Chapter 53: A Past Cut Loose

Jun Mi held her breath as she met Nakry's eyes, hoping she saw the same hesitation in her own.

This woman had been like an aunt to her, in a way she never knew. They first met after she joined the Jade Wardens when she still felt like a child. Joining was a long time coming, since she encountered a demon as a girl, but after four years of waiting, she hadn’t turned into the person she’d need to be.

Until they sent her to the Battle Mountains to learn Gyo.

She wouldn't be able to join the wardens for another two years, and to battle demons she had to strengthen her spirit. Jun Mi was determined to do it because she had to become that type of woman. But then one of her peers invited her to the prize match that would change her life.

It was the first time she went on a date.

They had talked long enough that it was only a matter of time, and it was the first time she wasn’t focused on her future. She almost forgot about it by the end of the night too.

It was one of Nakry’s early fights.

It was a cheap event that was easy to get to, with no announcer to make it a spectacle. There were two people in the ring, Nakry and a big woman who filled the other side. They stared each other down and traded some harsh words. The air was heavy with anticipation, and then they moved.

“Gladiators were amazing.”

That was Jun Mi’s first thought.

Neither knew what to expect but they came at each other like it didn’t matter. Nakry was fast and vicious, like a tiger going after stubborn prey. Her opponent was an ox, in that same way then, durable and unyielding, each swing a threat to maim.

Jun Mi watched them, her wide eyes bouncing around the ring.

Nakry went down and threw a kick-up. She got back on her feet and they kept coming as if the bruises and clearly broken bones meant nothing. When her opponent went down, Jun Mi and her date cheered at the top of their lungs. Nakry won, and Jun Mi knew it wouldn’t be the last time she watched her fight.

It wasn’t.

She watched her get stronger, watched her climb through the mountains. She still remembered the first time she shook Nakry’s hand. She still remembered that sense of elation.

Nakry's strength made Jun Mi stronger because she made the Battle Mountains a home. Not just a story, not just a destination. Nakry made the mountains come to life and showed Jun Mi that a warden's job was more than slaying demons. It was about the places you protected too. Places like the Battle Mountains, where people worried more about a match than demonic resurrection. When she finally became a warden, she fought for those places…

So, for Nakry to be the demon she had to fight? That made her chest tight. Maybe even made her tear up.

Maybe there was something she could say that would stop this altogether.

Something like, “I won’t apprehend you if you surrender.”

Or,

“I think it would be better if we talked instead of fighting.”

Or, if she really had to be cold,

“Being a Jade Warden fugitive will endanger your family’s life.”

Maybe any of those could change these circumstances.

Or maybe Nakry would just charge.

She came in familiarly fast, springing forward on lunging steps.

Jun Mi dropped a knitting needle and strings yanked her away from a lightning-fast jab. A lightning-fast uppercut followed, but she had already thrown another needle. It dug into a tree-size beanstalk, strings reeling her toward it.

Nakry’s eyes said she knew what the game was.

She dashed forward faster and Jun Mi ducked an explosive flying roundhouse. The stalk ate it all, erupting into splinters that made the warden’s heart skip a beat.

She didn’t have time to calm it though.

Nakry’s foot touched the ground and she spun into a cross, shredding a shield of fabric Jun Mi wove in the way.

Behind it, she breathed, finally catching her heart. As the fabric fell, she found Nakry smiling on the other side.

"Yuzuko told us what your demon mark does," She spoke, "A demon spider that weaves auras into silk. You really learned something in those mountains, huh?" There was so much approval, that Jun Mi lost her heart again. "What was that, a tou shield? Weaving your aura and throwing it out? That’s pretty impressive.”

Why did this woman’s praise mean so much? It felt like she wanted to hear it forever, but it only made her heart heavy today.

“It’s worthless against you.” Her webs were meant for trapping, not defense. “I wanted a version like your iron shock. All I learned was that it was above my skill level.” That was what put the explosions in her blows, one part gyo to make it tight, one part tou to spread the force from the point of impact.

Most people didn’t get up after it hit. But back then, Nakry never used it that fast.

"This is messed up," The woman was still smiling. "You were never just a fan you know? At some of those fights, I looked for you in the crowd. I wanted you to know that win was just for you."

Jun Mi laughed and her heart ached more. “I would have loved to hear that back then. You inspired me so much.”

Nakry laughed, “You remember our second meeting?”

She did, it only made the moment hurt worse. “I do. You asked me when you’d see me in the ring. I told you I was only training to be a Warden. You said I’d be a damn good one.”

“And I sure was right. Look at you now, keeping your eye on one of the Yoshiki Sect’s cardinals.”

Jun Mi frowned, “This hurts! I don’t want to fight you.”

Nakry nodded but kept her smile on. "Don't want to fight you either." Horns grew from her head, and a pale visor covered her eyes. Her demonic metamorphosis. It was incomplete but telling. She didn't want to fight, but she wouldn't back down. "When the win wasn't for you, it was for my partner. Between you, and our family, you understand who today's victory is for."

The Warden did, arming herself with another needle as Nakry came back in.

Tou was an aura technique that was about “throwing” your spirit, rather than wearing it. Jun Mi threw some now, as Nakry jabbed, turning it into a thread that pulled the blow wide.

The gladiator flew to the side, but not before sweeping a kick around. It hit Jun Mi’s calf and she wanted to howl, weaving threads around the bone to hold it together.

Nakry got free and Jun Mi jumped into the field of stalks.

She buried needles in the flesh around her, throwing her aura again as her pursuer drew close.

The gladiator touched it, and threads whipped out to trap her awkwardly in place.

Jun Mi dove for her, needle ready, stabbing for her undefended belly.

Then she disappeared and the warden gasped.

As she searched, an overhand punch hit. Her jaw rattled; her eyes went white. Her battle effigy couldn't eat the whole blow and didn't take the uppercut that followed. Or any of the barrage that came after that.

Straight.

Jab.

Cross.

Low kick.

Yes, but only the start of a question mark.

At some point, she was grabbed.

She forgot that as a knee hit her face.

A front kick launched her from the stalks, and she swore she heard thunder as Nakry dashed after her.

Her stance said snap kick, but Jun Mi couldn’t dodge it.

She couldn’t block it.

She could only hold her head up proudly as it came for her life.

It'd be an iron shock because that was Nakry's special.

She met the woman's eyes, and in that split moment, they both said goodbye.

Thunder crashed!

Was that what Nakry’s foes heard before they went down?

Except, she was still standing, and her skull was still in one piece. It took her mind a moment to catch up to what happened.

Almost out of nowhere, a redheaded girl appeared, sweeping her leg up to catch Nakry's. The thunder came from their legs colliding.

Nakry was grinning.

The two leaped back and the former gladiator met the redhead’s green eyes.

“What do dying stars call you?” She almost sounded excited.

“Diana the Bolt,” The redhead said. “Though today I guess you could call me the number one meddler!”

◎◎The Number One Meddler◎◎

Diana blasted through the sky toward Keigo, more than a little certain he’d do something risky if she didn’t make it to his side. She wasn’t planning to stop for anything, not even another malevolent spirit. But then she saw an eruption of splinters and knew a fight was underway.

She dropped down into a beanstalk forest and watched it from afar. She was partially expecting a spirit or at least one of Chiaki's allies and wasn't disappointed when she saw the Jade Warden.

It had to be Jun Mi, the one Shuraat told them about before.

While she could have been another defector like Danson's opponent, she fought intensely against a demon she seemed to know. It raised a few alarms, but they were quickly silenced by the violence the demon inflicted. Even if they did stop to talk, that combo was meant to kill and might have done so if Diana didn't explode forward first.

The Warden flew out of the forest and the demon came fast after her, leg coming around with a snap kick that yelled, “die!”

Diana exploded forward faster, readying a striker crash, and met the kick in an explosive clash.

The explosiveness alarmed her, but the grin on the demon’s face distracted her quickly. Was she happy Diana got in the way? Or was she happy someone could meet her kick? She asked for a name and Diana answered without hesitation.

She tossed three potions to Jun Mi too, as she asked, “And you?”

"The Iron-skinned Nakry." That explained some of the feedback from that clash. "And I don't think you want to meddle in this affair."

Diana laughed, “I always want to meddle. But this time, I sorta have to.”

Nakry shifted into a stance and she did the same. The demon’s eyebrow went up.

“So that kick wasn’t a fluke? Where did you train?”

"In the Harlequin's theater troupe! Guessing you're someone from the Battle Mountains."

“Yeah, and if you’re just a performer, girl, I promise this fight isn’t going to be worth it.”

"Wait til you see me perform first." Diana grinned and blasted in.

She registered no surprise as she got closer.

For a moment, she wondered if she should have asked about Nakry's abilities, but then she threw a punch either way. It was a jab that came fast, was dodged, and met by a cross. She slipped beneath it and swept her leg around. It felt like striking a pole as she hit Nakry’s leg, and she blasted back as Nakry dropped an ax kick.

Diana wanted to collect her thoughts before the next assault but the woman descended upon her, catching her as she landed. A jab flew and she blocked it, then blocked the one that came from the other hand. Her arms stung, but she kept at it, throwing punches wide as Nakry stayed on her. One pulled all the way back, and she almost fell for it as the woman spun into a snap kick. She dodged it, and shouldn’t have, as it became a hook kick next.

Something suddenly yanked her back and she was by Jun Mi’s side again. Nakry was back in her stance, and Diana laughed.

“It’s time I ask what I just jumped into.” She was shaking. This wasn’t the first time she faced a strong opponent but it was the first where she felt like she shouldn’t be close.

“Nakry is a mid-mountain gladiator who had a chance to go higher. Some people even thought she could reach the peaks.” The Warden’s eyes said she was one of them.

“How bad is that for me?”

Jun Mi replied with silence, which made Nakry smirk and Diana pout. After a few seconds, the warden replied, “I only know about you from your bounty.”

“Don’t dodge the question!” Diana barked. “You just watched that trade, and you know her, right?” Calling it a trade felt bold.

“It’s very bad. In a direct fight, you lose.”

Diana looked at Nakry, “You agree?”

“You have some talent, but you’re a newborn.” The demon replied.

Diana's arms weren't stinging anymore, but the point was still made. Keigo said gladiators honed their auras till they were strong enough to break blades, and this woman's concentration was so good it was no different from breathing. Would she even have time for a spell word, or would Nakry just knock it from her lips?

“What does she do with gyo exactly?”

Jun Mi's eyes widened. She hadn't expected that question. Still, she answered, "Nakry's aura spirals and folds sort of like a screw. It's close to her body, but that just means it'll leave you feeling the feedback when you throw strong blows. Worse, she can uncoil it and hit you with a powerful burst of force."

“That’s nasty!” Diana said, wondering if she could do the same with her striker magic. “What about you?”

Nakry laughed, “Between the two of you, she’s a better counter. The demonic power she’s using just needs her to touch my aura.”

“So I’m really meddling today.” Diana smirked.

Nakry nodded and shook her arms. “Which is exactly why you’re going down.”

Diana rushed to meet her next charge.

Her body told a hundred lies, but the redhead ducked the one true flying front kick, slipping behind her and whipping her leg around.

An elbow met it and she grit her teeth.

She didn’t get the chance to soothe her leg as a backhand spun at her.

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

She dropped again, bit back a cry, and raised a finger to Nakry’s face. Electricity crackled.

“Striker Shot!”

Nakry deflected it, but not without taking the shock! Diana came in, a smile on her face.

Jab.

Straight.

Jab.

Straight.

An elbow to send the chin high.

An ax kick to drop it low.

Her leg took a trip around the world and glowed as it came home.

“Lightning Striker Whip!” It arrived with an explosion and sparks.

Nakry spun gracelessly toward Jun Mi, who had her needles ready. She recovered her senses quickly though, turning that spin into a hook.

“Second verse,” Diana said as it flew, making her combo replay.

Jun Mi stabbed again and the gladiator disappeared. Diana’s eyes widened, and then she dashed in, pushing the warden aside.

It saved her from an ax kick, and pushing her down saved her from a backhand. Diana pulled her out of the way and that saved her from a roundhouse next.

Nakry teleported in and out around Jun Mi, each time missing her blow as Diana pulled the woman to and fro.

Eventually, it stopped, and the gladiator sized them up. Diana gave her a smirk and that got a smile back.

“Before, you sealed me and turned your seals into time bombs. And now…what is this? Some kinda precognition?”

“A girl can’t share all her secrets! Just remember, you said that she’s the better counter between the two of us.”

Diana couldn’t see Nakry’s eyes but definitely knew what they were saying.

She was outmatched.

While her style let her put on insane pressure and punish foes for striking back, she couldn't do anything when someone could weaponize her aura or seal it completely. Diana was sure this was the hardest fight Nakry had in a long time, and while she grappled with how to win it, it was the perfect chance to talk.

“You two know each other. I get that you’re working with the Yoshiki sect, but do their plans really matter more than your bond?” She asked, guard still up but words coming soft.

Nakry let out a humorous laugh and wiped some of the blood from her face. “You really are a meddler, interfering in the fight wasn’t enough?”

“I gotta beat you but that doesn’t mean I gotta dislike you.”

Nakry shook her head, “I’m fighting for my family.”

Diana nodded, “Because of what the wardens are doing to demons?”

Jun Mi’s eyes widened, “What are you talking about?”

Nakry’s eyes must’ve done the same, “Yeah, girl. What do you know?”

“Not a lot, but a friend of mine fought some guy named Hyunwoo. He told him that the wardens are targeting innocent demons.”

“Hyunwoo!?” So Jun Mi knew the name. Maybe they worked in the same branch. “I didn’t know he defected…” Or maybe not?

"Wrong focus, Jun Mi," Nakry chuckled. "Yeah, that's right. The Jade Wardens are targeting innocent demons. You'd have a better chance of toppling the mainland than changing their minds."

"Then, is there really a demon tribe?" If now was the time to talk it was the time to get answers too.

Nakry's next laugh was more humorous than the last. She laughed at Diana's words and the look in Jun Mi's eyes. "Now, how did you reach that conclusion before a Jade Warden?"

Diana smirked and the woman shook her head.

"Right, meddling." She took a breath. "Yes. There is. And the Yoshiki sect is the only sect who will protect their descendants."

“Diana Fillmore, you can’t really believe this, can you?” Jun Mi touched her shoulder.

“Do you see what I mean?” Nakry touched her heart.

Diana sighed, “I do, but, none of it justifies messing up the spiritual balance. Why should this nation suffer because of things going on in the triumvirate?”

“When the path forward is through a battlefield, do you turn to find another route or prepare to fight?”

If her last question was a touch, this one was a full blow. Diana’s chest almost stung as the words reached her, thinking about all she wanted to do and how many battles that would mean for her. She thought about her bounty, about leaving home, about joining up with Keigo again. Would she ever turn, or would she always be prepared to fight?

She firmed her guard and Nakry nodded.

"So you understand," The gladiator said.

“I do,” Diana said back.

Behind her, Jun Mi still wore a look of uncertainty, but the change in atmosphere made her lose it. Whatever questions she still had, she’d find someone else to answer them.

Diana nodded to her and tried to meet Nakry’s eyes. “I hope you’re ready for an encore.”

She was about to charge when someone filled the space behind them. She looked back, Jun Mi looked back, and they both saw a thinner woman. Her skin was pale, her hair dark and short, her chiseled abdomen was bared to the world, and a pale visor covered her eyes.

Diana checked for horns, just to be safe. They were there. She spun and threw a punch.

Jun Mi called out a warning, but it came too late as their new foe caught her hand.

It wasn't a strong grip and didn't hold her long, but Jun Mi's warning made sense as something fire-hot caught beneath her skin. She screamed and snatched her arm back and the stranger pushed a palm forward.

Jun Mi tossed two needles and yanked them both out of the way.

Their foes united, Nakry’s hands coming up to hold her face tenderly, while the other woman held her waist.

“You were supposed to stay hidden,” Nakry said.

“And watch them overwhelm you? When have I ever done that?”

“What will become of our boy if both of us fall here?”

“What am I supposed to say to him if I come home alone?”

“Mio, you’re a fool.” Nakry brought their foreheads together.

“If I weren’t, would I have ever met you?” This Mio smiled softly, and Diana covered her heart.

“This would be sweet if I didn’t have to beat both of you!” She called over. Her arm was still burning, but the heat had at least turned down. She stepped back to Jun Mi’s side. “Who is she?”

"Nakry's partner, Mio. Romantic and Combatant. They met in the midpoint and became a duo. Nakry's furious style paired well with hers. Though, Mio's strikes aren't about how hard she hits you. Scorpion Touch—Mio, even the slightest touch leaves you reeling.”

“How?”

“You’re not the only fighter I’ve met who uses spiritualist techniques, girl.” Nakry turned to them.

“Sealing, yes? I prefer channeling myself.” Mio held up her hand. “I just channel my own instead of a spirit’s.”

Diana thought about what Leyu shared before. There was mana related to the spirit that wasn’t related to reiki. Had this woman figured that out too, or did this have something to do with her demonic power?

She didn’t have the chance to think about it further as Nakry disappeared.

A second later, she was behind her, hook flying out.

Diana pulled back and felt a palm against her back. Too late, she realized Mio teleported too and paid for it with a splash of heat searing her back.

She stumbled forward and Nakry’s leg came up. Her guard followed, stopped it, and dropped as the woman appeared at her side.

They traded side kicks, and her heart swelled as Mio appeared behind her again.

On one leg she launched herself into the air, feeling their eyes follow her as she went high.

Would they turn on Jun Mi then?

No.

She felt Mio fill the air above her, and blasted into an awkward spin kick. It was Nakry she hit instead, for a moment, her leg screaming. Then the two switched places again, Mio’s hand gently brushing the leg back. She bit through the pain and raised her palm.

“Striker Spray.” Her spell hit nothing, as Mio appeared behind Jun Mi below.

The warden was already on the move, needles flying when the woman disappeared. The thread yanked, Mio’s eyes followed, and as Jun Mi escaped she found Nakry waiting.

An elbow flew up and another around. Nakry grabbed her and slammed her into a stalk.

Diana blasted to her aid, and Mio filled the space between them. Twirling, palms out, she came fast with thrusts and waves, making this a dance rather than a fight.

Diana turned the table and threw a punch. Mio caught it, but she sealed her, drawing back without the sting. But there was no second verse either. Still, she learned something. If the woman couldn’t channel her hits couldn’t compare.

She blasted in toward her, fist low and shooting out. It didn't surprise her when Nakry appeared between them, taking the chance to spin on her heel and bring the other around to strike the woman's guard. She slowed it enough to lessen the feedback and smiled as Mio appeared behind her.

"First verse," She said and the ground erupted beneath the woman's foot, spraying dirt onto her visor.

Mio screamed and Diana kicked through the cloud of dirt, her weapon the blade of her foot.

It caught and came back, turning into a rapid fury. Each strike hit the woman, forcing her back, opening her up for a spinning roundhouse.

Diana almost wondered where Nakry was when she felt the woman come in from behind. A needle pierced the arm that carried a punch, dropping it to her side as threads wrapped it tight.

Nakry turned and sneered.

Mio appeared behind Jun Mi then, hand rising to touch her neck.

“Second verse,” Diana called, and the woman convulsed as the kicks played back.

Nakry spun a leg around to meet her, and she dodged it, raising her finger for another shot. Nakry smacked it down with a kick and stomped into a jab. Diana did the same, knuckles cracking as she sealed the oncoming blow.

She wished she could see the look in the gladiator’s eyes.

She moved in for another combo until Mio appeared behind her again.

“You two gotta stop trying this,” She spun and kicked.

The woman was gone before it connected and back before Diana chambered her leg. A flurry of palm strikes hit her, each burning hot like iron. Her body shuddered and Mio kept going, each gentle tap a deception for what came next. When she relented, Nakry went at her, no weaker for her paralyzed arm.

Overhand punch.

Rising front kick.

Axe kick.

Hook kick.

Snap kick.

Where was Jun Mi?

Palm strike.

Palm strike.

Palm strike.

Deceptive caress down her back.

Her body burned so hot she was waiting for steam.

The two of them laid in and Diana understood. This was what their opponents felt, this was how they won their matches. Even when she could put her guard back up she was still at a disadvantage. Even being able to sense as they popped in and out around her, she was still at a disadvantage.

Where was Jun Mi?

She couldn’t even see her through this fury.

She blasted into the air again, chugging two potions as the women’s eyes followed.

Nakry appeared above her and she blasted away before the kick could meet her.

Mio appeared in her path and she bounced around her before those palms could touch.

Nakry found her way back into her trajectory, a strong punch meant to stop her, going wide instead.

She blasted downward and Mio appeared behind her, hands coming forward to catch her in an embrace.

“Dreamcatcher’s web!” Jun Mi’s voice rose from the world below.

Lichen threads followed, streaking up and out, pulling Mio back, and forcing Nakry to maneuver away from their grasp.

Diana managed to fall safely between them and found Jun Mi waiting underneath.

The threads tied themselves to the canopy of beanstalks, hiding the two of them beneath their thick weave.

“Could have used you a bit sooner,” Diana huffed.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not a combatant like either of you. This is the best I can do.”

She sighed, “I’m sure you weren’t planning on fighting either of them today.”

“I wasn’t planning on fighting much of anyone,” Jun Mi laughed. “This is all unfortunate. I feel like I’m on the bad side of fate.”

“Tell me you at least know what their demonic power is.” Diana offered a smile.

“They weren’t demons when I used to watch them.” Jun Mi shook her head.

“Yay,” Diana breathed deep.

She gave it a thought. They could teleport faster than she moved and appeared with the momentum necessary to drive powerful strikes. There barely seemed to be a refractory period, and not once did they ever teleport into each other’s way.

Why weren’t they teleporting in now though? Did it require line of sight?

Why did they focus on her so intently that Jun Mi had time to prepare this spell?

Wait…there was a moment when neither of them teleported either. When she got those kicks off on Mio. They had teleported afterward, sure, but how had she even gotten that combo off?

It struck her just then.

“They aren’t teleporting by themselves, they’re teleporting each other!” She turned to Jun Mi.

“How can you be so sure?” The warden asked.

"When I used first verse to detonate the ground the dirt obscured both of their vision. Mio was blinded, so Nakry couldn't get between us. Nakry was focused on stopping me, so she couldn't get Mio away."

Jun Mi listened and nodded slowly. “When they were in a tag-team match, they would overwhelm their opponents one at a time. Nakry was vicious enough to keep them on the defensive, and when she went full offense they had to match her. It let Mio move in their blind spots, and enough of her touches could leave the toughest fighters writhing.”

“I believe it.” Diana still ached. “But how do we win?”

“Why do you suppose they focused you more than me?” Jun Mi asked.

“I’m more of a threat to them? No offense,” Diana answered.

The Warden shook her head, "None taken, because you're only half-right. You're more of an active threat, able to at least fight on equal terms with them and stop their techniques. You can also predict where they'll appear so it's better to take you out, however…"

"However…?" Diana's eyes widened just then. "However, you're a one-touch finish. All you need is access to their aura and only one of them keeps their aura close." In fact, Mio had only tried to attack Jun Mi once, when she had to escape Diana. "Do you think their aura is somehow connected?" Was that where the woman was going?

“Demonic Influences manifest in different ways. If you’re right that they teleport each other, its likely they maintain a connection at all times. Furthermore, Nakry had plenty of chances to finish you with iron shock, didn’t she?”

And yet not one went off, not since Mio appeared. What did that mean? Maybe it was like drinking a potion. The more you used it, the less aura you had. And if that was the case? The less Nakry would be able to protect Mio.

“Diana Fillmore, will you trust me?” Jun Mi asked.

“First of all, ew, don’t call me by my full name. Secondly, at this point, if you try to arrest me you just suck.”

The warden laughed. "I'll take that as a yes then." A pair of shears appeared, and she clipped something away. "I'm going to drop my web now. They'll likely go all out."

“What do you need me to do?”

“Catch them both in your second verse.”

Diana sighed and shook her arms out. It wasn't a question of if she could do it or not, but how? If it was ever a question of if, then it was a question of when those two would take her down. As the web started to break, she knew she'd have to strike faster.

She honed her detection like she did with the astral wraith, focusing not just on their life force, but the flow of it like blood in their veins. She could see them, standing on leaves above, inner worlds pulsing like the calm beat of a heart. She closed her eyes, and as the web broke at last, she felt them move through each other, forming a chain until they had her surrounded.

Mio was behind her, and Nakry was in front. Then they switched, and switched, each switch carrying them forward. Nakry’s life force flowed into her leg and Diana knew she was about to kick. Mio’s palm radiated, waiting for that kick to land.

It flew over her as she ducked, and blasted behind Mio as her palm came forward. Nakry was behind her again, elbow driving down and she sealed it with a quick punch.

Diana threw her elbow back but knew it missed as Nakry filled the air. Mio appeared before her, both palms flying forward and she caught them, sealing the aura that tried to flow into her.

Mio held her in place as Nakry appeared behind her again. A fist came forward and Diana pulled the woman, flipping her overhead to take the blow herself. Mio disappeared and then Nakry’s foot stabbed down from above.

Diana continued her arc, swinging her foot up, twisting the woman in the air.

The two started dancing around her again, moving each second, trying to beat her sense.

This time, she went on the attack, blind blows finding them as she caught on to their rhythm like a beat.

Teleport. Pause. Teleport. Pause. One, two, one, two, always available on two.

She punched and found purchase. She kicked and found purchase. She still had to be on guard, but she could sacrifice a two and four for a six and an eight. Before too long she changed their rhythm, feeling their life force dim as they gave her space and regrouped.

She opened her eyes. Things were blurry, and her head hurt. The two looked on, almost as if they were waiting. Diana was surprised her second verse hadn't gone off on its own.

"You look out of it, girl." Nakry's voice came winded. Behind Diana, Mio wiped blood from her mouth.

She opened her own to speak and her voice came hoarse, "I've been worse!" She tried to fill it with her same confidence but her body felt...sluggish.

The two women came back in and this time, she didn’t sense them. Alarm bells went off, even though she knew their rhythm, but her arms couldn’t come up in time to block.

One. Two. One. Two. On twelve it’d be over.

One. Two. One. Two. They drew nearer faster, and she waited, still, in part because it was the only thing she could do.

One. Two. One. Two. This dance was just to disorient her as if they knew she couldn't detect them anymore.

One. Two. One. Two. Nakry behind, Mio in front. Mio behind, Nakry in front.

One. Two. Palms came out for her face and chest. The ground almost shook as Nakry stomped and brought around a roundhouse.

"Second verse," The words left her.

The women's eyes widened. And where all three of them expected violence, what happened instead was rapid stitching of threads.

They erupted out from where Diana struck them before, weaving around the women, catching them so fast they couldn’t tear a single one away. The last thing she saw was their surprise as the threads sealed them like mummies.

She relaxed, and Jun Mi returned to her with a ball of thread in hand.

“So, Diana the Bolt,” She started, “Tell me more about what you think the demon tribe is…”

[Chapter 53 ends…]