The sky above Bellfrost City still boiled with the red light of the blood moon, its eerie glow casting distorted shadows over ruined streets and shattered buildings.
Among the rubble, Felicia lay embedded in a wall, her body trembling and coated in blood. The last thing she remembered was Enma's claw aimed for her throat.
A second later, she was lifted—gently, carefully.
Raijin stood there, princess-carrying her with ease, his white-and-purple Prismic Gathering coat fluttering in the wind. He turned his head calmly—only to see the impossible.
Enma's body, headless only moments ago, stood again. Her head reattached itself with a sickening snap of bone and sinew, her smile mocking.
Raijin: (with a disgusted squint)"Vampires are hot… well, most of them. You? You're the reason I sleep with a taser under my pillow. Just die already."
Enma: (tilting her head)"You're strong… too strong. Not like that other one. Wait… You're human?!"
Her expression twisted in confusion and disbelief.
Enma: "There's no way a human's power rivals mine! You must be using some artifact—there's no other explanation!"
Raijin: (cool smile as electricity danced across his eyes)"Appreciate the flattery. But no artifact—just hard work, a little style… and a promise to protect one of my precious gems."
He glanced down at Felicia briefly, then looked back with a killing aura.
Raijin: "So tell me, Enma... how do you think I'm gonna forgive you for hurting her?"
Felicia blushed faintly through her bloodied face. His voice was calm—but the rage pulsing beneath it surged.
Enma: (growling)"You're not strong enough to defeat me—or the rest of us!"
Raijin: (tilting his head, unimpressed)"Blah blah. Are you done yet? I've got more important people to spend time with than you."
Enma: "Tch—!"
With a scream, Enma lunged, her claws glowing with blood-magic as she aimed for Raijin's throat. His gaze sharpened. His eyes crackled with lightning.
*As her claws closed in—they snapped.
Enma: (staggering back)"What…? What did you do?!"
A powerful gust swirled around Raijin, lifting dust and broken stone as electricity surged outward from his feet.
Raijin: (walking forward, Felicia still in his arms)"You're weak. But I get it now. You're just a clone. I want the real body. Speak. Now."
Enma: "I'll never tell you! I won't die here—NOT TO YOU!"
Raijin: (shrugging)"Fine. Then die confused."
He whispered a technique name with reverence.
Raijin:"Perpetual Absolute."(a technique I learned from Kazimir.)
In an instant, wind and lightning burst from his body—a spiraling surge of elemental destruction. It roared outward in a dome-shaped wave, ripping through buildings, cars, and entire blocks. Enma screamed as her body was torn to ribbons, each strand devoured by the violent energy.
Across the city, Gendai, Tyrone, and Lihanna saw the blinding explosion arc across the sky. A crater swallowed a district whole, dust rising like a tidal wave.
When the winds settled, only silence remained. Felicia stirred in Raijin's arms.
Raijin: (gazing into the smoldering crater)"She's gone."
Felicia: (weakly)"…Thank you, Raijin."
Raijin: (smiling faintly)"No big deal. I'm just glad you're still in one piece."
He looked her over carefully.
Raijin:"You were with Kamaki, right? He's not dead, is he?"
Felicia: (lifting an arm and pointing)"He's that way. Straight ahead."
Raijin:"Got it. Hold tight."
Felicia clung around his neck as he burst forward—a streak of lightning flying across Bellfrost. Felicia closed her eyes, overwhelmed by the sheer speed. Within seconds, they arrived.
Kamaki stood near— still as statues.
Raijin: (setting Felicia down and approaching Kamaki)"…Yo. Kamaki?"
No response.
Raijin: (waving a hand in front of his face)"You dead inside or just being dramatic?"
Still nothing.
Raijin slapped Kamaki across the face—
Kamaki: (grumbling)"Damn—what was that for?!"
Raijin:"You were frozen like a corpse. And hey… you're a vampire now? Don't suck my blood while I'm asleep, alright?"
Kamaki: (rolling his eyes)"Relax. I'm not gonna do that."
Raijin:"Just had to say it."
Felicia: (stepping forward)"So… you're back in control?"
Kamaki: (nodding, rubbing his head)"Barely. I snapped out of it when I felt you in danger… sorry I didn't resist sooner. It wasn't normal hypnosis—something stronger."
Raijin:"Gotta watch your mind, bro. These vamps are tricky."
Felicia:"So… why didn't you help Lihanna and Tyrone?"
Raijin: (arms crossed)"They were fine. Besides… me and Lihanna have history."
Felicia: (grinning)"Translation: you're scared she'll suplex you again."
Raijin: (half-laughing)"Maybe…"
Kamaki: (smirking)"Man, that's tough."
Felicia:"Have you seen Gendai?"
Raijin:"Not yet. I just saw the blood moon and figured—yeah, time to clock in. Could've stayed at HQ, but where's the fun in that?"
Felicia:"So you've just been casually patrolling Bellfrost?"
Raijin:"Yep. Lowkey hero mode."
A sudden ring pierced the air—a Prismic Gathering broadcast from Gendai activated across all members' comm-links.
Gendai: (over comms)"Status check. Everyone report in."
Tyrone:"Cleared our sector. About to link up with Kamaki and Felicia. Also, yeah—we saw that blue explosion. Thought Kamaki turned Supernova."
Gendai:"I felt it. Didn't think he had that kind of power… especially for a first year."
Raijin:"Vampire. And what's wild—he resisted the Blood Moon's pull."
Gendai / Lihanna / Evelyn / Tyrone:"HUH?!"
Gendai:"…He's a vampire? That's… unexpected. But if he's with us, less trouble to worry about."
Tyrone:"Nah, I'd still beat him."
Lihanna: (sighing)"You're always trying to impress someone. Who, exactly?"
Evelyn:"Gendai—civilian sector's clear. Barely. And by the way, Raijin blew up half the city! What the hell?!"
Raijin:"Relax. I did them a favor. Double pay for the construction crew."
Evelyn:"I'm making Neve assign you to rebuilding duty."
Raijin:"Yeah… I'll pass."
Tyrone:"Classic Raijin."
Kamaki:"You trying to catch a fade, bitch boy?!"
Tyrone:"Come on then. I'll knock some sense back into you."
Gendai: (interrupting)"Enough! Focus up. We've got bigger problems."
Felicia:"The clones?"
Gendai:"Yeah. There were five Enma clones. I've destroyed two. All different strengths."
Felicia:"Raijin helped take one down—that's three."
Lihanna:"So two remain… could Squad Four be fighting one now?"
Evelyn:"They're the only team not responding. We need to check on them."
Tyrone:"No need. I think we just found one…"
He turned slowly.
Tyrone:"Lihanna. Look behind you."
Lihanna: (gripping her nodachi)"I see her."
A figure approached—white-haired, red-eyed, grinning with bloodlust.
Gendai:"Everyone—head to Squad D's location. Tyrone, Lihanna—stay alive until we get there."
Tyrone & Lihanna:"Understood."
The wind howled as the two readied their weapons. Another Enma had arrived.