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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKLRO8RhKQT
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq9UqjxSdBb
Kigami drew his sword, turning toward the corridor. His eyes narrowed, and his body tensed like a predator ready to pounce.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCjJytofb44
“Hurry!” he growled through clenched teeth.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgfXfmFjNFJ
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKC1OM8YxjS
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgIgcV9bxZs
“There they are!” one of them roared.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNLHGl7mn38
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNloE5U6Qob
Kimoko pulled Estella with her, backing toward a side passage.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBOzdPSuOFj
“We have to get out!” she snapped.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGtxGGsaxRN
“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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnerKjpa2T4
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡw8tjOgVrsl
She didn’t have time to admire her accuracy.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcmGv4UUQqy
More steps. More guards.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRexrjK92kF
And then, amidst the chaos, another sound rang out.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlNWlWsq1XO
Slow, calm steps.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD1aXOpxVyj
A cold voice echoed through the air, penetrating them to the marrow of their bones.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ56p0cxZVXn
“What a beautiful surprise.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡx56TQ9MdcC
Kimoko felt her stomach tighten.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFMswaBpFtt
Nikita.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSfvOugEauY
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5V0HVoUBtK
“Did you really think it would be that easy?” Kimoko felt a cold sweat run down her neck.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvOM0DxTjnY
“No.” The girl replied in a quiet but confident voice.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Bx7fklE43
Nikita smiled slightly, almost amused.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRAuz9BzmYP
“At least you’re honest,” she murmured, twirling the silver flame between her fingers. “But you know what fascinates me the most?”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjaqO92xQOm
She took a step forward.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWlRdm806TH
“Your stubborn hope.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRnzoECyyqO
She threw a fireball in their direction.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvPfjjt7O3P
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZNfQj43bag
Nikita tilted her head.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1i40WF90F2
“Oh? So you didn’t just come here to die.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbzRa7lkHN
“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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzotg8EnNff
Kigami said nothing. In a split second, he was in front of Nikita, his blade slicing through the air in a perfect, deadly arc.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡi2DEqVU9D7
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡE6U1qzYxQP
Before he could react, a fiery pain shot through his arm.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwe4i7UfIXV
He jumped back with a hiss, but the silver heat pulsed across his skin like a brand.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCT9iLAC8RR
“Strong,” Nikita muttered, dusting off her sleeve. “But predictable.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd8boIaoyi1
Kimoko didn’t wait. She threw a knife at the demoness, aiming for her arm.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAu6Yl19MDK
Nikita turned at the last moment ,the blade barely grazed her skin.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCQYEmokze6
“Really?” she sighed theatrically. “Is that all you can do?” Kimoko didn’t answer. A determined glint flashed in her eyes.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtxxv2Z2Q6J
“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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMxLY1USm7Z
“Charming.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiHqKHs3BZH
And then she lunged at Kimoko.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBGHFK3NgwV
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQDryYGpY2g
Kigami didn’t wait. His sword flashed as he attacked from the side, aiming straight for Nikita’s ribs.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4KK8bK1046
The blade stopped just a hair from her skin.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGapQWO2RNR
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrxaLWTdpJg
“Pretty good, brother” Nikita admitted, stretching her fingers. “But it’s not enough.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQJn7JLVKOb
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmb8lMcp0tl
“Plan B?” she said quietly.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoNqkD1U0Sy
Kigami nodded.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPKM6SLotNk
Kimoko took a deep breath and moved.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEZvigmGMj0
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsmbutX0MQB
That was enough.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJN7qS734kD
Kimoko darted to the side, passing the demoness and disappearing into the hallway.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZWj8g5k7An
“What?” Nikita blinked, then her face twisted in rage.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT6LAwKegWT
They weren’t fighting.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGsN1Gyoeim
They were running.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJzMIpVK8Qd
And if she didn’t stop them now…
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡig8Cl6I7Gn
Her eyes narrowed.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡl2hHxXeQwn
“Clever,” she growled, silver flames dancing across her hands.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZjKHVuKr7V
“But are they clever enough?”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk4sCZK3BQE
Nikita had no intention of letting them escape.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡILgAyIXYKx
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIgkfFVuZ7n
Kimoko ran, not looking back. She could hear the hiss of flames, feel the heat chasing her heels, but she couldn’t stop.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQPsky4Xk1Z
Kigami had a mission.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWzUeY2JGw2
He was going to get to Estella. She just had to give him time.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8p1oDNOqeL
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4IwWKQuKhZ
Kimoko stopped abruptly, but it was too late.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3wGWiti5E9
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKDbqZC9Hcz
She swung, her knife cutting through the air, aiming for his throat.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaTUgzHUQk8
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeaxp72BbGV
She didn’t wait.
She plunged the knife under his ribs and pushed him against the wall, hearing his quiet groan.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOLVC4aSFIa
She didn’t have time for remorse.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgjdXwYFCEr
She moved on, but then…
The corridor exploded with silver light.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlzKQB0Et4y
Kimoko turned around abruptly, feeling a wave of heat hit her back. With such force that the girl fell to her knees.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnNqcS5jUj2
Nikita.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBQxLoMIQrZ
The demoness walked towards her, slowly, almost calmly.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9tU6lWU8CO
Her eyes gleamed in the semi-darkness, and her four hands were spread, ready to attack.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuiVwHjS2LX
“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.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmdN3VR3h9S
Kimoko didn’t answer. She felt her heart pounding in her chest.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaQ1VzBULyh
Nikita reached for the sword at her belt.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡW5Ck0YdCBA
“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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpioj9rgldg
It was Estella
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuKKJ4e5z3P
Kimoko froze. Her breathing quickened.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUsYuf8OQeL
And Nikita?
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvzcXksEDK8
Nikita smiled.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo6zvUXCrLC
“Oh, it looks like your friend got into trouble.”
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKw9s5YcU5I
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.
75Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT94c3oTq9
“What will you do now, little huntress?”
ns216.73.216.79da2
