Into The Unown

Old friends

Ash hadn't seen him in over two years, but the sight of Eiran still made his blood boil.

"You," Ash growled.

"Fiery as ever," Eiran said with a smirk. "Is this how you greet your ancestors? Tsk, no respect for your elders."

Ash's eyes narrowed. "You're like a year younger than me."

Eiran chuckled, circling him like a predator. "Age is meaningless, Ash. It's experience that defines us. And I have lifetimes of it."

"What do you want?" Ash snapped. "Here to mess with my head again?"

Eiran stopped, his expression suddenly serious. "I couldn't even if I wanted to. Not anymore. You've revoked my access to your mind, remember? That clever trick your friend pulled and the little half-Raider trick your mother pulled."

Ash raised an eyebrow. "So what's this, then? A welfare check call?"

Eiran's lips curled into a grin. "You can say that. The aura you're using isn't truly yours. It's borrowed, amplified by Unown magic, and it's running on borrowed time. You felt it, didn't you? The strain? The fragility?"

Ash crossed his arms, refusing to give Eiran the satisfaction of a response.

"You're powerful now, sure," Eiran continued, his tone almost coaxing. "But imagine how much more you could be. Real aura, my aura—it wouldn't just make you strong, Ash. It would make you unstoppable. You could end this war in days."

Ash's jaw tightened. "You think I'd let you take over my body again? After everything you've done? Not a chance."

Eiran tilted his head, mock pity etched into his features. "I only did what was necessary. You survived because of me. I made you stronger."

"You made my life hell," Ash snapped, his voice trembling with fury. "And I'm not going back to that. If this aura runs out, then I'll die."

Eiran stared at him for a long moment, his smirk disappearing. His expression was unreadable, but his eyes shone with something Ash couldn't quite place—respect, or perhaps amusement.

"You always did have a stubborn streak," Eiran said at last, "Very well, Ash. But remember this: when the time comes, and it will come, you'll have to make a choice. Power... or death. Let's see how noble you are when it truly matters." He placed a hand on Ash's shoulder, giving it a tight squeeze. "I'm not a villain, Ash. I'm all you have and you're all I have."

Ash woke with a gasp, his heart pounding in his chest.

"Hey, sleepyhead," Gary said with a faint smile. "You had me worried there for a second."

Ash groaned as a sharp ache shot through his head. He shifted uncomfortably, propping himself up on his elbows to take in his surroundings.

"What is this place?" he asked.

"The safe house," Gary replied. "The area around the hotel was destroyed. We had to move to avoid detection, though we can't stay here long."

Ash nodded. "Where's Serena?"

"She's resting," Gary said. "Been at it for a while. Though I think she's pretending—probably doesn't want to talk to me."

"No surprises there," Ash muttered, earning a glare from Gary.

Gary hesitated for a moment before asking. "That man—who was he?"

Ash recounted the fight, explaining Karma's connection to Serena and the strange aura he carried. "There's something off about him," Ash said. "He doesn't bleed, doesn't react like a human. If I didn't know better, I'd say he's not... real."

Gary exhaled. "Whatever he is, we're not equipped to deal with him right now. Rest up. I'll update headquarters." With that, he left the room.

Ash swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood, immediately making his way to Serena's room. He found her lying on the small bed, eyes closed—pretending to fall asleep.

He sat beside her and gently touched her shoulder. "Serena, I know you're awake."

She didn't open her eyes.

"I know you were surprised when you saw me use Aura. It's mine—not Eiran's. I amplified it with the Unown's energy. You don't have to worry about him.

"As for Karma—I don't know what he did to you. And you don't have to tell me. But I saw it in your eyes when you saw him again. I promise, I'll do whatever it takes to protect you."

Ash reached for her hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. To his surprise, her fingers tightened around his in silent acknowledgment. It wasn't much, but it was enough.

Ash sat there for a moment. Though his body ached, and his mind was a chaos filled with emotions; Serena's small gesture—cleared his mind in a way he didn't expect it to.

"I don't know what's going to happen next," he said. "But I swear, I'm not going to let him take you. Not again."

Serena's eyes opened, her gaze meeting his. She sat up slowly, pulling the blanket around her shoulders like armor.

"You don't understand," she whispered. "What he did to me—" She stopped, her throat tightening. "He'll do worse to you if you keep standing in his way. The better option would be to kill—"

Ash shook his head. "I'm not afraid of him. Whatever he is, whatever he's capable of—I'll find a way to stop him from taking you."

Serena frowned, "And what if you can't?"

Ash sighed. "Then I made you a promise which I'll keep."

Serena looked away. "You don't understand how strong he is. He's not like anyone we've faced before. He's... he's something else."

Ash leaned forward, lifting Serena's chin up. "We've faced odds before, Serena. And we're still here. That should mean something."

Heavy silence hung between them, but Ash was glad it wasn't uncomfortable anymore. "You shouldn't make promises you can't keep."

He didn't respond, but the tension in the air softened. He brushed a strand of her hair behind her ear, giving her a smile—a gesture that conveyed a thousand words and yet spoke none.

Before they knew it, their faces drew closer. When he felt her breath on his face, his gaze instantly flickered to her lips. For a fleeting second, it felt like nothing existed anymore—that the universe only surrounded the two of them, concerned with nothing but what was bound to happen next.

But just as their lips were about to meet, the door creaked open.

Ash and Serena sprang apart, pretending to find something else to focus on.

Gary stepped in, a grim look on his face. "Oh you're awake," he said, "Ash, we've got a problem."

"What is it?"

Gary held up his communicator, the screen glowing faintly. "Headquarters intercepted two transmission coming from this house. The Apocalypse is tracking us."

"How long do we have?" Ash asked, immediately bolting upwards.

"Oh that's easy," Gary said, laughing nervously. "None."