Hina's trembling hands gripped Yuri's sword tightly, blood streaming down her palms and pooling on the stone floor beneath her. With her other hand, she reached for her own sword, the shining blade trembling slightly as she forced herself to her feet.
All eyes in the cave fell on her—mine, Braun's, and Yuri's. The tension in the air was palpable, the humming of the artifact blending with the aura of Hina.
"Let it go!! You filth!" Yuri snarled, pulling on her sword with all her might.
But Hina held firm. The blade shook under the strain, vibrating against her iron grip, yet she refused to release it. Blood continued to trail down her fingers, staining the ground red, but she didn't flinch.
Yuri's frustration boiled over as she infused her weapon with her aura, the reddish-pink energy pulsing along the blade. "Arghhh!" she growled, pulling harder.
And then, Hina released the sword.
