Chapter 112 - Metal and Pulse

Date: April X788 — Same Morning

Location: Outer Faultline — Artifact Storage Cavern

The first chimera jumped at Teresa, swinging its broken blade arm and scraping sparks along the ground. Teresa's eyes narrowed. It looked fast, but its attacks were sloppy, like it was pretending to fight rather than understanding how.

She stepped left calmly. The blade swung through empty air and hit the cavern wall, shattering some old runes.

In the same moment, she stepped forward, moving inside its range. Her sword cut upward in one quick motion. The chimera's chest split open. Strange glyph lines inside it fizzled and faded as it collapsed.

The second chimera let out a sharp, clicking scream. It jumped to the side, bounced off a wall, and tried to dive at her from above.

Teresa didn't look at its body — she watched its intention.

She turned and swung her blade upward. The sword hit a weak spot near its throat, cutting through its core glyph. The chimera fell to the ground, gasping, and stopped moving.

The last chimera hesitated. Its claws scraped the floor as if it couldn't decide whether to attack or run.

Teresa stepped forward once. Then again.

The creature flinched backward.

On the third step, it turned and tried to run deeper into the cavern.

She didn't chase it the normal way. Instead, she blurred forward in a Phantom Step, appearing beside it in an instant. Her sword shifted into a reverse grip and stabbed backward into its center. It shook once, then fell still.

She pulled her blade out and flicked it to clean it off. The cavern went quiet again.

Cavern Depths — Relic Cache

Teresa stood still for a few seconds, letting her energy calm down. Then she lowered her sword and turned to look at a half-buried object she had sensed earlier.

She knelt and pushed aside pieces of broken rune stones and melted mimic parts. Slowly, a silver machine started to show. It looked like a mix between a weapon and a vehicle — thin, sleek, and strong. It seemed to have a shape almost like a coiled animal ready to move.

She ran her fingers along its surface. Unlike the corrupted chimeras, its lines were smooth and curved. Her energy touched it, and the machine responded with a gentle light, like it was waking up.

She pressed her palm on a central rune. A soft hum moved up her arm, and blue-white light ran along its body.

It wasn't just a relic.

It felt almost alive, like a sword recognizing its owner. No words. No real mind. Just connection.

Ridge Above — Temporary Camp

Romeo stood on the ridge, his wooden practice sword resting on his shoulders. He hadn't moved for a long time. Each pulse of energy from the cave below made him grip the sword tighter, but he stayed steady.

Kinana walked up behind him with some food. She stopped when she saw him.

"You haven't moved in an hour," she said gently.

Romeo shook his head, sweat sticking to his hair.

"If I move now, I'll lose my focus."

Kinana gave a small smile.

"You're starting to understand her way."

Romeo looked down, thinking hard.

"I don't know if I can ever fight next to her... but I want to be ready for when she comes back."

Kinana set the food down and put her hand on his shoulder.

"Then you're already doing better than most."

Cavern Depths — Teresa and "The Edge"

Teresa kept studying the machine. Its design was strange — part Claymore style, part Ky'run, and part Earthland. It was a mix of different worlds, but somehow, it looked smooth and perfect.

She pressed her hand deeper into the rune seal. Her energy flowed into it. The machine started to unfold, metal plates moving and clicking softly.

A new shape appeared. It looked like a sleek bike — sharp and low, with two wheels and forward "tusk" stabilizers. It seemed almost alive, waiting for her command.

She stood up, her cloak swaying behind her. Her golden eyes stayed on the bike.

It was a tool, not a partner. But it understood her.

She ran her fingers along the main line. The bike shook lightly and glowed in sync with her energy. It felt like it knew her intentions.

She closed her eyes and breathed out.

Ridge Above — Romeo's Perspective

A new hum rolled through the ground. Romeo stepped forward, eyes wide.

He saw Teresa come out of the cavern, her cloak flowing. Behind her, a silver bike rolled forward — sharp, clean, and powerful.

Romeo's mouth fell open.

"What... is that?"

Kinana stepped closer, eyes wide too. She looked amazed and almost proud.

"A new edge," she whispered. "A blade with wheels."

Romeo kept staring, completely stunned. He could feel the same silent strength in the bike that he saw in Teresa.

Cavern Entrance — Teresa with "The Edge"

Teresa stopped at the cave entrance and touched the bike one more time. It glowed faintly in response.

She looked up at Romeo and Kinana on the ridge above. Her eyes were calm and focused.

Then, she swung her leg over and sat on the bike in one smooth move. The runes lit up, the tires gripping the ground as if they belonged there.

The bike didn't roar. It let out a quiet, deep sound — powerful but controlled.

She tapped the side, and the bike rolled forward, carrying her across the rocks and into the fog as if they weren't even there.

Romeo watched her disappear, his heart pounding.

"She rides it like she holds her sword," he whispered.

Kinana nodded, her voice low but certain.

"Exactly."