「The flames reflected in his eyes.」
Tatsuya stood in the center of the altar room, arms folded behind his back, watching the molten metal swirl within the blazing furnace. The orange and red hues flickered, casting eerie shadows across the stone walls, filling the air with the dense, metallic scent of smelted ore. He smirked, a glint of excitement in his eyes.
"Now that I've got everything I need…" His voice, low and confident, trailed off into the room, the words barely above a growl. "What should I make first?"
Once the molten metal reached its critical temperature, Tatsuya stepped closer, his palm hovering just inches from the scorching heat. The intense warmth pulsed against his skin, a tangible force as he gestured lightly, his fingers curling in command.
The molten ore rose, obeying his will, glowing and twisting in the air like liquid fire. He shut his eyes, concentrating on the image forming in his mind. Yuki's face flashed briefly—her sharp focus, graceful movements, and lethal efficiency in battle.
"Something sleek, swift—deadly but elegant," he thought, lips curling into a wider grin. "A katana."
His hand clenched into a fist, and the molten metal responded instantly, bending and reshaping into the sleek curve of a blade. Sparks scattered across the room as the liquid cooled, hardening into the deadly weapon Tatsuya had envisioned. He opened his eyes, watching with satisfaction as the glowing sword floated to rest on a stone slab.
A perfectly crafted katana, still sizzling from the heat, gleamed in the dim light.
But Tatsuya wasn't done. His gaze sharpened, and the smirk deepened. "Now for something with more punch... my weapon."
One Week Later
Yuki sat perched atop an ancient stone pillar in the temple courtyard, her tail flicking lazily behind her as she glanced toward the altar room. She'd been waiting for over an hour, but the constant clanging of metal and the odd smell of burning had kept her from checking in. Her cloak rippled gently in the breeze, and she absentmindedly brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
What is he up to now? she wondered, narrowing her eyes.
Tatsuya had mentioned something about "testing new weapons," but there was a strange smell in the air—different from the typical metallic tang. It was sharper, more unsettling.
Her ears twitched at the sound of footsteps. She hopped down gracefully from the pillar, landing without a sound. The dusty courtyard stilled as she turned to face the cave entrance. Her eyes gleamed with curiosity.
Tatsuya emerged, striding confidently, his silhouette casting long shadows in the evening light.
"What's up, Yuki?" he called out, grinning as he approached. "Got you a little something."
Without breaking stride, Tatsuya tossed a wrapped object toward her. Yuki's reflexes kicked in, and she snatched it out of the air with ease, her expression neutral but her eyes sharp with interest.
"What is this?" she asked, voice laced with intrigue as she began unwrapping the cloth.
The dark fabric fell away, revealing a sleek katana. The blade was beautifully crafted, its razor-sharp edge glinting in the light. The black rubber grip was designed for comfort, and the balance of the weapon was perfect. Yuki's fingers traced the cold steel, a small, rare smile tugging at the corner of her lips.
Elegant. Deadly. Perfect.
Yuki admired the weapon in silence, her thoughts drifting into appreciation for its craftsmanship. "This is a weapon worthy of me."
Tatsuya, clearly pleased with her reaction, walked past her with exaggerated swagger, tapping her lightly on the shoulder. "What do you think?" he asked, flashing a mischievous grin.
Yuki jolted slightly at the touch, snapping out of her reverie. Her expression hardened as she narrowed her eyes. "What are we doing?" she asked sharply. "Hello?!"
Tatsuya spun on his heel, a playful glint in his eyes. "We're going monster hunting," he declared, his tone brimming with excitement. "With a twist."
"A twist?" Yuki arched a brow.
Tatsuya's grin widened. "It's my first hunt in the jungle with you! This is going to be fun."
Yuki sighed, shaking her head. "I suppose..."
Her ears perked up as they entered the jungle, already scanning for threats. Her katana gleamed in her hand, ready for action.
The deeper they ventured into the jungle, the thicker the trees became. Towering trunks rose like ancient pillars, their gnarled branches twisting overhead into a dense canopy. It was beautiful, but something felt... off.
"Too quiet," Yuki thought, her grip tightening on the katana hilt.
The air was thick and humid, clinging to their skin. Exotic plants lined the forest floor, their vibrant colors hiding dangerous fangs beneath soft petals. It wasn't just the plants, though—the very atmosphere felt oppressive, heavy, as if the jungle itself was alive and waiting.
Tatsuya felt it too. His initial excitement gave way to caution. "Feels like something's watching us..." he thought, scanning the dense foliage with narrowed eyes.
Suddenly, the silence shattered. A massive, camouflaged creature burst from the underbrush—a praying mantis the size of a bus. Its dark green exoskeleton blended seamlessly with the trees, its serrated arms crashing toward them.
Yuki's body moved on instinct. Her katana flashed, meeting the mantis' strike with a sharp clang. Steel clashed against exoskeleton, the impact reverberating through the jungle. The mantis screeched, pulling back as Yuki dashed to the side, her movements fluid and precise.
She darted between trees, her blade a blur of silver as she blocked and countered each of the mantis' attacks. The monster's serrated arms crashed down in a frenzy—overhead strikes, sweeping blows—but Yuki danced between them with deadly grace.
The battle turned into a high-speed dance. Yuki's feet barely touched the ground as she weaved between branches and tree trunks. The mantis was fast, but Yuki was faster. She lunged forward, the katana slicing clean through one of the creature's arms with a swift arc.
The mantis screeched, stumbling as it tried to regain balance. Yuki didn't give it a chance. She leaped onto a low-hanging branch, using the momentum to propel herself higher, landing on a branch just above the mantis' head.
She swung downward, her blade aiming for the creature's neck, but the mantis anticipated the move. Its remaining arm lashed out, barely missing her as she twisted mid-air, flipping back to avoid the strike. Yuki landed lightly on the ground, her eyes focused.
The mantis lunged again, but Yuki was already moving. She slid under its body, slicing through its underbelly with a single, fluid motion. The creature howled in pain, collapsing as its legs buckled beneath it.
Just as Yuki prepared for another strike, the sharp sound of gunfire echoed through the jungle.
"What the hell?" Yuki's eyes snapped toward the source of the noise, her expression incredulous.
Tatsuya stood in the clearing, wielding two Uzis. His grin was wide, almost too wide, as he unleashed a barrage of bullets that tore through the mantis' armored hide. The bullets glowed with energy, searing through the creature's exoskeleton as flames burst from each wound.
The mantis screeched in agony, its body riddled with burning holes. Its legs buckled, collapsing under its own weight as it writhed in its final moments.
"That's the power of modern technology," Tatsuya quipped, blowing imaginary smoke from one of his guns. "Say hello to my metal friend!"
Yuki blinked, stunned for a moment, before a small smile tugged at her lips. "Leave it to him to show off..."