Their battle raged on...
No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't move him even an inch. As a next step, she completely ensnared Haru using shards of iron.
[[ Magnetic Bind ]]
His body was locked tight, rendered immobile. Even then, Haru's gaze remained fixed on her eyes. Despite her exhaustion, the brilliance in her eyes hadn't dimmed in the slightest; their intensity remained sharp.
However, Haru's eyes held a power that surpassed even hers. A smile played on his lips. She didn't understand the meaning of that smile and looked at him with suspicion.
"Hmm... did you really think you could weaken me with this?!"
Suddenly, it happened. She was violently thrown back, her strength completely failing her.
{{ Ahh... ha... argh... }}
Now, the edge of his blade was pressed close to his own chest, glowing with an eerie light.
[[ " SHIIIIIIIIING " ]]
"Not even a fraction of your power can bind me. This... is soul lady..... "
The magnetic bond shattered. Her body grew weak, and she collapsed onto her knees on the forest floor, gasping for air.
"You cannot bind a soul. Neither can your sword."
Haru calmed his blade, and its energy slowly receded.
"Why are you attacking us?"
Haru asked, stepping forward. He reactivated his sword slightly, causing the ash-white energy to flow into it and rise like smoke.
But she remained silent. Even then, her only focus was trying to reclaim her sword which lay out of reach. Haru noticed this immediately.
[ Swoosh ]
With a flick of his power, Haru sent her sword sliding even further away.
"Until you answer my question, you won't be able to do anything."
Haru exerted his spiritual pressure upon her once more.
"Ahhh!" she cried out.
"Tell me, who are you?" Haru demanded, walking closer to her.
"Tell me!!!!"
His voice grew even harsher.
But she didn't utter a single word, staring back at him with a fixed gaze. There was no fear in her eyes only an unyielding, burning rage.
Haru tightened his grip on his sword, preparing to intensify his spiritual pressure even further.
"Haru... wait! No!!"
Sai stepped forward, grabbing Haru's arm to stop him. He could barely walk; the internal impact of her magnetic attack had left him weakened and shaken.
"Haru... don't
Sai pleaded, reaching his friend's side.
"She isn't our enemy, Haru,"
Sai said, looking directly at the girl.
"She isn't our enemy, Haru," Sai said, looking directly at the girl.
"After everything she just did?" Haru replied, his eyes never leaving her.
"There must be another reason. No one would attack like this without a cause, Haru," Sai argued.
Sai moved closer and knelt down in front of her. Looking into her eyes from a short distance, he asked softly:
"Tell me... who are you?"
"Bithara."
Izuma's voice echoed from behind them.
"What?"
Both Haru and Sai turned around in surprise.
"Bithara."
Sai looked at the girl, completely confused.
"Yes. They are the warriors of the Silent Keepers the Bitharas," Izuma explained, walking toward her and looking down at her.
"Didn't expect to meet again, did you?"
Izuma looked deep into her eyes. Without hesitation, he dispelled the energy field that was binding her.
"We are not your enemies. Like you, we have been destined to destroy the Shapta."
She looked up at him.
"Sapahan," she said, meeting Izuma's gaze.
A faint smile appeared on his lips.
Izuma dispelled the remnants of Haru's spiritual barrier that were still weighing her down.
As soon as she stood up, the first thing she did was reclaim her sword.
"Why did you attack him?" Jinso asked, stepping forward.
"Varyx," she replied shortly.
"Huh!!"
Jinso was confused. "Varyx... what on earth is that?" he asked, looking at the others for an explanation.
"Another type of Seeker," Izuma explained.
"Warriors like us who have turned into Seekers either by choice or through other means are called Varyx. They aren't always transformed by force; instead, they are those who succumbed to the lust for power and greed. They are the greatest strength of the Shapta."
"So, the reason she attacked us... does that mean they are actually here?"
Jinso asked, looking directly at her.
"That's..."
[[ ¡¡¡ CRAAAKKKKK ¡¡¡ ]]
She was just about to explain when suddenly, it happened...