Rumi's boots splashed through the rain-soaked alley, but this time, her fear was gone. Last night had changed something inside her. The energy thrumming through her veins was no longer just fear—it was power, raw and electric, coursing from some deep, cosmic source.
"Rumi, are you sure this is a good idea?" Liyo's voice trembled. "Because those… things were—"
"Deadly," Nessa cut him off, rolling her eyes. "Yes, we know. Now move."
Rumi didn't hear them. She felt the alley pulse beneath her feet, the shadows bending as if alive. And from those shadows… she felt him.
Jinu emerged from the mist, wet hair plastered to his forehead, eyes glowing gold with energy. Every step toward her made her chest race, every flicker of his power made the air around them crackle.
"Ready?" he asked, voice low and teasing, and something in the way he said it made her knees weak.
"I've been ready," Rumi whispered, though her heartbeat betrayed her.
Before either of them could react, the alley erupted. A horde of shadow beasts poured from the walls, claws scraping stone, teeth glinting under the dim light. Liyo screamed, tripping over his own feet, while Nessa grabbed him and ducked behind a barrel.
Rumi surged forward instinctively. Silver energy radiated from her palms, forming blades of light that cut through the closest creatures. She felt alive, powerful, unstoppable.
Jinu leapt beside her, and their movements synchronized without words—her energy flaring, his slicing through the shadows.
Then one beast lunged at her from the side. She stumbled. Jinu caught her instantly, their chests pressed together. The heat of him against her, the closeness, the smell of rain and electricity—it was dizzying.
"You okay?" he murmured, his lips almost brushing her ear.
"I—yeah," she stammered, though she could feel the pulse of attraction radiating between them, stronger than any monster's claw.
He didn't let go. Their bodies hovered a breath apart, trembling from exertion but also from… something else. Sparks seemed to fly wherever their energy met, making every brush of his hand against hers feel electric.
The fight raged on, but in the middle of chaos, they found themselves moving together instinctively, covering each other, trading glances that said more than words could.
One monster roared and leapt between them. Rumi reacted, flaring her energy shield—but it wasn't enough. Jinu slammed into her, their foreheads nearly touching as they spun to dodge. For a heartbeat, the world blurred: rain, shadows, claws, and the closeness of him. Her pulse raced. His chest pressed to hers. Their breaths mingled.
When the last shadow fell into the puddles with a hiss, they stood chest-to-chest, soaked, shaking, and laughing breathlessly—not just from the fight.
"You're… incredible," Jinu said, voice low, teasing but warm.
"So are you," Rumi replied, her own lips curling in a smile, heat rising to her cheeks.
For a moment, time froze. Their hands brushed. Their eyes locked. Sparks of energy—and desire—danced invisibly between them.
But before anything could happen, a dark shape appeared at the alley entrance. A shadow among shadows, eyes gleaming with malice. Rumi's heart sank—it was no ordinary monster. This one had intelligence, strategy… and malice.
Jinu's hand found hers instinctively, fingers intertwining. "Ready for round two?" he whispered.
Rumi grinned, feeling alive in a way she never had before. "Always."
And together, they charged forward, side by side, sparks flying, hearts pounding—and the alley seemed to come alive around them, waiting to test if their love, their power, and their courage could survive the next challenge.