I stood in front of the mirror, fixing the collar of my black shirt over the plain white t-shirt underneath. My reflection stared back at me—a mix of exhaustion came from remembering the heated night with Athlea yesterday.@@@@

    The night had been wild, but today is for something else.

    Satisfied with my look, I ran my hand through my hair and stepped out of my room. My footsteps echoed softly down the quiet hallway as I stopped in front of Athlea''s door.

    *Knock* *Knock*

    I knocked gently, hearing the faint rustle of movement on the other side.

    The door creaked open, revealing her standing there, fastening the last piece of her earring. She looked radiant, the soft white of her clothes glowing in the light spilling through her window. Her eyes lit up when she saw me, and an unspoken warmth passed between us.

    "You look beautiful," I said, my voice soft but genuine.

    She smiled, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "Almost done. Wait here."

    She turned back into the room, adjusting the folds of her dress and giving her hair one final touch. I leaned against the doorframe, watching her. There was a silent happiness to her movements, a quiet strength beneath her sadness.

    When she was ready, she stepped forward and took my hand.

    "Let''s go," she said, her smile bright and infectious.

    We walked through the bustling streets, hand in hand, the morning sun casting a golden hue over the city. It was refreshing to blend into the crowd, to feel like a part of something normal.

    At a small street-side cafe?, we found a corner table and ordered a spread of dishes. The aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air, mingling with the chatter of other diners.

    Athlea picked up a fork and playfully nudged a piece of grilled meat onto my plate. "Try this one. It''s amazing."

    I obliged, taking a bite and nodding in approval. "Not bad, but I think this one''s better," I countered, holding out a spoonful of something spicy.

    She took a bite and laughed. "Okay, you win this round."

    Her attempt at teasing was weak, but it brought a small smile to my face.

    She reached up and gently pulled at my cheeks. "Thank you for everything," she said, her tone light but her eyes filled with emotion.

    "Ouch, ouch!" I protested, swatting her hands away.

    We both laughed softly, the moment breaking some of the tension.

    But then, as the laughter faded, she stepped closer. Her eyes met mine, and the tears she''d been holding back finally spilled over. Without thinking, I reached out, cupping her face in my hands.

    Her lips trembled as she whispered, "I''m going to miss you."

    Before I could respond, she leaned in, her lips finding mine. The world around us disappeared as we lost ourselves in the kiss, a desperate attempt to hold on to something fleeting.

    ....

    Far beyond the horizon, the city''s lights twinkled below, but far above, in the vast expanse of space, a shadow stirred.

    A man sat in the center of a dimly lit spaceship, his figure shrouded in a black robe. His eyes glowed a sinister red, cutting through the darkness. The silence around him was oppressive, broken only by the faint hum of the ship''s engines.

    "Zero..." he whispered.

    Behind him, a woman stepped forward, her movements fluid and predatory. She wore a sheer, transparent lingerie set that did little to conceal her form. Her sharp nails glinted in the dim light as she dropped a set of photographs onto the table.

    "It seems," she said, her voice dripping with malice, "he''s been reincarnated again. The Shadow Mystics have summoned a new soul for the role."

    The man''s glowing eyes flicked to the photos, his expression unreadable. Images of the seven girls—each one distinct, each one deadly—stared back at him.

    The woman leaned closer, a wicked smile playing on her lips. "What shall we do, my lord?"

    He didn''t answer immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, the eerie silence returning.