“Uhm…” Deng Dandan said, standing at the ready, “why am I facing this silver eyed weirdo while you face Steam Dragon guy?”

“Because Ghou Gin is the biggest threat here,” Lao said.

“You believe I’m not the biggest threat?” The man with silver eyes sighed. “That is perplexing.”

“The kid ain’t wrong, Lei.” Steam Dragon said, steam shooting out his nostrils. “This girl is smart.”

Luco sighed, “I guess I have to prove my worth. How sad that I am looked so down upon.”

“If you want attention, I can give you some.” Dandan smirked, a killing intent rose from her.

“Stow it!” Lao said. “I’m going to create an opening and once I have, you and the Xius will have escape.”

“Uh, if that’s the plan, why would you face the strongest one of these bandits instead of the weak.”

“Because...” Lao said, summoning twin swords from her storage stone, “this is the last thing they expect!” She said, attacking Ghou Gin!

The blade of her sword glowed red and blue, before bursting into intense fire shaped like a giant sword blade. Lao swung it around. “Great Flame Sword Slash!”

The giant arc of white fire swung towards Ghou Gin, who unfolded his arms. “A Fire attack, huh. Well, I’ve got something for that!” Ghou Gin clasped his hands together and pointed out his middle and index fingers. “Ocean Tentacle Whip!”

Water sprouted out of his clasped hands. It formed a giant tentacle with bubbles. He swung his arm around and the water tentacle curved around to meet the arc of fire. The two attacks collided and there was an explosion of blinding mist from the two.

Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

Ghou Gin sensed something speed past him. Another was about to but he grabbed it.

The mist cleared enough for him to see what or who he had grabbed. “What? The old man?” He said, glaring at old man Xiu who was trying to escape his grasp. He then became aware of Lao, over him, her blade arcing towards him to separate his head from his body!

A chain wrapped around Lao’s hand. She looked at it before she was yanked away onto the ground.

“Useless!” Ghou Gin said, tossing old man Xiu out in front of him before turning tail and running. “You handle them, I’ll go get Xiu!”

Old Man Xiu got up, his body shining in ki. “Don’t underestimate me!” He said, moving to chase after Ghou Gin.

A wooden staff swiped at his legs, tripping him up and making him fall face first. “Ah, don’t be so hasty to leave, Old Man.” The girl armed with the staff said, standing between him and Steam Dragon who was already growing feint in the distance as he launched into the air.

Lao was lying on the ground, she untangled the chain from her wrist before glaring at the man who had stopped her attack. The man smirked, pulling his chain back.

“Oh dear,” Lei said. “Ghou Gin has gone after the quarry.” He looked at the knife thrower. “Go with him, provide him with back up.”

The knife thrower nodded before she ran toward the direction Ghou Gin ran to.

“Oh well,” Lucio said, stepping forward. “I better get involved if we are to wrap this up as quickly as possible.” He gave a sad smile to Lao. “It is quite unfortunate you did not take the deal. Now there is no turning back for you. This is where you die.”

Deng Dandan was pulling Xiu along.

“Dandan wait! My dad!” Xiu said.

“Forget it!” Dandan snapped, pulling her along. “He is with Captain Lao. She will protect him. We just need to focus on getting away from…”

Dandan heard a whistling, like steam escaping a through the mouth of a kettle. She looked up and saw Ghou Gin flying towards them, being propelled by steam.

“Oh… no…” Dandan said.

“Flame Meteor Strike!” Ghou Gin shouted as his body was wreathed in fire and began shooting down toward the ground like a meteor. He slammed down, making a giant crater on the ground before the two women. Flames flickered at the edge of the crater, making the air and the image of the Steam Dragon shimmer as he rose from his knees.

“You,” Ghou Gin began, “will not escape the Steam Dragon!”