Chapter 59 - XXXI

"Those cheats, what are they?" A voice, familiar and tinged with amusement, echoed from Davina's left. She turned her head slightly, a smirk forming on her lips as she recognized the voice and the ally it signaled."What are you doing here, Austin? This isn't your fight. Leave," Davina said, her voice a mix of irritation and surprise.Austin stepped into view, his demeanor relaxed despite the dire situation. "Baby dogs don't fight without their mother to back them up," he said with a playful tone, attempting to ease her tension. The attempt only earned him a raised eyebrow from Davina."You're the dog and you're the baby," Davina retorted, her tone sharp."Baby? Yours?" Austin replied, feigning innocence. "I wouldn't mind," he added jokingly, trying to lighten the mood."Why aren't they moving?" Davina asked, her eyes darting toward the strange creatures."They won't move unless you attack first. But on that note," Austin said, glancing at the creatures, "the elders must think highly of you. They went out of their way to bring their ancient guards from every supernatural god.""Nice, it's D-Day," another voice crackled from behind them. "I mean, D-Eath Day. Do you people need tea and snacks here, so you can chit-chat while you wait?""Victoria?" Austin exclaimed with surprising enthusiasm. Even Victoria was taken aback by his excitement."Your neck seems healed," Davina noted, her gaze shifting to Victoria."Yeah, thanks to you," Victoria replied with a nod, her tone a mix of gratitude and casualness."I don't need any of your help. Both of you leave," Davina said firmly, her frustration evident.She was aware that maybe this fight might be her last and therefore doesnt want anyone to suffer because of her ."Come on, don't think of me that highly. I'm just here to see the drama." Victoria smirked and drew a sword, tossing it at one of the shorter creatures. The blade struck its target, causing the creature's eyes to snap open as it leaped toward Davina. Before it could reach her, Austin stepped in with practiced precision, snapping its neck with a swift motion while the rest also started moving - three creatures suddenly leaped on Davina making davina envading their attacks ."Hey, I wasn't ready for that!" Austin called out, glancing at Victoria with wide eyes. He stared in disbelief as the creature he had just downed began to stir again. "That's it? I snapped its neck like a twig!"Victoria chuckled darkly, shaking her head as the creature rose once more. "How do they die?" Austin asked, frustration creeping into his voice."They don't," Victoria replied with a wicked grin. "That's the fun part."Davina found herself caught in the middle of three creatures, each one relentless in its attack. Their claws slashed at her from every direction, a chaotic blur of teeth and malice. She barely had time to think, instinct guiding her as she dodged and countered their strikes. Her hands flashed to the daggers sheathed at her sides, and with a fluid motion, she drew them. Slashing through the air, one dagger buried itself into the eye of the largest creature, causing it to howl and stumble backward. The other blade sank into the chest of a second creature, its black blood spraying as it too collapsed to the ground. But even as she landed the killing blows, disbelief burned in her eyes as the creatures began to rise again, their wounds already healing."Damn it," Davina hissed, her voice laced with frustration as she ducked beneath a claw swipe and drove her elbow into another creature's ribs. The impact sent it stumbling back, but she knew it would be up again in seconds.Meanwhile, Austin faced two creatures that looked eerily like twins—connected somehow. He noticed something strange: every time he landed a blow on one, the other reacted, as if sharing the pain. Realizing this, he began to focus his attacks, using quick, precise strikes. He whirled around, severing one creature's arm, only to see its twin flinch as if it had been hit."Austin, they're connected!" Davina shouted, spinning around to parry another strike.Austin grunted in response, his muscles working overtime to keep up with the twin creatures' synchronized attacks. "Yeah, I noticed!" He sidestepped an attack and swung his sword with deadly precision, cleaving the head of one twin clean off. "Try beheading them!" he yelled to Davina, hoping it would work.Davina snarled as she swung her daggers, slashing the throat of one creature and following up with a brutal swipe to another's neck. For a moment, it seemed to work—both creatures fell to the ground. Austin beheaded his twin as well, and they collapsed in a heap. He exhaled sharply, feeling a surge of relief.But the relief was short-lived. Both creatures began to stir once more, their severed heads slowly regenerating as they stood back up, eyes gleaming with fresh malice."You've got to be kidding me," Austin muttered, his breath quickening as he watched the heads grow back. He glanced at Davina, who was now fighting off three creatures once again, her movements growing slower as exhaustion set in. They were locked in a vicious loop of fighting, killing, and then watching the creatures rise once again, relentless.Davina's breaths were coming in short gasps now, her body aching with fatigue. She had been fighting for what felt like hours, and yet the creatures showed no sign of stopping. She sliced through another one's midsection, only to have it leap back up, seemingly unbothered by the damage."Victoria!" Davina growled through gritted teeth as she blocked an attack, her legs shaking beneath her from exertion. "If you're just going to stand there, you could at least be useful."Victoria leaned against a nearby tree, watching with an amused smirk. "I think you two are doing just fine," she said, her tone playful but edged with a hint of sarcasm. "Besides, I'm enjoying the show.""Enjoying the—" Austin dodged another strike, the frustration in his voice evident. "We could use a little help here!""I'll jump in when it's necessary," Victoria teased, twirling her sword lazily. "For now, you two are handling it."The creatures attacked with a renewed vigor, their eyes glowing with a sickening light. Austin and Davina fought side by side, their strikes perfectly synchronized as they moved together. Austin used brute strength, cleaving through limbs and torsos with his sword, while Davina moved with deadly precision, her daggers slashing at throats and vital points.But no matter how many times they cut the creatures down, they kept coming back. The exhaustion was weighing on Davina heavily now, her arms shaking as she fought to maintain her speed and strength."They just won't stay down," Davina panted, backing up beside Austin as the creatures circled them.Austin grunted, wiping sweat from his brow. "Yeah, I noticed. But we've got no choice but to keep going."Victoria, still leaning against the tree, finally sighed and stepped forward, her eyes flashing with something dangerous. "Alright, alright, I suppose it's time I got involved."