The flickering light of the hideout’s lanterns cast eerie shadows across the bloodstained walls as the battle raged. Meus, Aeress, and Maerti fought valiantly, their blades dancing against the dim light as they clashed with the four attackers Nova had so calmly pointed out. It was a battle they were ill-prepared for; the opponents were stronger than anticipated, each move a showcase of deadly precision and unmatched skill. Nova’s earlier warning of their strength proved painfully accurate.
Aeress and Maerti, despite their years of training, struggled to keep up. The assassins moved like phantoms, their Knight’s Resolve exuding an oppressive aura that weighed heavily on Meus and his comrades. Knight's Resolve—the technique that allowed warriors to channel their inner aura into raw power and inspire fear or awe—was palpable in the air, but their attackers’ aura was stronger, suffocating.
Aeress struck with her twin daggers, aiming for a killing blow, but her opponent deflected the strike with ease, countering with a slash that tore through her leather armor. Maerti, attempting to provide cover with her throwing knives, was blindsided as her opponent blurred into motion, driving a blade deep into her side.
Meus, in the center of the chaos, activated his own Knight’s Resolve, a blue ocean-like aura flaring around him like a shield of light. It bolstered his physical strength and sharpened his senses, allowing him to parry a series of strikes from the silver-masked leader. But even with his enhanced abilities, he was pushed to his limits. The leader's aura, dark and oppressive, eclipsed his own, and every clash of their blades sent painful vibrations up his arm.
“Aeress! Maerti!” Meus shouted, but his voice was drowned out by the clang of steel and the grunts of exertion.
Aeress’s movements slowed as blood poured from a deep wound on her abdomen. Her opponent seized the opportunity, driving a blade into her chest with a sickening crunch. Her eyes widened in shock, her daggers clattering to the ground as she collapsed. Maerti screamed in defiance, throwing her last knife with all her might, but the attacker deflected it effortlessly and closed the distance. In an instant, her lifeless body fell beside Aeress, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.
“NO!” Meus roared, his voice filled with rage and despair. His aura flared brighter as he channeled every ounce of his Knight’s Resolve, his strikes growing more ferocious. But the silver-masked leader countered each one with ease, their dark aura suffocating his resolve.
The leader sneered, his voice mocking. “Is this the best you can do? Two dead assassins, a pathetic butler... and a little girl who doesn’t even understand the danger she’s in.”
Meus stood protectively in front of Nova, his body battered and bloodied. His breath came in ragged gasps, but his resolve did not waver. “You’ll not touch her,” he growled, his voice firm despite his injuries.
Nova, however, appeared unconcerned. She tilted her head, her brown eyes wide with curiosity as if she were watching an amusing spectacle. “Meus,” she said calmly, her voice carrying none of the fear or grief one might expect. “Can you remove my bracelet?”
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Meus turned to her, his expression one of shock and confusion. “Young Miss, this isn’t the time—”
The silver-masked leader laughed, the sound cold and sharp. “The girl must have gone mad from all the blood. A bracelet? What kind of nonsense is this?”
Nova’s gaze shifted to the leader, her expression unchanging. “If you’re so confident, why don’t you remove it for me?” she asked, her tone as light as if she were asking for tea.
The leader chuckled, his amusement growing. “Fine. I’ll humor you, little one.”
“NO!” Meus shouted, stepping forward to stop him, but one of the remaining attackers drove a blade into his leg, sending him crashing to the ground. He gritted his teeth against the pain, his eyes locked on the leader as he strode toward Nova.
The leader knelt in front of her, his fingers gripping the bracelet on her wrist. “This little trinket? Let’s see what happens.”
With a sharp tug, the bracelet came loose. For a moment, nothing happened. But then the air shifted. A strange, suffocating pressure filled the room, and the temperature dropped. Nova’s hair, once brown, turned a vibrant, unnatural leaf-like green, as did her eyes. A faint, otherworldly glow emanated from her small frame, and the ground beneath her began to tremble.
The leader staggered back, his confidence faltering. “What... what is this?”
Before anyone could react, massive tree roots erupted from the ground, their sharp tips impaling the three remaining attackers in an instant. Blood sprayed across the walls as their lifeless bodies were lifted into the air, the roots twisting and tightening before flinging them aside like discarded toys.
The silver-masked leader, the only one spared, stared in horror. “What... are you?” he whispered, his voice trembling.
Nova turned to him, her innocent smile now tinged with something far more menacing. “You wanted to know, didn’t you? Well, now you get to see.”
Three more vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around Meus, Aeress, and Maerti. The glow of green mana enveloped them as the vines pulsed with life. Meus felt his wounds knitting together, the pain fading as strength returned to his limbs. Aeress and Maerti, whose bodies had been lifeless mere moments ago, began to stir. Their eyes snapped open, glowing faintly with the same green hue as Nova’s.
Nova clapped her hands together, the sound oddly cheerful. “There we go! I made you all stronger than that mean man over there,” she said, pointing at the trembling leader. “So hurry up and finish him so we can go home before Mama gets super mad.”
Meus rose to his feet, his body rejuvenated and his strength multiplied. He looked at Nova, a mix of awe and confusion in his eyes. “Young Miss... what did you do?”
Nova tilted her head, her green hair shimmering like leaves in sunlight. “I fixed you. You were all broken, so I made you better.”
Aeress and Maerti stood beside Meus, their movements fluid and precise. The three of them turned their gaze to the silver-masked leader, who stumbled back, his dark aura flickering in the face of their combined presence.
“This... this is impossible,” the leader stammered. “No child should have this kind of power. What is she!?”
Meus’s sword gleamed as he drew it, his voice cold and steady. “Although I don’t really know; you certainly don’t need to know. Just know that you’re about to die because you underestimated her.”
The leader roared in defiance, his dark aura flaring as he charged. But the newly strengthened Meus met him head-on, his blue aura overpowering the dark aura. Aeress and Maerti moved like phantoms, their attacks coordinated and relentless. The leader’s cries of rage turned to screams of pain as their combined assault overwhelmed him.
In the end, it was Meus who delivered the final blow, his blade piercing the leader’s chest. The dark aura faded as the leader collapsed, lifeless, at his feet.
Silence fell over the hideout once more, broken only by Nova’s soft humming. She clapped her hands again, her smile radiant. “Good job, everyone! Now let’s go home.”
Meus turned to her, his expression a mix of gratitude and bewilderment. “Young Miss... thank you.”
Nova giggled. “Don’t thank me. Just don’t tell Mama I took off my bracelet, okay? She might get really mad.”
Meus couldn’t help but chuckle despite everything. “I certainly won’t, Young Miss. Let’s go home.”
“Good!” said Nova with a smile as she ran out of the blood-soaked room with a care in the world.