The explosion ripped through the air, a massive blast of energy that shook the earth and sent debris flying in all directions. The sound was deafening, a cacophony of destruction that seemed to never end. Flames erupted, illuminating the darkening sky, and the ground trembled beneath their feet. The blast wave sent shockwaves through the air, uprooting trees and scorching the earth.
As the explosion subsided, a thick cloud of dust covered the area, obscuring everything from view. Sakura's voice pierced through the dust, her shout of "Lila No!" echoing through the air.
The crowd watching from the city fell silent, their faces filled with concern. Some whispered, "There's no way she's going to survive that..."
As the dust began to settle, three figures appeared behind the cloud, their outlines becoming clearer with each passing moment. It was Kai and Shinji, with Lila lying on the ground behind them. The crowd erupted into a mixture of cheers and gasps, with many shouting, "Is she okay?!"
Kai's gaze fell upon Lila, and he smiled weakly. "Are you okay, Lila?" Before Lila could respond, Kai and Shinji both collapsed to the ground, their bodies crashing down in unison.
Sakura's expression turned from relief to confusion. "What just happened?" she asked, her voice laced with uncertainty.
The Guild Master walked towards Sakura, a hint of a smile on his face. "Hello there, Lady Sakura. After Lila pushed you away from the blast zone, both Kai and Shinji burst straight for her. I could only see them as a blur. As soon as they arrived in front of Lila, they both attacked the blast wave at once. But they were also absorbed some of the blast wave."
The Guild Master's voice rose as he shouted, "Since Kai and Kaito are both unconscious, Kai is the winner, since Kaito was the first to be unconscious after his attack got repelled back at him by Sakura's barrier. So that means the winners of the Guild Team Vs Team Fight are The Nobles!"
The crowd back in the city erupted into cheers, their voices echoing through the streets. "The Nobles! The Nobles! The Nobles!" they chanted, their enthusiasm infectious.
As the screen projection cut off, the Guild Master shouted to his members, "Now, quickly take them back to the guild healing room!" But Sakura swiftly intervened, "No need, let me heal them."
With a gentle smile, Sakura blasted out a soothing green aura that enveloped Shinji, Kai, and Kaito. The injuries on their bodies began to heal rapidly, and as the aura dissipated, they slowly started to regain consciousness.
As Kai's eyes fluttered open, Lila rushed to his side, her face filled with relief. She gently helped him sit up, and her eyes welled up with tears. "Thank god you're okay, Kai," she whispered, her voice trembling. "I was so worried about you."
Kai's gaze met Lila's, and he smiled weakly. Lila's hands cradled his face, her thumbs gently wiping away the tears that had escaped her eyes. The moment hung suspended, the air thick with emotion.
For a fleeting instant, their eyes locked, and the world around them melted away. Kai's hand instinctively rose to Lila's, his fingers intertwining with hers. The touch sent shivers down their spines, and their hearts beat in sync.
Shinji's smile broadened as he said, "Hey Kai, guess we won." Kai's response was laced with confidence, "Was there even a doubt that we would win?"
Lila's face lit up with joy as she pulled Shinji near, wrapping her arms around both him and Kai in a warm hug. The moment was filled with laughter and camaraderie, their bond strengthened by their shared victory. Shinji and Kai reciprocated the hug, their faces relaxed and happy.
As they hugged, Kaito stood up, his expression twisted in a mix of anger and determination. "Zayn Thompson, no it's Kai now," he shouted, his voice echoing through the air. "Don't think for a second that this is over!"
Shinji chuckled, "Oooh, it's one of the three heroes, who got his ass kicked by Kai." Kaito's face reddened as he turned around, leaving the group behind. "This is not over, Kai!" he shouted, his voice fading into the distance.
As Kaito walked away, Shinji called out, "Oooh, Kaito, I think you left your friend here!" Kaito didn't turn back, his response laced with indifference. "I'm not her babysitter. She can get back home on her own."
Kai's gaze met Shinji's, confusion etched on his face. "Which friend?" Lila's gentle nod directed Kai's attention to Sakura.
Kai's eyes locked onto Sakura, and his heart skipped a beat. She stood under an ancient willow tree, its branches swaying gently in the breeze like delicate fingers. The sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on Sakura's face.
The view was breathtaking – rolling hills stretched out in the distance, with the city skyline visible on the horizon. But Kai's focus was solely on Sakura. Her eyes, red-rimmed from tears, sparkled like diamonds in the sunlight. Her lips, slightly parted, seemed to whisper secrets only meant for him.
As Kai's eyes held Sakura's, the world around them melted away. The sounds of Shinji's laughter and Lila's chatter faded into the background. All that remained was the soft rustling of the willow's leaves and the gentle hum of the wind.
Sakura's voice was barely audible, a whispered promise carried on the wind. "Zayn... it's you... I finally found you." Her words hung in the air, filled with emotion and longing.
Kai's heart pounded in his chest as he took a step forward, his eyes never leaving Sakura's. The distance between them seemed to shrink, and for a moment, it felt like they were the only two people in the world.