The forest was oppressively silent. Space itself seemed to shrink, trapping Scarlet in a trap where every breath was soaked with a premonition of trouble. The air pressed down on her shoulders, as if invisible hands were trying to squeeze her into the ground. The shotgun, usually so familiar and reliable, seemed heavy, as if it was turning into a useless piece of iron.
Her eyes searched the gloomy silhouettes of the trees, looking for movement, but they only encountered darkness.
"Where are you?" She whispered to herself, barely able to contain the tremor in her voice.
Her words faded into silence. Only a faint rustle behind her made her turn around sharply. She froze, feeling a cold fear rising inside her.
And the silence broke.
The flash of light was blinding, and the roar of the explosion drove pain into my ears. The ground shook, knocking her off balance. Scarlet collapsed to one knee, managing to shield herself from the deafening heat. When she raised her head, the world around her looked different. Alienated.
A figure emerged from the thick smoke. She was tall, unnaturally elongated, with skin as shiny as polished metal, dyed an ominous shade of blue. The creature's eyes glowed with a scarlet light devoid of any warmth. In his hands he clutched two blades, thin and flexible, like the fangs of an animal ready to devour its prey.
— Come on, bitch! Scarlet shouted, her voice rising to a rasp. She tried to cover her fear with anger, but her heart was already racing in her chest, making the blood pound in her temples.
The creature moved forward silently. His movements were swift, like those of a predator that knows no doubt or fear. With each step, the distance between them shrank, turning the seconds into a painful eternity.
Scarlet cursed, tightened her grip on the weapon, and, almost on reflex, pulled the trigger. The roar of a gunshot cut through the night. The bullet tore through space, heading straight for the creature.
But it didn't slow down. Not for a moment. Instead, the smile—sinister, stretched to the limit of human anatomy—became wider.
Something inside her snapped.
—Ahorna! It burst out of her throat as realization came with belated clarity: there was no more time.
A golden glow flashed around her, outlining the fragile dome of the magical barrier. At the same moment, the demoness attacked him with fury. The impact was devastating. The ground shook, cracks spread across the rocks, and the smell of ozone hung in the air. The barrier held, but cracks on its surface began to creep, as if the magic itself was not strong enough to withstand the pressure of the creature.
The creature did not retreat. Her claws slid across the protective shell with a hideous screech, making Scarlet flinch at every sound.
—Hold on, I'm right here," came a voice in her earpiece, steady but tinged with tension.
"Hurry up!" She blurted out, trying not to scream.
The barrier suddenly disappeared. No warning, no chance. Scarlet barely managed to push off and roll to the side, avoiding the deadly blow. The creature's blades sank into the ground where it had been just a moment ago.
She raised the shotgun and fired. The roar of gunfire echoed through the forest, causing the birds to leap into the sky in fear. The bullet slammed into the creature's chest, knocking it back a step. But it wasn't enough. It straightened up, and the creature's eyes burned through the space around it with a scarlet light.
A whistle sounded behind him, barely perceptible, almost musical. Scarlet didn't have time to turn around, as the demoness froze, and then, like a doll with cut strings, collapsed to the ground.
Scarlet turned around, breathing heavily. A man in a dark mask came out of the shadows of the trees, with the nickname "Sato" displayed above his head. His step was unhurried, even lazy. Drops of thick, pitch-black blood glistened on the dagger in his hand.
"I'm late," she breathed, brushing a lock of hair from her face, stuck to her sweaty forehead. — What, you decided to give me some action?
Sato narrowed his eyes, his lips stretched into a grin.
—You know I love watching you get away with it."
His voice was light, almost mocking, but there was something warm in his eyes.
Scarlet took a step closer to him, feeling the tension finally release. She gently touched his shoulder, took off his mask, the warmth of his presence replaced the fear.
"Tell me next time," she said softly, her voice like the rustle of leaves.
Sato leaned in, his grin widening.
"Don't get into trouble next time. His arms wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer. Their lips met. The kiss was brief, but filled with silent understanding.
The silence was broken by a voice on the speakers:
—Hey, lovebirds! If you're done with the melodrama, we have a lord here!
Sato grinned, releasing her.
"It's time to work,— he said, sheathing his dagger.
Scarlet snorted, checking her weapon.
"With a guy like you, I can forget we're even on a mission."
Sato just grunted, stepping forward as if he hadn't heard her words. But the expression on his face—a barely perceptible smile—said that he had heard everything.
Sato looked back, his face lit up with a slight, almost lazy smile. He made a short gesture with his hand, waving away someone's sarcastic comments that sounded on the speakers again.
"Shall we go?"
Scarlet squinted as she adjusted the weapon strap on her shoulder.
"Only if you cover for me again."
He grinned again, casually taking out his daggers. The blades, covered in dark blood, glinted in the light of the magic barrier that was trembling in the distance.
"Do you doubt it?"
Her lips twitched in an answering grin, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she pulled out the jammed shell casing, deciding that his overconfidence was even appropriate right now.
The battle began in the clearing.
The magic barrier of the allied tank engulfed the enemy group, trapping them inside like a fish in a net. Sato moved between the enemies with terrifying speed, his daggers flashing like lightning, striking accurately and deadly. Each of his strokes was a dance, perfectly timed and cold, without a single unnecessary movement.
— On the left! The sniper! Scarlet shouted, her voice cutting through the noise of the battle. She fired, the weapon rattled, sending the enemy into the dust.
— I saw it, thanks! — he replied, rolling to the side. His movements were smooth like a beast's, and his eyes were cold and focused.
The sound of the dull click of the discharged gun made her heart clench for a moment.
—Damn it, cover me!" "Stop it!" she screamed, frantically inserting new cartridges.
Sato didn't even turn around. His hand shot out, and the dagger flew through the air, turning into a silver comet. The blade hit the target with a precision worthy of legend.
"You have three seconds!" He called over his shoulder, his voice calm, as if he didn't have a single doubt about what was happening.
As the enemies began to retreat, defeated and tormented, Sato turned to her and nodded.
— Well, now we'll definitely have time to demolish the throne? Scarlet gasped, getting to her feet. Her shoulders were almost shaking from the strain, and the sawed-off shotgun felt heavy, as if it weighed a ton.
Sato bent down, pulling daggers from the bodies of the enemies. On their surfaces, thick, dark blood seemed to have a life of its own, casting an ominous crimson light.
"If you don't pull another trick, then yes,— he said confidently, his voice sounding mocking, but his gaze remained serious.
"I'll try,— Scarlet muttered, brushing a strand of hair from her face. She slowly wiped the sweat from her forehead, feeling the viscous adrenaline still pumping through her veins, as if her body refused to accept that the danger was over.
His fingers tightened on the rifle. The muscles, hardened by countless battles, were still doing their job despite trembling. She straightened up, shouldered the shotgun, and surveyed the battlefield.
Sato was looking at her, his gaze calm, but there was something in the depths of his scarlet eyes that Scarlet couldn't make out.
—Let's go," he said softly, nodding towards the forest, where the remaining enemy forces had retreated. — There is still a lot of work ahead.
Scarlet nodded. The fatigue was killing, but there was no way back.
The Sito-Alpha team didn't give the enemies a chance. There was confidence in their every move, and a certain calmness, but not the euphoria of an imminent victory. It was an advantage that left a bitterness. The enemies died, but all hope went with them, not just afraid of losing, they went to their deaths to take everything they could with them, weakening the forces of the Sito Alpha. This wasn't an ordinary battle—it was a last act of desperation, met with a firmness that made one's veins freeze.
On the horizon, as if from the darkness itself, the Lord materialized. His silhouette, majestic and terrifying, cut through the evening mist. This centaur-like creature had a terrifying appearance. His torso was covered with black, as if charred skin, which shimmered with ominous red reflections resembling red-hot metal. In place of the face was a gaping skull, from the sockets of which a pulsating bloody glow emanated.
His massive hands gripped a giant axe, the blade of which seemed too big even for such a monster. Runes were engraved on its shaft, which glowed with a dark red light, emitting waves of sinister energy. Each of his movements was accompanied by a low hum that seemed to press on the ears of those who were nearby. The Lord wasn't just an ally, he was the personification of fear and death. His heavy footsteps echoed across the map like the sound of a bell announcing the beginning of the end. The allied creeps marched behind, blinding beams from their enhanced attacks slicing through the twilight. Scarlet glanced at this approaching monster, but even it inspired her with less horror than the prospect of making a wrong move.
12 thousand gold. The numbers sparkled like sparks in a dark forest, but Scarlet couldn't focus on them. They didn't matter. Gold is just numbers. It was just a tool, and the main thing right now was not in it. Right now, everything depended on how they played, how they chose the moment to attack.
"Is everyone ready?" This is our moment, don't screw it up," Sato's voice cut through the silence, becoming something completely ordinary and tense at the same time. His voice was cold, but there was no doubt in it. He was as determined as a slashing blade, ready to slice through the very air, tearing apart everything in his path.
Scarlet nodded, even though Sato couldn't see her. She knew that this was not the moment to hesitate. They were on the verge, and every moment could be decisive. The unknown is at the other end of the map, one mistake — and this whole army will collapse into the void.
Her hand tightened on the weapon, her fingers turned white, but she did not allow herself to weaken. Even if a hurricane of emotions was raging inside, even if her thoughts were trying to go into a panic run, she knew one thing: "I will not let you down." It was her only salvation—her strength, her determination to be someone who never gives up.
—All right, let's go," she said softly to herself, forcing her steps to be resolute, despite all the weight that pressed on her chest.
And so, the attack began. She felt the world around her becoming more tense with every move she made. Screams, gunshots, magic spells—everything was mixed into one tyranny of sounds. But the attention was focused only on the Lord. He wasn't just an ally. He was the conclusion of the whole tournament, the decision that could change everything. This moment was not for hesitation.
No matter how hard it was, no matter how her soul screamed from the imminent victory, Scarlet knew that she needed to be strong now. That's the only way they can win.
The first shot shook the air, its sound was so loud that it seemed as if the forest itself was silent, as if listening to this gap. The Allied tanks charged, their armor and weapons merging into a single force, bringing victory closer with each move. The enemies tried to escape from the trap, but they did not have time — the magician, who was the last hope for their team, disappeared as if he had never existed.
There was another crash as Scarlet clutched the shotgun. Her fingers were working automatically, reloading the weapon, but her mind was already far away from the battle. Everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. She didn't even notice how everything around her disappeared in a burst of light, as the allies, coordinated as a clock, carried their victory.
The enemy's tower collapsed under their blows, like a fragile sand castle rushing into disorder. And so, the word they were all waiting for appeared on the screen. "VICTORY." It flickered and then slowly filled the screen, like a wall crashing down on their consciousness. But for Scarlet, this word was not as vivid and exciting as expected. She was standing in the middle of ruins, the remnants of a destroyed virtual reality. He held a useless weapon in his hands, which now seemed as heavy as a stone.
Beads of sweat slowly dripped from her fingers, but despite her fatigue, there was an almost empty silence. Scarlet exhaled, her eyes closed, and she finally allowed herself to relax a little.
—Good job,— Sato said, his voice no longer the same cold commanding tone, but somehow more human, with a hint of warmth. Something she hadn't expected. It was more than just a confession.
She smiled slowly. The moment when all the weight of the fight was gone, and her body finally felt that it was possible to leave the tension behind. But her mind was still ready for a new challenge, for the next opponent that would surely appear. The training does not end with one victory. But now... She allowed herself to enjoy it now. The moment was too short to spend it thinking.
Sato stood in front of her, his avatar shining like the epitome of an ideal against the backdrop of virtual ruins. Every detail of his appearance was thought out to the smallest detail: light, like air armor, a dark cloak reflecting the light of the moon, and a Kevlar mask hiding his face, giving him even more mystery. This image was not just a force, but also a symbol, a reminder that he was a master capable of winning, invisible and elusive like the wind itself.
"You did well. You were great, my lady," his words were full of respect, sincerity, something that was rare for a man who always kept his distance. He was the leader, her commander, and now, after the victory, his words seemed even more important than any of the successes achieved.
She nodded silently, but her heart nevertheless sang joyfully, realizing that this was not just a victory in the tournament. It was more than that. Every difficulty, every moment of doubt, all those fears and insecurities that had plagued her for the past few hours were now gone, dissolved in this blinding moment.
The golden letters that announced them as the winners of the tournament flashed on the screen, and this moment carried her into a state of almost meditative calm. The winners. There was everything in this victory: hard work, sweat, pain, but also incredible joy. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, allowing herself to sink into silence for a moment. No more fighting, no more threats. Just a moment she deserved.
© Marukuro_Rafaello, 2024. All rights reserved.