We all stood in a parallel line as a cool background track began to play.
I said, "Maybe our writer turned our story into an anime; that's why we can hear the score, just like the music when Aimi sang."
Charalina added, "Um... the cosplayer gang has items powered by their mana. They found that their music can boost our mood."
"But... they're just cosplayers," I replied.
Nami chimed in, "We thought so too! But—"
"Whatever! We have to finish this as soon as possible," Rin interrupted.
With Miss Yurin's order, we charged back into the fray. I boosted my speed, and Charalina grabbed my arm. I realized what she wanted and tossed her toward a Titan Zombie. Suddenly, her entire body began to glow. Her mana took the shape of her physical form, expanding until she was massive.
"Titan-level Charalina!!" I shouted in shock.
She began fighting the zombie hand-to-hand. Meanwhile, I flew toward the dragon, but a Titan-level Creepy Creeper suddenly blocked my path. I gripped my sword, preparing to strike, but before I could, someone slashed the creeper in half. It crashed down onto the normal zombies and pumpkins.
I looked up to see a girl with long, silver hair. It was Nezuko!
I landed on a fallen enemy near her. "Thanks, Nezuko-san!"
"Oh, please! We're Harempanions."
"Wow! You made up a new term—'Harempanion'!"
Suddenly, a giant fire monster loomed behind Nezuko. We were both terrified; the monster wasn't alone. An entire army was flying beneath the dragon.
In unison, we said, "An army of Burn-fire."
The creature unleashed a burst of flames. I grabbed Nezuko and narrowly escaped the blast, but several other girls were caught in the heat. They were far enough away to survive, but they were badly injured. Among them were Asuna, Hanna (who had been crushing pumpkins with a hammer), Fumi, Nene (the maid who was slashing creepers with her knife), Roshi, and the other maids.
Thirty-three girls were injured in total. I tried to save the others, but we were trapped in a 'checkmate formation' by the Resident of Evil. The "King Cards" were the Burn-fire and the dragon.
The girls felt hopeless. Charalina was injured and had lost consciousness. Those who could still stand were carrying the wounded.
"We're going to die! We'll be erased!" many of them wailed.
Nezuko tried to encourage them. "Don't lose hope! We're still together! I'm sure that—"
"Noooooo!!!" I screamed.
The Burn-fire and the dragon, accompanied by a blast of pumpkins, launched their final attack.
I thought it was the end. There was no hope in sight. Tears streamed down the faces of every girl, including Rin and Yuzuki.
Curse me! I thought. I was useless in my past world, and I'm useless in this one too! I promised they wouldn't be erased, but they're going to die. It was my first real promise, and yet... As the firelight closed in, a transparent mana field suddenly surrounded us.
"Who did it?" Rin asked.
Outside the field, the explosions seemed to move in slow motion, as if time itself was slowing down within the mana.
Then, we saw the person responsible.
"No! Nezuko!!" I screamed.
She turned back and smiled. We were all paralyzed with shock. She was standing outside the protective field. I could see her lips moving, but we couldn't hear what she was saying.
[BOOOOOM!!!]
A massive explosion rocked the area. The girls screamed Nezuko's name. The mana field vanished, and we suddenly found ourselves inside a cave.
"This is the cave where we stayed the first time," Miss Yurin said quietly. "But... Nezuko..."
Most of the girls began to cry. Nezuko had used the last of her power to teleport everyone, including the girls from the castle, to safety.
"Why did she have to show off like that?!" Rin shouted through her grief.
Every girl was in mourning, their cheeks stained with tears. Outside, rain began to pour. Through the downpour, we could see the smoke of the approaching Burn-fire monsters.
I walked out of the cave and stood in the rain.
"What are you doing, Ahiro?" Tsukiko asked.
I turned back and forced a smile.
"Sorrow is not for a Harem-san," I said. "Look... I'm sad, but there are no tears in my eyes. I'm going to keep my promise."
Rin shouted after me, "Look! Our mana is gone! Even if your powers could surpass ours, don't do this! We have no choice! We have to wait for the gods!"
I replied before walking away, "I have no faith in Fate."
To Be Continued.