"Find a way to get this off me," Kira ordered, evading. She used the trees as obstacles, putting several between her and the primus.
She ran toward one, using the trunk to propel herself higher. She caught a branch and swung herself up.
"No dice. You don't have the time. You'll have to figure another way out of this," Jin said.
Kira made a grumbling noise, going still as the primus crossed under her position.
He sniffed the air, his eyes lifting abruptly to meet hers.
"Don't think you're special," she told him. She held up the arm with the bracelet. "If I didn't have this on, I could do that too."
There wasn't even a glimmer of reaction in his gaze. It was like speaking to a mindless beast.
"Oof, you really are gone, aren't you?" Kira said.
Even when lost to madness, no one had ever compared her to a beast. Her primus form was never stupid. It possessed a diabolical cunning, making her difficult to bait. It was also what made her such a threat to the enemy.
The primus inhaled, its mouth dropping as a roar filled its chest. A slow rumble built, deeper and deeper, a freight train barreling toward her. The pressure in the air condensed, spearing away from the primus in a blast. The tree branch Kira perched on splintered as she leaped away from it.
Kira tumbled to the ground, barely landing upright.
"What was that?" Jin shouted.
She didn't get the chance to answer as the primus charged. There was no time to dodge. Kira threw her arms up to block as its fist smashed into her, desperation exploding out of her.
The air millimeters in front of her forearms shivered, the faintest existence of akishield taking the brunt of the blow. It popped, and his fist landed on her arms. Kira flew, her spine hitting a tree. She stumbled, somehow managing to remain on her feet.
The primus panted as its yellow eyes glared.
Kira shook her arms out, pain running their lengths. Thekishield might have protected her for the most part, taking the majority of the force, but she'd still felt that blow.
A shiver worked through her. If she took one of those head on, it would shatter her bones.
"Good news and bad news," Kira said, not taking her eyes off the primus. "I finally usedki. Bad news—he can too."
"How is that fair?" Jin asked in outrage. "That form is already dangerous enough without being able to usekitoo."
The primus rushed her; claws extended as if it planned to dig out her guts by way of her stomach. She slid to the right with a light laugh."Better luck next time, little puppy."
"Are you purposely trying to enrage it?" Jin snapped.
Kira took off, the primus following close behind. "I need it mad. That'll keep it entirely focused on me."
"Well, good job. You succeeded."
Yes, she had. Now she had to figure out what to do with it.
Kira darted through the trees, the primus only feet behind her, as she considered her options. Luring it to anywhere populated was a no go. At this point, escaping to leave it wandering the forest was also impossible. She doubted she'd be able to outrun him.
Gradually, the scenery grew familiar. She swerved right, already knowing what she'd find. Her feet touched a section of the running path she didn't normally bother with since it led right to the section of the forest filled with drones.
Kira grinned, a plan forming.
"Where are you going?" Jin asked. "The archway and safety are in the opposite direction.
"I'm not going there," she told him.
He was silent several seconds as he worked through her logic. "The course?"
