As Sona's [Queen], Tsubaki Shinra was a master of both magic and the blade. Yubelluna's team had seen her skill firsthand during the last match between Sona and Rias—her technique was nothing short of elite.
She stepped forward into a low stance, one hand resting on her scabbard, the other gripping her hilt. Her eyes, clear as glass, glinted cold and sharp.
She hadn't moved yet, but the air around her was heavy with danger.
"Yubelluna, I'm going first."
Isabella frowned, then strode forward, fists clenched, knees bent. She exhaled—steadying herself—and then:
"Haah!"
BOOM!
The ground caved in as Isabella launched herself like a cannonball straight at Tsubaki.
Tsubaki's eyes were closed, her body perfectly still—until Isabella was nearly upon her. Then, in a flash, her eyes snapped open, cutting through the mist like a sword.
"Iai—Draw!"
Steel flashed. Draw, strike, resheath—all in a single heartbeat.
Splurt!
Isabella froze, blood gushing from her chest.
"Ah… ahh…"
Tenra leaned back, amused. "She's interesting, I'll give you that. Let's see what she can do."
"Well, Sona, you really think she'll make it here?"
Tenra caught the look and felt his curiosity spark. It seemed he was involved somehow.
Sona's smile deepened. "Let her explain when she arrives."
"What reasons?" Rias pressed.
Sona glanced at Tenra, a mysterious smile playing on her lips. "I thought so at first, too. But for certain reasons, I decided to trust her."
Rias frowned. "The shinigami attacked us before, and they stirred up trouble during the last chaos. Sona, why trust someone so suspicious?"
Sona nodded, unbothered. "That's right."
"Sona, that little one's your new [Knight]? She looks like she's from the shinigami side."
In the central arena, Tenra watched the chase unfold on the monitor, grinning.
Setsura, more irritated than hurt, shouted and tore off after her.
"Damn it, get back here!"
Setsura hit the trunk hard, but the [Knight] didn't press the attack—she bolted, trying to escape once again.
"Ah!"
Gray blades of energy slashed out, striking Setsura and sending her crashing into a tree.
Whoosh whoosh whoosh—
A childish voice echoed from behind the skull mask. The small [Knight] summoned a massive scythe, swinging it at Setsura as she closed in.
"Not good!"
No more words—Setsura dove down, ready to strike.
"Not so fast. You're not meeting up with Sona."
She looked up—Setsura was perched on a tree branch, grinning down at her.
Setsura's voice rang out, making the small [Knight] jump.
"You think I'd fall for that?"
But—
No way Setsura would suspect she was following, right? Heh—so clever.
She'd dodged Setsura's pursuit. Now, she could just tail her opponent and reach the battlefield at her own pace.
"Whew…"
After Setsura vanished, a magic circle shimmered into existence on the ground. The small [Knight] materialized, exhaling in relief.
Setsura scanned the area, but her quarry was nowhere in sight. Scowling, she sprang forward, hot on the trail.
"Tch, slipped away?"
The small [Knight] heard the rush of air behind her and twisted away just in time. Another thunderous crash—the ground splintered, dust and debris flying.
Her speed surged—she closed the gap in a blink.
She leapt onto a massive tree, then exploded forward, shattering the trunk behind her. The recoil sent her rocketing ahead.
Setsura's eyes flashed. She made her move.
"Not happening!"
They were closing in on the heart of the battlefield, and Setsura was growing anxious. Her opponent was blindingly fast—even for a [Knight], she was trouble. If this kept up, Setsura might have to watch helplessly as the girl reached Sona.
Elsewhere in the forest, two figures raced through the trees—Setsura and Sona's newly contracted [Knight].
Yubelluna's expression hardened, more serious than ever.
To defeat Isabella in a single exchange… That was the power of Sona's [Queen].
The host's voice echoed overhead. Yubelluna rose slowly, gaze fixed on Tsubaki.
"One of Tenra-sama's [Rooks], retired!"
Blood trickled from Isabella's lips. She managed a bitter smile, but before she could say more, her body dissolved into motes of light—transported out of the alternate dimension.
"I'm… sorry, Yubelluna. I lost…"
She caught her friend as she crashed to the ground, heart pounding at the severity of the wounds.
"Isabella!"
It all happened in an instant. Yubelluna, snapping to attention, rushed forward.
The force of her own attack rebounded, detonating in midair. Isabella screamed as the backlash tore through her.
"AAAH!"
BOOM!
But there was no triumph—only dread. Isabella knew this Sacred Gear's trick, and what was coming next.
The mirror was sturdy, but Isabella's full-powered punch, amplified by [Prank of Giants], shattered it with ease.
A shimmering mirror materialized in front of Tsubaki. Isabella's fist smashed into it.
"Mirror of Reminiscence!"
She closed the distance—almost there. But Tsubaki's face was eerily calm.
She gathered every ounce of strength, channeling her Sacred Gear, and threw a punch—her last, maybe, but if it landed, it'd hurt.
Any other peerage member would have collapsed, but Isabella's [Rook] resilience kept her standing.
She hadn't even seen the attack, but she knew—she'd been cut. Pain roared through her, nearly dropping her into unconsciousness.
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