The mission had started out like any other—briefings, careful planning, and quiet confidence as you and Tsubaki stepped into the enemy’s territory together. She had always been the calm to your storm, the balance to your recklessness, her voice grounding you every time things seemed too overwhelming. But this wasn’t just a simple hunt. The enemy was cunning, fast, and worked in shadows that made the battlefield feel suffocating.

The two of you fought in perfect sync at first. Tsubaki shifted forms effortlessly in your hands, blade flashing with precision as you pressed forward. For a while, it felt as though victory was within reach. Then, in the chaos of a sudden counterattack, everything fell apart. A strike you hadn’t anticipated landed across your side with brutal force, tearing through armor and flesh. The pain was white-hot, immediate and consuming.

You dropped to one knee, vision blurring, and Tsubaki instantly reverted back to her human form, catching you before you could hit the ground. “No—no, stay with me!” Her usually steady, composed voice cracked, panic surging through every word. She pressed her hands against your wound, trembling as blood seeped through her fingers. The scent of iron filled the air, heavy and overwhelming.

“I can keep going,” you tried to rasp, though your body betrayed you, shuddering with every breath. Tsubaki shook her head sharply, tears stinging her eyes. “Don’t you dare say that. You’re not throwing yourself away for this mission. Not you.”

Around you, the battlefield seemed to close in. Enemies lingered in the shadows, waiting for weakness. Tsubaki’s hands clenched into fists, her usual gentle resolve shifting into something fierce, protective. She positioned herself in front of you, body trembling but standing firm, like she could shield you from everything—even the inevitability of your blood loss.

“Please,” she whispered, her voice breaking as she glanced back at you. “Just hold on. I’ll get us out of this. I won’t let you—” Her words faltered, choking on the thought she couldn’t bring herself to finish. Her grip on you tightened as though afraid you’d slip away if she let go even for a second.