Morning broke harshly over Lotus, the sunlight piercing through the shattered glass windows and staining the concrete floors with pale gold.
Seo-jin awoke alone, an emptiness beside him that seemed strange now, after recent days. He sat up slowly, stretching stiff muscles, tension coiling immediately in his gut at the silence around him.
Something felt off.
Pulling on his worn jacket, he stepped into the main hall to find Ko pacing restlessly. The older man glanced sharply his way, nodding tightly.
"We have a problem," Ko said bluntly.
Seo-jin frowned. "Another one?"
"Crimson Shield moved during the night," Ko said, eyes narrowed angrily. "They've taken the northern sector—cut off our main scavenging route."
Seo-jin felt a chill run down his spine. "Casualties?"
Ko shook his head grimly. "We pulled our scouts back in time, barely. But if we don't respond soon, Lotus won't last."
"Have you told Min-ji?" Seo-jin asked quietly.
"Right here," Min-ji answered for herself, strolling into the room looking completely unfazed, though her eyes betrayed seriousness beneath her careless facade. "I say we hit them first."
Ko glared. "Easier said than done."
Min-ji smiled sharply. "Not if we pick the right spot. Let's show them we're not just scavengers hiding in the dark."
Seo-jin watched her, admiring her resolve even as anxiety clawed at his chest. "What's your plan?"
She turned, fixing him with a gaze fierce enough to burn through steel. "We draw them out. Pick a place they think we're weak. Then crush them."
Seo-jin nodded slowly. "That might actually work."
Ko grunted reluctantly. "Fine. But we're only getting one shot."
"Then we'll make it count," Min-ji said firmly.
**
Preparations were swift, everyone at Lotus working silently, tension simmering beneath every movement. Seo-jin stood quietly, arms crossed, watching Min-ji inspect her gear with practiced precision.
"You nervous?" he asked softly.
She glanced up, lips curving slightly. "Never."
"Liar," he teased gently.
She chuckled quietly, eyes softening. "Fine. Maybe a little."
He stepped closer, voice quiet enough for only her to hear. "Me too."
She looked at him, surprise flickering across her expression. "You?"
"Always," Seo-jin admitted softly. "I'm just good at hiding it."
Min-ji smiled warmly, nudging him gently. "Good to know you're human, after all."
"Barely," he murmured dryly.
**
The battle began at dusk.
Seo-jin crouched beside Min-ji, shadows masking their positions as they waited silently. His pulse thumped heavily, anticipation making his hands shake slightly.
"Here they come," Min-ji whispered sharply, eyes narrowing as Crimson Shield soldiers marched forward, armor gleaming threateningly in the dying sunlight.
Seo-jin drew a slow, steady breath. "Remember, precision first. Don't overextend."
She smirked softly. "Worried about me?"
"Always," he answered honestly.
Min-ji's expression softened briefly before sharpening again. "Good."
**
The ambush exploded instantly, violent and precise.
Seo-jin fractured the space beneath the enemy's feet, sending them stumbling wildly. Min-ji surged forward, swift and merciless, air ripping violently around her fists.
Soldiers fell, stunned, surprised. But their shock wore off quickly, and they rallied with grim determination.
Seo-jin felt sweat burn his eyes, body straining with every movement. Fragments hissed through the air, bullets shrieked past him, death mere inches away at every step.
He glimpsed Min-ji weaving effortlessly through chaos, fierce joy brightening her face even as blood smeared her skin. She was a whirlwind of destruction, breathtaking and terrifying.
Together, they pushed Crimson Shield back, slowly, painstakingly.
But suddenly, something shifted.
Seo-jin felt a rush of fragment energy surge violently nearby, his head snapping around.
Ji-eun, the Crimson Shield commander, stood there, armor gleaming crimson, eyes blazing with fury and fragment power.
"Enough!" she roared, energy bursting outward, fracturing the earth violently.
Seo-jin moved on instinct, pulling Min-ji close as the shockwave crashed around them, tumbling them roughly into the rubble.
**
Dazed, Seo-jin pushed himself upright, pain blurring his vision briefly. Min-ji stirred beside him, coughing roughly, gripping his arm tightly.
Ji-eun stalked toward them, deadly intent radiating from every step.
"You should have joined us," she hissed venomously. "Now you'll both die here."
Seo-jin staggered upright, shielding Min-ji protectively.
Min-ji shoved past him angrily. "Not a chance."
Ji-eun lunged, power crackling violently around her. Min-ji met her head-on, fragment energy clashing explosively.
Seo-jin moved instantly, space fracturing around him, desperate to assist Min-ji before it was too late.
The fight turned brutal, Ji-eun stronger than either of them expected. Seo-jin tasted blood, vision swimming, limbs growing heavier with each clash. Min-ji fought beside him, fierce and unrelenting, refusing to yield an inch of ground.
Finally, desperately, Seo-jin focused all his remaining energy, shattering the air violently around Ji-eun, knocking her off balance. Min-ji struck decisively, sending the commander sprawling, armor splintering, fragment energy dissipating.
Ji-eun staggered, wounded but still defiant. "This isn't over," she spat venomously, retreating hastily into darkness.
Seo-jin swayed on his feet, exhaustion heavy. Min-ji caught him quickly, supporting his weight gently.
"You okay?" she whispered worriedly.
He managed a weak smile. "Ask me later."
**
They returned to Lotus battered and bloodied, barely able to walk.
Ko met them at the door, expression unreadable until he saw their wounds. His eyes narrowed sharply.
"You idiots," he growled roughly, but there was relief buried deep in his harsh voice.
Min-ji laughed hoarsely. "You missed us."
"Don't flatter yourself," Ko muttered, but Seo-jin caught the faintest hint of softness in his harsh gaze.
**
Later, Seo-jin sat quietly, bandaged and sore, staring numbly at the wall. Min-ji appeared silently beside him, settling down carefully.
For a long moment, neither spoke.
Finally, Min-ji broke the silence softly. "That was close."
"Too close," Seo-jin murmured.
She shifted slightly, leaning her head gently against his shoulder, eyes closing wearily. "I thought…"
"Don't," Seo-jin whispered roughly, throat tight. "We made it."
She nodded gently, quiet again. Eventually, she spoke, her voice barely audible. "Stay tonight?"
Seo-jin's heart stuttered slightly. He looked down at her, vulnerable and exhausted, and felt something warm and fierce swell softly within his chest.
"Yes," he whispered simply, meaning it deeply.
She smiled faintly, eyes drifting shut again. Seo-jin exhaled slowly, relaxing slightly, the ache in his bones finally easing.