"Oh no, we're in danger," Ren grumbled, his expression darkening. Nova straightened, eyes scanning their surroundings. "How much danger?" Ren clenched his jaw. "Extreme. The figures outside are Winzors." Cipher's brows knitted. "And what does that mean?" Ren's gaze flickered toward the road ahead. "They're street hijackers—deadly. This oxcart? They won't let us go. We have to fight." Nova's voice was sharp. "Do you have any weapons?" Ren pulled out two daggers, their steel glinting under the faint moonlight.
Before anyone could react further, a chilling groan echoed—the oxcart driver let out a final breath. Dead. Cipher stiffened. Ren's tone turned grave. "You two stay inside. No matter what happens—don't come out. You hear me?" Nova and Cipher exchanged tense glances, both nodding—yet in their hearts, they had different ideas. Cipher shifted in her seat. "Zane, I think we're going to need your help." Before she could say another word, Zane cut in first. "I already know that. I'm working on a plan." His voice carried a weight of strategy. Then, after a pause—thinking—Zane added, "Check your hologram. I believe you have weapons stored there." Cipher blinked hard. "Are you sure?"
"Yes, and hurry. You don't want Ren to die—otherwise, you jeopardize the mission." Cipher didn't hesitate. She clicked on her Transparentor, and instantly, the hologram flickered to life. Swiftly, she scrolled through its interface, searching. An option caught her eye—'Dimension Storage.' Cipher pressed it open, and before her, an array of weapons appeared. Her eyes locked on something familiar—a bow and arrow. The very weapon she had used on Mars, when she rescued Zane. A smirk tugged at her lips. Perfect.
She grabbed the bow and arrows. Nova noticed. "You got weapons?" Cipher hesitated briefly, still searching through the storage. A Kartana blade stood out—a sleek, powerful weapon. Cipher turned to Nova, her expression contemplative. "Have you ever used a Kartana blade?" Nova shook her head. "No—but give it to me. I'll figure it out." Cipher didn't question her determination. She snatched the blade, then handed it to Nova, who grasped it firmly. Cipher turned back to Zane, returning to her trusted mastermind. "Any ideas?" Zane's voice pulsed with confidence. "I'll light up the sky so you can see your opponents. That should be enough distraction." Cipher nodded approvingly. "Not bad." She quickly relayed the plan to Nova, who listened intently—gripping her weapon, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
Outside, the Winzors closed in, shadows moving like predators, waiting to strike. Cipher exhaled sharply, her grip tightening on her bow. "I'll go first," she declared, slipping out before Nova. As soon as she emerged, her eyes locked onto eight massive figures, each wielding a deadly weapon. They circled Ren, like predators waiting for the perfect strike—while more Winzors closed in near the carriage, their movements slow but threatening. Cipher glanced back—Nova had followed closely, her stance unwavering. She nodded in approval. It was time. Cipher's voice cut through the tension—"Now, Zane."
Zane erupted from Cipher's mind like a rocket launcher, his wings igniting as he shot into the sky. Then—BOOM! A fiery explosion rippled through the night, lighting up the entire sphere as if daylight had suddenly descended upon them.
The Winzors jerked, their attention snapping toward the blast—momentarily stunned. Cipher seized the moment. She drew her bow, aiming swiftly. Her arrow ignited mid-flight, pulsing with a blazing energy, before piercing one of the Winzors creeping toward her. A roar of agony split the air. His clothes burst into flames, and he frantically clawed at the burning arrow embedded in his chest. Cipher fired another shot, sinking a second arrow into his leg.
The distraction had kicked Ren into motion—he rolled swiftly, jabbing low and cutting through the legs of a nearby Winzor. Nova charged with force, her speed lethal, engaging two Winzors head-on. At the same instant, Cipher released another arrow, aimed straight for an approaching Winzor. He tried to dodge, but the flaming projectile struck his shoulder, embedding deep.
Cipher's eyes flickered toward Nova, a split-second of concern. Would she know how to wield the Kartana blade properly? She was about to find out. One of the Winzors lunged, thrusting two spears toward Nova. She leaped high, twisting midair—barely escaping the sharp tips. One grazed near her stomach, another just inches from her throat. She landed swiftly, her movement precise—then kicked one Winzor hard in the head.
With a quick tweak of her Kartana blade, she slashed clean through the neck of the Winzor to her right. Blood spilled. The moment her feet hit the ground, she realized—The Winzor she had kicked didn't budge. He charged at her, his sword diving down in a brutal arc. Nova locked eyes with him, her instincts kicking in—she was ready.
Cipher exhaled sharply, adjusting her grip on her bow. She was holding her own, but the battlefield was shifting. The Winzors were relentless, their weapons gleaming under Zane's light. A flicker of movement caught her eye. She was still watching Nova—and panic surged in her chest.
A Winzor lunged, his blade slicing the air, aimed straight at Nova—too fast, too precise. Cipher shouted, her voice splitting through the chaos. "Nova, watch out!" But she was wrong. Nova anticipated the attack, her instincts razor-sharp. Instead of retreating, she flipped backward, escaping the strike by mere inches. Cipher stiffened, realization hitting her—Nova didn't need protection. She was better skilled than her.
Cipher quickly redirected her focus, aiming for another target—Then—PAIN. Blinding. Searing. She gasped, her body jerking backward as a spear plunged into her shoulder. The metal sliced through her, front to back, its cold steel lodged deep into her flesh. Her vision blurred, breath hitching, a raw scream tearing through her throat. Zane screeched—a sound of agony and rage, echoing her pain. Their bond burned—Cipher was wounded, and so was he.
"Cipher!" Nova's voice rang out, sharp with fear. Cipher's knees buckled, the world tilting. Zane's rage exploded, a pure inferno bursting from his wings. He shot downward, targeting the Winzor who had impaled Cipher, his flames blinding and relentless. The Winzor screamed, his body engulfed in fire, clawing at his burning flesh—his spear still buried in Cipher's shoulder. But Zane wasn't done. He turned his fury on the rest—A storm of flames erupted, engulfing every remaining Winzor still standing. The air shimmered with heat, the battlefield transforming into a blaze of destruction. Burning figures staggered, collapsing, their weapons dropping—the fight was ending.
Then, just as swiftly, Zane's fire faded—his strength spent. With a final burst of embers, he disintegrated, retreating back into Cipher's mind. Cipher's knees hit the ground, her breath shallow, the spear still lodged in her body.
Nova turned—her heart stopped. Cipher was falling. "No! Cipher!" Her voice shattered through the air, desperation laced in every syllable. Without hesitation, she raced toward her, skidding to a stop, dropping to her knees beside Cipher.
Cipher's eyes fluttered, her face drained of color, sweat beading along her forehead. "Cipher, stay with me!" Nova pressed a hand to Cipher's shoulder, her fingers hovering over the spear's shaft, uncertain whether pulling it out was worse or better. Ren rushed toward them, his dagger still dripping with the blood of the fallen Winzors. His expression twisted with concern. "How bad is it?" he demanded, voice tight. Nova gritted her teeth. "Bad. She's losing blood—fast."
Cipher's lips parted, her voice a mere whisper. "Zane…" Nova glanced around—the battlefield was empty now. The flames were dying, but Zane was nowhere physically in sight. Nova bit her lip, pressing harder against Cipher's wound. Cipher's breath hitched, pain clawing at her nerves. Ren cursed under his breath. "We need to move her—now." Nova nodded, determination hardening in her gaze. Cipher wasn't just injured—She was on the brink.