Chapter 21: Blazing

Cera unsheathed her blade and struck at the girls. Pufima took a step back to avoid the attack. "I don’t understand. Isn’t she from the Divine Blade Academy?"

Without a word, Cera attacked again. Pufima and Priya turned and fled. Cera gave chase after them.

Pufima's feet pounded against the pavement. Priya's frantic footsteps echoed alongside hers. Cera's relentless pursuit rang in their ears like a death knell. Pufima’s wide eyes darted around the twisting streets before she spotted a narrow alleyway up ahead.

"There!" she gasped with desperation. "A shelter’s gotta be that way!"

Priya didn’t hesitate to follow Pufima’s lead. They veered sharply into the alley, but once they reached the end, their hopes shattered against a cold, unyielding wall that blocked their escape. Priya skidded to a halt. Her hand slammed against the brick as realization dawned.

"No shelter's gonna be behind any alleyways," Priya muttered. "I should’ve remembered… Dammit."

Pufima swallowed hard. "I-I’m sorry…”

Priya glanced back at her wide with fear and frustration. "Sorry? We’re so dead."

Pufima’s sweat beaded on her forehead. They both shook in place.

Cera’s presence loomed just outside the alley. She stepped in slowly.

“Oh, I’m gonna enjoy this,” she purred sinisterly. "Run all you want. It makes catching you all the sweeter."

Her eyes spoke out to them with an unsettling hunger. She took a step forward. "Shoulda known better than to try and hide in a hole like rats. But hey—rats are fun to toy with too."

She twirled her sword and then used it to slice through the air with a sharp, menacing whistle. "Now… let’s see how long you two can scream before I get bored."

Both girls trembled harder with their backs pressed against the wall.

Pufima's gaze dropped to the sword which she carried that was now sheathed at her side. Her hand trembling while reaching for it. The hilt felt foreign, cold, and heavy in her grip. With a deep breath, she drew the blade. To her surprise, the sword’s edge had an unusual crystalline structure.

Priya trembled and asked, "Pufima, what are you doing?"

Pufima took a hesitant step forward. Her heart drummed like a hyperactive drummer in a marching band. “Protecting you, of course," she said, forcing herself to keep to remain steady in speech even fear threatened to break her. She exhaled sharply, steadying her grip. "Like... like Lady Koninis from Star Slash Destiny! You know, when she takes on the Shadow Wraiths!"

Priya’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Lady Koninis?! Pufima, she dies at the end of that fight!"

Pufima lips pressed together like she’d just tasted something extremely sour. She stared at the crystalline blade in her hands. "Yeah… I know. But—" She gulped, “She didn’t know how to fight either, but she still stood her ground. I… I’m gonna do that too. I don’t know how to use this thing, but I’m not letting her hurt you."

Cera chuckled darkly from behind. "Cute," she sneered, taking a step closer. "This’ll be over quick, don’t worry."

"Get ready," Pufima whispered. "I’m not going down without a fight."

Cera lunged forward with her blade arcing towards Pufima. The girl’s shriek echoed through the alleyway. The sound was filled with terror, but just when the attack seemed destined to land, the crystal blade in Pufima's hand moved on its own, shifting into a defensive position. A divine light flared around the sword, creating a radiant barrier that intercepted Cera's strike with a resounding clang.

Cera pulled back. Her eyes widened with surprise. "That sword..." she murmured. The Senodokidatsu within her stirred flashed through the memories of it’s mind—visions of ancient battles and divine weapons. "No way. That’s a Divine Blade," it hissed. "Mother Miffet will be pleased. Yes. All I need is to take control of this body completely, and then..."

Priya stared at Pufima in shock. "How did you...?"

Pufima had a face set with new confidence. She lifted her head with fire in her eyes. "Oh no, I’m not Pufima anymore," she declared. "I’m now Lady Koninis."

With a swift motion, Pufima thrust her sword forward, meeting Cera’s blade in a clash that sent sparks flying.

Cera’s attacks came fast and fierce in an attempt to break Pufima’s defenses, but each time, Pufima’s sword shifted effortlessly, blocking or parrying the blows with a grace that seemed almost supernatural

Pufima ducked low, twisting her body to the side and then performed a dramatic roll to avoid one of Cera’s attacks. Then, with a quick flick of her wrist, she parried a downward strike coming for her. In her mind, she mimiced Lady Koninis’ elegant yet powerful counterattacks.

Cera’s eyes narrowed. "You’re putting on quite a show," she sneered, "but don’t think a few flashy moves are gonna save you."

She raised her blade, and a sinister grin spread across her face. "Ignite."

The moment the command left her lips, Cera’s blade began to gather flames. The fire roared to life, swirling around the weapon with a fierce intensity that made the alleyway glow with a menacing orange light. The heat was so intense that Pufima felt as if she’d walked into a dragon’s personal sauna.

Priya’s eyes widened in alarm. "Sword Magic? Oh no."

The flames danced and writhed along Cera’s blade, casting flickering shadows on the walls of the alley.

Pufima gritted her teeth with sweat beading on her forehead.

But suddenly, a flash of lightning split the dark sky above, illuminating a tall figure who emerged from the end of the alleyway and grabbed everyone’s atttention.

Bellar strutted into view. Her long black hair billowed as if it were alive. Her eyes were sharp as knives, locking onto Cera with cold irritation.

“Yo, Cera,” Bellar’s voice cut through the night like a razor blade. “Lookin’ uglier than usual since our last meet-up.”

Cera whipped around, her grin faltering as she caught sight of Bellar. “Well, if it ain’t the big shot herself. You think you can just waltz in here and tell me what’s what?”

Bellar’s stare was ice-cold. “Cut the crap. I didn’t come here to trade insults. Get away from the girls and drop the tough act.”

Cera scoffed. “Hell no. You think you can push me around? You’re just a low-level thug in my eyes.”

“Low-level, huh?” Bellar’s lips curled into a mocking smirk. “That’s funny coming from someone who looks like they’ve been dragged through a dumpster and back.”

Cera’s eyes narrowed. “You’re not exactly setting any fashion trends yourself. Look at you—more like a busted scarecrow with a chip on its shoulder.”

Bellar’s eyes flared with annoyance. “Real creative, Cera. Maybe if you spent less time flapping your gums and more time on yourself, you wouldn’t look like you’ve been rummaging through trash.”

Cera shot back, “Maybe if you weren’t so busy trying to play the big hero, you wouldn’t come off as a cheap knockoff of a real warrior. Look at you—trying so hard to look intimidating but just ending up like a bloated mess.”

The argument grew more intense. Pufima and Priya exchanged amused glances while they were pressed up against the wall.

Bellar’s face flushed red with rage. “Oh you bitch…You think you’re so clever, huh? Well, I don’t care if you’re a lieutenant right next to me. I’m not letting you get away with that shit! I’m gonna deliver your ass straight to the goddess!”

Without another word, Bellar surged forward and slashed with lethal intent. Cera barely had time to react before their weapons clashed in a fierce clash of steel.

Cera grinned as she parried Bellar’s aggressive strike. “Oh, look at you go. How’s that temper of yours? Gonna blow up on me?”

Bellar’s grip tightened on her sword. “Shut up and fight, Cera!” she roared.

Bellar’s sword slashed through the confined space of the alley. Cera met her attack with a defiant grin. The sound of clashing steel rang out, echoing off the narrow walls.

With a sudden roar, Cera commanded, “Ignite, Raika!” Her blade erupted into intense flames. The fire with a menacing intensity. She swung her sword, sending torrents of fire towards Bellar. The heat scorched the air, creating a blistering wave of destruction.

Bellar’s eyes narrowed. She thrust her sword forward and called out, “Clap, Inaminari!” Lightning crackled around her blade, forming a protective barrier that intercepted the fire. The flames sizzled and hissed against the electric shield.

Cera scowled. She sprang into the air, using the walls of the buildings as launching pads. Her agile movements allowed her to scale the structures until she reached the rooftop.

Bellar’s eyes blazed. “You’re not getting away,” she shouted. Without hesitation, Bellar sprinted after her, scaling the buildings with ease.

On the rooftop, Cera crouched and looked down at Bellar with a smirk. Her blade was still glowing with residual flames.

Meanwhile

Soujin's eyes narrowed while taking in the woman’s imposing figure infront of him.“Are you some kind of evolved Spider Senodokidatsu?”

The woman’s lips curled into a smirk. “You could say something like that. But I am much more than just a spider. A spider is merely one of my... children.”

Soujin’s brows furrowed. “So, you’re some type of mother to the Senodokidatsu?”

Her smirk widened. “You could say that too. You’re quite the clever child, Soujin. Though I must admit, I am rather ashamed of you.”

Soujin scratched his head. “How do you…look, I don’t get what your problem is. I just want to save Cera, and be on my way.”

The woman’s face hardened. “It’s such a shame your good intentions are tainted by your utter ignorance.”

Soujin readied his sword and glared at the woman. “Enough with the damn riddles. Either you move out of my way, or I’ll force you to move!”

The woman’s eyes narrowed slightly. “That’s utterly foolish. Do you really think you can intimidate me with that blade? You and your little friend slaughtered all of my precious children not too long ago….”

A faint, dark smile played on the woman’s lips. “I gave some of my newborns a taste of my power. When I bestowed it upon them, they turned into giants—greenish in color, but giants nonetheless. That was my test to see how my influence affected the weaker of their kind.”

Soujin’s eyes widened. “Well, shit. That means there’s probably more where those came from...and they’ll be much stronger...”

The woman’s gaze softened ever so slightly. “Indeed. I find myself tempted to take vengeance on you for what you’ve done to my children. Yet, I also sense you could use... a mother’s guidance.”

Confusion and frustration came upon Soujin’s face. “A mother’s guidance? Look, I’m not here for any of your twisted family drama. I’m here to save my friend. If you’re gonna just spout nonsense, im just gonna start swinging!”

The woman’s face shifted to a dark smile. “Perhaps you need a swift kick in the ass? Very well. I’m more than happy to do that much.”

Soujin's eyes sharpened while he focused on the woman. ‘Alright, this woman’s really strong. Can’t play around here I have to use. Sword magic at level 2 from the get-go.’

Soujin called out resolutely, “Kaze no Montagari, Stage 2!”

The blade of his sword responded immediately, glowing with a vibrant green light. The hilt transformed into a green hue, and a constant swirling wind enveloped the blade. Soujin’s red hair took on a wind sigil.

He charged forward, aiming a powerful swing at the woman’s shoulder. His blade connected with a solid thud, but to his shock, it failed to cut through her skin.

The woman raised an eyebrow with a smirk that grew. “What? Is that all you’ve got? It seems you’re not taking me seriously.”

Soujin grimaced. ‘What’s going on here? Is she really that strong?’

Before he could react, the woman grabbed his blade with her bare hands. She effortlessly moved it as if it were a mere twig.

Soujin stumbled back. He gritted his teeth, trying to steady himself. “I’m not done yet!” He prepared for another attack.

The woman showed both amusement and curiosity. “Show me what else you’ve got, former resident of the dead.”