She slammed her sword from high above toward the ground.
THUD!
Veyra rolled just in time, narrowly escaping the crushing strike, leaving a deep gouge scarred into the rain-slicked stone floor.
Before Ryuki could react, Veyra reappeared directly in front of her.
Ryuki: "Why's she so fast!?"
Swish!
The dagger grazed Ryuki's shoulder. Blood trickled down, cold and sticky against her skin. She gritted her teeth, refusing to yield.
THUD! THUD! THUD!
Metal clashed. Daggers and sword collided in a deadly rhythm, sparks flying with each strike.
Veyra: "Seems like you're no good."
Ryuki: "Could say the same to you."
In an instant, Veyra vanished again, only to reappear behind Ryuki. Another precise strike hit her shoulder. She staggered back, coughing blood, knees hitting the wet floor as she gasped for air.
Veyra: "Don't bother!"
Then… the world shifted.
Ryuki blinked and found herself in a garden bathed in soft morning light. No rain, no wind, no sound — only the gentle sway of flowers. The contrast was jarring, almost surreal.
She tried to move.
Ryuki: "I… I can't move at all. What's happening…?"
A strange calm hung in the air, but a chill ran down her spine. Something about this garden felt both peaceful… and wrong.