The guard’s cry cut through the air like a blade, shattering the tense silence of the dungeon. It echoed through the stone corridors, and almost immediately, more sounds were heard - heavy footsteps, the clang of weapons being drawn from scabbards, cries of alarm.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0royNByE8S
Kimoko hissed under her breath, quickening her movements. The blade of her knife dug into the lock of Estella’s shackles, and she prayed that the lock would give way quickly enough.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgkPLYTSTGw
Kigami drew his sword, turning toward the corridor. His eyes narrowed, and his body tensed like a predator ready to pounce.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAlcrgS6kMd
“Hurry!” he growled through clenched teeth.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4tCw5tHk2r
Estella clenched her hands into fists, ignoring the pain in her wrists. Her heart was pounding, but her mind remained sharp. Almost…
A metal snap.
The shackles gave way.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0CYDUt5dAN
Kimoko helped her to her feet, but there was no time for a sigh of relief. The first guards appeared in the corridor—four, each armed with a curved sword and armor that gleamed in the flickering torchlight.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlPOlCAMNxN
“There they are!” one of them roared.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ13e6wT4l5A
Kigami was the first to move. His sword flashed as it cut through the air at incredible speed. He struck with brutal precision, blocking a blow from one guard, then raised his blade and drove it into a crack between the armor plates of another. Blood sprayed onto the stone walls.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4hJzN6m75T
Kimoko pulled Estella with her, backing toward a side passage.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjBSJLi97Z0
“We have to get out!” she snapped.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBPfPdENFHO
“Not that easy,” Estella hissed, catching her balance. She felt like every muscle in her body was begging for a rest, but she didn’t have that luxury.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvjbTVDdt3H
One of the guards managed to get around Kigami and charged at her. Estella, despite the pain, reflexively dodged the blow. His blade whistled past her face.
Kimoko reacted instantly – her dagger cut through the air and sank into her opponent’s throat.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ78PER0tOxe
She didn’t have time to admire her accuracy.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXe62IjrIqF
More steps. More guards.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoxDDzgGRSp
And then, amidst the chaos, another sound rang out.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoJPrv6upw
Slow, calm steps.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvW3N0gIhrA
A cold voice echoed through the air, penetrating them to the marrow of their bones.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYXmj6MyJMz
“What a beautiful surprise.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPZkWlLIrS4
Kimoko felt her stomach tighten.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgrdXtTLOeY
Nikita.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3eFTeKS5A9
The demoness stood at the end of the corridor, leaning carelessly against the wall, as if the whole commotion was just entertainment for her. Her eyes sparkled, and four hands moved lazily, one resting on her hip, the other brushing the hilt of her sword, the third tucking a lock of dark hair behind her ear, the fourth…
The fourth rose slightly, a silver, pulsating flame swirling in her fingers.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuOfbxa5MGg
“Did you really think it would be that easy?” Kimoko felt a cold sweat run down her neck.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOK9BrHblWv
“No.” The girl replied in a quiet but confident voice.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAi8Uh1j8Ym
Nikita smiled slightly, almost amused.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdAQ2gxNUyK
“At least you’re honest,” she murmured, twirling the silver flame between her fingers. “But you know what fascinates me the most?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqrbDpGDw9e
She took a step forward.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNOJuA9E9Dz
“Your stubborn hope.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmQj6WzRgCb
She threw a fireball in their direction.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡffadQ44dKI
Kimoko reacted quickly. She yanked Estella back, and Kigami deflected the attack with his sword, scattering the energy into the walls. The stone glowed with a silver glow for a moment before it was swallowed by darkness again.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxCMfgwE9Zq
Nikita tilted her head.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡg0nqejHqos
“Oh? So you didn’t just come here to die.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHzObym1oKE
“Estella, stay back,” Kimoko said quickly, spreading her legs in readiness for battle.
“I am not defenseless,” Estella snapped, but she was too exhausted to protest.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡy998XMu5bG
Kigami said nothing. In a split second, he was in front of Nikita, his blade slicing through the air in a perfect, deadly arc.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS0JwSj2hgr
The demoness parried the attack with infuriating ease. Her sword flashed, her movements smooth, as if fighting was a dance for her. Kigami struck again, but Nikita dodged, spinning around him, and her hand, the one that had been playing with a strand of hair earlier, caught his wrist.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWjWJE4wxz2
Before he could react, a fiery pain shot through his arm.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mvWMLzpnE
He jumped back with a hiss, but the silver heat pulsed across his skin like a brand.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJv3DvjAAOW
“Strong,” Nikita muttered, dusting off her sleeve. “But predictable.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGaYmKtQCu5
Kimoko didn’t wait. She threw a knife at the demoness, aiming for her arm.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwesOmLqdOy
Nikita turned at the last moment ,the blade barely grazed her skin.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXPYkJIZNe2
“Really?” she sighed theatrically. “Is that all you can do?” Kimoko didn’t answer. A determined glint flashed in her eyes.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQTpWd40DUT
“You know what?” she began slowly, keeping her distance from Nikita. “We may not be as strong as you. But we don’t have to defeat you…just slow you down.”
Nikita let out an evil laugh, her steps slow as she approached the girl. “Slow me down?” Nikita repeated, amusement sparkling in her eyes. “Oh, darling, you clearly don’t know who you’re messing with.”
Kimoko took a step back, carefully watching the demoness’s every move. She knew Nikita wouldn’t attack right away. No, she was playing, studying her opponent, letting him think he had a chance…until it was too late. “I don’t need to know,” she replied quietly, her hand tightening around another knife hidden at her belt. Nikita followed her every move as she saw what the girl was planning, she smiled predatory.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4JtxcBneVn
“Charming.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4oX8lDwJMa
And then she lunged at Kimoko.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaVk8tNFZDA
The demoness was fast - too fast. Kimoko barely managed to dodge the blow. A silver flame shot through the air, leaving a trail of heat behind it. The girl jumped back, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand on end.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeL8XPx1T4R
Kigami didn’t wait. His sword flashed as he attacked from the side, aiming straight for Nikita’s ribs.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRghxIo5yaJ
The blade stopped just a hair from her skin.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLg1kdhORRJ
Nikita’s four hands moved simultaneously - one grabbed the hilt of the sword, stopping the attack in place, the second swung to strike Kigami in the chest, the third reached for her own weapon, and the fourth…
The fourth rose into the air, and fire exploded in the air.
Kigami pulled his sword out at the last moment and dodged, but his arm throbbed with pain from the heat that almost reached him.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOx7kVDcuuk
“Pretty good, brother” Nikita admitted, stretching her fingers. “But it’s not enough.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhr2xXbb6it
Kimoko exchanged a look with Kigami. Their chances were getting smaller with every second. They couldn’t defeat her. Not now. But they could trick her.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdI5TyyyvJv
“Plan B?” she said quietly.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEhPpRB9j5N
Kigami nodded.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrKhqeBqvnM
Kimoko took a deep breath and moved.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡv3PvZYpAS3
She attacked from the left, thrusting into the fight with a speed Nikita hadn’t expected. The demoness parried the blow, but then…
Kigami disappeared. It was as if he had melted into thin air. Kimoko smiled when she saw his shadow moving along the wall.
In a split second, he left Nikita’s field of vision, moving like a shadow among shadows. His job wasn’t to fight. His job was to get to Estella.
Kimoko smiled as Nikita’s gaze flickered for a split second, searching for her second opponent.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRYN2K0mfLR
That was enough.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZiPgJBEAOW
Kimoko darted to the side, passing the demoness and disappearing into the hallway.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMjKEy8JTUX
“What?” Nikita blinked, then her face twisted in rage.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdwijozCsqA
They weren’t fighting.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0OzYMGTBhh
They were running.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PqNMdJZOC
And if she didn’t stop them now…
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjgVaEhSAUk
Her eyes narrowed.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡS61a1TXGcx
“Clever,” she growled, silver flames dancing across her hands.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTMuCE5W89B
“But are they clever enough?”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvUCPj7hFms
Nikita had no intention of letting them escape.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2wFxBFvKyW
She raised her hand, and silver flames spread across the hallway walls, turning the stone into a glowing trap. The air shimmered with heat as the demoness moved forward, her steps quick, precise.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7I6w4Bqibu
Kimoko ran, not looking back. She could hear the hiss of flames, feel the heat chasing her heels, but she couldn’t stop.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnDzRHx2DhZ
Kigami had a mission.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡASpdbWd36X
He was going to get to Estella. She just had to give him time.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgVzvyNCWY8
She ran to the intersection of corridors, her heart pounding in her chest. To the left were the stairs to the upper levels of the fortress a dead end. To the right…
To the right was a shadow.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMaszJQRepL
Kimoko stopped abruptly, but it was too late.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhIPBb4dXJW
A guard emerged from the darkness tall, dressed in dark armor, his eyes flashing with an inhuman light. His hand reached for his weapon.
Kimoko had no choice.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmF158kEZy0
She swung, her knife cutting through the air, aiming for his throat.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡF2AOxgYNDd
The guard blocked the blow, but at the same moment Kimoko made a quick turn and kicked him straight in the knee. There was a dull crack, and the man staggered, growling in pain.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpnbekwPZQs
She didn’t wait.
She plunged the knife under his ribs and pushed him against the wall, hearing his quiet groan.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLw8tVclQY8
She didn’t have time for remorse.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDvCwPK3V7K
She moved on, but then…
The corridor exploded with silver light.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUDM4UvBz8C
Kimoko turned around abruptly, feeling a wave of heat hit her back. With such force that the girl fell to her knees.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrSKrOBAQpZ
Nikita.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIvHsdByMUz
The demoness walked towards her, slowly, almost calmly.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwrJRF1V5r3
Her eyes gleamed in the semi-darkness, and her four hands were spread, ready to attack.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJlMEg03Spn
“You’re running away, but you don’t know where,” she said quietly, her voice dripping with satisfaction. “I wonder if you even have a plan, or if you’re just improvising.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡR4nx215YmZ
Kimoko didn’t answer. She felt her heart pounding in her chest.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXF64mq4mVs
Nikita reached for the sword at her belt.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡClP2VvgONa
“Maybe I shouldn’t play with you,” she sighed. “Maybe I should just kill you.” Kimoko backed away from her on her knees, but suddenly…
A scream rang out from somewhere in the distance.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFmKLk5tOE0
It was Estella
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEKbtLnslRW
Kimoko froze. Her breathing quickened.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyl6oj3Ae7c
And Nikita?
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMN3EakTUP8
Nikita smiled.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡz3C5I4pu4k
“Oh, it looks like your friend got into trouble.”
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6lIGXSXFpq
The demoness tilted her head, and silver fires danced on her hands. Her lips twisted into a terrifying smile, a smile she had seen more often.
97Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGk9p7ncMCB
“What will you do now, little huntress?”
ns216.73.216.82da2
