Cliffside Attack

“-kei, hey Tokei?”

“Oh, yes were you saying something to me?”

Otome looked at me with a hint of concern. “Is there something on your mind?”

“Uh, Yeah I was just lost in thought.”

“Alright then,” Patting me on the shoulder as she walked past me,” well I look forward to working with you.”

“Same here…”

Before I could say more, Farthington’s grumbling drew both of our attention. “If we’re done with the heartfelt moments once more, can we focus on how we’re getting out of this godforsaken forest?”

Victoria shot him a pointed look. “You’ll survive, Farthington. Besides, the plan’s already set. We’re heading for the coast, remember? Shouldn’t be more than a couple of days’ travel if we keep up the pace.”

Nanik stepped forward, taking charge as usual. “Victoria’s right. According to a map Otome got from the village, we’ll follow the cliffside road until we hit the nearest port town. From there, we’ll secure passage to Tekuno and head back to Trizen. Shadow Phoenix’s base will provide better shelter and resources to regroup.”

Otome raised an eyebrow. “A cliffside road, huh? Sounds risky. I remember the lady who healed me mentioned bandits being in the area. We should keep our guard up.”

Nanik took the lead, “Alright, now that we have a plan let's get ready to move out.”

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The day before, at an undisclosed location.

A woman in a sleek black suit approached a dresser, her reflection sharp and unyielding in the mirror. Her hair, black as midnight, faded at the tips into the molten hue of liquid metal. Crimson eyes lingered on a small, rune-inscribed shard of glass resting before her.

“In what capacity are you contacting me, Head of Cielmouth State Security?” she said, her voice elegant yet laced with menace.

From the glass, a voice responded, crisp but strained. “Madam Paroxysm, the target you commissioned us to eliminate has fled across the border into Ardem. We are no longer able to pursue them. However, we can provide you with an approximate location.”

Paroxysm’s lips curled into a faint sneer. “You disappoint me. Provide the location immediately. The Lord demands these wretched anomalies be eradicated without delay.” She slipped on a pair of black gloves, her eyes never leaving her reflection in the mirror.

“As you command. The approximate location will be sent through the lumen transfer shortly,” the voice replied. The call ended with an abrupt crackle.

Paroxysm turned her gaze to a photograph on the dresser—a captured image of Otome. Her expression hardened as she picked up the picture, her gloved fingers brushing over it disdainfully.

“These pests aren’t worth my personal attention,” she muttered, her tone cold and final. “The Weavers’ soldiers will suffice to deal with them.”

With that, she set the photograph down and walked away, the echo of her heels resonating through the dimly lit room.

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The group set off shortly after, the forest gradually thinning as we approached the cliffside road. The sea stretched out in the distance, its waves glinting under the morning sun. The path ahead was narrow, winding along the rocky edge, with jagged cliffs dropping to a dense forest far below.

Farthington grumbled as he adjusted his pack, while Otome and Victoria walked ahead, discussing the terrain. Nanik fell into step beside me, his orange eyes sharp as ever.

“So what did you see?” he asked quietly, his voice just loud enough for me to hear.

I hesitated, then nodded. “Her code... it’s orange.”

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He gave a slight nod, his expression unreadable. “Keep it to yourself for now. We’ll talk when we reach the base. I know you must have many questions.”

His cryptic words only deepened the mystery, but I knew better than to press him. For now, all I could do was stay alert and prepare for whatever lay ahead.

As the group continued down the narrow road, a dark shape in the sky caught my attention. It moved against the clouds, its outline growing larger with every passing moment. My heart sank as the realization hit me.

“Nanik,” I said, my voice low and urgent.

He followed my gaze, his expression hardening. “Everyone, stop!”

The group froze, their eyes lifting to the sky as the shape became clear—a massive flying machine, its hull gleaming ominously in the sunlight. Suddenly, its underside opened, releasing heavily armored vehicles that plummeted to the ground with deafening crashes.

“We’ve got unknowns—scatter!” Nanik barked, his voice sharp with command.

The group broke into a sprint, diving for cover in the dense forest that bordered the cliffside road. The sheer drop on the other side offered no escape. I threw myself behind a fallen log, pressing low to the ground as the rumble of engines grew louder. The vehicles passed, one after another, until a fourth slowed to a stop near my position.

The sound of car doors slamming shut echoed through the forest, followed by the crunch of boots on dirt. I stayed still, listening intently.

“Remember, our main priority is killing that purple-haired woman,” a gruff voice said. “The rest don’t matter.”

“Right,” another voice replied.

I carefully lifted my head, assessing the situation. My heart raced as I realized I was furthest from the SUV. From my vantage point, I spotted Otome. She was creeping through the trees toward one of the soldiers who had his back to the forest. Silent as a shadow, she closed the distance. Then, like a striking mantis, she sprang up, wrapped her arms around his neck, and dragged him into the undergrowth. A sickening crack confirmed the soldier’s fate.

Two men remained. A moment later, an arrow streaked through the air, striking one of them cleanly in the eye. The man dropped instantly.

“What the hell!” the last soldier shouted, panic lacing his voice. He swung his assault rifle toward the treeline, firing blindly in the direction of the arrow.

Suddenly, Victoria burst from the shadows, moving with superhuman speed. Before the soldier could adjust his aim, she closed the gap in an instant. Bullets sprayed haphazardly into the trees, but they were too late—her blade drove through his chest, silencing him.

Otome emerged from the forest, her movements swift and purposeful. Victoria rifled through the pockets of the soldier she had dispatched, retrieving a set of keys. She threw the keys to Otome with precision, and Otome caught them effortlessly. Sliding into the driver’s seat, she jammed the keys into the ignition and brought the engine roaring to life.

“Come on!” Otome shouted, urgency in her voice. “Move!”

I bolted from my hiding spot, weaving through the dense underbrush toward the SUV. Branches whipped at my arms, and the uneven ground threatened to trip me, but I pushed forward. The others began emerging from their own hiding places, sprinting toward the vehicle.

Farthington was the first to reach it, grumbling under his breath as he climbed into the back seat. “This is more trouble than it’s worth,” he muttered, though his actions betrayed a sense of urgency.

Nanik followed close behind, his orange eyes scanning the treeline with laser focus. He leaped into the SUV, keeping his weapon at the ready as though expecting another ambush.

Victoria was next, her movements fluid and precise despite the chaos. Sliding into the passenger seat, she adjusted her position with practiced ease. Her vermillion hair was disheveled, stray strands clinging to her face, but her sharp gaze was as intense as ever.

I was almost there, heart pounding in my chest, when a strange sensation washed over me—a faint hum that resonated deep within. It prickled at the edge of my senses, charged and menacing. My instincts screamed a warning, but before I could react, something slammed into me with the force of a battering ram.

I was flung sideways, crashing into a tree with a sickening thud. Pain exploded through my body as I collapsed to the ground.

“TOKEI!” Otome’s voice rang out, filled with panic.

Through blurred vision, I saw her reaching for the door handle, intent on coming to my aid. But before she could step out, a barrage of gunfire erupted. The SUVs that had passed us earlier had circled back, their occupants opening fire with relentless precision.

Bullets ricocheted off the hijacked vehicle, forcing Otome to slam the door shut. Her expression was torn, a mix of frustration and fear. She gripped the steering wheel tightly, her knuckles white as she shouted, “Hold on!”

With a reluctant glance in my direction, she stomped on the gas. The armored SUV roared forward, leaving me behind as the vehicle sped away under a hail of gunfire. My vision began to dim, but I fought to stay conscious.

Above me, the air crackled with energy. A shadow loomed, and I forced my eyes upward, meeting the piercing gaze of a Weaver soldier. He stood tall, whipblades in hand, their edges sparking with electricity. His armor gleamed, and his expression was cold as he sized me up.

“I’ve found you,” he said, his voice a mix of triumph and menace.