Kill or Be Killed
Ryo's heart pounded.
Lucien licked the blood from his cheek, eyes gleaming with twisted excitement.
"You know," he mused, twirling his knife, "I was planning to kill Kael first."
His grin widened.
"But you… You might actually be more fun."
Ryo gripped his sword tightly.
The pain from his wound burned, but he forced himself to focus.
He couldn't afford to lose.
Not here.
Not after what happened to Haruto.
Kael's sword flashed as he dodged the Nightmare Beast's fangs.
Shiori darted in, her dagger striking at its joints, but once again—
It was too tough.
"This isn't working!" she shouted.
Kael's breathing was heavy. We can't keep this up.
He glanced at Ryo—
And saw him locked in battle with Lucien.
Kael cursed under his breath.
We have to finish this, now.
His grip on his sword tightened.
And then—
A risky plan formed in his mind.
"Shiori!" he called. "Get ready!"
She looked at him, confused—
Then her eyes widened as she realized what he was about to do.
"Wait—Kael, you're not seriously—"
But it was too late.
Kael rushed forward—
Straight into the Nightmare Beast's jaws.
Meanwhile, Ryo and Lucien clashed again.
Lucien was fast.
Faster than anyone Ryo had ever fought.
His knife flickered like a shadow, each strike aiming for a vital spot.
Ryo barely managed to dodge, but he was getting pushed back.
Lucien was playing with him.
"You're good," Lucien admitted, blocking a counterattack. "But you're too tense."
His smile sharpened.
"Let me help with that."
He disappeared.
Ryo's eyes widened. Where—?!
Pain exploded in his side.
Lucien's knife sank into his ribs.
Ryo gasped, stumbling back as blood spilled onto the ground.
Lucien grinned.
"There we go."
He twisted the knife.
"Now, scream for me."
Kael lunged straight at the Nightmare Beast.
It snapped its jaws open, ready to devour him whole—
But at the last second—
Shiori moved.
She threw her dagger with perfect precision.
It stabbed directly into the beast's eye.
The monster roared in agony, its head jerking back.
Kael didn't waste the opening.
He jumped, using the dagger as a foothold—
And drove his sword straight through the beast's skull.
CRACK.
The Nightmare Beast shuddered.
Then—
It collapsed.
For a long moment, everything was silent.
Then, Kael exhaled heavily.
"We… did it."
But there was no time to celebrate.
Because—
He turned to see Ryo fall to his knees, blood pouring from his side.
And Lucien, standing over him, laughing.