Luther’s POV
For some reason…
The air suddenly became unbearably heavy.
Every breath felt hotter than the last.
Sweat rolled down my forehead.
“…What’s happening?”
The S-Rank Raider slowly raised one hand.
A small spark danced across his fingertips.
Then…
It exploded.
BOOOOOOM!!
A massive torrent of flames surged toward us like a raging tidal wave.
“…Move!”
I shouted.
But there was nowhere to run.
The fire swallowed everything in its path.
For a split second…
I genuinely thought we were dead.
Then…
SHIIING!
A metallic sound echoed beside me.
The flames stopped.
I slowly opened my eyes.
Towering in front of us…
Were two enormous silver wings.
Each feather looked like polished steel.
The wings wrapped around the three of us like a shield.
Not a single flame passed through.
“…What the…”
I couldn’t help but stare.
The wings slowly unfolded.
Standing at their center…
Was Ariel.
Her appearance had changed.
Metallic feathers covered parts of her arms and shoulders like elegant armor.
The silver wings stretched proudly behind her.
She looked…
Majestic.
James whistled.
I couldn’t stop smiling.
“YES!”
“I knew you’d unlock something!”
Ariel blinked.
“I…”
“I didn’t even know I could do this.”
The S-Rank Raider laughed.
“So you’ve awakened another skill.”
“Interesting.”
The battle resumed.
James charged first.
His Titan form collided head-on with the Raider.
The impact shook the highway.
Ariel supported him from above, launching razor-sharp metal feathers whenever an opening appeared.
I…
Stayed behind.
Watching.
Waiting.
“…Come on.”
“There has to be something.”
The Raider was stronger.
Much stronger.
Even with James’ brute strength and Ariel’s evolving abilities…
He was slowly pushing them back.
“…Think, Luther.”
My eyes scanned the battlefield.
Then…
An idea.
I grabbed a thick coil of rope from the truck.
One end around a sturdy tree.
The other…
Around another tree across the road.
I pulled it tight.
Just high enough.
Then…
I waited.
The Raider laughed as he rushed forward.
Focused entirely on James.
“…Now.”
His leg caught the rope.
His momentum did the rest.
CRASH!!
The mighty S-Rank Raider slammed face-first into the cracked asphalt.
The entire highway shook.
James didn’t waste the opportunity.
He pinned him to the ground.
Ariel’s metallic feathers shot down like chains, locking his arms and legs in place.
Silence.
“…Did…”
“…Did we actually win?”
I asked.
James burst out laughing.
“I can’t believe that actually worked!”
A few minutes later…
The four Raiders sat tied tightly against a tree.
None of them looked particularly happy.
James wandered toward the truck that had been blocking the road.
“Hey!”
“I found something!”
Ariel and I hurried over.
The rear doors of the truck slowly creaked open.
Inside…
Curled up in the corner…
Was a young girl.
She couldn’t have been older than twelve.
Her hands were tied.
Her eyes were filled with fear.
She flinched the moment she saw us.
James immediately lowered his voice.
“…It’s okay.”
“We’re not with them.”
The girl looked at the three of us.
Then…
Without saying a word…
She burst into tears.