The fox maid charges at the girl. The child, with a mischievous grin, darts around, her pigtails bouncing with each step. The fox maid creates a wall of purple flames to block the child's path. The child, unfazed, jumps over the flames, her sword gleaming in the moonlight.
The fox maid, undeterred, begins stepping violently and quickly into the ground, creating afterimages of herself that dance around the child, each one attacking from a different angle. The child, with a hint of surprise, tries to keep up with the fox maid's movements, but the afterimages are too fast, striking her from all sides.
The child, determined to not back down, her right eye bleeding, grits her teeth and swings her sword wildly, trying to deflect the incoming attacks. The fox maid, anticipating this move, creates a fiery shield around herself, protecting her from the child's strikes. The child, frustrated, starts to tire, her movements slowing down.
The fox maid, sensing victory, lands a final blow, striking the child with a powerful blast of fire. The child, defeated, falls on her knee, her sword slipping from her grasp. The fox maid, standing over her, offers a small smile, her eyes gleaming with a fierce light.
"You are quite good for a child," the fox maid says, her voice dripping with sincerity. "But, I'm afraid my tail is not for sale."
The child, panting, looks up at the fox maid, a hint of admiration in her eyes. "You're...amazing," she says, falling to the ground with a thud.
HAAHAAHA! The older sister laughs. How kind of you? You went easy on her, didn't you? Well, it makes no difference. I'm going to kill you and take Lucius anyways.
The maid looks at her in disgust.
So what's your name anyway fox? You all have names don't you?
The maid stares solemnly.
Hmm, I guess if we can't-
BWSHHHH!!
The maid, unamused, fires a blast of her fox fire at the sister, pushing her back.
"You talk too much," the maid says, her voice dripping with disdain. "I don't have time for your empty threats.
The maid turns to Lucius quickly. Her eyes darting around. Though his body lay still she sensed something amiss.
The sister charged at the maid cutting her swiftly on the arm. The maid smirked as purple flames began burning on her arm, healing the cut.
"Shadowkin is no match for fox fire. Turn back now and take your sister with you, and I may consider sparing your life." The maid spoke, her fox ears sharp, signaling the danger.
"Like hell I will." The sister refuted, her sword staring down the maid.
The maid sighs.
The ground shakes violently, the sister grips the sword with both hands. She rushes the maid, slicing again and again, the maids body phasing through her sword. She swings her sword wildly, sweat dripping from her skin, painting the ground beneath, her steps wearing out the grass.
"Quit playing tricks and fight me," the sister demands.
Very well! The maid responded haughtily.
BINK!!
The sister's eyes widen, her brows raised, arms shaking, and wrists numb. There stood the maid blocking her sword; not with a weapon, a tool, nor instrument, but with a single finger; but not just any finger; it was the least of all fingers; the pinky.
The maid smiled, "This sword is quite powerful, but the wielder is so weak. You are not worthy of this blade."
The sister jumped back several feet from the maid. Her head hung low, and face darkened.
She began laughing manically, as her legs shook violently, struggling to keep upright.
"There's no way. How can she? No one should be... how can someone? That, that fox maid isn't normal. No, maybe she's something else.. fox can't be that strong... haahahha, Yeah that's it, she's just pretending to be a fox, maybe I can-
FWWSSHINGG!!
A sudden thud hit the ground. Fresh blood rested on the grass beneath. The maids' gloves doused in red. Her eyes were bright daggers as she stared at the fallen sister. She let out a brief sigh and began dashing ferociously; creating a square of flames around the shadowkin. A flicker of light appeared as she snapped her fingers, causing a large flame to burst from within.
As the flames died down, the ground there laid barren, and there was no sign of the shadowkin, but their unique swords remained.
The maid took up the two swords holding them in one arm. She turned around and threw Lucius over her shoulder, walking to a nearby castle door.
Afar off a winged beast watches in the sky, cloaking itself among the darkness, grinning maliciously.