Chereads / the balance / Chapter 17 - Shadows in the crossfire

Chapter 17 - Shadows in the crossfire

The sun dipped low in the sky as Haruki, Yuki, and Dante wandered through the outskirts of a quiet town. It had been days since their last lead on the people who had harmed them, and frustration was beginning to creep into their conversations.

"We're chasing ghosts," Dante muttered, running a hand through his hair.

Haruki didn't respond, his green eyes scanning the streets. His focus was sharp, his senses heightened by determination. Suddenly, a faint scream reached his ears.

"Did you hear that?" Haruki asked, his voice low.

Yuki nodded, clutching her wand. "It came from that alley!"

Without hesitation, Haruki took off running, Dante and Yuki following close behind. As they rounded a corner, they spotted three children being dragged away by cloaked figures.

"Stop!" Haruki shouted, his voice echoing through the alley.

The cloaked men froze, turning toward the group. Haruki didn't wait for a reply—he lunged forward, dagger in hand. His movements were swift, his blade aimed to incapacitate.

But before he could land a blow, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was her—the girl in black from a month ago. Her dark hair framed her pale face, and her crimson eyes glinted with cold malice.

"You again," Haruki muttered, narrowing his eyes.

Before anyone could react, the girl moved with blinding speed, her blade slicing through the air. In an instant, the men and the children they were dragging collapsed to the ground, lifeless.

"No!" Haruki shouted, his voice breaking. He rushed to the children, but it was too late. The sight of their lifeless bodies sent a wave of rage through him.

"You killed them," he said, his voice trembling with anger as he turned to face her.

The girl shrugged, her expression unreadable. "They were a liability."

"You didn't have to kill them!" Haruki's voice rose as he gripped his dagger tighter.

The girl smirked. "You're too naive. Sometimes, killing is the only way."

Haruki lunged at her, his dagger gleaming in the fading light. His speed was sharper than before, his movements honed by weeks of training. His blade slashed across her back, drawing blood.

The girl winced but spun around, her crimson eyes locking onto Haruki. "You've improved," she said, smirking. "But so have I."

Before Haruki could react, a blade appeared in her hand and plunged into his stomach.

"Haruki!" Yuki screamed, firing an ice shard at the girl. The spell struck her arm, forcing her to release Haruki.

Haruki staggered, coughing up blood as Yuki rushed to his side. "Stay with me," she whispered, tears streaming down her face as she began chanting a healing spell.

The girl stepped back, pulling out her second blade. "Weak," she muttered, glaring at Yuki. "You don't have what it takes to protect him."

"Like hell I don't!" Yuki shouted, her voice shaking. She fired an ice blast at the girl, forcing her to dodge. With a determined glare, Yuki extended her hand and summoned shimmering crystals that spiraled around the girl, trapping her in a cage of jagged shards.

The girl struggled, her movements restricted by the crystal prison. "Impressive," she said, her tone mocking. "But it won't hold me for long."

Yuki stepped forward, her wand glowing with power. "You hurt my friend. I should kill you for that."

Before she could cast another spell, Dante stepped between them, his hand on Yuki's shoulder. "No," he said firmly.

"What do you mean 'no'?" Yuki demanded, her voice trembling with anger. "She nearly killed Haruki!"

"We're not killers," Dante said, his voice calm but stern. "Not like this. We've done things we're not proud of, but we don't kill for revenge. We need answers from her."

Yuki hesitated, her wand trembling in her hand. Slowly, she lowered it, her breathing uneven.

As Dante turned to face the girl, a sudden crack echoed through the alley. The crystals shattered, and the girl lunged forward, grabbing her second blade. Before anyone could react, another figure appeared.

"Enough," a cold voice said.

Jay stepped into the alley, his white cloak fluttering behind him. His presence was commanding, his eyes scanning the group with calculated precision.

"You've been looking for us, haven't you?" he said, his voice directed at Dante.

Dante's expression darkened as he drew his sword. "You have no idea."

Before anyone could react, the alley shimmered with a strange light. Jay raised his hand, and in an instant, Dante and he vanished, leaving Haruki and Yuki alone with the girl.

The chapter ends.