The familiar sight of Seishin South's dock should have been comforting, but as their submarine glided to a stop, an eerie silence greeted the returning trio.
"Hello, everyone, we're home," Romaji called out, his voice echoing across the empty harbor. "Where is everyone?"
They disembarked and made their way into the campus, their footsteps seeming unnaturally loud in the quiet corridors.
"Hello?" Anjero called out, but received no response.
It wasn't until they reached the training facility that they found their missing teammates. Everyone—Mashū, Yoku, Shinkei—sat in perfect meditation postures on the floor, their auras glowing softly around them like small aurora.
"Hello! Where were you all?" Romaji asked loudly, causing several of the meditating students to flinch.
"Ah, welcome back, you three," Hajime said, opening his eyes but maintaining his seated position. "We were just learning spirit control. Come join us."
"OK, I guess. What do we do?" Kamira asked, settling cross-legged on the floor.
"Just sit still and meditate. Talk to them, learn from them. They'll guide your way," Hajime instructed.
"OK, like this?" Anjero asked, closing his eyes and reaching inward toward Aalto's presence.
"Yes, Anjero, that's perfect."
Romaji fidgeted impatiently. "But I wanted to show everyone my new talisman."
The only response was continued silence from the meditating group.
"Alright, skip y'all," Romaji muttered under his breath.
"Romaji!" Hajime's voice carried sharp authority. "Calm yourself. You can show us later."
"Huh... OK. Oh yeah, Mr. Aado, I have to tell you something privately when you get a chance."
"OK, we'll talk later. Now please sit."
"Only because you asked so nicely," Romaji replied, finally settling into meditation position.
"OK, everyone, focus on the spirit itself and not the power. Understand it, see how it's feeling."
As the students deepened their meditation, their auras began to intensify, each person glowing with their unique spiritual signature—Anjero's deep blue, Mashū's gold and silver, Yoku's yellow, Romaji's Light brown, Shinkei's red, and Kamira's fierce crimson.
"Good. Now focus harder and make sure your aura doesn't fade once I do this," Hajime warned. "HOLY FLARE!"
The training facility erupted in blinding white light, as if a miniature sun had been activated in the center of the room. The intensity was overwhelming, pressing against their closed eyelids and threatening to break their concentration.
"It's so bright. What is this?" Anjero gasped, struggling to maintain his meditative state.
"It's Aado's technique to stun enemies, but it's the first time actually experiencing it firsthand," Mashū explained through gritted teeth.
"No talking!" Hajime commanded. "Yokudan, Shinkei, your aura is fading. Mashū, your revenge aura is fading. Focus up!"
"Yes, sir!" they chorused, pouring more energy into maintaining their spiritual shields.
From behind Hajime, two familiar voices joined the conversation.
"Hajime, I understand you mean well, but why are you doing this?" Rafaeru asked, wearing dark sunglasses that protected him from the Holy Flare's intensity.
"Yeah, I don't understand this either," Migan added, similarly equipped with protective eyewear.
"Says the two standing behind me and wearing sunglasses," Hajime replied dryly.
"What would we need to learn from you?" Rafaeru asked with characteristic arrogance.
"Have you two heard of spirit transcendence?" Hajime asked.
"I've only heard about it in the history books long ago. It's pretty much a myth at this point," Migan replied.
"Well, it's not a myth. It's truly real and possible to achieve."
Rafaeru scoffed. "OK, I'll believe it when I see it. For now, I'm OK how I am. I'm plenty powerful already."
"You say that till I whoop your butt in that match in a few days," Migan retorted.
"Dream on, woman. I won't let you cheat and distract me with your... beauty... body..." Rafaeru's words trailed off as he began to lose focus.
"Raf, stop slobbering. Watch," Hajime commanded.
"Huh? What do you mean... oh wow, those two auras are huge."
Indeed, two of the students—Anjero and Kamira—had managed to expand their auras to nearly twice their normal size while maintaining perfect stability under the assault of the Holy Flare.
Hajime finally released his technique. "OK, that's enough!"
The collective sigh of relief from the students was audible as they slumped forward, exhausted from the intense concentration required.
"That was tougher than I thought it would be," Anjero admitted.
"Yeah, you are not lying. Though I think I would die from concentrating that hard," Mashū replied.
A soft thud drew their attention as Kamira collapsed sideways, her breathing labored.
"Woah, Kamira, are you alright?" Mashū asked, moving to check on her.
"Yeah, I'm OK. I just need a break," she panted. "Yo, Aado, what day is it?"
"Today is April 15th, 20xx," Hajime replied.
"Oh shoot, I need to go. May I leave for the day?"
"Go ahead, but don't be late for tomorrow's lesson."
"OK, thank you."
As Kamira hurried out of the facility, Anjero noticed the urgency in her movements. "Kam seemed to be in a hurry."
"Oh yeah, I forgot she had to visit her sister today," Migan mentioned casually.
"Oh yeah, I forgot about her story and the rose tattoo," Anjero said.
"Yeah, she goes every other week and brings her fruit bars and roses," Romaji added.
"Why do you know that?" Anjero asked with curiosity.
"Yoku and I followed her once to see where she goes every other week."
"Huh... now I'm curious what hospital it was. I want to pay respects to the past Rage Guardian."
Romaji pulled out his phone and showed Anjero the location. "Suit yourself. It's here in Kawell. Hard to miss."
---Two Hours Later - Kawell Spirit Hospital**
The Kawell Spirit Hospital was an imposing structure that combined medical functionality with the specialized needs of spirit-energy-related injuries. Anjero approached the reception desk.
"Hi, I'm looking for Kalira Yusei. I'm just visiting," he said to the nurse at the reception desk.
"Are you part of the family?" the nurse asked, eyeing his youthful appearance with suspicion.
"No, but I'm a friend."
"Really? You look kinda young to be friends with her."
"Oh... uh, she used to babysit me, is all," Anjero replied, improvising quickly.
As he reached into his pocket nervously, his Guardian seal tumbled out, clattering onto the reception desk.
"Oh, this is..." he began, but the nurse's demeanor had already completely changed.
"Oh, you're a Guardian in training! I see. Thank you for keeping this country safe. She's in room 211. Just go down that hall, make a left, and take the elevator. It should be right there."
"Thank you, ma'am."
"No problem."
*Thank you, seal,* Anjero thought as he followed the directions. The Guardian identification had opened doors he couldn't have passed through otherwise.
As he approached room 211, he heard voices through the partially open door—Kamira's voice, strained with emotion, and another that sounded remarkably similar.
"Why do you always say this?" Kamira was asking.
"Why don't you ever listen, Kam? I'm trying to protect you," came the reply from who could only be Kalira.
"Protect me from what?"
"From ending up like this. I was just like you when I was your age—cocky and aggressive. But that demeanor put me in this hospital bed for who knows how long."
"But Sis..." Kamira's voice cracked, and Anjero could hear her beginning to cry.
"Kam, all I'm saying is quit the guardians and live a normal life with your girlfriend."
There was a pause, then Kamira's surprised voice: "Wait, how did you know?"
"Did you really think your girlfriend of two years would never come visit me?"
"I guess you're right. She is incredible at figuring stuff out. She's my Sherlock."
"I approve of her," Kalira said with warmth in her voice.
"Thank you, but Sis, if I quit, who'll pay for your hospital bills?"
"I'll be fine, Kam. Don't worry about me. Live your life the way you want to."
"Sorry, but I can't quit."
"And why is that?"
"Because I really enjoy this, Kalira, and I don't want to stop."
"Kam, please quit!" The desperation in Kalira's voice was heartbreaking.
"No, I won't."
Anjero decided this was the moment to make his presence known. He knocked gently on the door.
"Excuse me, ma'am."
"Anjero, why are you here?" Kamira asked, turning toward the door with surprise and a hint of embarrassment at being discovered.
"I followed you, and the nurse lady told me the room number."
"Of course that woman is a Guardian fanatic," Kamira muttered.
"Yeah... Anyways, Miss Kalira, it's an honor to meet you," Anjero said, addressing the woman in the hospital bed.
Kalira Yusei was clearly Kamira's older sister—the same fierce eyes, the same determined jawline, but softened by illness and injury. Her legs were covered by a blanket, but medical equipment suggested permanent damage. Most strikingly, she bore the same rose tattoo as Kamira, though hers extended further up her arm.
"Is he a Guardian also?" Kalira asked.
"Yeah, he's from my school. Anjero Sutanri, water guardian."
"Oh, so you're part of the new Original Seven, huh? Sutanri sounds familiar. Oh, are you one of Sharin's kids?"
"Yes, I am, to both of those questions."
"Ah, that brings back memories. She was my teacher and instructor back then. She used to kick my butt with her electric spirit, but one damn good teacher." Kalira's expression grew serious. "Kid, if I were you, I would quit also. This is not worth the glory."
"I see where you're coming from, Kalira, but I made a choice to rid this world of turmoil and despair, so that's what I'm gonna do."
"Hm, interesting."
Anjero took a deep breath, knowing he was about to say something that might change the dynamic between the sisters forever. "And Kamira here has kept us alive through this journey. We wouldn't be here without her being the leader we can all depend on. So please believe me when I say this—we need her."
"Thank you, Anjero," Kamira said softly, her voice thick with emotion.
Kalira studied both of them for a long moment, her expression cycling through various emotions—frustration, love, fear, and finally, resignation.
"Huh... OK, well, I still don't think she should be in this, but... please be careful, Kamira, and don't do anything I would do."
"Yes! Finally, you understand!" Kamira exclaimed with joy.
"Never said I did, but I'm willing to let you stay," Kalira replied, though her tone suggested grudging acceptance rather than enthusiasm.
The sisters embraced, and Anjero could see years of tension and worry finally beginning to ease.
"You can leave now, Anjero," Kamira said, though there was gratitude rather than dismissal in her voice.
"Oh yeah, my bad. I'll leave you two to it."
As Anjero walked back through the hospital corridors, he reflected on what he'd witnessed. Kamira's fierce protective nature, her aggression, her determination to be strong—it all made sense now. She wasn't fighting for glory or recognition. She was fighting to prevent others from ending up like her sister, and to ensure she could take care of the person she loved most.
The rose tattoo wasn't just about inspiration—it was a promise, a reminder, and a burden all at once.
Tomorrow, they would return to training for the field day competition. But tonight, Anjero understood his teammates a little better, and the bonds that held their team together felt stronger than ever.
Some fights were worth having, and some people were worth protecting, no matter the cost.
That was what it truly meant to be a Guardian.