The Second Hand of Time

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

THE FINAL SHOWDOWN (WELL FOR ME...)

Criselda was having a hard time dealing with the Vivian girl even if Maverick's elder sister is with her. Well, that's because Mavis Plain wasn't much of a frontline fighter. She wields a wonderful sword, yet she only uses its magic by summoning different summons made of fire.

Vivian knocked her unconscious while she was summoning a lion made from fire.

That forced Criselda to do the whole fighting thing.

Since Tom collapsed after defeating the big guy—August Stefano. He was still lying down with his face in the dirt. His knives were lying in a mess on the ground. Criselda never had the time to check on him since she was too busy fighting the Vivian girl.

The Vivian girl was a melee fighter just like her, but her weapon has more range, making it difficult for Criselda to fight her at close range. Criselda and Tom tried to throw shurikens and other metal projectiles at her before, but her accuracy with the sword was on a completely different level.

Criselda used her boots to climb on a tree as she turned invisible. She ran up the tree sideways and grabbed a knife.

She threw the knife at Vivian.

Clang! The knife was slapped off-course.

How did she know? Criselda thought. I was invisible.

"Come here..." Vivian muttered. "Stop playing with me..."

Vivian didn't move from where she was standing. There were woods all around so she must be feeling claustrophobic. The information Dan has given them was true.

Criselda grabbed the Kris Blades from its scabbard. Suddenly, the air smelled acrid. The poison lingered in the air.

The Kris Blade's poison can't kill. It only makes people faint.

Still invisible, Criselda jumped out and pounced at Vivian.

Vivian sidestepped and Criselda's blades hit thin air.

Vivian slashed the rapier towards Criselda. Criselda parried with the blade on her right.

Criselda was sure that she's still invisible. Yet, Vivian can see her.

No, she can't see me. Criselda thought. She can sense me.

Criselda jumped to safety. Vivian still isn't moving.

Then, Criselda saw Vivian's face. She had her eyes closed. She was feeling the surroundings.

How can I defeat her? Criselda thought. How can I defeat someone as good as her?

Criselda turned towards Tom's direction and saw something roll out of his palms. It was a ball of string. Not just normal strings, but sharp metal strings.

What was he planning to do? Criselda thought. Does he have any idea on how to defeat that girl?

Criselda decided to grab the ball of metal string. The string was already unfurled so Criselda pulled the string. She was surprised to see a throwing knife attached to the end of the string.

Then, the idea hit Criselda like a bullet.

Wow, my boyfriend is pretty smart! Criselda thought. Now, I can do this!

Criselda grabbed the throwing knife and threw at Vivian's direction.

Vivian blocked using the thin blade of the rapier. The throwing knife bounced away and embedded a nearby tree.