Amidst the storm

“Harley!” Kitty rushed out to check on Harley.

In an instant, the gray-haired hero shook off the influence of the magic blades, transforming rubble into a barrage of projectiles. Sissi, with a warrior’s intuition, hurled her sword into the fray. With a deft flick of her wrist, she commanded it to spin in place, a metallic cyclone that shielded Harley and Kitty from the onslaught. Cornered, she engaged the aggressor in direct combat, her movements a blur as she sought to disrupt his focus and protect her allies.

The giant, now unfettered of Harley’s binding spell, launched his axe with lethal intent at Kitty. In a flash, Sissi’s command redirected her sword, intercepting the axe with a clash that resonated like a storm’s fury. The earth trembled, echoing the ferocity of their clash. Amidst this tumult, a stray stone found its mark upon my brow, prompting a brief respite as I tended to the sharp pain.

The sudden warmth on my forehead was a stark contrast to the cold fear gripping my heart. A red substance painted my fingertips.

Blood!? It was blood!

As the realization set in, a distant cacophony pulled my focus to the unfolding disaster.

The collapse of our formation was not just a tactical defeat; it was a shattering of morale. Sissi, our stalwart defender, lay vanquished, leaving Kitty and Harley to contend with a relentless tide of adversaries. Their valiant efforts were a tempest of desperation, each move a fleeting hope against the inevitable.

*Brack*

The sound of Harley’s downfall echoed, a grim symphony of our dire straits, leaving my cat girl companion to bear the brunt of the onslaught, her lone figure a beacon of defiance, single-handedly confronting the enemy while shielding her allies.

It was then that the bitter taste of despair became palpable - the kind felt by those bereft of any means to assist the ones they hold dear. Adrenaline surged through my veins, a potent mixture of fear and resolve, spurring me into a state of heightened daring. This state of tension forged within me the courage and might to undertake the unthinkable. But what could I do to turn the tide? How could I make a difference?

Think Nyan, time to shift your creativity to override.

As I was about to dial my phone to call the police, the screen flickered and died, its last breath a mocking reminder of the 1% battery remaining. I could feel fate laughing at my pathetic attempt. For some reason, it felt like this was a coincidentally scripted event for me to have my moment of character development. I might have ‘plot armor’ but so far, luck wasn’t on my side.

Amidst the chaos, Sissi's sword caught my eye - a beacon of hope, the sole weapon within reach that could tip the scales in our favor, provided I could use it wisely. Yet, as the thought took root, my body refused to comply. Paralyzed by fear, I remained motionless, a statue of hesitation. What could a normal person like me accomplish when even self-preservation seemed a distant dream?

The cacophony of explosions was a relentless assault on my senses, each blast eroding the fortress of my fleeting optimism. This was no happy-go-lucky adventure; it was a catastrophic madness. I had mistaken this folly for the trivialities of daily life, but this was no detective game - it was war. The thought of joining the fray to aid them petrified me; I wasn't ready to gamble with my life.

*Slam*

*Thwack*

Each sound was a physical blow, sending shivers down my spine. Kitty's screams pierced through my feeble attempts to block them out. My heart ached with guilt.

I'm sorry Kitty, there's nothing I can do. I'm not the hero you and Harley admire. I’m just a coward who doesn't deserve the luck he has.

Yet, the chaos outside was relentless despite my silent admissions.

Yet, Kitty's cries of agony continued to haunt the air.

Yet…

As I subconsciously sought to muffle the cacophony with my own dread and self-reproach, my mind began to fray. With each passing moment, the clamor subsided. Whether the conflict was waning or my guilt was gaining ground, I couldn’t tell. In this sudden stillness, my thoughts emptied, leaving a blank canvas in the theater of my mind.

Sensations became more acute in the void - the gentle caress of the wind, the tender warmth of the sun’s rays. These whispers of nature sharpened my senses, cutting through the fog of my despair. It was a warmth reminiscent of the morning’s embrace, of Harley and Kitty’s smiles that instilled tranquility within me.

Now, in the midst of turmoil, the memories of them brought a serene calm to the storm inside. The tranquility I had felt in their presence was rekindled, slowly infusing the present moment with peace. It was as if the said calmness from the dawn of the day, with its gentle wind and soft sunlight, had returned to console me.

Word by word, I slowly remembered. I recalled their earnest attempts to understand me, their unconditional willingness to help, their refusal to cast blame, and the way my days were brightened by their presence. And then, as I clung to the morning’s memories of Harley and Kitty to preserve my sanity in the quietude of fear, my own words emerged with newfound clarity.

Even if you say so, I still wish I could be fairer to you. These were the words I had spoken to them.

And there I sat, immobilized, daring to be just to them with my hands over my ears, shutting out their anguish. Was this the extent of my resolve, the sum of my actions? That thought blazed through my mind, unbidden yet piercingly clear. It didn't quell my fear, but it was the first spark of something more - of conscience, of duty. It whispered of doing the right thing.

Yeah right, doing the right thing? It was only a thing of mere morality. My life was on the line here. Yet it was Kitty's anguished cries that truly pierced my soul. Her care for me had been unwavering; she had braved the impossible just to speak to me, and her first communication was a declaration of love. They resonated with a part of me that knew all too well the pain of unrequited dedication. It mirrored my own journey, chasing the dream of a writing career fueled by nothing but blind faith. And now, here they were - Harley and Kitty - placing their faith in me with the same intensity. Amidst the chaos, for the first time, I truly felt the weight of their affection.

As tears cascaded down unchecked, they jolted my senses awake. How had I been so blind to their devotion to care and understand me better? How could I even consider betraying their trust? A whirlwind of emotions engulfed me, disorienting and undefined. It was a puzzling storm of feelings, none of which I could name. Yet, amidst this emotional tempest, a spark of idea emerged. This confusion, this disarray, this surge of adrenaline, I could take advantage of it. This was my chance to cast aside the shackles of irrational guilt.

Seizing this bewildering moment, I could muster the bravery to finally take a leap of faith. And as always, time was never on my side, a perfect excuse for reckless choices. All that was required of me was speed - to outpace the return of my own reasoning before it could reclaim its hold.

Dang it, it was as if I were being played in their palms. For them to show that much love and care, it was unfair. But I fell for it, they won in the end.

With newfound resolve, I rose to my feet, my movements no longer shackled by fear. I strode towards Sissi's fallen sword, my hands steady as I grasped its hilt. With the weight of the blade in my grip, I charged into the maelstrom, towards the heart of the battle. Sissi, with every ounce of her fading strength, reached out to halt my advance, her eyes pleading for reason, but her body betraying her will to stand.

“Nyan…,” she whispered my name.

And being a hero wasn’t what I should be doing at that moment, yet the urge to flee had lost its grip on me. The paths I had chosen beckoned me to stand firm, to not forsake the journey I had embarked upon. To me, they were once strangers, but in their eyes, I was someone worth caring for, someone deemed significant. They chose to stand in my defense, to fight for me, despite the shattered illusions and the unveiled truths. They offered help, not condemnation. This was the least I could do in return.

"I can't be fair to everyone, right, Harley?"

Without power, I couldn't infuse the sword with magical energy, yet it had the power to draw upon the wielder's life force. Concealed nearby, I bided my time, each tick of the mental clock amplifying my dread. I had to act swiftly; hesitation was a luxury I could no longer afford.

Damn it, think Nyan. If there were no people with power like Harley, Kitty and Sissi to help, you think you could run? Just those two guys are powerful enough to level the whole Earth. They are the only people who can help you out of this mess.

With a deep inhalation, I sought refuge in the memory of their unwavering care. It was not a matter of allowing myself this indulgence, but a necessity - my mind grasped at the thought of their kindness like a lifeline amidst the storm. Their affection, though perhaps as transient as a spark in the night, ignited a blaze within me, lending me the strength I desperately needed as resolve hardened within me like steel. Even if this battle might be the end of the road, I was ready to confront it head-on, embracing all the risks. I clung to the hope that I could still make a difference. No, this wasn't the end. Not yet.

Seizing the opportune moment, I lunged at the adversary, sword in hand, only to realize I didn't know how to use it.

Yep, even though I am the author here, it doesn’t mean I have an explanation for everything. Magic? Where did it come from? How does it work? Well, the answer is it just... exists, it was there in the beginning of creation, no further explanation needed, right?

Fortunately, the giant's swift counter spared me further shame. His punches sent me crashing to the ground. Kitty's voice pierced through the chaos, calling out my name as she fought to reach me, her every movement hindered by her own battle. In a desperate act of protection, she swapped places with me using her eye prowess, taking the brunt of the assault upon herself. Her sacrifice bought us precious seconds, her resilience a shield for our chance to escape.

"Master, run!"

*Thump*

The giant’s punch left Kitty motionless on the ground.

"Kitty, no!" My voice was a mix of desperation and defiance. I staggered to my feet, grasped the fallen sword, and charged towards the enemy with renewed determination.

But before I could reach them, a barrage of debris, manipulated by the telekinetic hero, struck me down. Agony coursed through my body, pinning me to the ground, immobile.

So this is the end.

It was naive to assume that foreknowledge of my manga characters would guarantee some success. We acted too hastily, without a plan. If only we had had more time…Well about that, even if we did, it would be futile in the face of powerful opponents. The old adage rang true: Everyone has a plan until they're punched in the face.

Yet, despite the grim certainty of defeat, I found solace in the journey itself. Had I known how it might unfold, I would still enjoy looking forward to this adventure. The joy of genuine companionship, the marvel of witnessing miracles unfold, and the experience of warmth and tranquility being with someone - those were gifts beyond measure for a writer.

As despair settled in, the first drops of rain began to fall. Everything felt like it was in slow motion, like a dramatic scene in a movie where the hero braces for the end. I half-expected my life to flash before my eyes in a cliché 7-minute-life-recap episode that a human’s brain would air. But for some reason, not even a single childhood memory made a cameo so far. The raindrops were practically hovering mid-air, as if even gravity was too lazy to do its job. It was then I realized that I wasn't on the precipice of death; time itself had slowed, a phenomenon heralded by the eerie glow of Sissi's sword. With a sudden, unnatural glow, Sissi's sword came to life, its radiance piercing the gloom, hinting at a twist of fate yet to unfold.

From afar, Sissi stood resolute, her eyes alight with a fierce determination. Sparks erupted around her, a prelude to her ultimate gambit. As time crawled, her sword soared through the air, forming a protective barrier around me, shielding me from the lethal blows of our foes. With the sword in hand, Sissi channeled a torrent of energy into the blade, and with a decisive thrust into the earth, her weapon invoked the symbol of a binding mark upon where it stood. The endgame was clear - she intended to conclude this battle once and for all.

But the resolution to end a conflict comes with its own burdens. I could see the tremor in Sissi's hands, the weight of her decision etched into her features. To extinguish the lives of comrades, even those lost to a curse, is a heavy sentence to carry. The red glint in their eyes, the silence in their thoughts as Harley read their minds - these signs spelled an irreversible curse, not a mere spell to be undone.

As Sissi faltered, the enemy's attacks inched closer, relentlessly. I called out to her, but my voice was lost in the void. If justice demanded retribution, then it was upon my shoulders to endure their torment, not hers.

*Roaring*

With a roar that shook the very air, a bolt of magic, fierce and unyielding, struck the bewitched heroes with the force of a vengeful god, breaking their formation apart. From the tumultuous clouds above, a figure descended, cloaked in the mystique of the Dragon Islands' sorcerers. Landing with the grace of a fallen angel beside Sissi, the newcomer raised a hand, and a barrier shimmered into existence, deflecting the relentless barrage of attacks.

The mysterious sorcerer, with a presence as commanding as the storm itself, then lunged at the two heroes. With a swift motion, they seized the gray-haired hero by the face and slammed him into the ground with a force that echoed through the battlefield.

The giant's axe, menacing and fierce, swung towards the sorcerer, only to be halted by an effortless parry. From the sorcerer’s shadow emerged a warrior, silent and dark as the night itself, engaging the giant in fierce combat. A single, precise, and powerful kick from the sorcerer followed, shattering the giant’s axe and sending him staggering backward from the force of the blow. The sorcerer, undeterred by the debris flung by the telekinetic foe, countered with a wave of their hand, as if bending the very forces of nature to their will.

Amidst the chaos, a chilling realization dawned on me. The shadowy summoning was a hallmark of dark magic, a realm far removed from the heroes' domain. Could it be...

"Nyan," Harley's voice cut through the tumult, grounding me in the present.

Shaking off the shock, I mustered every ounce of strength to rise, answering the call to action.

The mysterious sorcerer danced through the opponent's ranks with a blend of elegance and ferocity, forcing them into disarray. Sissi, seizing the moment, deflected a killing blow aimed at the sorcerer, her actions a signal of alliance. Together, they turned the tide, their combined might forcing the bewitched heroes into a tactical retreat, their figures disappearing into the dark clouds.

The sorcerer's hand, however, charged with the imminent release of magic, raised towards their fleeting foes. Around them, corrupted magic sigils materialized, casting a glow that brightened up even the cloudy sky. The sigils hummed with a growing ferocity, heralding an impending maelstrom of arcane fury.

“Let them go,” Sissi commanded, her blade pressed against their throat.

“You know that to save them, and those you want to protect, you must take the hardest decisions,” the sorcerer spoke, their voice a grave melody in the dissonance of battle.

“That is for me to decide, not you,” Sissi retorted, her words sharp as the sword she wielded, her blade steady against sorcerer's skin.

The sorcerer lowered their hand in response. The magic sigils vanished.

In excruciating pain, I called out for Harley and Kitty. Sissi, hearing the desperation in my voice, turned to assist.

Harley’s faint call guided me to her. The sight that met my eyes halted all thought - her body, battered and bruised, her once cheerful face marred by blood.

As I called out to her name, a silent prayer escaped my lips, wishing for her and Kitty’s safety. If only I had the courage, the strength to be their protector instead of their burden. Self-reproach filled me; my own cowardice was a heavy chain around my neck.

Her eyes fluttered open, meeting mine, and in a voice as faint as the dying light, she whispered, “Nyan…are we done for? I can see a bright light...”

"It's the sun, don't look directly at it," I said.

With a sudden burst of vitality, she leaped to her feet.

“Did you see that? That spell was amazing,” she exclaimed, her energy infectious.

A smile of relief graced my lips as I saw her vigor return, easing the knot of anxiety within me.

"Are you OK? You seem worried," she observed.

“I'm fine. I'm just relieved to see you're alright," I assured her.

"Me too. I mean, I'm glad you're alright... wait, I'm also glad I'm okay too, but..." her words tumbled out in a charming confusion.

I chuckled and gently patted her head.

“Nyan?”

“Ah, I'm sorry. You’re injured and yet I…" I withdrew my hand, suddenly self-conscious.

“It's okay, it's just a slight scratch. You can continue,” she insisted, her smile returning even as blood trickled down, making me question the severity of her 'slight scratch.'

However, Harley's smile vanished as quickly as it appeared, replaced by a look of concern. With no word of warning, she bolted towards Kitty, her hands weaving an attack spell, poised to disrupt the sorcerer’s malicious gesture of channeling their magic energy upon Kitty. Sissi intervened, countering Harley's spell with swift precision.

“Harley, calm down. She's on our side,” Sissi explained.

The mysterious figure then revealed herself, removing her hood to unveil her identity - Ember, a dark sorceress general under the Demon Lord's command. Her presence was an ill omen. In such bewildering times, silence and attentiveness were our best recourse.

“She's fine, I'm merely channeling magical energy to aid her recovery," Ember explained, her magic fainted as she halted her action.

Kitty's eyes fluttered open, and Harley enveloped her in a tearful embrace. In the distance, the wail of sirens approached.

“We can't let anyone see us. Come, we’ll go to a place where we can discuss the situation,” Ember said, shrouding herself once more with the hood and weaving a spell to conjure a dimensional portal.

“Harley, what is the meaning of this?” Kitty whispered, leaning on her for support.

“I will explain everything later,” Harley promised.

Ember's unexpected alliance was a puzzle. Known for her ruthlessness in the Dragon Island manga, her current demeanor suggested ulterior motives. As suspicion clouded our minds, with wary eyes upon her, she closed the portal.

“Alright then, follow me,” Ember said, her demeanor remained calm and cold.

"Long story. But don't worry, that serpent won’t be out of my sight,” Sissi reaffirmed us, her gaze steely.

With cautious steps, we followed Ember, our destination unknown, leaving me to wonder - how did we all end up in a love hotel?