The skeletal hand hovered above the creature, its movements slow yet deliberate as it pinned him in place. The dark flames along his body sputtered weakly, his defiance wavering. But before JJ could act further, a sudden shift in the air drew her attention away.
Meanwhile.
The King reappeared in the center of the grand arena, his golden aura casting faint reflections off the massive drones circling above. Yun-Jin lay crumpled in his arms, her pink hair streaked with blood and dust as her breaths came shallow and uneven. He looked down at her, a faint smirk playing across his lips.
"You see that?" the King asked, his voice calm but laced with sharp derision. He gestured toward the battlefield, where Lt. Heissman, battered and bloodied, was on his knees. Osalf loomed over him, his blade raised high and glowing with power as the finishing blow approached. The gathered spectators held their collective breath, the tension so thick it seemed to pulse in the air.
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The King tilted his head, his tone almost conversational. "Osalf is about to kill another of the kingdomâs best. Do you understand now, Yun-Jin? Lt. Daemon was wrong. People donât change."
At the mention of Daemonâs name, Yun-Jin stirred. Her eyelids fluttered open, revealing eyes clouded with pain and confusion. She tried to sit up, but the Kingâs grip kept her steady. "NoâŚ" she murmured weakly. "Daemon⌠he believedâŚ"
The King chuckled softly, shaking his head as though pitying her. "Daemon believed in a great many things," he said, his tone laced with condescension. "But belief doesnât change the truth. Look at them." He nodded toward the battlefield. "Another cycle of betrayal and bloodshed. Just like always."
Yun-Jinâs eyes darkened, the haze of pain lifting as anger began to simmer beneath her gaze. The words cut deep, but the scene before her cut deeper. She watched as Osalfâs blade descended toward Heissman, the blow set to sever what little hope remained in the kingdom.
"No," she whispered, her voice trembling but growing steadier. She looked up at the King, her long pink hair falling over her shoulders as she forced herself upright. "Youâre wrong."
The King raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to one of mild curiosity. "Oh?" he said, his tone almost amused. "And what would you call this, then?"
Yun-Jin didnât answer. Instead, her body vanished in a blur of motion, leaving only the faintest ripple in the air where she had been. In the blink of an eye, she appeared on the battlefield, her long pink hair streaming behind her as she intercepted Osalfâs strike. The force of the collision sent a shockwave rippling outward, freezing the spectators in stunned silence.
Osalfâs eyes widened in surprise as his blade met resistance, his momentum halting abruptly. Yun-Jin stood before him, her hand braced against his weapon, her aura flaring with raw intensity. "This isnât over," she said, her voice steady and resolute. "Not while Iâm here."
Osalf pulled back, his eyes narrowing as the force of Yun-Jinâs aura crackled against his blade. The impact had been enough to force him to take a step backâa rare event, judging by the sharp flicker of annoyance that crossed his face.
"Youâre late to the fight, Yun-Jin," Osalf said, his voice cold but steady. "And desperate theatrics wonât change the outcome."
Yun-Jin didnât respond immediately. Her focus shifted to the figures surrounding Osalfâhis remaining allies, each one poised and ready to strike. Their stances betrayed their skill, and their weapons gleamed with energy that pulsed in time with their auras. But Yun-Jinâs expression didnât waver.
She extended her arm, her pink strand glowing brighter as it wrapped itself around her hand. "You think you have a chance because youâre not alone," she said calmly, her voice carrying an edge of defiance. "But I donât need anyone to stop you."
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The first of Osalfâs allies lunged at her, their spear humming with energy as it drove toward her midsection. Yun-Jin sidestepped effortlessly, her movement almost lazy as her hand shot out. Her fingers grasped the shaft of the spear, twisting sharply and snapping it in half before spinning and driving the broken end into the attackerâs shoulder. The force sent them crashing to the ground with a pained cry.
Before the others could react, Yun-Jin moved again, her speed leaving streaks of light in her wake. She closed the distance to the next fighterâa burly man wielding twin axesâand ducked under his wild swing. Her hand flicked out, striking him in the ribs with enough force to send him hurtling into the nearby wall, the axes clattering uselessly to the ground.
"Two down," Yun-Jin muttered, her tone measured as she turned to the remaining three. They hesitated, their confidence faltering as they exchanged glances. One of themâa wiry woman with long, braided hairâtook a cautious step back before summoning a whirlwind of energy around her.
Yun-Jinâs gaze locked onto her, her eyes narrowing slightly. "If youâre going to run," she said, her voice cutting through the tension like a blade, "donât waste my time."
The woman didnât retreat. Instead, she unleashed the whirlwind, the force of it tearing across the battlefield toward Yun-Jin. The wind howled as it closed in, carrying shards of stone and debris in its wake. But Yun-Jin didnât flinch.
She raised her hand, the pink strand glowing fiercely as it coalesced into a barrier around her. The whirlwind struck the barrier with a deafening crash, but it didnât break. Yun-Jin stepped forward, her barrier pushing against the storm until she was within striking distance. Her free hand shot out, grabbing the woman by the front of her armor and pulling her forward.
"Too slow," Yun-Jin said simply before driving her knee into the womanâs stomach. The force sent her crumpling to the ground, the whirlwind dissipating into nothingness.
The last two fighters hesitated, their resolve clearly shaken. One of themâa lanky man with a curved bladeâgritted his teeth and charged, hoping to catch her off guard X