[HI3] Protocol Stigmata

Chapter 17 - The Perfect Duo (2)

Bronya and I fought back-to-back, a seamless dance of precision and power. The Valkyries, initially taken aback by our coordinated assault, regrouped and retaliated with increased intensity.

Bronya's Bunny19C emitted a dazzling display of lasers, creating a protective shield that repelled the Valkyries attempting to surround us.

I weaved through my blade deflecting incoming attacks, while Bronya efficiently dispatched any threats that managed to breach our defenses.

In the distance, Mei and Kiana continued their duel with Rita, the clash of their weapons echoing through the arena.

In the midst of their intense battle, Rita's swift movements kept her just ahead of Kiana and Mei's combined attacks. Despite the valiant efforts of the duo, Rita's agility and skill seemed almost insurmountable.

"Kiana! Now!" Mei shouted, signaling their coordinated attack. Kiana activated her Houkai reactor, her aura shifting into Burst Mode as she conjured her 'Neko Charm', sending a barrage of energy-infused paw cats toward Rita.

At the same time, Mei unleashed her Amaterasu, a brilliant burst of Valkyrie energy in the form of a slow-moving yet powerful slash.

Rita, facing the onslaught head-on, glanced at the two attacks converging on her. Instead of faltering, her expression twisted into a smile, a glint of excitement in her eyes. With a swift motion, she triggered a time fracture—a sudden slow in time's passage.

The attacks from Kiana and Mei, aimed to collide with Rita simultaneously, now moved in slow motion, as if suspended in the air. Rita stood in the midst of the slowed time, her movements unaffected by the fractured timeline.

As the attacks inched closer, Rita danced gracefully between them, dodging the cats and sidestepping the energy burst with precision.

"Such coordinated attacks... but still not enough," Rita remarked, her gaze fixed on Kiana and Mei. "You'll have to do better than that to beat me."

Eh? Wait... I swear I saw Rita swiftly kick Kiana multiple times in a split second. That was fast!?

Kiana was still recovering from the impact of the kick, dazed and caught off guard. Before she could regain her bearings, Rita appeared right in front of her with startling speed.

"Idiotka!" Bronya called out, concern etched in her voice, but she was too far to assist. I have to help them... but!

Damn it... I have to clean this up before those two lose to her!

Rita, with a quick movement, delivered a swift kick, sending Kiana tumbling backward. The force of the impact caught Kiana by surprise, leaving her momentarily stunned.

Meanwhile, Mei, engrossed in her own combat, suddenly found herself knocked back, bewildered by the unexpected attack. "How...?" Mei's voice trailed off in disbelief as she tried to comprehend the sudden turn of events.

Rita stood poised and confident, her movements reflecting both precision and swiftness. Her swift attacks had caught both Kiana and Mei off guard, leaving them vulnerable to her calculated strikes. Despite their valiant efforts, they were momentarily unable to match Rita's surprising speed and precision in combat.

As Kiana and Mei regained their composure, they exchanged a glance, silently communicating to regroup and face Rita with renewed focus and strategy.

Kiana and Mei, determined to overcome Rita's swift movements, shifted their strategy. Rita, unfazed, awaited their next assault.

Kiana, with incredible speed. "I'll be your opponent!" she declared, attempting to overwhelm Rita with a barrage of attacks. However, Rita skillfully evaded each strike.

"Kiana Kaslana, I am very disappointed yet interested." Rita chuckled as the exchange of blows continued, with neither side landing a decisive hit.

Just then Kiana shouted to Mei, "Switch!" retreating to let Mei take over. Mei stepped in, launching a new series of attacks with her katana.

"Instead of coordinated attacks... It's switching, huh..." Rita observed, adjusting to the changing dynamics of the battle.

"That's right. You'll get tired eventually!" Mei asserted, determined to wear her down. Rita, though adept at defending, began to show signs of exhaustion as she dealt with Mei's relentless assault.

"It's true... I am truly getting exhausted." Rita, showing signs of exhaustion, prepared for a decisive strike against Mei. "You fail, Raiden Mei,"

Rita declared confidently. However, Mei, refusing to admit defeat, swiftly dodged the impending attack.

"You're wrong!" Mei countered, evading the slicing motion. "Switch!"

"Oh? So is it Kiana Kaslana again?" Rita questioned.

"You're mistaken!" Mei swiftly evaded the attack and called out, "Switch!"

Rita anticipated Kiana's return, but instead, I intervened, pulling Mei away from the confrontation. With determination, I faced Rita head-on and managed to disarm her scythe with a swift upward slash. "Checkmate!"

Caught off guard, Rita staggered back, momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events. "Huh!?"

"You thought I was still busy with the other valkyries, weren't you!? You're wrong!"

Rita then takes a slight glance at the other valkyries which are knocked out on the floor, "Hehe... I see." I was looking forward to this anyway. Rita swiftly recovered, flipping backward to retrieve her scythe, her eyes glinting with excitement. "I'm expecting a lot from this battle, Master~" she teased, assuming a poised stance.

"Look forward to it!" I responded, determination burning in my eyes.

Our clash resumed as we both charged towards each other, weapons clashing in a symphony of steel. The intensity of the battle escalated, and the audience watched with bated breath as the two of us adversaries engaged in a last duel.