Chapter 21: In a Tight Spot

Heliya didn't hold back.

-You're claiming a territory that isn't yours? You dare say that with how weak you are?

The hooded figures didn't answer.

One of them spoke instead.

-There is no territory here anymore. So now it can belong to anyone.

-That is never going to happen -said Eldren-. We won't allow it.

Another hooded figure spoke up.

-Then there's no other choice but to make you understand by force.

Yuzo turned to Shavu.

-Get back.

Shavu didn't hesitate for a second.

And then one of the hooded figures disappeared.

No warning. No sound.

They appeared behind Eldren in an instant and landed a direct hit to his face.

Before anyone could react, they were gone again.

Through the ground.

Eldren took the hit.

His head turned to one side.

But it wasn't enough to move him.

-How is that possible?! -Eldren couldn't process it-. How can they disappear that fast?!

-If we don't find a way to counter this we're going to be in trouble -Mozir muttered through his teeth.

-Calm down -said Joshido-. Stay alert on all sides. We don't know where they're going to come from.

Nobody had time to respond.

Another hooded figure disappeared.

They appeared beside Mozir in an instant and launched a kick straight at his face.

Mozir ducked at the last moment.

The blow grazed right past his head.

But when he tried to hit back, there was nobody there.

-This is really annoying -said Yuzo-. Attacking and disappearing is cowardly.

The hooded figures laughed.

Heliya didn't pay them any attention. Her eyes kept moving, watching, processing.

And then she got it.

-Listen to me -she said-. I think I figured out how they do it.

-Talk fast -said Renir-. Before they attack again.

Heliya looked at all of them.

-They move through shadows. They disappear and reappear anywhere there's one. And right now... every single one of us has a shadow.

A smile showed up on her face.

-I have an idea for how to answer their attacks.

-Finally we're getting out of this -said Naiden.

Heliya reached out to all of them through telepathy before speaking out loud.

-The only solution I could think of is attacking the ground.

Eldren looked at her.

-Attacking the ground? What kind of ridiculous idea is that?

-Destroy the ground where each of your shadows falls -Heliya clarified.

Renir understood right away.

-But then... how are we going to attack them?

-The only shadow we're going to leave is Mozir's -said Heliya-. When the enemy comes out I'll try to paralyze them and Mozir gives them his best hit. The rest of you go after the hooded ones around us the moment that happens. But for this to work you have to wait for them to attack first.

Nobody argued.

And that's what happened.

The hooded figures kept attacking one by one through the shadows and the young ones did exactly what Heliya had told them, destroying the ground where their own shadows fell, like they were desperate and directionless.

One by one the shadows disappeared.

Until only Mozir's was left.

Heliya waited. So did Mozir. So did everyone else.

The hooded figures underestimated them. They thought they had them cornered and it was only a matter of time.

One of them slipped through the shadows, moving slowly toward Mozir, in no hurry at all.

They came out from behind.

Heading straight for his back.

-Now, Mozir!

Heliya's voice arrived at the same time as her ability. The hooded figure froze mid-air, unable to finish the movement.

Mozir turned.

And drove his fist straight into their stomach with everything he had.

The impact was dry, brutal.

The hooded figure went flying.

And in that same instant, the others launched themselves at the hooded figures surrounding the area.