The city streets were alive with ordinary noise. Merchants calling prices, children darting between stalls, old stone walls warmed under pale afternoon light.
Then—
A harsh cry.
An old woman pinned to the ground, fists raised over her.
Orimo's eyes sharpened.
Orimo: Perfect opportunity.
His stance tightened.
Aegis Mantra: Activated.
He stepped once.
THUD!
His fist came down like a meteor, the ground beneath the attackers cracking outward in a spiderweb pattern.
They hit the stone and didn't move again.
Orimo: Easy work.
But the street was no longer calm.
A siren howled across the city.
Panic rippled through the crowd.
People ran, scattering like leaves in a storm.
Voices:
"RUN!"
"THERE'S AN AMBUSH!"
"SAVE YOURSELVES!"
Then…
Two tall silhouettes stepped out from the smoke of the alarm towers, black cloaks dragging across the torn street tiles.
Someone's voice broke into a tremble.
Villager: They're here… the Yeti Commanders…
Orimo grinned, cracking his knuckles.
Orimo: Bring it on.
Ryuki's eyes glimmered sharp and excited as she unsheathed her twin blades.
Ryuki: I've been eager to fight here.
Narration
Tharnok Blizzardfang
Mantra Style: Tempest Instinct
He accelerates his senses, his movements becoming unpredictable and animal-fast.
Gorath Frostmaw
Mantra Style: Aegis Mantra – Frozen Hide
His skin becomes layered, glacial armor. Blades shatter. Blows echo.
Tharnok (eyes narrowing, feral): Swordswoman. You're mine.
Ryuki: I appreciate the courtesy.
Gorath (voice like ice grinding): And you... brat.
Orimo: Bring it on, coward.
Combat Begins
Aegis Mantra: Hardening!
Orimo's arms darkened and toughened.
Gorath's fists crystallized into jagged plates of frozen armor.
THUD!
Gorath swung a single heavy punch.
Orimo slipped just barely, but the air itself dropped several degrees — breath turning white.
Orimo countered.
CRACK!
His punch landed clean—
—but Gorath didn't even flinch.
Orimo slid back a step, teeth clenched.
Orimo: …Tch.
On the other side—
Ryuki stepped forward.
Ryuki: Come on already.
Tharnok blurred in with a clawed dagger—
SHWIP—THUD!
Ryuki caught the strike on her blade.
Their eyes locked.
Her grin widened.
Ryuki: Twisted… stab.
Her sword turned in a spiraling angle, sinking inward with brutal precision.
SHLK.
Tharnok's breath hitched.
Blood spilled from his mouth.
Ryuki: Done already?
Tharnok's smile returns — but now it's… wrong.
Blood dripping down his teeth.
Eyes glowing.
A chilling whisper:
Tharnok: …Good. Now I can take you seriously.