ia's

Part of me-the part that had survived for years in the

t the heavy thrum of the "disaster" i

the weak. I wan

ignored me, their eyes locked

f the men barked, leveling a

n my throat. I didn't even know this stranger

he black veins on my wrist pulsi

ping casually in front of me. He cracked

ing you into the

die playing hero, I'd let him. I sheathed my blade and turned to walk a

of the soldiers screamed, his

" I wh

y greatest enemy as it forced me

, swirling like twin dragons. I had thought he was just a f

the lead

ch. He lunged forward, his fist trail

urst!" h

es drowned out the forest's silence. Trees ignited in flashes

t was horrifyingly beautiful. I couldn't look away fr

t a falling soldier, his voice genuinely pain

there. The fire in his hands d

e asked softly, lookin

I replied coldly, though my hear

g forest, trying to hide the f

the back of his head. "And you're probably won

vibrant and warm, unlike the cold,

s. It's my Soul Poss

e type... and a bit of a

, though something inside

knew that

rked, his eyes dancing.

ore I could retort, he snatched

ire Destructive'-though I think th

ut the shadow of the brim. There was a brightnes

AC

napped above me. My senses, still dull from

braced for impact, expecting my "bad luck" to shatter the

I felt warmth. Sudden

ght the flaming wood with his bare hands, his own

ed at me, his face inches from min

d. "I'll let my actions

es wi

n years, someone had stepp

n realize I said it as we started ru

the mountain. He grabbed my wrist-not like a capto

of a small, sleepy town. To me, the flickering neon sign of a 2

e at the paved asphalt

iety, usually a dull hum, was now a screa

on softening as he realized I was staring

snacks, drinks, and most importantly-

I snapped, though my stomach betr

omach says so," Lori joked, gently n

sword at the glass. The air inside was artificial

g every time the bell rang. A group of teenagers near the

think you're a freak. Str

r voice

veins beneath my skin started

weight lande

cket hat on me, pullin

protective. "You're with me. If they have something

brim. The teenagers quickly look

e in my life, the

se I cont

someone else

from the counter. Outside, under th

from the human race,

e. I stared at the melting red ice, then at the boy wa

I aske

ea

his? You don't even

The streetlight re

r, Tsukia. I know what it looks like when someone's just

tty good team. Fire and.

ing my face under

ave a plan? A homet

don't even know where my hometown is," I

fore I was nine. I just woke

d. "What? L

and scientists to study me like an animal because my power was wrong. I think the government is st

adn't seen before-pity, but not condescending

d the sting in my throat. But as the town lights fa

ke charcoal a

slo

usted, skeletal gate

quieter now. "There's a reason

you something,"

a house eaten by fire. The smell of ol

y home," Lo

uins, boots crunching o

past with me... s

heat one night. I ran to my mother for help, but she backed away in horror. She cal

ke. A single tear cut thr

n't know how to comfort someone

d anyway, pattin

. are yo

" he muttered,

st a kid who's af

I said softly, starin

e memories, even if they hurt. I

ho you are," Lori said, r

is hand made my

or you, Tsukia. Ev

es, painting the sky in bruised

next destination-some basem

t issues... and yet, deep in my bone

by a rushing river. A camp

et over here!

the fire. She was about my height, with almond-sha

t up at the sight of Lori-but i

didn't just d

she barked, pointing t

S THIS

a friend," Lori laug

girl-Jasm

blings bickering lo

!" Lori said, pushing

was racing. This was it.

I'm Aile

to keep this fire-breathing idiot alive,"

red a

bo

e, the voice in m

ally felt like