As Hina and Lefa strolled through the castle grounds, a sense of camaraderie blossomed between them, their laughter echoing off the stone walls. Lefa's suggestion to watch Benimaru's practice ignited a spark of excitement within Hina's chest, eager to witness the hero in his element once more. With a nod of agreement, Hina addressed Lefa as "princess," only to be gently reminded of their newfound friendship. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, Hina corrected herself, feeling a sense of warmth at Lefa's acceptance.
The anticipation of the upcoming spectacle electrified the air as they made their way to the practice area. Hina's heart pounded with excitement, her senses tingling with anticipation of the impending duel. Upon their arrival, Hina greeted Benimaru with a playful smile, only to be met with his familiar jest of calling her "princess." With a playful roll of her eyes, Hina asserted her identity, determined to be recognized as more than just a title.
As Benimaru and Knight Gild prepared to face off, the atmosphere crackled with energy, the air thick with tension. The clash of swords reverberated through the practice grounds, each strike resonating with power and precision. Hina watched with bated breath, her eyes tracing the fluid movements of the combatants, her senses alive with the thrill of the battle unfolding before her.
Amidst the intensity of the duel, Kanade and Flicker's sudden arrival added to the excitement, their cheers echoing across the practice grounds. Hina couldn't help but join in, her voice rising in support of her friend and leader. Yet, amidst the chaos of the cheering crowd, Hina remained composed, her demeanor calm and collected.
However, as Benimaru unleashed his powerful energy slash wave, a wave of panic swept over the onlookers. Time seemed to slow as the deadly force hurtled towards Lefa and Hina, threatening to shatter the tranquility of their afternoon outing. In that moment, Hina's instincts kicked in, her body moving with lightning speed to intercept the attack.
With a swift motion, Hina slapped the energy wave aside, her actions defying the laws of physics as she shielded her companions from harm. The force of the impact reverberated through her body, but Hina remained steadfast, her focus unwavering.
As the dust settled and the shock of the moment began to fade, a sense of awe washed over the bystanders. Hina's calm demeanor in the face of danger left them speechless, her actions defying explanation. Yet, amidst the chaos, Hina remained unfazed, her attention turning back to the simple pleasure of enjoying her tea.
In the aftermath of the incident, Hina's actions were met with a mixture of disbelief and admiration. Her companions looked on in wonder, their emotions swirling like a tempest within them. Yet, amidst the chaos, a sense of gratitude blossomed in their hearts, their bond strengthened by the shared experience of facing danger together.
Lefa's eyes widened in disbelief, her shock palpable as she struggled to comprehend the inexplicable feat she had just witnessed. Flicker and Kanade echoed her sentiments, their voices filled with bewilderment as they sought an explanation for Hina's extraordinary display of power. Despite the clamor of their inquiries, Hina remained composed, her demeanor serene as she approached Lefa's picnic spot.
With an air of nonchalance, Hina inquired about sugar for her tea, her tone betraying none of the turmoil swirling within her. Behind her calm facade, however, Hina's mind raced with thoughts of the secret she harbored—the truth of her abilities hidden beneath a veil of normalcy. As she navigated the delicate dance of maintaining her facade, beads of sweat formed on her brow, a testament to the pressure mounting within her.
Hina's internal struggle played out against the backdrop of the idyllic picnic scene, the tranquility of the moment juxtaposed with the chaos of her inner turmoil. With each step closer to Lefa, Hina's facade threatened to crumble, her composure teetering on the edge of collapse. Yet, with a forced smile and playful demeanor, she pressed on, determined to conceal the truth at any cost.
As Hina attempted to divert attention away from her miraculous intervention, her face betrayed her inner conflict, a flicker of discomfort crossing her features. Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment, a telltale sign of the internal battle raging within her. Despite her best efforts to maintain her facade, Hina's facade wavered, her discomfort palpable to those around her.
In a moment of levity, Hina attempted to lighten the mood with a playful gesture, sticking out her tongue in a teasing manner. Yet, beneath her playful facade, a sense of unease lingered, her actions a desperate attempt to mask the truth of her abilities. As Flicker and Kanade erupted into laughter, Hina's heart sank, the weight of her secret bearing down on her with each passing moment.
As Benimaru rushed to Lefa's side, his concern etched deeply into his features, the tension in the air was palpable. Lefa, trembling with fear, reassured him that she was unharmed, her voice quivering with residual shock. Yet, despite her words of forgiveness, the weight of Benimaru's actions hung heavy in the air, casting a shadow over the once-idyllic picnic scene.
As Benimaru knelt before Lefa, his voice trembled with remorse, his apology a sincere testament to the gravity of the situation. Lefa, still visibly shaken, offered her forgiveness, her words a balm to Benimaru's troubled soul. Yet, as she struggled to maintain her composure, a sense of unease lingered, the memory of the near-miss still fresh in her mind.
Meanwhile, Hina's own turmoil threatened to consume her, her once-darkened expression now tinged with nervous energy. As she absentmindedly sipped her tea, her thoughts raced, the weight of her secret bearing down on her with each passing moment. Yet, despite her best efforts to remain composed, a sudden choke on her tea brought her back to the present, her comical reaction eliciting laughter from Lefa.
In the midst of the laughter, Benimaru's concern was evident, his chuckle tinged with worry as he witnessed Hina's unexpected reaction. With a furrowed brow, he cast a concerned glance in her direction, silently questioning if she was alright. Despite the levity of the moment, the underlying tension remained, a reminder of the fragility of their situation.
As the laughter subsided and the picnic returned to a semblance of normalcy, the weight of Benimaru's actions lingered in the air, a silent reminder of the potential consequences of their powers. Yet, amidst the uncertainty, there remained a glimmer of hope—a shared moment of laughter that served as a brief respite from the turmoil that surrounded them.
As they turned their attention towards the city wall, a scene of devastation greeted them. Where once stood a sturdy barrier, now lay a massive breach, gaping wide like a wound inflicted by some colossal force. The wall, a symbol of protection and security, now appeared feeble and vulnerable, its once formidable presence shattered by the unleashed energy.
The gaping hole in the city wall seemed to stretch endlessly, revealing glimpses of the chaos beyond. Rubble and debris littered the ground, evidence of the destructive power of the energy wave that had crashed through. Smoke billowed from the edges of the breach, obscuring the view further and adding to the sense of urgency and alarm.
Amidst the chaos, there was a palpable tension in the air. The onlookers stood in stunned silence, grappling with the magnitude of the situation. Their faces mirrored a mixture of disbelief, fear, and uncertainty as they tried to comprehend the extent of the damage.
Benimaru's expression darkened as he surveyed the scene, his brows furrowed with concern. He realized the gravity of the situation and the potential danger it posed to the city and its inhabitants. Turning to his companions, he knew that action was needed, and fast.
Flicker and Kanade exchanged worried glances, their eyes reflecting the unease that gripped them. They understood the implications of the breached wall and the imminent threat it posed to the safety of the city. Their minds raced with thoughts of how to address the situation and prevent further harm.
Meanwhile, Hina's heart pounded with a mixture of fear and determination. She knew that she had played a role in deflecting the energy wave, but she also understood the consequences of her actions. Guilt gnawed at her insides as she grappled with the realization that her intervention had inadvertently caused harm.
Despite the chaos and uncertainty, a sense of unity prevailed among the onlookers. They knew that they needed to come together to address the crisis at hand and protect their city from further harm. With resolve in their hearts, they braced themselves for the challenges that lay ahead, ready to face whatever trials awaited them in the aftermath of the breached city wall.
*To be continue*