CHAPTER 340: FIT RIGHT IN

Crystal and Aria were shocked when they saw the dots of light floating around them once they returned to the street. The timer having run out and the Heroic nature quest rewards became known.

People who were dead were coming back to life and all the damage that had taken place was being undone as if it was all just a bad dream. However Aria noticed not everything was alright. The worst offenders that they had secured had disappeared.

In their place was a small pile of ash that scattered in the faint breeze.

Crystal frowned and took a step closer to Aria. "This does not feel like the end."

Aria’s eyes narrowed. "Someone did this on purpose. The consequences are still coming."

Without another word, they began making their way back toward Greg’s gym. The streets were quieter now. Most people had either vanished or were still stunned by what had just happened. The city around them was slowly returning to normal, but a heavy weight pressed on their minds.

As they turned the corner, two figures suddenly came rushing out from a side alley near the theatre. It was Ethan and Vivian. Both looked exhausted after escaping out an exit. .

"Aria!" Ethan called out, trying to catch his breath. "We need to talk."

Aria stopped and glanced at Crystal, Vivian and Ethan were like siblings to her and they had done the unthinkable to help her.

They had helped her stand up to her father. In doig so, they had thrown away the only place hat they could call home. A sense of guilt washed over her as she waited for Ethan to speak.

The young man after catching his breath stood as tal as he coul dand slammed his fist against his heart and practically shouted "We request to follow the Young Miss! Allow us to accompany you on your future endeavours. We may just be two but you can be assured of our loyalty!"

Crystal glanced at Aria, her expression tense. The weight of responsibility was clear on her face. After a moment, she let out a slow sigh.

"Very well," Crystal said quietly. "Follow us. But understand this will not be easy. The path ahead is dangerous."

Aria nodded. "We’ll watch each other’s backs."

Vivian had a smile on her face as she looked at her Young Mistress who had finally broken free from her bird cage. It was refreshing to see. Almost as refreshing as the beating she had given to the perverted asshole she had been forced to call her own father.

Whatever Aria was into was definitely problematic but to someone like Vivian, it was all the more interesting and she found herself craving for what Aria had. She couldn’t shake the feeling that somehow, all of this was fate.

It sounded ridiculous, even to her but it was the only thing that made sense to her at the moment. Nobody would ever know just how accurate her thoughts were.

As the once quiet streets began to fill with the people cheering and celebrating their victory. The fight was far from over and the true test was just beginning.

After all, they still had no idea why ro how this happened.

As the group of four made their way through the slowly recovering streets. The sun was beginning to climb higher, casting soft light over the buildings that had been scarred by the chaos only moments before. Though the city seemed to be healing, a heavy tension hung in the air between them. Neither spoke much as they walked, each lost in thought about what had just transpired and what lay ahead.

The weight of the ash still clinging to their memories reminded them that not everything had been fixed. The worst offenders were gone, erased in a way that unsettled them both. There was no telling what that meant, only that the danger was far from over.

Finally, the familiar sight of Greg’s gym came into view. The large metal doors stood slightly ajar, and from outside they could see a figure waiting. Penny was there, standing near the entrance with an anxious look on her face. The moment she spotted them, her eyes lit up and she hurried over.

"Aria! Crystal!" Penny called out, quickening her pace until she was in front of them. Without hesitation, she threw her arms around both girls, hugging them tightly. "Thank goodness you’re safe."

The embrace was warm and genuine. Aria smiled softly, feeling the relief wash over her. Crystal’s lips twitched into a small smile as well, though her guard stayed raised.

After a moment, Penny pulled back, a faint blush coloring her cheeks. She cleared her throat and gave a quick awkward laugh. "Uh, that was... just to make sure the measurements are right for your next outfits. You know, so everything fits perfectly." She glanced away, clearly trying to cover up the fact that her hug had been more about emotion than practicality.

Aria raised an eyebrow but said nothing. She was used to Penny’s quirky ways and accepted the explanation without pressing.

"Where are Rachel and Leo?" Aria asked, her tone calm but curious.

Penny’s smile faltered for a moment. Her eyes dropped briefly before she answered. "Rachel... she stepped out to take a phone call. Said it was important." Her voice was steady, but Aria could see the hesitation underneath.

"And Leo?" Crystal asked, stepping forward slightly.

"He wanted some time alone," Penny replied quietly. "And I don’t blame him."

Aria tilted her head with worry and confusion forming in her eyes.

"What do you mean by that Penny."

She gripped her arm as she recalled what had happened after they had separated.

"Not long after we went our own way, we came acorss a group of looters attacking a small group of people. Leo jumpd into save them because of course he would, right? He’s Leo. But this time....this time was different. He... He lost control and killed them.

"Killed who?"

"The looters...Every single one of them! He tore them to pieces, crushed them. It was terrifying honestly!"

Penny’s voice cracked slightly as the words left her mouth. Her eyes flicked between Aria and Crystal, searching for understanding, maybe even permission to feel shaken.

Crystal’s face hardened, though it wasn’t directed at Penny. "And the people he was protecting?"

"They’re fine. Shaken, but not hurt. He didn’t lay a hand on them," Penny said quickly.

"But the issue was the fact that he lost control. Rachel and I had to bind him with magic so that he didn’t hurt anyone else...or us! He was on a blind rage."

Aria’s heart sank. The image Penny was painting felt impossible, unreal. Leo had always been reckless, always bold, but never uncontrolled. Never violent without purpose.

Crystal stayed quiet, though her fingers had curled into a fist at her side. She stared at the ground, as if trying to push the truth away by force.

Penny continued, her voice softer now. "It was like something took over him. He wasn’t listening, wasn’t seeing anything. Just pure rage. Rachel’s magic barely held him, and when it was over, he just collapsed. Not from wounds or spells... from himself. It was like he finally realized what he had done."

"Where is he now?" Aria asked, her voice low.

"I don’t know. He got up and walked away. Said he needed to breathe. Rachel didn’t follow. She said he would come back when he was ready, but..." Penny looked down. "I’ve never seen him like that before."

Aria looked over at Crystal, who finally met her gaze. Neither spoke. They didn’t have to. They both understood. Leo had crossed a line. Whether it was because of something within him or something the system had done, they weren’t sure. But it wasn’t something they could ignore.

"I want to see him," Aria said. "Soon."

He had been there for her when she was lost and confused so she thought it was only fair to help him in his own time of need.

Crystal gave a slight nod and stepped aside to let Aria move ahead, but she didn’t say anything. Penny fidgeted with the hem of her shirt before speaking again.

"There’s more," she said quietly.

Aria paused.

Penny hesitated. "Rachel thinks this isn’t just stress or trauma. She said she saw two paths and beams of light shot out of his eyes. Do you think we should have her get checked out at the hospital after? Crystal and Aria both exchanged looks. They had both been struck by two differnt colored beams of light that made them feel stronger than they had before.

Now that they knew where it came from, it all made sense.

"I don’t think he meant to hurt anyone," Penny added quietly. "He looked so lost after it happened. Like he didn’t even recognize what he had done."

Aria closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Leo’s not the type to lose himself like that. Not unless something is seriously wrong."

"It could be the system," Crystal said. "Or whatever’s behind it. Whatever rewound time and erased those criminals like they were just numbers to be cleared from a file. Maybe Leo got caught in it somehow."

Vivian, who had been leaning against the wall quietly, finally spoke up. "You’re telling me this guy just went berserk and started ripping people apart like wet paper?"

Penny looked at the newcomer before she slowly nodded her head "Pretty much, yeah. Why?"

Vivian broke into wide grin as she asked "Do you know if he’s single~?"

Ethan let out a sigh of defeat. As always, his sister had proven that she was a fucking psycho once more. She was going to fit right in.