The Black Cat, Part Twenty-Five

Decrepit buildings loomed like pillars.

A chill wind whistled through the abandoned town, carrying with it the faint moans of the restless undead.

The "Final Challenge", whatever that was, was set to happen tomorrow. This was the last bit of training Zenith and the girls were doing. 

Zenith's grip tightened on the hilt of her sword as she scanned their surroundings, her emerald eyes narrowed and alert. Beside her, Emi fidgeted, her attention divided between the task at hand and the constant flurry of messages lighting up her phone. 

"Yo, lovebird," Zenith quipped, a smirk tugging at the corners of her lips. "Tell Max I said hi."

"Okay."

"..."

Then, Emi's head snapped up, her cheeks flushing a deep crimson.

"H-How did you...?" She trailed off, realizing her mistake as Zenith's smirk widened into a full-blown grin.