We didn't hesitate.
The moment the opening appeared, we moved.
He was out of position.
Just one step too far.
One second too slow.
That was all it took.
I closed the distance first, cutting off his escape before he could fully recover his balance. He tried to step back, but I was already there.
My strike forced him to guard high.
Exactly what we wanted.
She came in from the side.
Fast.
Precise.
Her attack landed cleanly against his exposed ribs.
The impact broke his stance completely.
He staggered, breath leaving him in a sharp gasp.
But we didn't stop.
We couldn't.
I followed immediately, stepping into his space before the others could reach us.
My fist connected.
This time, he went down.
Hard.
For a brief moment, everything slowed.
One of them was on the ground.
The balance had shifted.
"Get back!" the leader shouted.
Too late.
I stepped forward again, not giving them a second to regroup.
The one on the ground tried to push himself up.
He didn't make it.
I ended it.
Clean.
Decisive.
Silence followed.
The mark on his hand faded, just like before.
Gone.
At the same time, mine burned again.
Stronger.
Heavier.
I felt it spread through my arm, then settle.
Different.
Behind me, she exhaled slowly.
"That's one."
"Two left."
The remaining two didn't rush in.
They stepped back instead.
Not out of fear.
Out of calculation.
Their eyes moved between me and her, reassessing everything.
The leader's expression hardened.
"…You've crossed the line."
"We were already there," I replied.
A brief silence passed.
Then he nodded slightly.
"…Then we stop holding back."
Something about the way he said it made my chest tighten.
"They were holding back?" she muttered.
"Looks like it."
The air shifted again.
Both of their marks lit up.
Brighter than before.
Not like the first enemy we faced.
But controlled.
Focused.
Dangerous.
"Stay sharp," I said quietly.
"I'm with you."
They moved.
Faster than before.
This time, there was no hesitation.
No testing.
The leader came straight at me, while the other aimed directly for her again.
They learned from their mistake.
They wouldn't let us isolate one of them again.
I intercepted the leader, blocking his strike and pushing forward to keep him engaged.
But he didn't fall back.
He held his ground.
Stronger than before.
His attacks came heavier now, each hit forcing me to give space instead of taking it.
Damn it.
They really were holding back.
On the other side, she moved carefully, avoiding direct hits, but I could see it.
Her movements were slower.
The injury was catching up.
"She can't keep that up," one of them said.
"I know," the leader replied calmly.
My grip tightened.
"Focus on me," I said, pushing forward harder.
He smiled slightly.
"That's the problem."
He shifted suddenly, breaking the rhythm and creating just enough space to disengage.
Before I could react, he moved.
Not toward me.
Toward her.
"Watch out!" I shouted.
She turned
But the timing was off.
He reached her first.
His strike landed.
Not as clean as before.
But enough.
She stumbled back, losing her balance for a second.
And that second
Was everything.
The second one closed in.
No hesitation.
No wasted motion.
They attacked together.
I moved.
Forced my body forward.
Ignored the pain.
But I was too far.
…No
She tried to recover.
Tried to move.
But her body didn't respond fast enough.
The attack was coming.
Direct.
Unavoidable.
I pushed harder.
Faster.
Closer.
Everything narrowed down to that one moment.
That one step.
If I was late
She wouldn't survive it.