-Serena-
The impact of the blade hitting the ground sent sparks scattering like fiery stars in the darkened alley. The humanoid's cold, blue eyes narrowed, betraying a hint of annoyance.
"An afterimage? How annoying," the humanoid remarked, its voice a cold mechanical sound.
Slowly, it turned around to face Serena, who was breathing heavily, her shoulder slumped from the pain of her injuries. Despite the blood staining her attire, she clung tightly to her sword.
Serena's breaths were labored as she struggled to get back on her feet. The pain from her injuries was excruciating, but she refused to give up. She knew she had to keep fighting if she wanted to survive.
The humanoid's blue eyes glowed with a malevolent glint as it slowly advanced towards her. It seemed to relish the challenge she presented, determined to eliminate the threat she posed.
With a deep breath, Serena closed her eyes, drawing upon the arcane energy within her. The air crackled with electricity, and her eyes emitted an ethereal aura. She was pushing herself to the limit, knowing that it was the only way to stay alive.
As the humanoid prepared to strike again, Serena's senses sharpened, and she confused it with afterimages. Time seemed to slow down, and she could anticipate its every move. With lightning speed, she evaded its attacks, her body moving with a supernatural grace.
Her agility was mesmerizing, and the humanoid's precision gave way to frustration. Serena's dark energy-infused sword danced with deadly elegance, striking with swift and precise counterattacks.
In a daring maneuver, she found an opening and aimed for the humanoid's exposed joint. The blade connected, and the humanoid staggered back, momentarily vulnerable.
Seizing the moment, Serena channeled all her remaining strength into one final, decisive strike. The dark energy blade sliced through the air, piercing the humanoid's chest.
For a moment, it seemed like victory was within her grasp, but her keen eyes caught sight of two small, round objects. Instinct kicked in, and she tried to pull away, but it was too late. The balls exploded, sending her flying backward. She crashed into a pillar, the impact stealing her breath and leaving her dazed.
Blood trickled from her mouth as she struggled to regain her bearings. Through blurred vision, she saw the humanoid, its body still intact despite the blow she had delivered.
With a sinister grin, the humanoid began charging towards her. Serena's heart pounded in her chest.
The humanoid smirked, seemingly amused by her persistence. its movements calculated and precise. It was clear that this opponent was no ordinary machine; it possessed intelligence and cunning, making it an even more formidable adversary.
"You are quite skilled and talented for a mere human," the humanoid said, its voice devoid of any emotion. "But your efforts are futile. You cannot defeat me."
As the humanoid advanced, Serena's body trembled with pain and frustration. She tried to move, to escape the impending doom, but her body refused to cooperate. Her breaths came in ragged gasps as the pain threatened to overwhelm her, she looked at Aaron who was still under the debris.
"Damn... I can't even move," she muttered in frustration, the words barely audible.
The humanoid, its cold, metallic eyes now bearing a glimmer of human-like emotion, responded with a chilling calmness. "Indeed, you can't. Your body lacks the necessary training and control over Etherflow to withstand the strain."
Its long, sharp blade hovered menacingly near Serena's neck, its cold touch sending shivers down her spine.
"These drones are too weak to sustain prolonged battles. Had you trained more efficiently, you might have defeated me in mere seconds."
With a slow, deliberate motion, the humanoid traced the sharp blade from Serena's neck to her shoulder wound, applying pressure that elicited a gut-wrenching cry of pain from her lips. Serena's body quivered.
"Anghhhhhhhhhh!" The cry of pain echoed through the desolate market.
"Just... pant kill me, you Tin Shit!" she spat out angrily, her voice laced with pain and defiance.
Surprisingly, the humanoid's voice wavered, slowly morphing into a more human tone, resembling that of a mature woman.
The air crackled with tension as the humanoid's words dripped with disdain. "Pathetic. Weak, that's what you all are, humans."
"Why are you attacking us?" Serena mustered the strength to ask, her voice trembling with pain and exhaustion.
The humanoid's response was cold and merciless. "Because you people broke the rule which shouldn't be broken."
Serena winced in agony as she propped herself up, trying to comprehend the enigmatic words of her foe. "Ah... What... rule?"
The humanoid raised its blade with deadly intent, poised to deliver the final blow. "You brought in those Boston scums!"
Before the lethal strike could find its mark, a thundering punch slammed into the humanoid's face with a resounding.
Bang!
It was Aaron, his robotic arm surging with energy, ready to strike again. His left robotic eye glowed a fiery red, emanating a menacing aura as he declared, "Get your hands off her!"
Aaron's gaze darted towards Clara, urgency etched on his face. "How much longer?" he demanded, his voice strained.
Clara's reply was swift, her tone filled with urgency. "Approximately seven more minutes," she informed him.