"Why do you always attract danger?" Ze's voice echoes as he appears in front of me, blood trickling down his sword as droplets fall to the ground. The image is quite familiar as his broad back fills my entire field of vision. He's changed clothes, I notice. He's back in his black ensemble consisting of a loose tunic shirt and a pair of wide-legged linen pants. A belt holds the outfit together, which he uses to hang the scabbard of his sword.

Thea and Cer are here too, with Thea shooting murderous glances at the girl.

"I've got her," she motions to the girl, positioning herself in front of her just as her nails lengthen into claws.

"You..." the man sneers, his nostrils flaring as he stares at Ze. Releasing a sharp battle cry, he thrusts himself forward, ready to attack Ze.

My lips part in wonder just as my eyes widen in shock.

Ze doesn't move. He doesn't even dodge the incoming blow. He merely lifts his arm, his forefinger on the man's forehead as he keeps him at a distance. He stops the man's advancement with just one finger!

What the hell...

He flicks him across the forehead, and that small gesture sends the man flying in the air until he crashes into the fence surrounding the complex.

The girl cries out when her partner releases a groan of pain as he hits the fence. She turns feral as she faces Thea, her entire body changing right under my eyes. More of the same fur starts covering her limbs until she changes from a humanoid form to something resembling an oversized fox. She jumps toward Thea, but she easily evades the attack, raking her claws on the underside of the belly. The fox yelps in pain, but she doesn't give up. Still, it seems that Thea can more than handle herself.

Ze sheaths his sword as he turns toward me. His lips are flattened into a thin line as he surveys the state of my injuries. My lip is busted. My knees are bruised and bleeding. He's no doubt thinking what a weak human I am.

Taking a step forward, he extends his hand toward me.

I blink at the unexpected gesture, but I'm not in a position to refuse his help, so I grab onto his hand, letting him pull me up to my feet.

His gaze is on my bloodied lip as a scowl permeates his features.

"Who did that?" His voice vibrates with tension.

"That guy." I point at the man with the red tail.

His cheek twitches dangerously. Pivoting on his heel, he pins the other two men with his icy glare.

"Cerenios, that one is mine," he says in a low, barely contained voice.

Cer smirks, shaking his head.

"As you wish." He inclines his head. "But remember our limitations," he mentions before he steps aside and focuses his attention on the other man.