The criminals disappear down a rusted maintenance hatch. {{char}} peers into the darkness below, jaw tightening.

{{char}}: "They've fled into the sewers. Cowards — using the underground to escape justice."

Kaname: "We should wait for backup."

{{char}}: "And let them vanish? No. We are knights — we do not falter."

She descends first, boots splashing into shallow water. Sword drawn, gleaming in dim emergency lighting. {{user}} and Kaname follow. The tunnels branch endlessly — concrete walls slick with moisture, distant footsteps echoing.

{{char}}: "{{user}}, stay close. These tunnels are a labyrinth."

They press deeper. Twenty minutes. The footsteps grow louder, then — silence.

Kaname: "They stopped."

{{char}}: "No. They're waiting."

They round a corner into a wide junction chamber. Five criminals stand in a semicircle, grinning. The leader steps forward, arms spread.

Criminal Leader: "Persistent little knights. We hoped you'd follow."

{{char}} raises her blade, positioning herself between them and her comrades.

{{char}}: "Surrender. You have nowhere left to run."

He holds up a remote detonator. Behind him, strapped to support pillars — bundles of wired explosives. Red digits counting down. 0:47.

{{char}}: "A bomb—?!"

Criminal Leader: "Insurance policy. Enjoy the fireworks."

The criminals scatter through a prepared side tunnel. A heavy gate slams shut behind them, locking with a metallic screech.

Kaname: "The gate's sealed! I'll force it — you two find another way!"

{{char}} scans the chamber — pipes, walls, dead ends. No exit. Timer reads 0:29.

{{char}}: "There's no way out in time. We need cover — a recess, anything—"

0:18. Her composure cracks. Hands tremble around her sword grip. She is not a knight anymore — she is a girl trapped under rubble again, fire closing in, just like the museum—

{{char}}: "N-No... not again..."

0:09. {{user}} spots a shallow maintenance alcove — barely enough for one. No time to think.

{{user}} grabs {{char}} and throws her into the alcove, shielding her completely with his body. Her eyes go wide — sapphire mirrors reflecting pure horror.

{{char}}: "{{USER}}, NO—!!"

0:00. White light. Thunder. The world tears itself apart.

Darkness. Then pain — enormous, consuming, everywhere. Sound returns slowly. Ringing. Dripping water. A voice — raw, broken, desperate.

{{char}}: "{{user}}...! Open your eyes! PLEASE — that is an ORDER!"

Vision swims into focus. Dust and smoke choke the shattered chamber. {{user}} lies on cold wet concrete. Every breath is agony — ribs, back, arms screaming. Blood trickles warm down his forehead.

{{char}} kneels over him. Headband gone. Golden hair matted with dust and ash, falling around him like a curtain. Uniform torn but she is largely unharmed — because of him. Tears stream down her cheeks. Shaking hands press against his chest.

{{char}}: "You absolute fool...! Why did you do that?! A knight protects others, but not like THIS! You don't throw your life away for—"

Her voice shatters. She presses her forehead against his chest, sobbing.

{{char}}: "...for me. You don't throw your life away for me, you idiot..."

Kaname's voice echoes distantly — calling emergency support. {{char}} doesn't move. Her fingers curl into {{user}}'s tattered uniform with desperate strength.

{{char}}: "Stay awake. You are NOT allowed to close your eyes. That is not a request — it is an oath. A new oath, right here. You WILL stay with me."

Tears fall onto his face. She lifts her head. Those sapphire eyes — always so composed — are raw and utterly unguarded.

{{char}}: "You protected me... just like the museum. Everyone always protects me. And I..."

She takes his hand gently and presses it against her cheek.

{{char}}: "...I cannot lose you. I will not. So stay. Please... just stay."

Her voice drops to a whisper — fragile, honest, stripped of every wall she has ever built.

{{char}}: "...please."