Maria stood before the shrunken Solomon's Gate, her ruby-red eyes narrowing in disgust as she studied the grotesque object pulsating before her. The gate throbbed and writhed like a living organism, far removed from any traditional craftsmanship.
"What an utterly vile creation," she murmured, her voice a low melody of disdain. Her gaze traced the gate's distorted edges, every inch of it twisting and squirming. She extended a hand, hesitated for a moment, then drew it back as though afraid to sully herself on the malformed surface.
Her lips curled in distaste. "Still, within this repugnant monstrosity lies my prey. If I must endure such indignity to claim him, so be it. No obstacle will deny me what is rightfully mine."
The air seemed to hold its breath as Maria stepped forward, her every movement deliberate, purposeful.
The gate reacted instantly. It peeled apart with a nauseating squelch, revealing an entrance that seemed alive, quivering as though in awe of the one now passing through it. The oppressive darkness beyond surged forward like an army to bar her way, thick and suffocating.
The mist coiled around her, its tendrils writhing like serpents, desperate to ensnare her regal form. But Maria paused only briefly, her crimson heel striking the ground with a sharp crack.
"Know your place," she commanded, her tone sharp enough to cleave stone.
The mist recoiled instantly, dispersing in a panicked rush as though the very air feared her wrath.
"That was all?" she remarked, her voice a perfect blend of amusement and contempt. "Pathetic."
Her heels clicked against the cold, unyielding floor as she ventured further inside. The space beyond was vast, cavernous, and heavy with an oppressive stillness.
At the center of the room, a fierce battle raged. One figure wielded holy magic, its golden radiance slicing through the darkness. The other answered with chaotic dark magic, their clash filling the air with sparks of raw power. It was a duel of titans, the space around them brimming with violent energy.
A third figure, a girl slumped to the ground, barely conscious, bore silent witness to the chaos. Her pale complexion and shallow breaths betrayed her weakness, her presence a mere shadow of what it once was.
Maria's lips curved upward, forming a crescent smile. On anyone else, it might have seemed unhinged or deranged, but on her, it was a smile of supreme confidence—a predator who knew her prey had nowhere to run.
She took a single step forward, and the room reacted.
The combatants, moments ago consumed by their clash, froze in unison. Their eyes snapped toward her, faces pale with recognition—and terror.
Cold sweat trickled down their brows. Their weapons, once aimed to destroy each other, shifted direction, now poised to defend against the crimson-clad newcomer.
"Ah," Maria began, her voice smooth, lilting with mockery. "What a charming reception. How thoughtful of you to stop your little quarrel for me."
Her gaze swept over the fallen girl, lingering for less than a second before dismissing her entirely. She strode forward, each step as deliberate and measured as a queen descending her throne.
"I do hope you'll allow me to join your... festivities." Her smile widened, the predatory glint in her eyes sharpening. "After all, this wouldn't be a proper reunion without a touch of excitement."
Her presence radiated authority, as though the very room bowed in submission to her will.
---
And then there was me.
I'd been locked in an intense duel with Martha just moments ago, and then bam, the air shifted so drastically I thought I'd walked into the wrong scene.
Chills ran down my spine, my body tingling in a way that made every instinct scream, Run. Flee. Evacuate. But my legs? They had no such plans. They stood rooted, trembling ever so slightly as my brain tried to process what I was seeing.
The cause of this overwhelming pressure? That woman.
She stood there, her red one-piece dress striking against the gloom. She was gorgeous, no denying that—but there was something about her presence that was wrong.
Not the kind of wrong that excites you. No, this was the "sign your will and pray" kind of wrong.
"What the?!" I bellowed, only to freeze as my tenth limiter was suddenly removed.
A familiar voice rang out from the wing that had sprouted from my back. Mahraj, my companion spirit, sounded... panicked?
"Dear! Step back! That woman is dangerous. I know it! She's a real danger, I say!"
I blinked. Mahraj, panicked? That was new.
My eyes darted to Martha, who was already suited up in her Guardian Armor. The massive golden angel loomed behind her, its sword drawn and ready. But even Martha—stalwart, no-nonsense Martha—was trembling ever so slightly.
And then there was Lev, slumped against the ground, her pale face and labored breathing a testament to her struggle.
I clicked my tongue. "Tsk."
The fatigue from having my limiter forcibly lifted was catching up to me. Just using it once drained me like a battery in a cheap flashlight. And now? Now I was supposed to fight her?
"You truly are a delectable prey," Maria purred, her voice a melody of both cruelty and allure. "How fortunate for me that you didn't flee. It would have been such a bore to chase you down." her lips curved.
Oh, great. That's the same smile Sofy wears whenever she caught me buy something that I'd never told her about...
"Uh, uhmm..." I stammered, forcing my words passed my trembling lips. I was scared, okay? "D-do I know you...?"
The smile on her face widened as she addressed me, her tone like silk wrapped around a blade.
"I suppose you've forgotten me, haven't you?" she said, her voice dripping with mock politeness. "Allow me to enlighten you."
She lifted her hand to her chest, her posture regal, almost theatrical. "I am Maria Vlad Valentine, sole princess of the Hidden Sanctuary, and the one who shall dictate your fate."
Her voice rang out, echoing through the chamber like a melody crafted for a requiem. Every word she spoke seemed to carry weight, pressing down on me, suffocating me with its finality.
It took me a second—a full second—before my brain caught up.
"Maria?" I blurted out, my voice cracking slightly. "Our Maria? The cold, perpetually-annoyed Maria who wouldn't even look my way in class?"
Her smile twitched, the amusement deepening in her crimson eyes. "Ah, yes. That version of me was so... unrefined, wasn't it? A poor shadow of who I truly am." Her smile sharpened into something predatory. "But now that you recognize me, shall we dispense with the pleasantries?"
This was bad. No, this was worse than bad. This was catastrophically, apocalyptically bad.
I tried to force a laugh, though my cheeks twitched under the strain. "H-Hey, no need to rush into anything, right? We can just... talk this out, yeah?"
Her eyes narrowed ever so slightly. "You misunderstand, dear prey. This is not a negotiation. It is your final judgment."
My instincts screamed at me to run, but I stood frozen, my heart hammering like a drum in my chest.
Mahraj, still flustered, cried out from my back. "Dear, step away! Don't engage her!"
I didn't need to be told twice. I stumbled back, my movements clumsy as my limbs refused to cooperate. Across the chamber, I saw Martha moving.
"Stand back!" Martha shouted, her voice firm, though I could tell even she was rattled. She charged at Maria, her Guardian Armor's golden blade gleaming as it sliced through the air.
Maria turned her gaze toward Martha, her smile unbroken.
"How eager," Maria remarked with a soft chuckle. "But, alas, your ambition far exceeds your ability."
Martha's sword swung down with immense force, but Maria—unarmed—raised her bare arm to meet it. With an almost casual motion, she deflected the blade, the clash of steel and flesh reverberating through the chamber.
"Impossible!" Martha gasped, eyes wide.
Maria's expression remained serene, though her smile deepened. "Your strength is commendable, but insufficient. Shall I demonstrate why?"
She extended her free hand, and a crimson magic circle flared into existence. The air around it seemed to warp, heavy with oppressive energy.
Martha instinctively leaped back, her Guardian Armor shimmering with defensive runes. But Maria's magic struck like a storm. A fan-shaped beam of crimson light erupted from the circle, cutting through the air with terrifying precision.
The beam slammed into Martha's Guardian Armor, shattering it with a deafening crack. The force hurled her backward, her body slamming into the ground with a sickening thud.
Maria stepped forward, her movements unhurried, her crimson dress billowing slightly as though carried by an invisible breeze. She glanced down at Martha, who lay sprawled on the ground, her breaths shallow.
"Did you truly believe you could challenge me?" Maria asked, her tone dripping with disdain. "You are centuries too early to be my equal."
Martha struggled to rise, her face twisted with frustration, but the damage was done. Maria's power was beyond anything she could match.
Then Maria turned her gaze toward me.
Her eyes locked onto mine, and my stomach twisted into knots.
"Now then," she purred, her voice soft yet commanding. "Shall we proceed to the main event?"
---
Oh, no. Oh, no, no, no. This was bad. This was really bad.
Sweat trickled down my face as I tried to steady my breathing. I forced myself to stand straighter, though my legs felt like jelly.
"C-Come on then!" I stammered, trying to sound brave. "I-I'm ready for you!"
Lies. All lies. I was not ready.
Maria's smile widened, her eyes gleaming with amusement. "Brave words, little prey. Let us see if your actions match your courage."
But before she could make a move, Mahraj's voice rang out again.
"Dear! Flee now! There's no shame in running from her!"
Running sounded fantastic. Truly, it did. But my legs had apparently made a pact with gravity to keep me glued in place.
Martha, still lying prone, gritted her teeth and managed to speak. "Don't... underestimate her..."
Oh, great. Even the overpowered knight is scared.
Maria tilted her head slightly, her expression as calm and composed as ever. "It is amusing to see you all squirm. But do not despair; I shall end this swiftly. Consider it a kindness."
Her hand began to glow again, crimson magic swirling at her fingertips.
Hooo boy. This is gonna be a major pain in the ass...