Honkai Impact 3rd: Don't Die For Me/ Book 1: Promise

Chapter 45 A Frozen Heart

<Glory's Tent>

A berth was given to Glory's tent. Even her retainers instinctively skeeted away to join the encirclement gathered around the tent. Mountainous pressure and tension were emanating from the. Air so taut and rigid that a dropped pin would remain suspended. Coagulated sweat refused to slide down the skin of the people present. None of them knew the situation within the tent but the clashing aura of colossal titans warned them of an imminent eruption. Yet they couldn't back away, they stood in pretentious awe desperately hoping to witness the situation. Desperately hoping the situation would defuse.

Within the pure and pristine canvases of the tent, the Third released a gentle smile. A rare showing of emotion that put Glory on edge, more so than the glaive that rested on her throat. Kallen cursed her terrible timing but she remained composed. Three century-long seconds suspended the three in disproportionate space. Hair stiff, throats dry, blood still.

The Third made the first move. With a flick of her wrist, she sent Glory's Scythe spinning towards Kallen. Kallen immediately jumped out of its path and crouched low just as Glory caught her Scythe. The third jumped back as Kallen cleaved the air in front of her. The tent was blown clean off the ground and disappeared into the sky.

"Fall back." Glory barked. Her words washed over the encirclement like a cleansing tide. They retreated for fear of their lives and for once in this twisted hellscape their malice was distilled from their thoughts. Thoughts saturated only by apprehension and fear.

Kallen's figure accelerated leaving only a puff of dust in her wake. Glory reacted just in time to block the strike that sent her ten paces back. Her hands felt slightly numb from the impact, Kallen had gotten stronger since they last met. A flashing blade flew over to prevent Kallen from following up with another powerful blow. As Glory retreated she pulled out her revolver and emptied her barrel.

Kallen spun her glaive and deflected the short burst of bullets. Two more hiltless blades flew at her, this time she didn't dodge and instead she kicked deep into the earth. The Third couldn't help but twitch her lips in annoyance. Kallen may have been a fool but her battle sense was godly. The Third was telekinetic, she fought by manipulating the twenty hidden blades she carried on her person at all times. Kallen had just reduced her arsenal by two in an instant.

Glory let loose another clip of bullets. All of which were easily dealt with by Kallen. Nothing was holding Kallen back, no element of surprise was going to injure her this time. The fact that her gun became useless didn't phase Glory. It was all a show anyways, she didn't want to capture Kallen.

The third advanced on Kallen. The remaining blades swirled around her creating a terrifying cyclone. A long sword was clasped in her hands which she used to block Kallen's strikes. As Kallen was dealing with this difficult onslaught Glory dropped from above. Her scythe split the earth in two as Kallen narrowly avoided her strike. Blood oozed from the few shallow cuts that Kallen acquired. Though she kept her cool she couldn't help but recognize that they had the upper hand. The Third was much stronger than she anticipated. She shifted her stance and flashed away leaving a crater where she once stood.

Likewise, Glory and the Third followed suit. Though Kallen was significantly faster than they could easily track her. Splitting up was a terrible idea because once Kallen isolated them she would make quick work of them. Their eyes followed Kallen as she raced through the crowds of soldiers and priests. She was heading to the east exit of the camp. Until she wasn't. She vanished suddenly from the surface.

Glory and the Third who arrived at the last spot Kallen had been seen were surprised to find no trace of her within the vicinity. Both of them scanned the crowd that was parting away from them but no one parted away from Kallen.