Resonance (Jiyan x Fem!Reader x Calcharo)

Chapter 6 : Warmth

[Northwest of Qichi Village]

"Hold your ground, Rangers!" The General exclaimed to the soldiers behind him. They were in a precarious position, trying to protect the defenseless villagers as the Tacet Discords started swarming the area, killing anything and anyone in its path.

Jiyan could feel the familiar strain on his body. The Tacet Mark on his back was pulsating, signaling that he was overexerting his abilities. "Call for reinforcements and evacuate the villagers!" The General commanded. "I will hold the TDs and buy time!"

His vision blurred for a moment. But he had to hold on. The General couldn't afford to Overclock, not now. The very thought of his soldiers fighting alongside him, gave him the strength to keep pushing.

Jiyan was defending the village when a Tempest Memphis suddenly appeared right before his eyes. The Overlord TD towered over him, but Jiyan's determination surged, his eyes flashing fearlessly. Every strike from the Tempest Memphis sent gusts of wind and debris flying, yet the General remained focused and unshaken.

Jiyan's hands firmly gripped the hilt of his sword, channeling his resonance energy into the blade. Wind howled around him. Each cut was stronger and each parry was more powerful. The Tempest Memphis was thrown back, struggling to maintain its ground. In a flurry of wind and steel, the Tempest Memphis began to falter. It howled in defiance, but it was too late. A final blow from Jiyan's sword shattered the Overlord Tacet Discord into a million pieces.

For a moment, Jiyan stood there, panting softly, his heart pounding in his chest. He could feel it, the edge of Overclocking. His mind was racing, thoughts blurring together.

The General had a habit of avoiding unnecessary rest to support his soldiers. But this time, he'd pushed himself too far. Jiyan closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing, trying to regain control.

"General, we have neutralized the last Tacet Discord that breached the village. Should we return to base immediately?" One of the Rangers inquired, approaching the General with a bloodied arm.

Jiyan opened his eyes, the pulsing in his Tacet Mark had slowed down, but he could still feel the lingering fatigue. "Yes. We need to regroup." He nodded to the injured Ranger. "But let's get that arm checked first."

The General turned to his fellow soldiers, "Rangers, make sure the villagers are taken care of before heading back to base."

As the soldiers dispersed to carry out their orders, Jiyan allowed himself a small sigh of relief. He could feel the throbbing in his head lessening, but the exhaustion still hung heavily on his shoulders.

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[Inside the cave...]

You have lost track of time ever since you got trapped inside the cave with Calcharo. However, you are certain it is well past dinner time as your stomach continues to growl endlessly.

You stood up and gazed at the water, hoping to spot a fish to catch.

Calcharo was just staring at you, curious of what you were trying to do.

You sighed, feeling hopeless. The dark place made it challenging for you to hunt some food. And this is when Calcharo approached you. He crouched down and extended his arm, reaching out his fingers to touch the water's surface, and then a sudden flash of electricity surged through the water, killing multiple of fish in front of you.

Your eyes widened as you watched in amazement.

"Hungry?" he asked, casually lifting one of the freshly killed fish.