The air split with a violent crack.
A streak carved across the sky—so fast it looked like the world itself had torn open. For a fraction of a second there was only blinding light and the shrieking whistle of Severra's scissor descending at impossible speed.
SLAM!!
The ground exploded.
Stone burst outward as if a meteor had struck. I twisted aside just in time, dodging the attack as dust and fragments scattered violently in every direction.
"—!?"
Before the weapon could even settle—
Her fingers shot forward.
GRAB!
The rough rubber handle slammed into her palm as she seized it mid-impact. Her muscles tightened and she lunged toward me instantly.
My breath caught in my throat.
"…When did she—"
Her body spun through the air, the scissor carving a massive crescent that tore through the air like a storm.
She's fast…!?
I won't be able to dodge in time—
The blade crashed down toward me.
At the last instant my arms snapped upward, crossing in front of my body.
CLANG—!!
I angled the pipe and caught the strike. Sparks erupted between the weapons.
Wait — What…!?
Even though I blocked it—
It still managed to grazed me…?
My eyes flicked to my left cheek where a thin line of blood formed.
Severra didn't hesitate.
She swung again.
CLINK! CLINK! TINK! SCHING!
Our weapons blurred as we clashed again and again, metal ringing through the alley like gunfire.
"People with your mindset...," she said calmly between strikes, "aren't required in this faction...!"
CLINK! CLINK!
Another blow slammed into my guard, forcing me a step backward.
"But I guess having an imprint is the only thing great about you.....!"
The insult hung in the air between clashes.
My eyes widened slightly as I struggled to keep up with the relentless assault.
"!?"
I staggered half a step.
Suddenly—
A small toy scissor flicked from her other hand.
It spun through the air.
Then suddenly—
It grew.
Metal stretched violently mid-flight. The harmless plastic warped into a full-sized blade that screamed toward me like a bullet.
My flames roared as I swung the pipe.
CLANG!
The burning metal collided with the incoming blade, sparks exploding through the alley.
Before I could recover—
Three more scissors shot toward me.
They expanded mid-air.
My eyes widened.
What—?!
I leapt backward just as the blades slammed into the pavement where I had been standing, carving deep grooves through the concrete.
She's using toy scissors as long-range weapons now…?
My grip tightened.
The pipe glowed red as the heat surged through it, metal beginning to soften from the flames. The links strained and snapped straight under the pressure. My eyes burned like molten gold.
Blue fire erupted from my body, flooding the narrow alley with blistering heat.
The spinning scissors tore through the flames like silver streaks. Some melted, some glowed red from the heat—but they didn't stop.
I lunged forward.
The burning pipe swung wildly as I deflected every blade flying toward me.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
Severra stepped forward to meet me.
Her fingers tightened around the scissor handle. The rubber dug deep into her palm as her muscles coiled.
Then she swung.
The blade roared toward me with terrifying force, slicing through the air between us like a guillotine.
I finally closed the distance.
Now—
I just gotta land a hit....
But just as I prepared to strike—
My foot slipped.
"Woah—!"
My balance broke and the pipe slipped from my grip.
Before I could recover—
Severra was already swinging.
"Die…!!"
The blade tore through the air.
But—
It cut nothing.
"…?"
Her eyes widened.
Where did she—?....
Her head snapped around, trying to track me.
My voice drifted calmly from below.
"Sorry… but what are you cutting up there…?"
The realization struck her instantly.
Her pupils shrank.
Under me—!...
I planted my hands against the ground and kicked upward with explosive force. My body snapped into motion as I flipped into a back handstand.
My legs whipped upward.
WHAMMMMM!!
The kick slammed into her torso with brutal force.
The impact thundered through the alley.
Her body lifted off the ground as the strike launched her backward, her jacket flaring violently.
She crashed into the concrete hard.
Her back slammed against the ground with a bone-shaking impact that echoed like a gunshot. The force knocked the breath from her lungs instantly.
I flipped back and landed outside the alley, my hands touching the ground as I looked toward where she lay, breathing heavily.
Did I beat her?....
"…?"
She slowly stood.
Severra lifted the sleeve of her coat and wiped the blood from her mouth with the back of her hand.
Her eyes locked onto me.
Burning with fury.
She picked up her scissor and walked out of the alley. One hand hung loosely at her side while the other wiped the remaining blood from her lip.
Her breathing was heavier now.
But her gaze hadn't softened at all.
I only managed to catch her off guard by luck…
Then—
She stepped forward.
Tap.
Her shoe struck the pavement sharply.
I tensed, ready to dodge.
She lowered her stance instinctively, muscles tightening despite the bruises and blood.
At the exact moment she began to swing—
VROOOOOOM!!
A blue super van covered in graffiti screeched to a stop behind me.
Both of us froze.
"…?" as I stared behind me.
Dust spiraled up from the tires as the old van idled violently, rattling like a beast clearing its throat.
The side window creaked open.
Creeeaaak…
Metal scraped against metal as the hinges protested.
Severra and I both stared at the vehicle.
As the window slid fully open, Darius leaned lazily against the frame, one arm draped over the edge like he owned the street.
A crooked grin spread across his face.
"Yoooo....." he drawled casually. "I see You two already became friends…"
Severra looked away slightly, a flicker of embarrassment crossing her face trying to hide bruise.
I just stood there, staring at the van.
What the hell is this…?
The engine continued rumbling behind his smirk.
"Huh?" Darius muttered, blinking as he looked between us. "Hop in and tell me what happened…"