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Chapter 11: Partners in Ice and Fire
(POV: Kai)
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The moonlight bled through the cracked windows of the abandoned city Azazel had dragged us to.
> "Your first real mission together,"
Azazel said lazily, leaning against a broken wall.
"Annihilate a rogue Exorcist cult. No survivors."
Vali stood a few feet away, arms crossed, her icy aura almost making the dust freeze mid-air.
She hadn't said a word to me since the meeting.
Not a single glance.
Cold.
Distant.
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(Inner Monologue)
"Figures. Beautiful girls in anime always come with high-ass walls."
"Still... this one's going to be mine."
I smirked to myself, adjusting my black coat.
I could feel Glacieria, the icy dragon spirit inside my Sacred Gear, humming with excitement.
She liked Vali too — or maybe she just wanted to fight her.
Either way.
Tonight was going to be fun.
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Azazel clapped his hands.
> "Oh, and one rule!"
He grinned mischievously.
"You two have to work together. No solo glory hogging. If one fails, both fail."
Vali's eye twitched.
Mine too.
Great.
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The cult base was hidden under an old subway system.
Cracked concrete, dripping pipes, and blood sigils smeared on every surface.
We moved through the shadows like twin phantoms.
Despite her attitude, Vali was efficient.
Deadly efficient.
Her ice magic was pure, sharp — cutting through barriers and enemies like butter.
And me?
I unleashed the Gate.
Spears of crystalized ice, swords of ancient kings, guns from forgotten civilizations.
A dance of destruction.
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By the time we reached the cult leader, the ground was littered with corpses and broken dreams.
The leader, a crazed priest with blackened eyes, screamed and unleashed a monstrous chimera at us.
Vali stepped forward, summoning a massive silver-white dragon aura that coiled around her body.
I wasn't about to be outdone.
I summoned Glacieria — my icy dragon spirit — her body forming around me like a froststorm made flesh.
The temperature plummeted.
The air cracked.
The chimera roared — and then was torn apart in less than ten seconds.
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After the dust settled, we stood side by side, breathing hard.
Vali looked at me for the first time — truly looked.
Her lips parted slightly.
Maybe it was surprise.
Maybe... something else.
> "You're strong," she admitted quietly.
"Stronger than I expected."
> "Likewise," I said, flashing a cocky grin.
"You're not too bad yourself, princess."
Her cheeks tinted — just barely — before she looked away, scoffing.
Cute.
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(Inner Monologue)
"God, she's lethal. A deadly tsundere with enough curves to murder a man and the attitude of a prideful dragon."
"I love this world."
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Azazel greeted us outside, clapping like a proud parent.
> "Aww, my little murder babies are growing up so fast!"
Vali threatened to ice him.
I just laughed.
For the first time since arriving in this world,
I wasn't alone.
I had a partner.
A rival.
A potential lover.
And deep down,
a small voice whispered:
"This is just the beginning."
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End of Chapter 10
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