[LOEM]
Rei and Hisako stood in front of the towering gates of the academy.
The wind picked up, sending their hair and clothes flapping as if the world itself braced for what was about to unfold. Inside, Rei's sister awaited them—a formidable opponent, someone who shared Rei's blood and combat prowess but walked a much darker path.
Rei clenched her fists, feeling the weight of the moment settle into her bones.
She then says,
"It's time."
Hisako, always calm under pressure, nodded beside her.
She then says,
"We stick to the plan. You handle her up close, and I'll focus on support from a distance."
"Don't let her get under your skin."
Rei smirked, though the worry lingered in her eyes.
She then says,
"Easier said than done."
The gates creaked open as if acknowledging their resolve.
With no hesitation, they stepped forward into the academy's now-echoing halls, where the air was thick with tension.
Every step they took seemed to reverberate with the knowledge that this confrontation had been a long time coming.
Inside the main chamber stood Rei's sister, Rin Aki-ma. Her eyes, a reflection of Rei's, gleamed with coldness.
She wore a wicked smile, clearly relishing the battle that was about to begin. Her dark aura filled the room, wrapping around her like an oppressive fog.
"Well, look who finally showed up," Rin said, her voice dripping with malice. "Took you long enough, Rei. You really shouldn't keep family waiting."
Rei's heart clenched for a moment—this wasn't just a villain. This was her sister, someone she once cared for deeply, twisted by forces that Rei still didn't fully understand. But now wasn't the time for sentiment.
"I'm not here to reminisce, Rin," Rei replied, stepping forward with a confidence that masked her inner turmoil. "This ends now."
Rin let out a low laugh, shaking her head. "You think you can just walk in here and take me down? I'm not the same little sister you used to know. I've grown stronger—stronger than you could ever imagine."
Hisako stepped forward, her hand resting on the hilt of her sword. "That's where you're wrong. We're not here to just fight. We're here to end this."
Rin's eyes flicked to Hisako, and her smile grew wider. "Ah, the faithful sidekick. How cute. But I think you're underestimating just how outmatched you both are."
Without warning, Rin lunged forward, her speed astonishing, but Rei was ready. Their fists collided with a deafening crack that shook the walls. Rin was fast, but Rei's training had sharpened her reflexes to the point of perfection. She countered with a swift roundhouse kick, but Rin ducked just in time, sweeping her legs toward Rei's knees.
Rei leaped back, landing gracefully as she assessed her sister's movements. Rin wasn't just powerful—she was a reflection of everything Rei had fought against. Dark, manipulative, and ruthless.
Hisako wasted no time, drawing her sword and summoning a shield of energy to protect Rei. Rin, however, was undeterred. She conjured dark magic, sending jagged bolts of shadow crashing against the shield, causing cracks to form.
"You've gotten soft, Rei!" Rin snarled. "Your connection to these weaklings is holding you back."
Rei's gaze hardened. "It's not weakness—it's strength."
With a fierce battle cry, Rei charged forward, unleashing a barrage of martial arts moves that left Rin scrambling to keep up. Her fists moved faster than most could follow, utilizing over 150 combat styles she had mastered throughout her journey. Each strike was precise, targeting Rin's vital points and pressuring her into a defensive stance.
But Rin was no amateur either. She parried and countered, sending dark energy crashing into Rei's side. Rei winced but didn't falter. She had fought through worse. With a quick pivot, she grabbed Rin's arm and twisted, sending her flying into the far wall.
For a moment, it seemed like the tide had turned, but Rin stood up, wiping the blood from her lip. "Is that all you've got, sister?"
Hisako, from behind, raised her sword and called forth a powerful wave of energy. The blast surged toward Rin, but she simply raised her hand and absorbed it, laughing. "Did you really think that would work?"
Rei and Hisako exchanged a glance. It was clear this wouldn't be easy.
Rei dashed forward again, this time her strikes coming faster and harder. Punches, kicks, grapples—all in perfect harmony. Her movements were fluid, a testament to her unparalleled skill in combat. But Rin was relentless, matching her blow for blow, dark energy swirling around her.
The room shook with the force of their clash. Dust and debris fell from the ceiling as their powers collided, creating shockwaves that threatened to tear the academy apart. Hisako moved with precision, using her energy constructs to trap Rin momentarily, allowing Rei to land a few solid hits.
But Rin broke free, summoning a massive wave of dark magic that sent both Rei and Hisako flying across the room. Rei slammed into the wall, pain shooting through her body. She coughed, struggling to her feet.
"This is your last chance, Rei," Rin hissed, her voice filled with venom. "Join me, or be destroyed."
Rei wiped the blood from her lip, her eyes blazing with determination. "I'll never join you."
In that moment, Rei summoned everything she had—her strength, her skill, and her resolve. With a battle cry, she launched herself at Rin, her fists a blur of motion. Rin tried to counter, but Rei was faster, her movements sharper. She struck with pinpoint accuracy, using every bit of her combat knowledge to overwhelm her sister.
Rin staggered, caught off guard by the ferocity of Rei's attack. In a final desperate move, Rin unleashed a massive wave of dark energy, but Hisako was ready. She summoned a shield of pure light, deflecting the attack and leaving Rin exposed.
Rei didn't hesitate. With one final strike, she knocked Rin to the ground, her sister's body collapsing with a heavy thud. Rin's dark aura dissipated, and for the first time in years, she looked… vulnerable.
"It's over," Rei said quietly, looking down at her fallen sister.
Rin looked up at her, her eyes filled with a mixture of hatred and sorrow. "You… you don't understand."
Rei clenched her fists, her heart aching. "Maybe I don't. But this is the only way it could end."
---
[Later...]
As the dust settled, the academy was eerily quiet. Rin had been taken into custody, her reign of terror finally over. The school was shut down indefinitely, its halls now empty and devoid of the life that once filled them.
Faraday, the school's headmaster, stood before Rei and Hisako, a somber look on his face. "I know it feels like this ended too quickly. Like there was more to be said, more to be done."
Rei nodded, the weight of the battle still fresh in her mind. "It feels… unfinished."
Faraday sighed, folding his arms. "The truth is, this subplot was never meant to be drawn out. It was an essential but brief part of a larger narrative. Rin's arc was always meant to reflect how quickly things can escalate when emotions and power collide. We could have dragged it out for another few chapters, but that would've taken away from the focus of the bigger picture."
Hisako tilted her head, her brow furrowed. "So… this was intentional? To wrap it up so soon?"
Faraday nodded. "Yes. Rin's story was important, but not central. This was meant to teach you a lesson—one about balance, about knowing when a fight needs to end. And sometimes, things do end abruptly. Not every journey is meant to be long and drawn out."
Rei looked down, her fists still aching from the fight. "I just wish there had been more time."
Faraday placed a hand on her shoulder. "Time will come for answers, Rei. For now, focus on the fact that you saved lives today. That's no small feat."
Hisako, standing beside Rei, nodded in agreement. "We did what we had to."
Rei took a deep breath, letting the tension slowly leave her body. The battle was over, but Faraday's words echoed in her mind. There would be more to come, more battles to fight, and more mysteries to unravel.
But for now, they had won.
[end]