The sky was covered by dark gray clouds that stretched endlessly over the horizon, the sun hidden entirely. The air carried the pleasant yet heavy scent of impending rain—maybe even a storm. It had been brewing for days now. Not a single bird was in sight as people hurried to their homes, motels, or any shelter they could find.
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?Inside a brothel, a similar scene was unfolding.
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?"No clients today, Alisa… Mrs. Valery has asked to shut all the doors," a woman’s voice called out.
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?Alisa turned to face her friend Jenny, nodding.
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?"I know… I just need to make sure my dogs are safe."
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?Jenny sighed, arms crossed. "You and those damn strays… You’re gonna catch a cold one day fussing over them."
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?Alisa smirked. "Wouldn’t be the first time."
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?Jenny shook her head, but there was no real heat in it. "Just don’t take too long, alright? Storm’s rolling in fast."
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?Alisa pulled on her coat and stepped outside into the strong breeze. A storm was definitely coming.
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?She pushed forward through the overgrown grass toward a small abandoned shed, checking the roof coverings to make sure no rainwater would seep through too easily. The strong winds could knock the old structure down, but there was little she could do. Barely having her own room in that damn brothel, bringing the dogs inside wasn’t an option.
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?A soft smile graced her lips at the sound of padding footsteps. An old brown dog wagged her tail in delight, approaching Alisa and licking her palm. She gently stroked the dog’s back and head.
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?"That’s a good girl… Where are your babies, sweetheart?"
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?As if on command, three small puppies waddled out from behind their mother, sniffing at Alisa, their tiny tails wagging as they recognized her scent.
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?The sharp crack of thunder made the animals cower in fear. Alisa sighed. She couldn't stay here any longer. Making sure the dogs had enough food and water, she shut the door securely before stepping back into the pouring rain. Cold seeped into her bones as she tightened her scarf around her neck, rain soaking through her clothes.
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?As she trudged through the damp grass, a faint sound made her stop in her tracks. She hesitated, thinking she was imagining it, but then it came again—soft, weak, barely audible over the storm.
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?A child.
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?Her heart pounded as she quickened her pace, moving toward the noise.
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?There, in a drenched cardboard box, a small figure was wrapped in a thin blanket, green eyes wide and bawling.
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?Alisa gingerly reached out, lifting the child into her arms. It wasn’t uncommon for parents in this impoverished area to abandon their kids, but that didn’t make it any less heartbreaking.
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?Hugging him close to her chest, she tried to comfort him while shielding him from the rain.
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?"Shh… It’s okay… I’ve got you now. We’ll get you someplace warm."
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?Her voice was soft, soothing, and the child slowly calmed, his tear-streaked cheeks still trembling. She smiled down at him, gently stroking his face.
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?"I’ll take care of you… Don’t worry."
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?When she finally made it back to the warmth of her small, messy room, she looked down at a crumpled paper stapled to the child's blanket. The ink had bled from the rain, but one word was still legible: Micheal.
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?The parents had probably hoped he’d be adopted.
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?"Hello, Micheal… I’m Alisa. I hope we can get along."
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?Micheal jolted awake, groaning as a dull, pounding headache reminded him of last night’s activities.
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?He didn't remember booking this room. He didn’t remember taking off his clothes. All he remembered was drinking with Mitsuki.
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?Sitting up, he rubbed his eyes, the movement making his headache worse. Spotting a water bottle on the bedside table, he grabbed it and took small sips. His mind drifted back to the dream he’d just had.
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?A familiar ache settled in his chest as he thought about the women who raised him. What he wouldn’t give to have a moment with them again… with Jenny… with Alisa.
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?But there was no time for that now.
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?Reality crashed back in as the events of last night pieced together in his mind—Mitsuki, the A.O.M.C., the bar... the choice.
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?His heart skipped a beat.
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?"Shit!"
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?He stumbled to his feet, yanking on his clothes. He couldn't be late. He couldn't have missed it.
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?He’d be a year behind if he did.
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?Micheal ran, heart hammering, lungs burning. Rainwater mixed with sweat, his hair a tangled mess. The lingering stench of alcohol and sweat made him feel even worse.
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?Finally, he reached his destination. His stomach dropped.
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?The doors were shut.
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?He’d missed his chance.
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?Groaning in frustration, he slumped against the wall, catching his breath.
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?"Damn it… Fuck you, Mitsuki."
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?For a moment, he just sat there in silence. Then, distant voices caught his attention.
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?Looking up, he spotted two figures in the distance.
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?The taller man had a permanent cocky smirk, his hair dyed light pink, dressed in casual jeans and a button-up shirt. A small crown sat atop his head. That was Axel—the crown prince, the fastest and strongest man alive, and the leader of the Big Three.
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?Beside him stood a shorter man in a yellow-gold shirt with buttoned cuffs, thin black gloves over his hands. His brown hair was carelessly ruffled, and a mask covered his face, hiding his expression. But his eyes were sharp and serious. Knox. The Fire Saint. The second part of the Big Three. Widely regarded as the second strongest and smartest fighter alive.
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?Micheal was in awe.
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?He inched closer, trying to listen.
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?"My dear Knox… It seems to me like you’re just afraid to face me in a proper duel." Axel’s voice was teasing, but there was something under it—something longing.
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?"Afraid?" Knox scoffed, crossing his arms. "I don’t waste my time on meaningless fights. Unlike you, I don’t have the luxury of treating combat like a game."
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?"Oh, come on. You wound me." Axel placed a hand over his heart dramatically. "You make it sound like I’m reckless."
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?"You are reckless," Knox deadpanned.
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?"I prefer the term ‘adventurous.’" Axel leaned in slightly. "Besides, a duel between us wouldn’t be meaningless. It would be—" He paused, searching for the word. "Exciting. Intimate, even."
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?Knox narrowed his eyes. "If by ‘intimate’ you mean ‘a potential disaster that could level half the city,’ then sure."
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?Axel grinned. "I’d be gentle with you."
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?Knox exhaled sharply. "Enough. Try acting like the crown prince for once."
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?"And what better way than by besting the great Fire Saint?" Axel’s smirk faltered for half a second—so quick it was almost unnoticeable.
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?Before Knox could respond, a branch snapped.
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?Their gazes locked onto Micheal.
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?Knox’s fingers ignited with fire.
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?Axel just smirked. "Oh, look who it is… It’s the guy who’s been sleeping with your dear sister, isn’t he~?"
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