The sun dipped low over Elystria Prime, casting golden streaks across the floating city. Kiyoto and Mitsui walked through the crowded streets, their casual conversation masking the tension growing beneath the surface.
Suddenly, a violent tremor shook the plaza. Citizens screamed as a shadowy creature, seemingly made of voidstream energy, tore through the marketplace. Stalls and goods exploded in showers of sparks and glass.
Kiyoto's eyes narrowed, crimson-gold aura flaring. "Looks like playtime just got serious."
Mitsui stepped back instinctively, but her fingers twitched. A faint glow surrounded her hands, barely visible, yet potent. Her eyes, normally calm, burned with focus.
The creature lunged at a group of children. Kiyoto moved faster than the eye could follow, intercepting it with a wave of energy that cut through the voidlike beast. Yet it adapted instantly, reforming in a flicker of shadow.
"Your turn," Kiyoto said with a teasing grin, though his aura radiated immense power.
Mitsui exhaled, her small form glowing with Soulflux. She raised her hands, and a barrier of iridescent light erupted, halting the creature mid-lunge. Energy rippled as the shadow recoiled, its form twisting unnaturally against her will.
Kiyoto's grin widened, impressed. "Not bad… I think you're stronger than you're letting on."
Mitsui's lips curved slightly, determination burning in her eyes. "I can't let them hurt anyone… not here."
With a flick of her wrist, the barrier morphed into concentrated shards of Soulflux, striking the creature. It screeched, dissolving into dark mist, leaving only a faint trace of Voidstream in the air.
Kiyoto stepped forward, offering a hand to Mitsui. "See? Nothing ordinary about you."
Mitsui took it, her fingers brushing his. She smiled faintly, the adrenaline and relief making her youthful features glow. "And you… you're more than just a pretty face."
As the plaza recovered, whispers of awe spread through the crowd. Two teenagers—one with the blood of gods, the other with a hidden strength—stood side by side.
It was the beginning of something greater. The first spark of adventure, danger, and destiny had ignited.
And in that moment, Kiyoto knew one thing clearly: Mitsui Tachaina wasn't just a girl he bumped into. She was someone who could stand beside him when the world itself threatened to collapse.
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