Without giving the enemy a moment to react, Karteira and Nia were already upon them.

  The battle began with Karteira, clad in shining magic.

  She appeared in the blind spot of the shadowy figure and threw a powerful punch straight into its flank.

  The smile on the creature's face widened slightly as it remained perfectly still.

  Her fist struck its side, energy condensing into a violent spiral.

  With a single blow, she blasted a large hole through its body.

  But Karteira frowned.

  I didn't feel any resistance.

  She pulled her fist back.

  Taking a quick step away, she noticed the creature hunch forward.

  Its arms wiggled in a nauseating way as its head tilted just enough for its eyes and grin to remain fixed on her.

  A deep sense of unease crept through Karteira as she shifted into a defensive stance.

  I really don't like that smile. Somehow, it freaks me out.

  She waited for the creature to move, her gaze locked onto its disturbing face.

  "-!"

  Karteira reacted just in time, blocking a spike that erupted from behind her.

  Her armor plates absorbed the blow without leaving so much as a scratch.

  But the impact still pushed her backward—far enough for her to realize the intent of the ambush.

  Right behind her stood the second beast.

  Silent.

  Its red eyes fixed on her.

  Its long arms curled toward her like writhing tentacles.

  Just as the octopus-like appendage lunged for her, Karteira vanished—leaving behind a trail of light and a burst of steam.

  She slid across the polished floor and turned sharply, her boots screeching against the glass-like surface.

  Facing the creature again, her eyes sharpened.

  With a burst of steam, she surged forward, wrapped in light.

  Midair, she pulled her arm back, gathering every ounce of strength into the strike.

  Flashes of light erupted from her clenched fist as her muscles tightened.

  A faint crackling sound emerged—then rapidly swelled into a roaring symphony of explosions.

  The monster's face lit up.

  Behind the twisted smile was nothing but void.

  Pure darkness where its face should have been.

  Then everything went white.

  ZOOOOON~

  A violent vibration rippled outward, swallowing both combatants.

  Thrown back by the recoil, Karteira was launched into the air.

  Love this story? Find the genuine version on the author's preferred platform and support their work!

  She whipped her tail through the air, reducing the spin before landing.

  Her boots and knees scraped the glass as she slid backward.

  As she moved, time seemed to slow.

  A bead of sweat rolled down her cheek as she glanced sideways—

  And froze.

  The monster was there, leaning beside her.

  Still smiling.

  Forced to react instantly, Karteira pushed off the ground while still sliding.

  The creature's arms slammed into the spot where she had been.

  Only the sound of cracking glass echoed.

  She came to a stop several meters away, frowning.

  Physical attacks won't work on them. They're practically immune to my fists.

  The creature twisted its head toward her, the grin never changing.

  A section of the armor around her waist opened, revealing a small pouch strapped to her jeans.

  Without hesitation, she reached inside.

  She pulled out a crystal the size of a finger, glowing with a soft blue light.

  The armor plates closed over the pouch as she moved her hand behind her back.

  Carefully, she pressed the crystal into a socket at the base of her scorpion tail.

  A faint chill ran through her body.

  Mist began venting from her exhaust ports instead of steam.

  Ice rapidly formed along her arms, coating everything from shoulder to knuckles.

  Icy claws extended from her fingers like a dragon's talons.

  The plates along her scorpion tail—from base to stinger—shifted into a pale blue.

  Near the stinger, the plates separated, forming a rectangular opening.

  Karteira dropped to one knee, bracing her entire body.

  Slowly, the eerie monster drifted closer, gliding above the floor like a specter.

  A bright blue glow began gathering at the tip of her tail, now arched over her head and aimed at the creature.

  Its whip-like limbs dragged behind it as it advanced, its eyes gleaming with sickening delight.

  But Karteira simply smiled.

  Locking eyes with the monster, she fired.

  A powerful beam of freezing energy erupted from the tip of her tail.

  Once again, the creature barely reacted.

  The blast struck it directly.

  Crackling sounds filled the chamber as ice rapidly spread across its body.

  Within seconds, the creature stood frozen—an eerie statue of frost.

  A massive cloud of cold mist burst from Karteira's exhaust vents as she rose to her feet, flicking the lingering vapor aside with her tail.

  She stepped forward.

  Her boot echoed against the glass floor.

  Her right hand slowly curled into a fist.

  The monster's eyes continued following her movements through the ice.

  Her steps quickened.

  Then she broke into a sprint.

  A few meters away, she leapt into the air, crossing her arms.

  She crashed down onto the frozen creature, slashing it with her icy claws.

  Two massive cuts formed an X across the frozen shell.

  Cracks raced across the ice.

  Then Karteira turned away.

  Just to be certain.

  Her body moved instinctively. A trail of light magic followed her as she sliced through the lower portion of the ice with her left claw.

  CRACK

  The fracture raced upward through the frozen statue.

  Stopping directly before the creature's face, Karteira stared into its eyes.

  "..."

  Then the ice shattered.

  The monster collapsed into countless shards.

  A quiet sigh escaped Karteira.

  After confirming her condition, she immediately turned toward the other side of the arena.

  Watching her friend's battle, her expression hardened.

  This doesn't look good... Should I help?

  As much as she wanted to intervene, she also wanted Nia to win on her own.

  Clenching her fists, she made a difficult decision.

  No. I'll witness this fight. If anything goes wrong, I'll step in.

  From across the arena, Karteira watched in tense silence.

  ...

  "Kh!"

  Nia's feet slid backward after blocking a heavy slam.

  The metal armor on her arms shattered from the impact, crumbling into powder at her feet.

  My arms... That stings.

  "-!"

  Her wings buzzed sharply as she dodged a strike from the right.

  She avoided another crushing blow, leaping over the creature's arm before dropping low to evade a sweeping overhead attack.

  Zigzagging between slams and swipes, she maneuvered with incredible precision.

  ...

  Reforming her armor swiftly, she braced herself.

  A sideways slam crashed into her, sending her sliding backward.

  She pushed herself off the ground, killing the remaining momentum before releasing a frustrated sigh.

  All the while, she remained under the predatory gaze of her enemy, the twisted smile stretching across its face.

  For a moment, Nia inhaled slowly.

  It's playing with me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have time to recover like this.

  Her eyes drifted down to her limp arms.

  This isn't good.

  Gritting her teeth, she forced them upward and took an offensive stance.

  Sharp pulses of pain shot through her arms, each shock making her fingers twitch.

  I need to think of something. This can't go on like this.

  Nia paused, her focus fixed on the creature while remaining alert.

  Sis is going to kill me if I don't come back...

  She stepped back, her right foot sliding behind her.

  What can I actually do? Is there anything?

  As she searched for an answer, the creature moved.

  It lifted one arm.

  Its tentacle-like limbs spread apart, revealing the void hidden at their center.

  Within that darkness, a small red spark flickered.

  Nia's eyes caught it—

  But it was already too late.

  A spiraling vortex of fire erupted toward her.

  The flames illuminated her face, painting her eyes crimson.

  And then the fire swallowed her whole.