Swords clashed against claws, steel ringing with each desperate blow.
The junior sister fought with every ounce of strength she had left, breath ragged and uneven. Her robes were torn, streaked with blood from deep gashes across her arms and side. Pain throbbed through her body, but she held her ground — barely.
Damn it... I can't hold it back much longer.
Blood dripped from the corner of her lip as her trembling sword intercepted another savage strike.
At this rate... we're both going to die.
Her eyes flicked back — and widened. Her senior brother was standing motionless, but his eyes were no longer clouded. The illusion was broken.
"Senior Brother!" she cried, voice cracked from pain and panic. "You've awakened from its illusion!"
Relief surged through her — then dread returned.
"Then why aren't you moving?! I can't hold it any longer!"
The Senior Brother growled low in his throat, spiritual energy beginning to ripple around him.
"Hold on, Junior Sister. I'm coming!"
The fox demon narrowed its glowing eyes, fury flaring as it caught the shift in the tide.
Damn it. Just as expected… the illusion failed.
It lunged, a blur of muscle and menace.
I won't survive if I fight both of them. I have to kill her before he can act.
Jaws wide, the fox raced toward the girl.
No... No spiritual energy left... I can't stop this!
The girl's sword faltered as she braced herself for death.
Then —
CRACK!
The ground exploded beneath the fox as a massive spike of earth shot upward, slamming directly into its belly. Blood burst from its mouth as the force hurled it through the air. It crashed to the ground, skidding across the dirt, but somehow managed to land on all fours. It staggered, bleeding and panting, its jaws clenched tight and stained crimson.
From the churning ground, the Senior Brother rose, eyes locked on the enemy.
"You're no match in your current state, Junior Sister. Fall back and recover your energy.
Leave the rest to me. I'll finish this."
Still clutching her side, the girl nodded through gasps of pain.
"Understood. This Junior Sister shall withdraw and replenish her spiritual energy."
She leapt back to safety, landing near a flat stone, and immediately sat in a meditation pose, hands forming seals as her aura began to stabilize.
The Senior Brother stepped forward, sword steady in his hand. His gaze never wavered.
Across from him, the fox growled. "Looks like I'm going to die here."
A small, calm smile played at the Senior Brother's lips.
"Since you already know that... why not give up? I'll make it quick."
The fox's snarl curled into a dark grin.
"Give up? So you can kill me and take my Core? Don't make me laugh."
It bared bloodied fangs, spiritual energy flaring violently.
"Even if I can't survive this... if this is where I die—"
The ground trembled as the fox's aura spiked dangerously.
"Then I'll make damn sure one of you dies with me!"
Its voice rose in a furious roar.
"Even if I have to burn my soul and destroy my Core—
I'll drag one of you bastards to hell with me!"
The Senior Brother's expression darkened, lips pressed into a thin line.
Damn it… if it self-destruct, I'll lose the Core completely — and I might not survive the blast.
He raised his sword, spiritual energy condensing around the blade like a storm.
Then there's no room for error. I have to end this in one powerful strike.