Magic Abyss So Far-Chapter 13: Ep - Love And Magic

The alley's ruins were still smoldering from the soul-kiss resonance.

Justin's coat fluttered in the rising heat, but his gaze never wavered from Akira, who now stood, slightly glowing, his aura stabilized by Sera's kiss. Kurumi stood protectively at his right, thunder licking her fingertips. Sera was on his left, chest heaving with exhaustion, but still shielding him with her body.

"Kill all three of you together," Justin had said. And he meant it.

Kirara licked her lips, stepping back. "Okay, maybe time to not die for once. I'll be in the shadows if anyone needs me!"

She vanished in a puff of dark smoke.

Justin's eyes didn't flicker. "Cowardice doesn't suit you, Kirara."

Then he vanished.

"SERA, MOVE!" Kurumi screamed.

Too late.

A burst of red light cracked the pavement where Sera stood, but her reflexes kicked in. She twisted, arms out, and snapped her fingers—

"Crystalline Veil!"

A hexagonal barrier shimmered in front of them, catching Justin's blow at the last second. It cracked—then shattered like sugar glass.

Akira grabbed both girls by their waists. "We need to get out of here!"

"I have one shot," Sera said, breath trembling. "I can use Teleportation Bloom, but... I've only ever tested it on myself. Not all three of us."

"Try it anyway!" Kurumi shouted. "We don't have time for second thoughts!"

Sera nodded, lips trembling. She reached out, taking Kurumi's hand in one, Akira's in the other.

Justin reappeared behind them, blood sword in hand.

"NO."

He launched a slash of crimson energy that tore through the air.

"TELEPORTATION BLOOM: THREEFOLD!!" Sera screamed.

The alley warped. Space folded like a paper crane.

Justin's attack passed through after-images—ghosts of where they had been.

He lowered his arm, the blood sword fading.

But his eyes were stone.

"I'll find you," he murmured. "And when I do... Akira Rymer dies."

---

They reappeared in a secluded glade deep in the Mystic Wilds. A lake shimmered under moonlight, surrounded by silvergrass and blooming cresettla petals. The ground was warm. A deer lifted its head at their arrival, then bounded away.

Akira fell to his knees, breathing hard. "We... made it?"

Sera collapsed next to him, her magic completely spent. Her skin glistened with sweat, and tears lined her eyes. Kurumi slumped nearby, pulling her hoodie down over her exposed chest, cheeks red.

"We got lucky," Kurumi muttered. "That wasn't just a teleportation spell. That was a dimensional tear. You could've killed us all, Sera."

"I... know." Sera looked down, shoulders shaking. "But I had to try. He would've..."

Akira gently reached for her hand. "You saved us. Both of you."

Sera looked at him. Her silver eyes wavered, then fell to his chest where she had placed her kiss. "I didn't think... that would activate the Crest."

Kurumi snorted lightly, trying to sit straighter. "You kissed him like it was your last moment. Of course it worked."

Sera flushed.

Akira blinked. "Wait. So... are we officially soul-bound now?"

Sera looked away. "I don't know if it's official, but the bond is real. I can feel your mana, even now."

He placed a hand over hers.

Their energy pulsed together like a slow heartbeat.

Kurumi stood, limping to the edge of the lake. "I'll keep watch. You two need time."

Sera opened her mouth to protest, but Kurumi raised a hand.

"No arguments. Just... take care of each other, okay?"

She turned, giving them privacy.

Akira turned to Sera. "Hey."

She looked at him again.

"You okay?"

"No," she whispered. "I'm scared."

Akira wrapped an arm around her, pulling her close. "I am too. But you were incredible back there."

She trembled against him. "Justin wasn't always like this. He was... my big brother. My hero. Then something happened. After the war... he changed. Father gave him the title 'First Blade' and stripped away his mercy."

Akira rested his forehead against hers. "And now he wants to kill me."

"He thinks it's the only way to retrieve the Cresettla Stone. The bond made you its bearer. If you die... it resets."

Akira's hand curled into a fist. "Then I'll just have to get strong enough to survive."

Sera's eyes widened. "No. I won't let you become like him. Full of hate."

"Then what do I do, Sera?"

She reached up, brushing his cheek. "Live. That's all I want."

He swallowed. "With you?"

She smiled, small and sad. "If I can."

A long silence passed. The moon shone above, their reflections rippling in the lake.

Then she leaned forward again, their lips meeting—not with desperation this time, but with soft promise.

Their second kiss wasn't as explosive, but it was infinitely deeper.

Their auras shimmered together—silver and gold.

Sera pulled back, tears on her cheeks. "Akira... if it comes down to it. If he finds us. If he tries to kill you... I'll offer my life."

"No," Akira said, voice low.

"You have to listen—"

He grabbed both her shoulders, his gaze firm. "No. You don't get to decide that alone."

"But—"

"No."

His voice trembled. "If you die to protect me, I'll burn the whole world to bring you back. Don't you get it? You're not just a Crest bearer or a Rymer... you're you. Sera. My Sera."

She covered her mouth with a hand, sobbing softly.

"I've lost enough already," he whispered. "Not you. Never you."

Sera leaned into him, burying her face in his chest.

"I don't want to die," she admitted. "I just... I'm so scared of losing you."

"You won't. I'll fight. We'll fight. Together."

Kurumi called from the trees. "Hey lovebirds! Hate to ruin your scene, but we've got company!"

They looked up.

Wings fluttered through the trees.

A squad of Sky Blades. Emissaries from the House of Rymer.

Sera's face hardened.

"They're tracking the stone. And me."

Akira stood. "Then we run?"

Sera shook her head. "No. We stand."

Kurumi grinned, sparks gathering again. "Let's show them what bonded warriors look like."

Sera turned to Akira, fingers laced with his.

"No matter what happens... my heart is yours."

He nodded.

"And mine's yours."

As the glade began to fill with enemies, the three of them stood together.

A new bond forged not just by power—

But by love.

To be continued...