Chiaki tilted her head slightly, her sharp gaze fixed on Stitch. "Yo," she greeted casually, all while holding back the hunter's massive cleaver with nothing but her enchanted foot. The assassin's arms trembled with effort as he struggled to cut through her unyielding stance. With an almost mocking smirk, Chiaki barely acknowledged the threat before her.
"Those are some big cleavers," she mused, her tone cool and taunting. "What's the story? Rare metal? Magic crafting? Doesn't matter—those blades are still brittle in the end." She didn't wait for a response. With a sharp kick, she knocked the cleavers aside, her foot cutting through the tension like a blade itself. Her attention shifted fully to the hunter, her posture relaxed yet menacing, her confidence unshakable.
In a flash, she pulled her other leg back, coiling like a loaded spring. Then, with explosive force, she whipped it forward, her instep colliding with the assassin's skull in a devastating arc. The impact unleashed a fierce gust of wind, sending shockwaves through the street. The hunter's body was launched into the air, spinning helplessly before crashing through the rooftops and slamming into a chimney with a thunderous crack.
Chiaki held her stance for a moment, her leg still raised as if daring the world to challenge her. Slowly, deliberately, she lowered her foot, sliding her hands back into her pockets with effortless poise. She didn't bother looking back at Stitch, her focus locked on the crumbled remains of her opponent.
The hunter rose to his feet, retrieving his cleavers with a menacing ease. He shook his head, as though shrugging off the impact, before directing his piercing gaze downward, locking onto Chiaki. His eyes briefly flicked to Stitch, who had regained her footing and was brushing the dust from her clothes. Her expression was one of utter astonishment, her bewildered eyes fixed on Chiaki. How had she managed to deliver such a devastating kick to the hunter's metallic frame—something Stitch herself couldn't achieve without injuring herself?
"Ooh, not done yet, are we?" Chiaki teased, a sly smirk curling across her lips. Her expression brimmed with mischief, as though she were relishing every second of this game, toying with her enemy for her own amusement. The confidence in her eyes was unshakable, almost taunting.
The hunter's robotic right eye flickered for a brief moment before dimming into darkness. His silhouette vanished in the blink of an eye, moving with such speed it would have been imperceptible to most. Yet Chiaki stood motionless, her posture relaxed, one hand resting lightly on her hip. Her gaze followed the hunter's rapid movements with unnerving precision, turning her head slowly to track him, her knowing smile never fading.
The hunter darted from shadow to shadow, his figure flickering like a mirage as he circled her. He moved with calculated speed, testing her reaction, each step preparing for a decisive strike. Still, Chiaki remained unfazed, her nonchalant demeanor a stark contrast to his frenetic energy. She simply waited, her patience radiating confidence, ready to retaliate at the perfect moment.
Then it happened. The hunter's silhouette solidified in an instant, his body materializing mid-dash with lethal precision. His cleavers trailed behind him like twin arcs of death, poised to carve through her in a flash. He darted toward Chiaki's back, his arm snapping forward to deliver a decisive slash. Yet, at the last second, he halted the strike, vanishing again and reappearing directly in front of her in a blink.
He swung one cleaver diagonally with brutal force, the blade howling through the air. The attack was fast—deadly fast.
Chiaki's eyes locked onto the cleaver as it descended toward her. Her grin widened. With perfect timing, she ducked low, the blade slicing through the air just inches above her head. The wind from the swing tousled her hair, but her calm remained unbroken.
Before the hunter could recover, Chiaki flowed into motion. She weaved around the arc of the second cleaver, her movements fluid and deliberate. Planting her right foot firmly on the ground, she closed the distance in an instant. Her leg stomped down near the hunter's own, the force echoing against the cobblestone beneath them. Her body leaned forward, her right arm pulling back, white energy beginning to swirl and gather in her palm.
With explosive force, Chiaki drove her palm into the hunter's chest, releasing a burst of concentrated energy. The impact rippled outward, a shockwave erupting from the point of contact. The pulse reverberated through the hunter's cybernetic frame, sending him rocketing backward like a missile. The ground beneath them cracked under the force of the attack, a circular fissure forming around Chiaki's foot.
The blast was so powerful it forced Chiaki to momentarily lose her footing, bouncing slightly before regaining her balance. Meanwhile, the hunter's body hurtled through the air, slamming into the wall of a nearby house. The impact was catastrophic, the structure collapsing in a cloud of dust and debris, leaving a gaping hole where the wall had once stood.
Chiaki straightened, brushing a strand of hair from her face as she watched the devastation unfold, her smirk still intact. "That all you've got?" she muttered, her voice low and taunting, as the dust began to settle.
After taking the heavy blow from Chiaki, the hunter staggered out of the wrecked house, his movements sluggish and pained. He cast one last sharp, calculating gaze at Chiaki and Stitch before leaping onto a nearby rooftop. Within moments, he vanished into the darkness, leaving no trace behind.
"Looks like he's done for now," Chiaki said, her tone calm but firm as she steadied herself. She rubbed her cheek briefly, turning her attention to Stitch. Her sharp eyes softened as she scanned for injuries before continuing, "But... who was that guy?"
Stitch stood in stunned silence, her heart still pounding from the encounter. She couldn't quite reconcile the sweet, almost carefree Chiaki she knew with the lethal fighter who had just saved her life. It was becoming clear that beneath that innocent face was a warrior whose skills were far beyond the norm, even among pirates.
As Chiaki approached her, Stitch instinctively took a small step back, unsure of what to expect. But then Chiaki crouched down in front of her, raising her palm toward Stitch's injured foot. The gesture made Stitch flinch, memories of the devastating attack Chiaki had unleashed moments earlier flashing through her mind. She tried to pull her foot away, fearing more pain, but Chiaki's voice was gentle.
"Hold still," Chiaki murmured, her voice soothing. A soft, pink glow radiated from her palm as she placed it just above Stitch's foot. Warmth flooded through the injured area, a gentle, almost calming energy mending the shattered bone and easing the pain.
"There we go—good as new," Chiaki said, the glowing energy fading as she stood back up. Stitch tested her foot, astonished at how perfectly it had been healed. The refreshing sensation felt almost unreal.
"You... you're a medic," Stitch said quietly, her voice tinged with surprise. She gazed at Chiaki, her expression a mix of awe and gratitude as she took in the sight of her completely restored foot.
Chiaki simply smiled, brushing off the thanks with casual ease. "I try to be," she said, her voice light but kind.
"Thank you... I'm grateful," Stitch said, her tone softening with a hint of embarrassment. She looked up, meeting Chiaki's gaze, and for the first time saw not just a capable fighter but someone she could truly rely on.
"That guy..." Chiaki began, her sharp gaze lingering on the rooftop where the hunter had vanished. "It looked like you recognized him. Do you know each other? And if so, why would he attack you? What's he after?"
"I... I don't think I know him," Stitch replied hesitantly, brushing the dust off her clothes. "At least, I don't remember him. But I've heard rumors about someone called Notch—a guy who prowls empty streets like this, attacking anyone unlucky enough to cross his path. I'm not sure why he does it, but those stories are why people around here avoid going out at night. They're terrified... and now I see why."
Chiaki frowned, processing the information. The thought of someone hunting others for sport unsettled her. "Notch?" she echoed, her tone skeptical. "But you don't really think he's attacking people just for fun, right? There's gotta be a motive behind it. And from the way he looked at you... it seemed like he knew exactly who you are."
Stitch's nerves flared at Chiaki's words, her voice shaky as she replied, "N-No, no way! He probably just mistook me for some random citizen and went in for the kill. That's all!" She quickly shifted the topic, her tone pleading. "B-But please, let's keep this between us, okay? I only snuck out because I wanted to meet Pippin and Nia. I had... uniforms for them."
She hesitated before pulling out two sets of clothing she had carefully stitched herself, now dirty and torn. Her shoulders slumped as she muttered, "But now they're ruined... both of them. I can't give them these."
Chiaki raised an eyebrow at Stitch's comment, then tilted her head in confusion. "You said that like you're not supposed to be here," she remarked.
Stitch's face flushed with embarrassment as she glanced away, nervously fidgeting. "That's because I'm not," she admitted, her voice soft. "I'm not supposed to be out here, especially at night. Damien and the rest of his royal family are incredibly overprotective... ever since they found me outside as a child. And with all the rumors about Notch, it's only made things worse."
Chiaki's expression shifted as she slammed her palm into her other hand, a look of realization dawning on her. "Ah, so that's why Celeste stopped Tim and the others from going any further. Out at night... unexpected guests. Makes sense now." She chuckled to herself, sliding her hands into her pockets. "Kind of funny when you think about it."
"Anyway, if you want to avoid getting in trouble with Damien, we should probably head back to your room," Chiaki suggested, her tone light but practical. "I came to get you for dinner, but things took a turn. The others are probably wondering where we are, so let's just say we got caught up in a long conversation and lost track of time, okay?" She ended with a warm smile, her kindness shining through.
Stitch had rarely spoken with Chiaki or her crew before, but that genuine smile, brimming with warmth and sincerity, began to shift her perspective. For the first time, she felt a sense of connection forming.
Nodding, Stitch agreed to follow Chiaki, though as they walked, she cast one last glance behind her, silently wishing for a glimpse of Pippin and Nia, hoping they were safe.
To be continued...