The SSS-rank Guide Doesn't Need Saving

The first wave shattered against the wall, their bodies bursting into ruin on impact. But more replaced them instantly, climbing over the remains of their own kind, throwing themselves against the barrier again and again in a relentless, mindless tide. One after another. Then another. Then more still, until the shape of him disappeared entirely beneath a writhing, glistening mass of midnight-purple bodies.

To anyone who might have stumbled upon that chamber in that moment, there would have been nothing to suggest a living man remained buried beneath that seething pile.

No one in their right mind would have lingered to look closer — the sheer size and hunger of the swarm alone would have sent any sane soul running in the opposite direction long before they thought to search for survivors.

All that was left echoing through the honeycombed chamber was the low, endless chorus of their mouths snapping.

Cruuk, cruuk, cruuuk.

***

Several tunnels away, Ares moved with quiet urgency, Torrin and Feyd flanking him on either side.

Torrin, lean and shaven-headed, kept his blade low and ready, eyes scanning every shadow the tunnel threw across their path. On the other hand, Feyd, broader through the shoulders, carried his weapon slung casually over one arm, though the tension in his stride betrayed that his ease was only for show.

Ten minutes had passed since they’d split from the Admiral’s group, and in that time, they had found nothing. No survivors. No trace of their missing squad members who were dragged into this place. Not even so much as a monster to justify drawing their weapons. The tunnel simply stretched on, empty and silent, the kind of silence that pressed uncomfortably against the ears.

Then, without warning, that silence broke.

A scream. Distant, but unmistakable, tearing through the frozen air before cutting off just as abruptly as it began.

All three of them froze mid-step.

”Did that come from the Admiral’s side?” Feyd asked, voice low, his gaze snapping toward the tunnel behind them.

Torrin’s brow furrowed. ”It’s hard to tell direction in here. Sound bounces strange off this ice.”

”It has to be from their group,” Feyd muttered, though he didn’t sound entirely convinced. ”There’s no one else down here.”

Torrin shook his head and reminded him, ”The Admiral’s with them. Whatever that was, I doubt it’s cause for worry. He wouldn’t let harm come to his own team.”

Feyd huffed out a breath that was almost a laugh. ”Guess that’s true. Our leader’s practically indestructible.”

Some of the tension in his stance eased as they resumed walking.

They had been part of the squad under the Admiral’s direct orders for a couple of years now. They were among the people who had witnessed the only SS-ranked Sentinel on planet Gaia dominating contaminated zones after contaminated zones, rescuing thousands of people dragged and trapped inside.

Somehow, just being with him on the battlefield gave them full reassurance that they were all in good hands.

”Speaking of the Admiral’s group—you think that Guide from the Federation actually stands a chance with him?”

Torrin arched a brow. ”Galithe?”

”Yeah, her. She’s an S-rank, right? I heard not many Guides in Gaia can awaken with that rank. And I’ve seen her try to get the Admiral’s attention.” Feyd shrugged. ”Maybe she’ll actually be the one to crack that wall he keeps up around himself.”

”Wouldn’t that be something,” Torrin mused. ”Man hasn’t let a Guide close in years, not since I’ve been in this squad. If she manages it, that’d make her the first.”

Ares scoffed loudly enough that both men turned to look at him.

”Keep dreaming,” Ares said flatly. ”That woman is a spy the Federation planted here. If our leader were that easy to sway, the Association would’ve fallen apart a long time ago. And even if he weren’t — I’d be the first one standing in her way.”

Torrin blinked, then exchanged a look with Feyd, a slow grin spreading across his face. ”Wait, I thought you liked her.”

”When did I ever say that?” Ares shot back, irritation flashing across his face.

”You don’t have to say it,” Feyd said, grinning wider now. ”We’ve seen you looking at her. Smiling at her, even.”

”That’s because she wouldn’t stop staring at the Admiral like he was some prize to be won,” Ares snapped, crossing his arms tightly over his chest. ”It was annoying to watch. And the smiling—I wasn’t doing that for her. That was because I already knew she wouldn’t fit in. She’s never going to be Zeke’s paired Guide.”

He sounded like a bitter partner hearing their lover being courted by someone else. But Torrin and Feyd didn’t find it strange for Ares to act so protectively of their Admiral.

It wasn’t the first time they’d seen Ares bar other Guides and Sentinels from getting close to their Admiral. Even when they first joined the squad, they were treated with suspicion. They had to gain Ares’ trust and become good brothers in the battlefield with him by shedding their blood, sweat, and tears while being support for their leader.

As for Guides... they’d never truly seen their leader spend time with them. Maybe only when the Chief Master would forcefully bring one into their camp and introduce them to their Admiral. Unfortunately, he treated them equally the same and coldly. And Ares would be the messenger between the Admiral and the Chief Master. Ares would bring these Guides back to the Chief Master.

”How can you be so sure?” Torrin asked, genuinely curious now. ”For all we know, their matching rate could be sky-high. She’s an S-rank, after all.”

Ares’s expression shifted, something unreadable passing behind his eyes before he answered. ”Because I’ve already met the Guide he’s chosen for himself.”

Both Torrin and Feyd stopped walking entirely, turning to stare at him.

”Wait — what did you just say?” Torrin started, mouth already opening with a dozen more questions ready to spill out.

But before Ares could answer, the ground beneath their feet trembled.