"So...where we headed?" Kago asked, following blindly.

"The Theta Sector. The others are about to be in deep shit!" Jai responded, taking each stride forward with purpose, determination blazing in his eyes.

Kago stopped immediately, picking up dirt as he ground to a halt. His sudden resistance was like invisible chains that had locked around his ankles.

"We'll need to pick up the pace, alright Kago?" Jai stated, getting no response.

Jai looked back at Kago standing still, his face blank and his eyes filled with recollection, haunted by demons of his past.

"What's wrong, dude? We gotta hurry!" Jai's informed in urgency.

"I-I can't go. I'd be useless to you anyway." The words tumbled from Kago's mouth.

"No way! We need all the help we can get." Jai's reassured, his body tense with the need to act.

Jai tries to approach but is met with hostility. Kago stood defensive like a cornered animal ready to lash out.

"Back off Jai, I said I'm not going." Kago warned.

"Look, I don't know what's going on with you, but I don't have time to waste here. I need to save my friends before they get themselves killed." Jai stated as he backed away, recognizing that Kago couldn't be convinced

Jai runs off without Kago, dust kicking up beneath his desperate strides. "With to without you...I'll do whatever it takes to save my people!"

The statement took Kago by surprise, audibly gasping as a long buried memory resurfaced in his mind. His eyes were wide, re-experiencing the pain from the past. Those seven words struck like lightning, illuminating the darkest corner of his soul.

Two years ago, Kago was the "Neo" as a first-year Savior Student. His face was joyful, his hair a deep, continuous black, with red eyes burning with passion. Nera and Derro were only halfway through their curriculum, looking like lesser versions of who they were today, like unpolished gems still finding their brilliance. Saviors who have long since graduated were still attending as 4th and 5th years. It was a stacked roster at the time, a collection of talent in recent memory.

Savior Student Roster (3013)

Year 5 - Uza

Circuit Ability ~ Heat

Year 5 - Rivia

Circuit Ability ~ Air

Year 4 - Kagura

Circuit Ability ~ Grass

Year 4 - Spade

Circuit Ability ~ Wood

Year 3 - Derro Daiquinn

Circuit Ability ~ Nonmetals

Year 2 - Nera

Circuit Ability ~ Water

Year 1 - Kago

Circuit Ability ~ Fungi

Filled with drive, Kago still worked hard and seemed to have bottomless energy. Performing well during performance activities and passing his classes with flying colors. Every day after 2:00, he went out into the city to see a girl from the Theta Sector. One who was just as passionate and strong-minded as himself, whose fire matched his own.

"Cass! There you are; it took forever to find this place." Kago called out, his voice carrying across the street.

A curly-headed blonde with azure blue eyes waited for him on the other side. Dressed in a nice pair of jeans and a sweater to combat the cooling temperature. Smiling with perfect, white teeth, she waved for Kago to hurry up. Outside a newly opened restaurant in the Phi Sector called Flair. A place that stood out among the rest of the buildings, unfortunately placed in a culture of mediocrity. Its customer count was low and was fated to close as fast it opened. The vibrant colors were a defiant change in the drab surroundings.

"Kago! You handsome devil!" Cass grabs Kago's arm, pulling him inside the restaurant with a strength that defired her slender frame. "Table for two please, and a booth if possible."

The waiter grabs two menus, welcoming them in. "Of course, right this way."

They had all the attention, being some of the only couples there. Taking a seat across from each other, the waiter introduced themself while handing out utensils. Kago and Cass picked out their appetizers and drinks to get them started, their eyes meeting over the menus in silent agreement. The food came out fast, and they each ordered what they wanted. Both were getting signature burgers and fries, the show case pictures making their mouths water. After taking their menus, the waiter left them alone to chat it up.

"Isn't this place just amazing? It's got flair, just like their name. Not to mention their phenomenal service." Cass's eyes sparkled as she gestured to the nearly empty restaurant.

Kago takes a sip of soda through a straw. "The service is only good because they're getting no business. Not sure why they decided to make a restaurant that stands out in a place like this."

"That's exactly why I picked this place out!" Cass said with drive, leaning forward with an intensity that never failed to captivate Kago.

"What, for the service?" Kago asked, eyebrow raised in playful confusion.

"No, you idiot! It's what this place stands for. The act of being unique despite the standard. It's powerful, and I resonate with that." Her hands were animated as she spoke passionately.

"Right! Like how you're a part of that rebellion in the Theta Sector!"

"Exactly! We don't want to be a part of the violence any longer. So we're gonna make our own sector!" Determination burned in her eyes, a vision of something better driving her forward.

"Yeah, yeah, I've heard it a million times," Kago states, taking a bite of a mozzarella stick with an impressive cheese stretch. "So...any steps forward recently?"

"Actually yes, tonight we put it all on the line. Hopefully, we carve out some land to get us a good start."

"That sounds super dangerous!" Kago responded worrily.

"Absolutely, but I'd do whatever it takes to save my people!" Her voice matched the fire in her heart, a woman on a mission that was bigger than herself.

Kago tilted his head, love on the mind. "That's exactly why I fell in love with you. I'll support you in any way I can."

They kiss over the table, Cass leaving her hand on Kagos cheek, the touch lingering with warmth. "Thanks baby, but this is my fight."

Sitting back down, they're food finally arrived. Steam rose from the hot food, just waiting to be consumed.

"Let's dig in!" Cass announced, practically attacking the dish with the same enthusiasm she brought to everything in life.

Kago and Cass had a nice date at Flair. Something they did nearly every single day. Life was good, but that night would flip Kago's world upside down. It was time for Cass to head back to the Theta Sector before curfew got to her. Kago paid for the meal and left a hefty tip, hoping to help the place stay afloat just a little longer. Outside the diner, they kissed goodbye, a routine that never lost its magic.

"Be careful out there, okay?" Kago reminded her, worried for her safety, his hands reluctant to let go of hers.

"Kago, what did I say about worrying too much? I'll be fine." Cass retorted.

"I know, I know. It's just I'd never forgive myself if anything happened to you." The fear in his voice was real, an intuition he couldn't shake.

"If something does happen, you'll be the first to know," Cass went to hug Kago, hoping to reassure him, her arms tight around his waist. "I love you, you know that. So no matter what happens, we'll always be together."

Kago hugged her back, savoring the moment. "I love you too."

Running out of time, Cass sprints outta there while waving goodbye, her figure gradually shrinking in the distance. Kago waved back until she was no longer visible, his hand dropping slowly to his side. Kago headed over to the Nu Sector to see Riff. Spending the rest of the night hanging out, trying to ignore the nagging gut feeling.

Meanwhile, Cass went straight to work back in the Theta Sector. As pillars of the revolution, Cass and Sables were valuable assets, their skills and leadership irreplaceable. Tonight was big, a mission to finally take control of some land and lock down a border for the Iota Sector, a dream they'd fought for tirelessly.

A ruined building was used for their headquarters, hidden from anyone not a part of the group. Densly packed with allies, armed, and ready to make history. Voss laid out the plan of attack, with Sables and Cass as his right and left hand. Leaving no room for doubts, they both lead two large groups of rebels to designated locations dotted on the map. Taking out hostile citizens along a predetermined perimeter, they moved with haste. Leaving a trail of men to form a protective border as smaller platoons ventured inward to close the space, a carefully choreographed plan of liberation.

The plan was running smoothly, without a single casualty. Having secured the border for the future Iota Sector, all that was left was to clean it up and lock it down, victory within their grasp. Sables' squad found 4 children on their run through the city, innocents caught in the crossfire. On the other hand, Cass's squad was met with unyielding resistance. Outnumbered and surrounded, they struggled to maintain the frontier that would become the Border Alley known today.

"Damn! They've got us beat." Cass mumbled behind cover, surrounded by gunfire. Her back pressed against a crumbling wall.

Looking around, it was clear the formation would break. Allies were injured and killed, weakening their defense by the second.

Damn! I hate it when that man is right. I'm left with no choice, reinforcements won't get here faster than he can.

Cass took out her phone, texting Kago to come help, her fingers flying over the screen with desperate speed. Minutes passed while her entire squad was taken out one by one, falling like dominoes. She was the last line of defense, focused on holding out until the very end, her resolve unbroken.

Kago receives Cass's text and jumps off the couch at Riff's place, his heart dropping from the message.

Damnit Cass! I knew something would happen. Please, just hold out a little longer!

"Something's come up, Riff. I gotta go." The urgency in his voice was unmistakable, his body already running toward the door.

"Must be important. I'll catch you later then bro." Riff's casually responded, oblivious to the situation.

With no time for a handshake, they stuck with a nod. Kago busts out the door and hauls ass to the Theta Sector, following Cass's location. His lungs burned with the effort, his mind racing faster than his feet.

Cass opened fire at the crowd, shooting until the very last click. Her aim was true, each bullet finding its mark accurately. Running out of ammo, she was left only with a hand pistol, a last resort against the tide of enemies. Sensing a break, the citizens pushed forward, forcing her to fight. She skillfully took out the waves of enemies, using both hand-to-hand combat and pistol shots. Her movements were a dance of survival, each strike decreasing in force. Despite her efforts, she was overwhelmed and taken by surprise, the inevitable outcome of such odds.

Shot from behind, she grimaced from the pain. The bullet tearing through flesh and bone. "Sly bastard!"

Kago was in reach, watching it go down before his eyes. "Cass!"

Using the last of her willpower, she tried to shoot back, her arm raised with trembling determination. The hollow clicks of an empty chamber spelled her defeat as she was shot down, her body crumpling to the ground like a doll. Blood pooled under her, consciousness fading, the world growing dim at the edges.

Kago... I'm so sorry.. Please forgive me... Don't shackle yourself by this, for my sake, aspire to do something greater...

Outraged, Kago ruthlessly pummeled the lingering citizens with piercing mushroom caps. Cass took her last breath just as reinforcements arrived, too late to save her but on time to retake the border. Her sacrifice to hold the line made it possible for the future of their people, a legacy written in blood. Sables ordered his squad to stand guard, his voice sharp with authority. Catching sight of Cass, he ran over to check her pulse.

"Cass! You idiot!" Sables knelt to her, his fingers pushing against her jugular.

She was gone, tears streaming from her face as her last thoughts were of Kago, a silent testament to a love that now existed only in memory.

Bathed in blood from fallen enemies, Kago was breathing heavily with only one thing in mind. Snapping back to reality, Kago turned to face Sables Squad on high alert. Aiming, they prepared to fire before Sables stopped them with a raised hand,.

Running over, Kago was halted with just one look. "I'm too late, aren't I?"

Sables didn't respond. Keeping his head down, he moved to the side like a curtain drawing back for a reveal. Cass laid chillingly still, having sacrificed herself for the greater good. Kago walked over slowly, taking in the sight that would change him forever. Falling to his knees beside the love whom he failed to save, he wailed a sound of pure anguish that echoed through the streets. Sables and the nearby men knelt for her sacrifice, a moment of respect for a fallen comrade.

Since that day, Kagos trust in himself was shattered. Dubbing the Savior ideology meaningless, he cast it aside. The stress of it all permanently changed his hair's natural pigment in wavy patterns. I constant reminder of what he had lost. Looking for an escape from the pain, he searched for the ultimate highs to combat this lowest low. Until today.

Those words... How could I have forgotten them after all this time? Why must I remember you now, Cass? Haven't I suffered enough?

Kago stood motionless, watching Jai push towards a goal with the same determination Cass had shown that fateful day. At that moment, he saw Cass in Jai, her spirit living on in another who fought for what they believed in. Tears streamed down his face, bringing him long-awaited closure, washing away the dust of guilt that had settled on his soul.

What the hell am I doing?! If you were here now, what would you think of me? I've become the thing you hated most.

Slapping the side of his face, Kago refocused himself. Reasserting a goal in life as he ran after Jai, with strides both powerful and purposeful.

No! Its time to think bigger! I'll become a Savior who never lets another life slip from my grasp! I'll do whatever it takes to save my friends! Ill do it for you...Cass...

Sprinting past Jai, Kago took the lead. A man renewed by the memory of love lost, and newfound purpose. No longer held back by his past, he put laziness behind him, embracing the future with open arms.

This time, I will get there in time!