A Fallen Star: The Punch Of A Woman

23. A new enemy awaits

The morning sun peeked through the windows, casting a warm glow across the room. The four women were up early, ready to start the day. Yara, looking more serene than ever, turned to Katrina with a soft smile.

"Katrina," Yara began, her voice tinged with gratitude and a hint of melancholy, "thank you for doing what a mother should have done. Punishing and teaching my son... it's something I should have done long ago."

Katrina nodded, a mix of emotions swirling within her. She had come to respect Yara, understanding the difficult choices she had to make.

Yara took a deep breath and continued, "Now that my purpose here is finished, it's time for me to leave." She moved forward, hugging each member of the group, even Feyverk, who stiffened slightly before returning the embrace.

After Yara departed, Tisha turned to Katrina. "A model agency called me for a job offer," she said, her voice a mixture of excitement and sadness. "But it's in another city." She handed the bracelet back to Katrina. "Thank you for everything," she added, throwing a kiss from a distance to both Katrina and Feyverk as she left.

Now, it was just Katrina and Feyverk, the remaining members of their once larger group. But there was no time for goodbyes between them yet; they both had interviews to attend.

Katrina took the subway to a model agency. The ride was long and crowded, giving her time to reflect on everything that had happened. At the agency, she handed over some photos and posed for new ones as the interviewer evaluated her potential. "We'll call you when we have everything clear," the interviewer said, leaving Katrina with a mix of hope and anxiety.

Feyverk drove to another company for her interview. The day dragged on, and as the evening approached, Katrina's phone buzzed. It was Feyverk.

"Do you need a ride home?" Feyverk asked.

"Yes, please," Katrina replied, relieved.

Feyverk picked her up, and they set off. Their usual route was blocked, so they took a longer path lined with trees. As they drove through the dense forest, a strange energy suddenly pushed the car off the road. Feyverk fought to control the vehicle, managing to stop it just before they crashed into a cluster of trees.

"Are you okay?" Feyverk asked, breathing heavily.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Katrina said, her heart racing. They found themselves on a small hill surrounded by forest. Katrina used her power to touch the ground, creating a path that allowed them and the car to descend safely. At the bottom, they realized the car was out of fuel, stranded in front of an ancient-looking fountain encircled by trees.

A boy appeared from behind the fountain. He greeted Feyverk with a smirk. "Do you remember Camilla?" he asked.

Feyverk's eyes narrowed. "Yes, but she disappeared without a trace, and I had to move on with my life. Who are you?"

The boy laughed, his demeanor both sarcastic and playful. "I'm Laska," he said, introducing himself with a mock bow. "I have a job to do." Without warning, he used his soul power, his body stretching and twisting like a piece of gum. His limbs elongated, striking at Feyverk.

A battle erupted, Katrina and Feyverk fighting against Laska's bizarre and flexible attacks. He stretched his arms and legs, evading their blows with ease. Feyverk tried to burn him with her fireworks, but Laska's rubbery form seemed impervious to the heat. Katrina swung her claymore, charging her hits with powerful energy, aiming for his torso, but he dodged effortlessly.

Katrina's eyes blazed with determination as she summoned her strength, channeling her energy into her strikes. Her claymore hummed with power, each swing sending shockwaves through the air. "Stay still, you slippery pest!" she shouted, her frustration growing as Laska continued to evade her attacks.

Feyverk, her hands glowing with fiery sparks, focused on creating strategic explosions to corner Laska. "We need to trap him, Katrina!" she called out, launching a barrage of fireworks that illuminated the forest in dazzling bursts of light.

Laska, with his elastic limbs, twisted and turned, mocking them with every dodge. "You two are fun to play with," he sneered, stretching his arm to deliver a powerful punch that knocked Katrina off her feet.

Katrina rolled with the impact, quickly recovering. "Enough games!" she yelled, charging her claymore with an immense amount of energy. She swung it in a wide arc, releasing a wave of force that sliced through the air toward Laska.

The wave of energy hit Laska squarely, but instead of being hurt, he absorbed it, his body stretching and contorting even more. "Nice try," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "But it's going to take more than that to defeat me."

Feyverk, seeing Katrina's attack fail, decided to change tactics. She created a ring of fireworks around Laska, forcing him to stay in one place. "Katrina, now!" she shouted.

Katrina didn't hesitate. She charged forward, her claymore glowing with energy, and delivered a powerful, charged hit directly to Laska's torso. The impact sent shockwaves through his body, and for a moment, he seemed to falter.

But then, a new figure emerged from the shadows of the forest. A man, tall and imposing, stepped into the clearing. Laska's confident demeanor faltered, and he looked genuinely afraid for the first time. "I guess playtime is over," he muttered before stretching his legs and fleeing into the forest.

The man approached Katrina and Feyverk, his expression calm. "Are you two alright?" he asked.

"We're fine, but we're trapped here," Katrina explained. "Can you help us get back home?"

The man nodded. "Follow me. I'll guide you through the forest." He led them through the dense trees until they reached a small village nestled in a valley, surrounded by hills and trees.

"Welcome to our village," the man said. "Unfortunately, the only road out is blocked and broken. It's too dangerous to travel right now. You'll have to wait a few days."

Katrina and Feyverk exchanged a glance, realizing they had no choice but to stay. The man guided them to an inn, where they were welcomed warmly.

As they settled into their room, Katrina sighed. "I guess we have a few days to relax and regroup."

Feyverk nodded. "And maybe figure out why Laska attacked us."

The village was quaint and peaceful, a stark contrast to the battles they had fought. They explored the area, meeting the villagers and learning about their way of life. The tranquility was a welcome change, but the sense of impending danger still lingered in the back of their minds.

During their stay, Katrina and Feyverk trained together, honing their skills and preparing for whatever might come next. They sparred in the open fields, their movements fluid and precise. Katrina's powerful strikes complemented Feyverk's explosive attacks, and they developed new strategies to use in battle.

One evening, as they sat by the village fountain, Feyverk turned to Katrina. "Do you ever wonder what's next for us?" she asked, her voice thoughtful.

Katrina smiled. "All the time. But whatever it is, we'll face it together."

Feyverk nodded, a sense of determination in her eyes. "Together."

In the stillness of the night, they reflected on their journey, their bond stronger than ever. Despite the uncertainty, they were ready to face whatever came next, united in their resolve to protect each other and the world around them.