The drones’ laser fire didn’t abate, despite his change. Strike after strike landed on unprotected flesh.
Kira hardened her heart against empathy. Better him than her.
Ahead lay safety. Below, pain. The smart move—the only move—would be to find the exit while the drones were still distracted. Out there, she could shut down the course.
It'd likely be painful for Devon, but sometimes pain was necessary.
"Kira, I'm reading you as stationary. The exit is right there. Get out."
A broken moan of agony drifted up from below.
Kira closed her eyes.
Walk forward. You don't have to help. Jin said death was unlikely. Take the chance.
Leaves rustled as a drone took position behind her, her inaction giving it an opening.
“Jin, play me some music. Something with a powerful beat,” Kira said, backflipping over the drone as it opened fire. She fell toward the ground as the rest moved in for the kill.
Kira landed in a crouch on one drone, her sword spearing through it. Music blared in her ears as electricity crackled, the sparks illuminating the dark interior of the forest.
Kira ripped her sword free in the next instant, flipping off the drone to place herself between it and Devon.
The rest paused, assessing the new and unexpected threat.
Kira's grip tightened on the sword, her gaze on the drones as they reconfigured.
This was going to hurt. A lot.
Kira bared her teeth. "Bring it."
Between one breath and the next, the drones lit up the forest. Their lasers swam through the air, a merciless storm of fire. Kira's body moved without conscious thought, acting on muscle memory. The blade cut the air as she parried, over and over again, catching and knocking the lasers away from her and Devon.
Patience crouched in the back of her mind. Panic had no place here. She'd do what she could and wait for her opportunity.
Right now, she was pinned down—defenseless—but all she needed was the smallest of windows. That would be when she struck.
Until then, her mission was to survive and protect the man behind her with everything she had. Standing between him and the brunt of the drones’ full attack.
Her movements were sharp. Crisp. Not even a single gesture wasted as the blade spun.
Behind her, Devon stirred.
She caught an energy bolt with the flat of her blade, shouting, "Can you move?"
Devon glanced up, his eyes widening in confusion as he took in the swarm of drones. He fought to push himself upright, fear mixed with stubbornness on his face.
A drone strayed close, breaking formation. Kira lashed out, slashing it in two. The pieces shot apart, striking two other drones. They exploded.
Fierce satisfaction filled Kira at the destruction. More drones lined up, replacing the three she had destroyed.
"Not going to let this be easy, I take it," Kira told them.
That was all right. She was used to no-win situations.
A glance at Devon told her running was out. He'd be lucky if he remained conscious for the next few minutes.
"Get under the tree roots," she ordered. They'd provide a little protection at least, make it so she only had to defend herself and not the both of them.
