Everyone is in shock.
Ryan charges forward, determined not to let the tentacled enemy harm anyone else. Behind him, Nahru collapses beside Damian, trembling, his body shaking as anguish tears through him.
"A–Ahh… why, Damian…? Why for me—a murderer… a selfish, broken person?"
Tears stream down Nahru's face.
Damian, blood gurgling in his mouth, forces out a weak breath.
"Shut up… you idiot…"
Behind them, the battle rages—Ryan locked in brutal combat with the enemy. Juliet sobs, clutching her chest, while Isobel stands frozen in disbelief.
Suddenly, Nahru struggles to his feet. With shaking hands, he begins carving glowing white lines into the air. The lines bend and curve, forming a circular portal between him and Damian.
Light surrounds them.
Damian looks up, a faint smile on his blood-stained face.
"What are you trying to do…?"
Nahru's voice trembles.
"I'll save you… no matter what.
Like you saved me from drowning."
---
FLASHBACK
It's Nahru's first day on Earth—his first day in a human body.
He wanders the city streets, lost and confused, unsure where to go or what to do. Suddenly, he bumps into someone. Without reacting, Nahru continues walking.
The boy snarls and grabs him by the collar.
"Who do you think you are?! Don't you know who I am?! Apologize!"
Nahru glares at him, anger igniting inside.
It's the first time someone has raised their voice at him.
For a moment, killing the boy feels effortless.
Then a voice cuts through the tension.
"Leave that innocent boy alone."
The bully turns, furious.
"Oh? Got a death wish, huh?"
He lunges—but in a flash, Damian takes him down effortlessly. Terrified, the boy runs away.
Nahru stares in awe.
"Woah… you're amazing. So humans can be strong too?"
Damian narrows his eyes.
"What do you mean…? Aren't you human?"
"Uh—yes! Of course!" Nahru panics, then fumbles for his student ID.
"See? Name's Nahru!"
Damian raises an eyebrow.
"Something's seriously off about you…"
Nahru leans closer.
"Hey… you seem like a good person. Can you help me?"
Damian smiles lightly.
"Help…? Yeah. Sure."
In one breath, Nahru tells him everything—the truth, the horror, even proof. He doesn't realize yet that he should never have said it out loud.
Damian whispers, shaken,
"Am I dreaming…? He killed them… That's not human. That's a devil…"
Then he looks at Nahru again—those bright, eager eyes, desperate to live a different life.
After a long silence, Damian exhales.
"Okay."
"Wait—really?!"
Nahru jumps in joy.
"I'll teach you everything I know," Damian says firmly.
"But you obey. Got it?"
"Yes! Yes! Yeayyyy!"
---
BACK TO PRESENT
Damian speaks softly.
"Do you know why I helped you that day… even when I wanted to hate you?"
Nahru's eyes fill with tears.
"Because deep down, you weren't looking to destroy—you were just looking to be loved. I knew if I left you… you'd fall even further. Maybe become the kind of villain you were on your planet. So I stayed… to show you care. To help you change."
Nahru clenches his fists, looking down.
"I know… I realized. I don't deserve to live…"
"Idiot," Damian says gently.
"You must live. To repent. It's hard—but you're not alone anymore. I'll carry your sins with you."
"Why…?" Nahru whispers, breaking.
Damian's voice is warm and unshakable.
"Because you are my brother."
Nahru breaks completely, sobbing uncontrollably.
"Then… please. Share my power. Let me save you!"
Damian closes his eyes.
"Do as you wish…"
---
Only Guardians can share their power—and it comes with a deadly risk.
Nahru knows Damian won't survive his wounds.
Still, he accepts.
White glyphs burst into the air as Nahru transforms into his original form, ancient symbols dancing behind him.
"Let's do this, brother!"
A blinding white flash erupts.
The portal closes.
---
"They're back!" Juliet gasps.
"But… where is Damian?"
Nahru sits alone, drenched in blood, eyes hollow.
Nearby, Ryan and Isobel continue fighting the tentacled enemy, now clearly panicking.
"There's no way I can win…" the creature mutters, fear creeping into its voice—fear of Ryan… and of Nahru.
It opens a portal to escape. Ryan charges after it, but it vanishes.
Then—
the portal slams shut.
The creature turns, horrified.
"…Only he can block that."
A cold voice speaks from behind.
"You thought you could hurt my brother and run…?"
The monster turns.
Damian stands there—covered in blood, surrounded by a white aura.
"W–What?! But how?!" the creature screams.
Without mercy, Damian raises his hand.
A white blast erupts, engulfing the monster.
"Wait…" Isobel whispers.
"Is he using Nahru's power?"
Nahru stares, stunned.
"He did it… But how? That's impossible…"
Damian lands hard on the ground, exhausted.
Ryan doesn't hesitate.
"Thanks, Damian. Now it's my turn."
He rushes forward, grabs the weakened enemy by the face.
"Fun time's over."
CRACK.
The monster's skull shatters.
Silence.
---
The team rushes to Damian. Nahru wraps his arms around him, sobbing.
"You're amazing… but how did you survive? And how did you use my power so fast? That takes years of training!"
Damian smiles weakly.
"Not that amazing. I just copied you.
Looks like it's your turn to train me now."
"Of course! I will!"
Ryan thinks quietly, He learned that just by watching…
Damian looks at the others, his voice shaking.
"Guys, I—"
"No speeches," Ryan cuts in.
"We got it. You're both part of the team."
"Yeah," Juliet smiles. "We heard everything."
Nahru freezes.
He didn't realize it—but their voices had leaked from the portal.
Isobel steps forward, smiling gently.
"It's okay, Nahru. Just don't forget—you still have to change."
Tears fall from Nahru's eyes.
"Thank you… all of you. I swear—I'll become better. I'm so lucky to have you…"
Juliet laughs.
"Don't say it like that. We're lucky too. Aren't we all friends?"
Ryan grins.
"Aha! Welcome, welcome! You're all lucky to have me."
"RYANNNN!"
Everyone bursts into laughter.