The paper insects in the hall were executing those who still had breath, and the wailing gradually faded away, like the tide.
Malin didn't make a move, he just watched the dark figure descend the stairs.
Next to him, the grand floor clock opened its little door, and mechanical birds poked out from the trees, declaring the arrival of the hour.
The dark figure moved, he drew a black sword from his own body.
"What you have given us today, we shall duly return."
"That line should be mine to say, actually."
Malin reached out, Fio transformed into a sheath in his hand, he sheathed the paper and put the sword back at his waist, looking at the man before him, "Go ahead, sir, if you can still talk after we're done, I have a lot more to say—"; with his left hand, he raised the sheath to block the longsword that was cleaving towards him, Malin turned with the motion, diverting his opponent's strike while drawing his longsword and stabbing it into his chest.
