Bleeding Justice?

"I have no wish to see any of you dead. We can still talk this out if you wish; however, persist with your attacks...and I won't stop until I've torn you all apart."

My voice hadn't changed, becoming any more intimidating than its usual calm, unreadable tone. Yet, Darh and her companions flinched a step back, seeing what became of their friends, the undeniable red liquid dripping hauntingly from my halberd's tip.

Solemnly, Darh picked up her teammate's fallen and bloody cutlass, cradling it sadly. "So that's it, execution, is it? You can't humble our request, so we have to die while you get one hundred percent of what you want."

"If I got everything I wanted, this would've ended without bloodshed."

"You made the first kill–"

"And if I hadn't, one of you would have! I need Jai alive to save my family!"

"Then where does that leave us? We're supposed to wait until your business is finished, pushing everything aside just to benefit you? Your master couldn't even resurrect Li, Rei, and Dala. I and the eight behind me are tired of seeing our friends die...ALL SO OTHERS CAN REACH THEIR SALVATION!"

My arms shook slightly, feeling the cutlass's force and weight crash into my halberd from Jai's vehement throw. The other eight acted on cue. Four stayed behind as the rear discharging blasts from their guns to restrict my movements while Darh and the other four closed in, weapons blazing.

Messy bloodbath it is...sorry, Jai, girls.

Hah!

Three attackers came down with swords in an overhead strike. Their blades clashed blindly against my invisible barrier before being thrown back forcefully into the walls on the second floor.

Shhhk!

Blades glinted at my left and right as Darh and her companion followed up without missing a beat. Their twin Sais weaved around me precisely, with the two of them switching interchangeably to attack and watch my movements.

They switch every five seconds. Which means... Now!

Bzzt!

A well-timed photon bullet saved Darh's neck moments before it was severed, sending my halberd flying outside through the cracked door.

"Got you," The four Sais buried themselves in my gut. Surprise hit the girls when I didn't flinch in pain, and unexpected blood gushed from their stomachs.

Darh jumped back, grunting with a hand over the injury. I delivered a piercing strike to the other girl's diaphragm in the confusion, throwing her into one of the gunners by her foot.

They collided, collapsing to the floor in a heap. A bullet discharged from the scattered gun, ascending through the higher floors and putting a boulder-sized hole through the roof. Rubble squashed the girls and dispersed the three remaining firing squad members, divvying my opponents from nine to seven.

Things only became increasingly chaotic. Red hot agonizing cries escaped the gunners' mouths. Their rapid-fire assault changed to massive orbs of destruction. The reckless shots ate the falling debris encompassing the wide hallway as I pushed Thalia safely outside.

Pillars holding up the second floor began to crumble while I tangoed the storm. Darh's pleading screams drowned out against their fierce fire, blindly putting her in harm's way.

The floor above came crashing down, releasing the three attackers I'd repelled earlier. A model ship tumbled down in flames, and I blocked it, reversing its direction with the same barrier technique.

Metal creaked and whined. Pieces fell apart as the aircraft sped like a buzzsaw, ramming into the six girls.

A white light flashed, and the ship combusted in a showy manner. Cracks ran up the walls shaking and uprooting the building as ships exploding went off like distant fireworks.

Crap!

My feet pattered the floor, hurriedly rushing ahead for the door leading out. The heavy pounding of my heart made it difficult to hear anything else as I outstretched my arms for the exit– only to be taken down a second later.

A forceful bash to the stomach sent me gasping for air. Darh manifested from the dust and rubble, reeling me from the door with a tackle.

"You're not going anywhere!"

Her sai buried itself into my leg, pinning me onto the rock we landed on. I quaked from every hit to the solar plexus. Darh balled her hands until they bled, beating any exposed part of me mercilessly, effortlessly tearing through my withering defenses.

"Enough!"

Darh's fist penetrating the air slowed. The hit struck my chest, connecting with a formless barrier. Every ounce of energy absorbed into it, launching back at Darh.

She was sent airborne, crashing into a plummeting boulder, before being brought crashing down with her underneath. More rocks of its size followed. Hurriedly I yanked the sai, guarding my head with my arms as the last floor collapsed, burying the building entirely.

Despite my best efforts. Nothing worked out as I had hoped. The remnants of the barrier I left myself had shattered. Both my limbs were staked into the earth by sharp rocks. Drenched in sweat all over my face, the breathable air available was minimal as my chest rose and fell rapidly, tirelessly working to fluctuate air to my lungs.

"Leifa...Lei!"

"Miss...tress."

I wiggled in the cramped space. The shards of rock rubbed painfully against the bones in my arms and legs, irritating the wound.

The ground rumbled. A flat thud came from nearby, worrying me endlessly.

"–Leifa is dead. It's only you and me now, princess."

"D-Darh?!"

My mouth slackened and a lump formed in my throat. My moves became frantic in response. Blood spurted. Tears welled and spilled over from the pain and adrenaline, leaving me no choice but to bite my lip to keep from whimpering. With every menacing step, rocks crunched, raining pebbles fell on my head as I heard Darh's footsteps advance on Thalia.

"Mistress, run away!"