Watcher 25 dragged the captives through the dense forest, his pace steady and powerful, as though completely unbothered by the pursuers behind him. His sharp gaze swept over his surroundings, calculating each step. Meanwhile, Watcher 23 paused, slowly drawing several gleaming knives that shimmered with a deadly chill. A cold smirk crossed his face as he mocked, "So you want to chase me? Let's see how far you can go."
With a flick of his wrist, the knives shot forward like thunderbolts, slicing through the forest's silence. They glinted in the dim light, imbued with a murderous intent as they streaked toward Yahageshii and Ryuosho, who were charging forward.
Yahageshii snorted, flames igniting on his fists. With a fierce cry, he swung his arms, unleashing a torrent of searing fire. The blaze roared forward, forming a wall of flames intended to incinerate the incoming knives. A smirk tugged at his lips as he muttered under his breath, "Child's play. Watch me melt this to nothing."
But an unexpected turn of events disrupted his confidence.
The knives pierced through the flame barrier, their blades glowing red-hot but still cutting through with eerie precision, accompanied by an ominous ripple in the air.
Boom!
An explosive roar shattered the forest's tranquility. A shockwave erupted, scattering dirt, leaves, and debris in every direction. Trees cracked and toppled, splinters flying as the ground split open in a smoldering scar. Yahageshii stumbled back, his feet carving deep grooves into the earth as he struggled to regain balance. His chest tightened, and his expression darkened.
Watcher 23 burst into a fit of laughter, his face alight with arrogant delight. "What's the matter? Did you think you could match the tricks of an assassin? Foolish brutes like you should stay out of my way!"
Before his taunts could fully sink in, a sudden flash of blinding electricity illuminated the aftermath of the explosion. Watcher 23's laughter froze. His gaze darted upward to see Ryuosho standing amidst the crackling light, his figure as imposing as a storm.
Electric arcs crisscrossed, weaving a dense, intricate net that shimmered with lethal precision. It deflected the residual force of the explosion, leaving Ryuosho unharmed. He cast a sidelong glance at Yahageshii, his voice cool and tinged with sarcasm. "Do us a favor and stop giving them so many chances, will you?"
Yahageshii shot him a fiery glare, his chest heaving with frustration, practically growling, "Then why don't you use that lightning speed of yours to catch them already? Stop letting them run circles around us!"
Ryuosho shrugged lazily, completely unfazed. "After sprinting all the way here, I'm nearly out of juice. What do you think I am, an infinite battery?"
The two glared at each other, tension crackling in the air between them. Watcher 23 seized the moment, a sly grin crossing his face as he turned and bolted. "With teamwork like yours, this'll be easy. Better luck next time!"
Yahageshii's anger boiled over as he roared, "Get back here!"
But as he lunged forward, a low rumble erupted from beneath his feet.
Boom!
The ground exploded with fiery force, sending dirt and stone spiraling into the air. Yahageshii instinctively halted, shielding himself against the searing blast. When he looked up, Watcher 23 stood smugly a short distance away, the light of the explosion reflecting in his eyes. His grin widened as he jeered, "Caught off guard? That's what happens when you play with me!"
As the smoke cleared, his triumph faded.
Ryuosho emerged unscathed from the chaos, encased in a protective cocoon of electricity. The charged net deflected the heat and shrapnel, leaving him untouched. Yahageshii, safely behind him, was equally unharmed.
Ryuosho tilted his head, smirking with quiet disdain. "Honestly, how many times do I have to save you?"
Yahageshii's frustration erupted anew, his fists clenched tightly as he barked, "Once this is over, the first thing I'm doing is punching you into the ground!"
Ryuosho ignored the outburst, his expression turning cold and focused. Electric currents coursed through his body, converging at his feet. A faint hum of static filled the air, punctuated by sharp crackles.
"Let's move," he said quietly, his voice brimming with resolve. In a split second, the electricity exploded outward. Together, Yahageshii and Ryuosho surged forward like twin bolts of lightning, slicing through the forest with blistering speed.
Behind them, Watcher 23's confidence wavered. Hearing the sharp, relentless pursuit closing in, his face paled. He shouted toward Watcher 25, "Take action! If they're dead, they can't keep chasing us!"
Watcher 25 obeyed, commanding his summoned serpent to attack. The enormous beast bared its gleaming fangs, its mouth gaping wide as it lunged toward the bound Riyugi and Myouka.
"Stop it!" Myouka screamed, her voice cracking with desperation.
Riyugi thrashed against her restraints, her heart pounding as the serpent's deadly fangs closed in. Bound and helpless, all she could do was watch, terror gripping her as despair surged.
Her voice broke into a soft whisper, trembling yet filled with hope. "Shingin…"