Jin screamed a challenge as he shot toward the mass of Tuann. “Prepare for the Tin Man’s wrath, bitches!”
Kira laughed as she sprinted forward. She lifted the stolen blade, slashing at Caius’s torso.
Caius’s blade blocked hers. The force of the crash sent protest rocketing through Kira’s wrists.
Her muscles burned as Caius used his greater strength to bear down with his blade on hers.
Kira locked her legs and gritted her teeth as she forced herself not to yield.
“This is quite the unexpected turn of events,” Caius said in a conversational tone.
Kira snarled at his nonchalance.
He acted like he was out for an evening stroll, his face showing none of the strain she was feeling.
“I do that a lot.” Kira’s arms started to shake.
She let her guard collapse, stepping to the side as his sword swished past her and thrusting into the opening she’d just created.
The tip of her blade met empty air. Caius was now several feet away, the blade he’d held moments before nowhere to be seen.
“That’s not how the game is played,” Caius reproached.
Kira sank into a defensive posture, alertness filling her.
Caius was much faster than anything he’d displayed while dueling Jin. So fast she hadn’t been able to track him with her eye.
As if he could tell what she was thinking, Caius gave her a closed mouth smile. “Nevertheless, I’ve learned what I wanted to know so I’ll consider this my part of your initiation.”
Kira narrowed her eyes, unable to bring herself to believe his words.
She’d been expecting an epic battle that would take care of some of the restlessness she’d had since awakening in the Shining Palace.
He was giving up? Just like that?
Caius looked behind her to where Jin faced off with the rest. “Are you sure you want to leave him like that?”
Kira hesitated, shooting a glance at Jin to find him besieged.
He was in his element, cackling merrily as his lasers fired without pause. Every few seconds he would jerk to the side as a Tuann launched a ki wave at him.
He never stopped, smoothly weaving through the bodies as he sniped them from above.
Ki flew, the situation growing more dangerous as the Tuann began to cooperate.
Kira gave Caius her back, sprinting toward her friend.
Caius’s voice followed her as she plunged into the crowd. “I look forward to your display, little heir.”
Kira ignored his words as she fought her way to Jin’s side, not pausing as she laid about her with the practice blade.
Finally, she reached Jin. She whirled to face the Tuann, trusting Jin to protect her back.
“Having fun?” she asked Jin.
A circle opened up around them, giving them a brief respite.
“You always show me the best time,” Jin said playfully. “I really don’t know how to thank you.”
