Special Tournament 9

Chapter 21

Special Tournament 9

As the gnome vanished, Kaela paused, considering whether to follow it. Her eyes darted around the shifting forest. Why not? she thought. Mei might be on a little quest right now!

Before she left, she flicked her lantern. A sharp clink echoed as another bat burst forth, its body formed from swirling mist and faint embers. It circled once, then perched silently among the trees, watching.

Across the green forest platform, Mei scanned her surroundings. The filtered sunlight painted the leaves gold. In the corner of her eye, she caught a flicker of movement, a long, green figure. A snake.

Without hesitation, she dashed toward it, curious. The snake slithered with elegance, its scales gleaming as it climbed up a tree. Mei followed, agile, eyes locked on the creature. The snake passed from one branch to another, reaching the next tree. Nestled between the thick branch and trunk was something odd, an object Mei couldn’t ignore.

A bell.

It hung there, untouched, its body white with delicate golden patterns curling along the sides. Beneath it were two golden hands, pressed together in prayer.

“What kind of snake are you?” Mei whispered, leaping toward the branch. She grabbed the bell with care, her amber eyes lighting up. “T-this bell… it’s top quality!”

She lifted it overhead, listening to the soft clink as the clapper swayed. The sound was gentle, warm, like a memory.

The snake circled the tree, coiling in place to rest. Mei, acting on instinct, reached out and picked it up.

The snake’s body suddenly went limp, then began to compress. From the tail upward, its form shrank and reshaped, links forming from scale and flesh, metal and magic. As it transformed, the snake’s head morphed into a heavy, pointed sphere, part weapon, part relic.

Mei’s smile spread. She hopped in place, her giddy energy rising. “A manriki-gusari! This is so cool!”

Meanwhile, Kaela ran through the opposite side of the forest, panting, her hair sticking to her face. Why won’t this gnome stop running?!

She spotted a flicker of red, a pointed hat, peeking from behind a tree. Skidding to a halt, she turned back, walking slowly toward it. There the gnome was: short, chubby, and smug as ever.

But this time, it held something. A sleek black case, strange light-purple patterns glowing faintly across it. Kaela approached cautiously, prying it open.

Inside was a curved dagger, raven black, with shimmering purple edges. The hilt was wrapped in soft leather layered with lavender thread.

Kaela muttered, “Hm… this blade would need a few adjus—”

Swoosh!

A blur of metal flew through the air, snapping a tree like it was paper. Kaela ducked and rolled, her thoughts scattered.

The manriki-gusari.

She clenched her jaw. Why didn’t my bat warn me?!

The chain retreated like a snake slithering away, whipping back to its coil. Kaela narrowed her eyes. If it’s here, then Mei’s close. Hiding...

She flicked her lantern again. Four more bats erupted into the air, spreading like a veil of darkness.

Kaela trailed the chain’s retreat, weaving between trees, the dagger gripped tightly. She stopped when she saw the coiled weapon lying neatly on the ground.

She’s not guarding it… she’s nearby—

“Behind you!”

The whisper was sharp, one of her bats. Kaela spun around instinctively.

Mei was mid-air, bell in hand. She rang it.

BANG!

A shockwave burst out, shattering all the bats around Kaela. She groaned, staggering under the ringing in her ears.

Since when did she get a bell? Kaela winced.

Mei landed hard, dashing forward. Kaela regained her footing, raising her dagger just in time. The manriki-gusari slithered up Mei’s arm like a pet. From four meters away, she cracked it like a whip.

CLINK!

Sparks burst in all directions as Kaela deflected the tip. It tried to wrap around her, but she ducked low, avoiding the coil.

She darted forward, closing the gap, and slashed. A red streak bloomed on Mei’s forearm. Mei blocked just in time, but the blade had grazed her.

Kaela followed up with a rising slash, just missed.

Mei backstepped, shifting into a boxer stance. She steadied her breathing, twisted her hips, and jabbed.

BANG! Her fist slammed into Kaela’s face.

Kaela reeled.

BANG! BANG! Another flurry, her shoulder, then her throat. She coughed, stumbling.

Mei advanced like a predator.

Kaela flicked her lantern with desperation, ten more bats flew out, circling to obscure vision. She vanished behind the confusion.

Why did I try to fight her directly? Stupid stupid stupid! Kaela berated herself.

Mei smirked, raising the bell. Another ring.

POP. All the bats exploded in smoke.

“Where is this little bat girl?” Mei chuckled.

Kaela now flanked her from behind. She crouched behind a tree, breath held.

Mei stood still, listening.

Crack.

A single twig snapped.

Mei reacted instantly, spinning and hurling the manriki-gusari, but it struck only a bat, which burst.

Whoosh!

Mei turned, but too late.

Kaela was already upon her. Her expression was different, cold, merciless. Dark wings stretched from her back, worn and ancient, like they’d carried her through wars. They were blackened, tattered, silent.

The dagger plunged deep into Mei’s back.

Blood spattered the grass. Mei gasped, her sleepy expression wiped away by pain and the sudden presence of death.

She dropped like a puppet with cut strings.

Kaela stood over her, breathing hard. Her wings fluttered once, then folded in.

The forest went still.