"Rin! Please, you have to hear me! No, no…this can't be happening… Stay with me, just a little longer! Don't leave me like this, Rin!"
Those voices…could it be…Maria…?
Why is she here..? How did she find me...?
"Rin! Please, don't do this! I can't lose you… not yet… Stay with me, just a little longer!!"
I felt her arms wrap around me, her grip tightening in desperation. She was begging, her voice shaking with panic and tears, her cries a blur in my mind.
When did this happen? How did this happen? I was just walking home... wasn't I? But now... I'm surrounded by a pool of blood. It's all coming from my chest... What's going on?
It hurts…but why..? I don't know. I don't want to know. I don't understand…Is this the end?
As I'm lost in thought, the voices begun to fade
"Someone please help!! Help!!!"
Maria… it's pointless. Death is already here, and there's no stopping it. My life... just one long disappointment. Your crying doesn't even matter to me. And it's over now. There's nothing left but to accept it
My vision went pitch black. I felt like I was floating… in a room of darkness? Or was it a void? I don't know anymore.
Then it hit me, I remembered that I was being stabbed,
"Am I dead? Is this what people see after death?", I thought to myself and looked around for a bit.
"Interesting…"
Without warning, I plunged downward.
Then—bang!
I crashed onto something solid, yet the darkness around me remained endless. I looked around, but all I saw was darkness, stretching out in every direction. My mind raced, trying to make sense of it all.
"Where am I? What's happening? Why is everything so still, so silent. At this point, I don't think this is Hell nor Haven. So where exactly am I!? In a waiting room!?!"
I snapped, irritation mixing with confusion as I looked around, trying to make sense of the empty void.
Out of nowhere, hands gripped my arms and body, yanking me backward like I was some kind of ragdoll. I didn't even have time to process what was happening before I was being dragged, stumbling and kicking like a total mess.
"Seriously? Now I'm getting hauled around by invisible hands!?"
The dragging suddenly stopped, leaving me lying there on the cold floor, like I was dumped into a void.
-"Could my life go even worse?!"
As I was annoyed and feeling completely helpless, my eyes lit up after I saw a black figure standing right in front of me.
The figure stood there, eerily still, its form mirroring mine in every way. Its voice broke the silence, cold and serious.
"Don't be afraid of yourself. It's not like I'm going to hurt you… well, maybe you should be"
The words echoed, sending a chill down my spine. I blinked, trying to process what I was hearing. I stared at the figure, feeling as if my own reflection had turned against me.
"Yourself? W-what do you…mean by that?"
I tried to push myself up, but my limbs felt weak, my movements slow. I crawled back, instinctively, my eyes never leaving the figure.
I blinked, and in an instant, the figure was right in front of me, only a few centimeters away. My breath hitched as I stared at it, too stunned to move.
"W-what?? How—"
The words caught in my throat. Fear surged through me, and without thinking, I reached for the ground, trying to push myself away, but then I froze.
I couldn't hear anything. No pulse. No rhythm. Just... silence.
"Oh please, your heart is already dead, so why be scared?"
The figure's voice was almost mocking as it grabbed the collar of my coat, yanking me up effortlessly.
I gasped, the air tightening in my chest, but it didn't matter. The void still felt cold and unfeeling, just like everything around me.
"Now you listen to me, Rin",
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my breath steady.
"What do you want from me…? Who even are you?"
"You already know the answer." Its voice was steady, emotionless. "I am you. And I'm here to make sure you don't repeat the same mistake."
"Mistake…?" My body tensed. "What mistake?"
It didn't answer right away. It simply stared at me before finally speaking again.
"If you try to change fate, you'll only repeat your mistake."
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
"What does that even mean?"
"And you must defeat them. That mistake you made…It led to ruin. You can't let it happen again. Or you'll be in a death loop"
I furrowed my brows.
"Who? What are you talking about?"
"You'll understand soon enough. But know this. Your fate is already set in motion. You must stop them before it's too late."
A strange pressure settled in my chest, like a weight I didn't know I carried. Before I could say anything else, I clenched my fists, frustration boiling inside me.
"What does that have to do with me?! I don't know those people in my pervious life do I?! Also, the heart you're talking about is yours, not mine!! And I'm dead anyway—"
Before I could even finish, a sharp, unbearable pain shot through my chest. My breath hitched, eyes widening as I looked down.
Its hand was inside my chest.
A choked gasp escaped my lips as I struggled to move, but my body refused to obey. My vision blurred from the searing pain, my ears ringing as I saw it pull something out. Something dark, lifeless, and broken. I couldn't even scream, my body trembled.
The figure held my dead heart up, examining it like it was nothing more than a useless object. Then, it turned its cold gaze back to me.
"You'll have to replace it with the old one, of course."
My vision faded.
The pain in my chest was unbearable, like something had been ripped straight out of me. My body felt light, weightless. Like I was drifting into nothing.
Then, everything stopped. No pain. No sound. Just… nothing.
Until…
I gasped. My eyes shot open, blinded by harsh white lights. A steady beeping echoed in my ears. My head felt heavy, my body numb, but the strange part…the part that made my stomach twist.
Wait. My heart… was beating again?
Before I could even process it, a choked sob filled the air.
"Rin...?"
It's Maria.
Before I could react, she practically collapsed onto the bed, gripping my hand so tightly. It almost hurt. Her face was a mess, eyes red, cheeks streaked with tears, breath unsteady like she had been crying for hours.
"You're finally awake!!", Her voice cracked. "You weren't breathing. Your heart stopped and I thought…I thought you were gone…"
I blinked slowly, my brain struggling to catch up. Everything felt so distant, like I wasn't really here. My throat was dry when I finally managed to speak.
"…Hospital?"
Maria nodded frantically, still clutching onto me like I'd disappear if she let go.
"Yeah. You just collapsed. Blood everywhere. But thank god they came here fast… but…" Her voice broke again, and she sucked in a sharp breath, trying to hold herself together.
Then, the door creaked open.
We both turned.
Long black hair framed her gentle yet unreadable face, and her eyes, calm and steady landed on me like she had been waiting for this exact moment.
I stiffened, not in fear, but in confusion.
Then, she smiled. It was small, soft, almost knowing.
"You're awake. That's a relief."
Her voice was smooth, warm in a way that felt strangely familiar. Not a threat. Not a danger. Just someone who knew something I didn't.
I swallowed, my voice quieter than I intended.
"Who... are you?"
She stepped closer, hands folded in front of her, like she was making sure she didn't overwhelm me.
"I'm here to help you," she said gently. "You're the one who will carry what was lost. I'm the one who's been searching for you, to help guide you, to give you a chance to fix what went wrong."
Her voice was calm, yet there was a weight to her words, like a promise or an unspoken burden.
I still in a haze, could only stare at the woman in front of me, the words not fully registering. The woman sighed softly, as if she had expected this moment to come.
"I guess that didn't ring a bell," she said, her tone calm but firm. "Well, I suppose I'll have to explain." ,
She paused for a moment, looking at me with an almost nostalgic expression.
"You don't remember me, but you do remember my father. He was... a friend of your past self. And now, it's my turn to help."
I blinked, confused. The pieces weren't quite fitting together.
I stared at the woman, my brow furrowing deeper with every word she said. I could feel the frustration bubbling up, and I wasn't about to hold back.
"Wait, wait, wait," I started, my voice rising. "So, you're telling me your dad was friends with my past self, and now you're here, playing some weird heart-swap game with me?!"
I threw my hands up in the air, clearly agitated. "Are you obsessed with my heart or something?! Seriously, what's your deal?! My heart isn't some ancient relic!"
She didn't flinch, but I kept going.
"I mean, if you wanted to give me some random heart, at least make it an upgrade, you know? Is this supposed to be some kind of mystical heart transplant?!" My eyes narrowed, my tone dripping with sarcasm. "Because, spoiler alert, I'm not exactly in the market for new organs right now."
She sighed, looking like she had heard this rant a hundred times, but I was on a roll now.
"And seriously, what is all this about 'fixing my past mistakes'?" I continued, throwing my arms dramatically. "Newsflash! I'm pretty sure I can't go back in time and fix every dumb thing I did, especially when I don't even remember half of it!"
I paused for a second, taking a breath, then groaned in frustration.
"Ugh, this is so ridiculous... But hey, whatever, I guess I'm just along for the ride now."
She stood there for a moment and let out a heavy sigh before speaking,
"Listen Rin, is not like what you think, and I thought your old self already told you about them-"
Before she could finish her words, I snapped out again,
"Her!? Explain!? Even worse!!" I nearly yelled, my frustration spilling over. "First, I fall into some void or whatever the hell that place was called. Then she grabs me like I'm a ragdoll and just drags me around! And guess what? She ripped out my heart! My heart! Do you have any idea how much that hurts!?!"
I threw my hands up, pacing again.
"And now she's just standing there, looking all serious like I'm supposed to be okay with this! Like, am I supposed to thank her for the whole heart-removal service?"
I rolled my eyes, dramatically collapsing onto the bed.
"Oh, and did I mention that I'm dead? Yeah, no big deal, I'm totally fine with it. Just casually existing in some weird limbo. I mean, seriously, can someone explain this to me? I feel like I missed a really important memo on 'how to survive being ripped apart by some random stranger'"
I turned to Maria, still feeling pretty annoyed, but at least I wasn't completely losing it like before. She looked at me, trying to say something important but unsure of how to start.
After a deep breath, she said,
"I know this all sounds insane, but... I think she's trying to help. She explained everything to me, but I don't fully get it all. I honestly think she knows what she's doing."
I narrowed my eyes at her.
"Oh, really? So now I'm supposed to trust the person who's... who's involved in all of this mess?" I gestured at myself, feeling the weight of everything. "She's the one who's, like, holding the key to my screwed-up situation, right?"
Maria winced but kept going.
"I get it. It's a lot to take in, but she's not here to hurt you. I don't get everything either, but she said that... she said this is the only way to fix something connected to you and your past."
I crossed my arms, looking at the woman.
"Oh, sure, now we're talking about 'fixing' stuff. You're telling me this is supposed to be some kind of 'solution' to everything?" I was doing my best to keep it together, but it was hard. "Yeah, that sounds 'amazing', doesn't it?"
The woman stayed calm, not bothered by any of my ranting. She spoke, her voice steady.
"I'm not asking you to trust me right away. But you need to trust that I can help you with what's coming next. Your past... it's all connected, and this is the only way to put things right."
I rubbed my temples.
"Fix it? What am I even supposed to be fixing? This whole thing is a mess!"
My frustration was getting the best of me again, and I wasn't even trying to hide it.
Maria glanced at both of us before speaking again.
"Look, I don't understand everything either, but... Rin, we don't have many choices. I believe she's here to help you. You're not alone in this."
I let out a sigh, trying to think it over. It was all so confusing, but Maria's words were sinking in, even if I didn't totally get it. I looked at the woman one more time.
"Alright, fine. But don't screw this up. One wrong move, and I'm out."
The woman nods, her face serious but reassuring. "I understand. But this time, you'll have the power to make your own choice. That's not something you had before."
I leaned back against the bed, giving a small nod. "Alright. Let's just get this over with."
I stared at the woman for a moment, still processing everything she'd said. My mind felt a bit clearer now, but there was still so much I didn't understand. Finally, she spoke again.
"I guess I should introduce myself properly," she said, her voice calm. "I'm Saeko."
I raised an eyebrow. "Saeko?" I repeated, still not sure what to make of her. "And here I thought you'd tell me something like 'I'm the one who's been meddling in your life for ages.'"
She looked at me, almost like she was holding back a smile. "I know this is all a lot, but we're connected. Whether you remember or not, we're tied together by something much bigger."
I who's still unsure of how to feel. "Yeah, I'm starting to catch onto that. But honestly, I can't make sense of it all right now."
Saeko didn't seem bothered by my sarcasm or irritation. "I didn't expect you to, but that doesn't change anything. There are things that need to be fixed, and we both have roles to play in that."
I huffed, feeling the tension in my shoulders ease a little but not completely gone. "Right. So what now? You're gonna start explaining all the mysteries of the universe or something?" I asked, my tone softer
"of course, but not now. I'll tell you when it comes to those situations"
"Great. More secrets," I muttered under my breath, but didn't push further.
The woman wasn't trying to hurt me, at least not in the way I thought. Maybe there was something to her after all.
I ran a hand through my hair, thinking for a second before glancing at her again.
"Alright, I'll trust you—'for now'. But just so you know, I don't like being kept in the dark."
She nodded in understanding, her expression still calm but firm.
"I'll tell you what you need to know, when the time comes. And the reason why I'm telling you to fix things you did, is because when you didn't…"
Before she could say another word, I cut her off.
"I'll end up in a death loop? Of course, of course. I don't need any more explanations for now"
I said with my voice firm.
The hospital room felt…normal. Too normal. After days of resting, my body had mostly stopped screaming at me, though my chest still felt like it had been through a blender. I thought I could finally breathe.
Then Saeko appeared. Calm as ever, that faint, knowing smile in place.
"You've rested enough," she said softly. "It's time you see… what lies beyond the eyes of ordinary humans."
I blinked.
"Beyond the ordinary humans?"
Before I could protest, the world around me shifted. One second I was staring at the beige walls of my hospital room, the next I was standing among trees that shouldn't exist. Black trunks twisted like ribbons of smoke, silver leaves catching light that didn't belong to any sun I knew.
The ground beneath me wasn't solid. It hovered, stretched, almost liquid, and the air smelled like rain on iron.
"What the hell?" I muttered, clutching the invisible edge of the floor. My legs dangled uselessly. Gravity was optional here, apparently.
Saeko's calm figure stood beside me, untouched by the surreal physics.
"This is a place humans cannot go," she said. "Only those who carry fragments of life and death can step here. Only here can you learn what your heart truly feels."
I crossed my arms, leaning on thin air.
"Yeah, my heart feels like it's about to jump out of my chest already. Super comforting all right…"
Around us, shadows slithered along the silver bark, shifting independently of the light…or lack of it. Whispers curled through the air, faint, like a warning or maybe just my imagination. My chest tightened, and my new heart thumped in a way that didn't feel entirely normal.
"What is this? Are those people? Ghosts?" I hissed.
Saeko tilted her head, eyes calm as ever. "Focus, Rin. Feel your shadow."
I frowned.
"My shadow… right. I'll just have a heart-to-heart with my personal gloom."
But when I concentrated, my shadow stirred. It stretched along the hovering ground, coiling like it had a mind of its own. My instincts screamed. Something was coming. Fast. Unseen, but close.
Saeko's faint smile didn't waver.
"Good. You're beginning to understand."
I froze, sensing more than seeing. Two presences brushed past the edges of my awareness, small, precise, and deadly. Not human. My chest tightened further. My heart throbbed not with fear, but… something else. Something I wasn't ready to name.
I swallowed, glancing at Saeko.
"Alright…uh…what now? Do I punch trees? Talk to shadows? Or… am I supposed to….survive this floating forest?"
"Observe, Rin," Saeko said softly. "Everything here has a purpose. Including you."
And for the first time since waking, I realized the world I thought I knew… was just the surface.
"Yeah, I think I'm starting to understand."
The air around me pulsed once, like a heartbeat, and suddenly something tore through the silence, a blur of movement slicing through the fog. Instinct kicked in.
But before I could even process what was happening, Saeko was already in front of me. Her hand moved faster than my eyes could follow, catching whatever that shadowy thing was mid-strike. The entire space rippled like reality itself flinched.
I stumbled back, the ground. Or whatever this floating surface was…shaking beneath me. The thing dissolved into dust, leaving only the echo of its roar behind. Saeko stood there, calm as always, her hair barely shifting like nothing had happened.
"W-w-what even was that…?!" My brain lagged. She just casually blocked that thing like she swats flies for fun.
Saeko turned slightly, her eyes soft but unreadable.
"You hesitated. If that attack had been aimed differently, it could've pierced your heart."
My heart. Right. The new one. The one that still doesn't feel like mine.
"Well… at least they know my heart is on the right."
I crossed my arms, raising an eyebrow at her.
"And wait, you're this strong…but you're told me I'm stronger than you? Like, I could end the world with one bored swing?"
Saeko blinked, almost amused for once. The faintest smile tugged at her lips.
"You could, actually if you remembered how."
I stared at her. Blinked once. Twice. Then groaned, rubbing my temples.
"Great. So apparently, I'm a walking apocalypse with amnesia. How…good of me huh…"
Saeko chuckled softly, like she found my misery adorable.
"You'll remember soon enough."
"Yeah, can't wait…" I muttered, still side-eyeing the fading ashes of whatever just tried to murder me.
Saeko's hand waved once, and the strange world folded in on itself. The silver trees, the floating ground, the faint whispers… they're gone? In a blink, I was back in the hospital, except the air still felt... wrong.
Saeko stood beside the window, her expression unreadable.
"We can't stay here. Your heart isn't stable yet, and if anyone senses it, we'll have a bigger problem. And your recovery was faster than I expected," Saeko said softly. "But that's probably because your body is… adjusting."
"Adjusting?" I frowned, pulling at the sleeve of my hospital gown. "You mean the whole 'your heart isn't human' thing, right?"
Saeko nodded, her silver eyes glinting faintly. "Exactly. And because of that, you can no longer stay in places like this for long. You're vulnerable here."
Before I could respond, Saeko's hand moved slightly, and the entire room rippled like a disturbed reflection. The hospital faded away, replaced by an empty, fog-covered plain. The air was colder, heavier, humming with energy that made Rin's skin prickle.
"Okay…" I muttered, looking around. "Either I'm dreaming, or we just teleported."
Saeko smirked a little. "Something like that. This is a place only our kind can enter. Humans would never survive the pressure here."
At the center of the field stood a massive black door, towering above them, covered in glowing symbols that moved like veins of light. It looked ancient, but alive.
Saeko gestured toward it. "Behind that door are those who wish to serve. You'll need protection, Rin. Choose any two to become your assistants. But be careful of what you choose now, you're bound to for life."
I swallowed, taking a hesitant step toward the door.
"I'm choosing my assistants from a door full of people I've never met. Cool. Totally not ominous at all."
When my hand touched the surface, the door pulsed and creaked open. Inside, it wasn't a room but a vast hall stretching into darkness. Figures stood lined up in perfect silence. Hundreds of them. Some looked completely human, while others had horns, tails, glowing eyes, or floating weapons beside them. The energy in the air was overwhelming.
Then, out of nowhere, a small voice called out from the crowd.
"Please, I'll be your nice little assistant, I swear! I'm one of the nicest prisoners here too!"
I blinked. Standing in front of her was a tiny girl, maybe twelve with twin daggers, one chipped, one glowing faintly. Her cute sparkling innocent eye staring right at me.
"Hey Saeko" I looked at her then back at Saeko. "She's looks young but cute and innocent looking for me, I think I'll choose her"
Saeko folded her arms. "Great choice."
"You, come here." I open the door with a warm smile on my face
The girl skipped forward happily.
"Yay! You won't regret it, promise!"
The moment I turned her back, though, that cheerful grin twisted into something feral. She pulled out one of her daggers, her voice dropping an octave.
"I KILL YOU BITCH!"
I froze, spinning back just in time to see another figure appear between them. A girl. Tall, caught the dagger mid-air with two fingers. Her expression was calm, cold even, and her black eyes glowed faintly purple.
"Enough," she said quietly. "She's your master. Try that again, and I'll cut your arm off."
The girl pouted, kicking at the air. "Tch. Fine. Only because you're here, asshole!"
My mouth hung open. "What... did I just adopt."
Saeko actually laughed this time, a rare soft sound that almost didn't fit her.
"Those two are… an interesting combination. The girl, Akane Izumi. Extremely skilled, unstable, but loyal when she wants to be. And that cold one, Kuroh. Demon-born, quiet, powerful, and very protective."
Akane crossed her arms and muttered,
"Protective, my ass."
Kuroh glanced at her with that same unreadable calm.
"You talk too much."
I just rubbed her temples.
"So basically… one looks like she can kill thirty people in seconds and the other…can probably destroy a city. And I'm supposed to…manage them…?"
Saeko smiled faintly.
"Welcome to your new life, Rin."
"Of course of course whatever but I go back to 'my overworld' now? This place gave me chills…"
I muttered under my breath.
Saeko gave a small, knowing smile. The kind that made me feel like she was five steps ahead, watching me walk into a trap I didn't even know existed.
"You'll return soon," she said. "But remember, once you go back, things won't feel the same."
"Yeah, yeah. Creepy cryptic warnings, check. Can we not make this goodbye sound like a death sentence?"
She didn't answer. Instead, her hand brushed the air and the world began to ripple again, the dark hall, Akane's annoyed huff, Kuroh's calm stare, all of it fading like smoke.
And then… silence.
When I opened my eyes, I was lying on my bed. My actual bed. Not in a void. Not in a floating forest. Just… home.
The ceiling fan was spinning lazily. The faint hum of the city outside sounded normal again. For a second, I almost believed everything had been a dream.
Almost.
Then I felt it. That cold pulse in my chest. The not-quite-human beat that didn't belong to me.
"...Great. So I'm officially part zombie now," I muttered, rolling onto my side.
I pushed myself up, stretching like I hadn't been through interdimensional nonsense a few hours ago. But when I turned my head, I froze.
Standing by the window, her reflection blending with the morning light, it was Maria.
"Rin!" she gasped, spinning around. "You're awake again! You scared me for a second, I thought—"
I held up a hand, already tired.
"Please Maria, don't say I was dead again. I don't think I can handle dying twice in one week."
She frowned, crossing her arms.
"You're unbelievable. You disappear for two days, show up half-conscious in your own bed, and the first thing you do is joke?"
"Hey, humor's how I process trauma," I shot back, forcing a smile. "You should try it sometime."
Maria sighed, rubbing her temples.
"You're impossible." But her eyes softened, relief peeking through her frustration.
I didn't answer right away. The silence stretched for a moment before I finally said quietly,
"I'll try."
But deep down, I already knew like something was waiting for me. The air felt heavier. The shadows near the corner of the room seemed to move when I wasn't looking.
And then, a whisper brushed against my ear.
"They've found you."
My heart skipped. I snapped my gaze toward the window. Nothing. Just the soft glow of the city outside.
"Rin?" Maria's voice trembled. "What's wrong?"
I forced a shaky smile, though my hands were already clenched.
"...Nothing. Just thought I heard something."
But as the clock ticked quietly beside me, I realized something else…
That voice wasn't Saeko's.
It was… something else
And then 2 days later,
I opened my eyes to the sterile, fluorescent light of my hospital room, though something felt… off. Not the usual off, like "ugh hospital food," more like "the air itself is thicker, and my chest keeps reminding me it's not exactly mine."
Saeko was already there, leaning casually against the wall. Her expression was calm, serene, but those eyes of hers… always sharp, always knowing. Behind her, my two "assistants" stood quietly: Akane bouncing impatiently on her heels, and Kuroh… well, she just existed, looming silently like a shadow that was slightly too real.
"Good morning," Saeko said softly. "You've recovered enough. It's time to begin your training."
I groaned and sat up slowly.
"Training. Right. Because the past two days of almost dying weren't enough cardio."
Akane snorted.
"Relax, princess. You're not gonna die… probably."
Kuroh's single raised eyebrow said it all "Don't test me" vibe
I rubbed at my chest unconsciously. The heartbeat inside still felt wrong
"So… what's the plan? We gonna punch shadows, wrestle invisible monsters, or what?"
Saeko's lips curved into that faint smile again.
"Something like that. But these shadows will test more than your strength. They'll test your control. Precision. Judgment. And survival instincts."
"Great, sounds safe," I muttered, though I had a creeping suspicion it wouldn't be.
Before I could protest further, the room rippled like water. The hospital walls dissolved into a gray, misty expanse. The floor beneath us felt solid enough but… not solid. Fog curled around my ankles, whispering faintly like it knew my name.
"Focus on your shadow," Saeko instructed. "Feel it. Let it move with you. Not against you."
I tensed, my shadow lengthening, twisting, coiling along the ground like it had a mind of its own. And then… I heard it. That unmistakable shuffle.
Something was coming.
From the gray mist, a figure emerged. White coat, pale skin, and the kind of dead-eyed gaze that made your stomach flip. The zombie-like doctor from my previous encounter appeared, moving slowly but deliberately toward me.
Akane's daggers were out before I even blinked, Kuroh's shadow stretching to intercept.
"You're mine," Kuroh said quietly, and the air thickened like tension before a storm.
The doctor laughs.
"Think you kids can beat me? Lame, pretty lame for real"
Then lunged. Akane and Kuroh tried to intercept, but the figure moved unnaturally fast. Daggers clashed, shadows swirled, but just as the doctor raised a blade toward Akane
Without thinking, I stepped forward, faster than the speed of light. My chest throbbed. My shadow coiled protectively around me.
"Don't you lay a finger on her!" I said, voice low but steady.
The figure froze. Then… paused. And slowly lowered the weapon.
"Hmm you're quicker than I thought. Alright, fine I guess." a voice said suddenly…soft, neutral. Almost like she's being warm.
I blinked. The zombie doctor's face softened. Their hands hovered over mine, touching my shoulders gently.
"But you've passed the test," they said. "Not because you defeated me but because you chose to protect, and to control your power, not let it control you."
I staggered back, chest heaving. "Wait… you're… huh… what's going on??"
I looked around, searching for some clues to process this situation
He shook his head. "No. I am a guide silly. A test. A teacher. Your power is dangerous, Rin, you controlled it and not destroy."
The fog around us dissolved. The gray mist lifted. And suddenly, Saeko appeared beside me, her presence grounding everything.
"Well done," she said softly, eyes calm as ever.
I exhaled shakily, feeling my shadow settle around me like it was finally… mine.
"Yeah… wait a minute where have you been while I was gonna die??" I muttered, still trying to catch my breath. "And who even is he?? A zombie??"
His raise his one eyebrow while looking at me dead in the eye
"He? What do you mean he? Are you disrespecting my gender?"
I froze, cheeks heating up. "…Oh! I-I'm sorry, I… uh… she…" My voice trailed off, feeling bad for messing up again.
"She? Do you want me to stab this knife in you or something?!"
I froze, trying to say something but couldn't. Then out of nowhere...
"Bahaha! Relax, Rin! I'm only joking," she or he burst out laughing, the fake offense dropping instantly. "You really thought I was mad? Come on, you're way too tense."
I blinked, still flustered, trying to recover. "Oh uh really?"
"Yeah, really," she or he said, stepping closer, tone casual but playful. "Though I suppose this is the perfect time to tell you. I don't have any reproductive organs. So he, she, they, whatever ya like to call"
My jaw practically hit the floor. "Wait... so can i call you he now?"
They shrugged, completely unbothered, a small mischievous smirk on their face. "Yep. Sounds good to me."
I blinked again, trying to process. "…Wow. That's… kinda… wild."
"Exactly," they said, chuckling softly. "So, let's save the apologies for more important stuff, yeah?"
They dusted off their coat, straightened their sleeves, and then gave me this half-bow that looked way too dramatic for someone who just admitted to being genderless.
"Anyway," they said, grinning, "Name's Haruki Sato, a doctor of the not-so-human side of the world. If it breathes, bleeds, or curses in ancient tongues, I'm the one patching it back together."
I blinked.
"You're a doctor… for monsters?"
"Not monsters," they corrected gently, waving a gloved finger. "Non-humans. Big difference. Monsters don't pay their bills."
I couldn't help but laugh a little. "Right… non-humans."
He smiled, eyes glinting. "And since you're walking around with a heart that technically shouldn't exist, that makes you half my patient now, doesn't it?"
I stared at them for a second, still trying to tell if they were serious… then my eyes trailed over the faint stitches running across their jawline and hands.
"Ohhh," I said slowly, tilting my head. "That's why you're all… stitched up. You're like a zombie doctor."
He blinked once, then snorted.
"Zombie doctor? Really? That's the best you've got?"
I shrugged.
"I mean… it fits."
They chuckled, shaking their head.
"You humans and your labels. Fine, call me zombie doctor if it helps you sleep at night. Just don't expect me to walk around moaning for brains."
"Good," I said with a small grin. "'Cause I'd probably run."
"Ha! You'd try," they said, their grin widening.
And just like that, the tension in the air broke. It was weirdly easy to talk to them now… even if they still gave off major undead energy.
Before I could say another word, a sharp smack landed right between my shoulder blades.
"THE HELL WERE YOU THINKING?!" Akane yelled, practically shouting in my ear.
"Ow—what?!" I spun around, rubbing my back.
"You could've died, you idiot! Who told you to jump in like that?!" she kept going, fists clenched, eyes blazing with fury.
"I was trying to save you?"
"Save me?!" she snapped, pointing a finger right in my face. "I don't need saving! I was fine until you decided to play hero and almost got yourself killed! And if you die, we'll also die you moron!"
Dr. Sato let out a low whistle.
"Yikes. Someone's got anger issues."
Akane whipped her head toward them.
"You shut up, corpse face!"
Sato blinked, then grinned.
"Huh. I like her."
I just sighed, half amused, half exhausted.
"You're welcome, by the way."
Akane scoffed, turning away with her arms crossed, still fuming.
"Don't you 'you're welcome' me! Next time you pull that stunt again, I'll kill you myself before the enemy does!"
"Uh-huh," I muttered under my breath. She shot me a glare so sharp it could cut steel.
Right beside us, Kuroh just stood there, completely motionless, his expression a flat, as if silently questioning why he ever agreed to protect us in the first place.
Dr. Sato tilted their head, whispering, "Does she… ever blink?"
"No," I said flatly. "She's like that 24/7."
Akane groaned.
"Ugh, can we get going now?"
Sato grinned.
"Yeah alright alright. Saeko, now is the time"
The air rippled like liquid glass as Saeko stepped forward, her expression calm but sharp. The scenery warped, light bending, and suddenly everything went black.
Then came the glow.
I blinked, realizing we weren't in the training area anymore. We stood in the Overworld. The sky here wasn't blue. It shimmered between violet and silver, like twilight stuck on loop. Strange, floating lights hovered around, almost like souls that forgot where to go.
The ground beneath us looked solid, but with every step, faint ripples spread out like we were walking on water. It was eerily quiet, but I could feel the energy humming through my bones.
Akane looked around, arms crossed.
"Creepy. Ten outta ten, hate it."
Sato was spinning in slow circles, clearly fascinated.
"Oh, I love it. You can feel the magic here. Like caffeine for the soul."
Kuroh just stood there, totally blank-faced.
Then, just when I thought the weirdness couldn't get worse, the air grew colder. The soft light dimmed.
A gust of wind brushed past, carrying something faintly metallic blood.
Saeko froze mid-step.
"…Everyone. Stay alert."
The mist ahead of us began to swirl, curling like smoke until a figure stepped out.
Long, black hair streaked with deep crimson flowed around her, catching the dim light like ink in water. Her eyes glowed a sharp, burning red like fire behind glass. She wore a black outfit that clung to her form, all velvet and shadow, with a faint shimmer of crimson lining the edges. And on her hands, short, dark claws that looked delicate but sharp enough to tear through steel.
Her lips curved into a slow, wicked smile as she took a step forward.
"Oh… so this is the girl with the forbidden heart."
Her voice was soft, silky, but carried something dangerous, like a lullaby that could kill you if you listened too long.
Saeko's tone dropped immediately.
"Azalea Virel. How did you even get out!?"
Azalea smiled wider, flashing the faintest hint of her fangs. "It's been a while, Saeko. You didn't tell me you had such a beautiful new toy."
My brows furrowed.
"Excuse me? Toy? Me?"
She ignored me completely, taking a slow, graceful step closer. Her eyes glowed brighter the nearer she got, like she was studying every inch of me.
"Mmm… that face. Those eyes." Her grin sharpened. "You're prettier than I imagined."
Akane instantly moved in front of me, her blade already drawn.
"Hey! Watch your mouth, bloodsucker!"
Azalea giggled, low and amused.
"Oh my. A child with a sword. Adorable."
Akane's glare could've set her on fire.
Saeko stepped forward, aura rising like static.
"You shouldn't be here."
Azalea tilted her head, mock-innocent.
"Shouldn't I? I only wanted to see her up close… the girl with the divine heart."
And then she was right in front of me. I didn't even see her move, just a flicker, and suddenly she was there, only inches away.
Her red eyes locked with mine.
And she smiled.
"...You know," she said softly, "Your blood must be tasty since you have a special heart. Now me drink it."
I blinked.
"What—"
Before I could finish, she leaned closer, whispering with a smirk,
"Don't you get it? I'm trying to kill you"
Akane screamed, running right to her
"Oh no you're not!" and trying to slice her in half.
Azalea dodged effortlessly, laughing, a smooth, melodic laugh that somehow made everything worse.
Kuroh immediately went in front of me. Saeko pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Oh, for the love of god…here we go again."
To Be Continue