The Gray Tower (Being Rewritten as The Erstwhile Druid)

Chapter 25: No Room for Pervs

Noelle wiped her mouth until a few flakes of skin peeled. She rubbed her lips with Water Age's fabric, drops of moisture purifying them. What the hell was that? Her mind spun, appalled at David’s actions. He was living in a sick fantasy world. Noelle’s hands trembled, grip tightening around her knives. She had to stay under control, rein in her rage. Clear minds always won against those clouded by anger. But...

A little bit of rage never killed anyone. I’m pissed, Noelle thought. Really, really pissed.

She bumrushed the pervert, knives taking the lead. David dodged her volley with two shifts. The knives plunged into the wooden wall, sinking to the hilt.

With a growl, Noelle chucked two more knives.

They sailed forth, streaking towards David... until they froze. A gust of wind blew downward, plunging the knives harmlessly into the floor, inches from Noelle's feet.

Keep going. Don't stop. Feel the flow. She kicked one of the knives into the air, plucking it like a feather. A quick flick sent the knife along its merry way, round two.

“Noelle, you can’t fight me. We’re on different levels, you and I,” David said. He stabbed the knife, snatching it between his index and middle finger. He winked at Noelle, and thrust his arm out like a lance.

Yeah, whatever, not scared by your spindly arm —

A blast of wind caught her, sending her rolling backwards, head over heels. She grunted, smacking into the wall headfirst.

Ugh. Think before you speak, Noelle. 

The world swayed, a desperate urge of I’m-gonna-puke overpowering her rage. She heard shouts, Kaguya’s cries of fury, Madeleine’s cheers. She tried to focus, but her eyes wandered, unable to process the entire picture. About to pass out, the assassin felt a soothing touch caress her forehead. The familiar roughness of Jill’s palms brushed against her skin. Noelle’s sight grew white, an alabaster glow embracing her body. The pain’s fading...

Noelle struggled to stand but fell, landing on her butt. Okay, maybe not yet.

“Wait. Give me a minute, I’ll have you up and running soon.” Jill’s tone was firm. There was no room for protest.

“Hurry.” Noelle gritted her teeth. Kaguya, stay alive. Tension permeated the air, raising goosebumps all over the assassin's arms.

David and Kaguya circled, broken glass crunching under their feet. They both grinned, gladiators circling their rival in a martial dance.

Madeleine hid near the door, shouting encouragement while sneaking quick peeks at the situation. "Get him, Miss Kaguya. Show him who's boss. He's a loser with nothing better to do than interrupt our playtime."

"Do kids ever shut up?" David rolled his eyes.

Madeleine stuck out her tongue. "Do you ever shut up?"

"Okay perv, that's the second time you've sent Noelle packing. I'm going to keep you busy, but you'd better be prepared because the third time's always the charm," Kaguya said. Her hair zapped in every direction, lightning tendrils curling up and down her blade.

"You're just an old hag with a failed perm." David laughed, seemingly overcome by his own joke. "What? Not funny?"

Kaguya kicked a table, sending it shooting toward the depraved interloper. "Nope."

“That’s not going to work, good detective.” David blasted apart the object with a wave of his arm. Wood shards spiraled, a storm of projectiles creating a lethal crucible.