As the remaining enemies scramble to recover from the devastation Bondo’s lightning magic caused, Makoto, now fully awake and with his gun in hand, steps forward with a grim determination. His finger tightens on the trigger, and with a precise shot, he fires, the bullet cutting through the air and striking one of the enemies directly in the head. The shot rings out sharply, a clean kill that echoes through the chaos.

  Makoto: (coldly) “Don’t even try to escape.”

  With his gun still raised, he quickly aims at another enemy, pulling the trigger without hesitation. The bullet finds its mark, sending another enemy crumpling to the ground. His calmness in battle contrasts sharply with the intense energy around him, a stark reminder of the efficiency and precision that comes with being a skilled marksman.

  Emily, standing by Bondo’s side, watches the enemies carefully as they try to regroup, their morale clearly shaken. She’s quick to act, her hand raised, as she channels the flames in her body. Her fingers crackle with energy as she summons a fiery ball in her palm, then hurls it forward. The fireball streaks through the air, crashing into the remaining enemies with explosive force. The impact causes a massive burst of flames to spread across the battlefield, engulfing several of the enemies in its wake.

  Emily: (smirking) “And that’s not all.”

  As the fire magic continues to scorch and burn, Emily’s eyes glow with a fierce, determined light. She follows up with a quick flick of her wrist, and a surge of lightning crackles from her other hand, arcing through the air like a deadly storm. The lightning strikes multiple enemies, electrocuting them with precision, just like Bondo’s earlier attack, but with a more controlled, concentrated force.

  The combined attack of fire and lightning creates a devastating spectacle, reducing the enemies’ ranks even further. Their screams of pain are drowned out by the crackling of fire and the thunderous roar of the lightning.

  Emily: (laughing) “Pretty sure we’ve got this, huh?”

  Bondo, ever the strategist, watches the battlefield, scanning for any remaining threats. His eyes settle on the few survivors, who are now visibly disoriented and weakened. He motions for the team to advance, and Makoto steps forward, his gun still in hand, prepared to take down any stragglers.

  Makoto: (quietly) “Stay sharp. We’re not done yet.”

  And the cost of survival is only getting higher.