Mission: NYX || ONC2023 Shortlister

Chapter 9: Thicker Than Blood

Lucinda grabbed Greyson's shoulders as she pulled him closer to her. His hands reached for her coat, and she could feel him shivering under her touch. He whimpered, and his ears flopped down as his grip on her tightened. Gold and silver eyes met hers, and he didn't need to say it out loud to know that he was asking her what was going on and if they were going to be alright.

"Chuchu," she said, showing him another smile. "Whatever happens, stay close, alright?"

His response was just a nod.

She flicked her eyes to the left, then to the right. Three people on each side, with Nyx on the roof looking down on her. They all casted shadows, the light didn't pass by them as if they were projections, they all seemed to be breathing—every detail made them all look like real people rather than illusions a wielder with that ability created. There was also the possibility that all of these were different people under the guise that Nyx duplicated them, and another chance that there were more of them hidden.

The last one didn't sound too likely, but it was still possible. The alleyway might be small, but there could still be people waiting for their cues.

If Poseidon was right, it also didn't matter if they were still within the security camera's range. Nyx could just be hiding what was going on. And as much as she could use that to her advantage, she didn't want to kill anyone in front of Greyson. But without a way for her to differentiate who was real and who wasn't, she might have to kill at least one person.

She took off both of her gloves and coat, passing them both to Greyson. "Close your eyes and don't open them until I tell you to, alright?"

He nodded. Immediately, he ran to hide next to the trash and covered his head with his hood, then placed both of his hands over his eyes.

Her nails sliced the top of her arm, drawing out enough blood and crystalizing it into a thin blade. It was thinner than the usual ones she used, and it wouldn't be enough to kill someone. She turned to her left once again and lowered herself to a stance.

By the looks of it, they didn't have any firearms. At least, not that she could see. The only ones they brought were blunt ones like a bat, and perhaps their ability if they were offensive abilities.

She frowned, but kept it inside. Without enough information, she wasn't sure how she could strategize this fight.

Without waiting for another second, she turned to her right and tossed the blade, aiming at the nearest person. Just as she expected, it passed by the woman as if she was made of smoke, making her disappear. At the same time, smoke unfurled, revealing the same woman dodging it before it could hit her.

Before she could see where it would have landed, they all charged at her.

She turned to her left and aimed her punch at the first person coming closer. The moment her fist reached them, they turned into smoke. Lucinda dodged to her right before the man's bat could hit her face. She clenched her hand tighter and aimed it at his jaw. He staggered back, and she grabbed the bat from his hands and swung it behind her.

Two more people turned to smoke, but a loud thud, almost a knock, echoed in the alleyway when the bat hit another person's cheek. Before they could react again, she raised the bat and struck it at their head. At the first hit, they stepped back. On the second hit, she made sure that it was stronger, enough to make them fall to the ground.

She didn't bother to check if they were still breathing or not. She turned around, eyes flicking to Greyson momentarily to see that his eyes were still closed, and swung the bat at the man from earlier. He disappeared, turning into a puff of smoke. She swung the bat again, twice, and on the third time the familiar dull sound reached her ears. He reappeared, spit trailing out of his mouth from the impact. The other side of his head hit the trash, making another thud before he fell to the ground.