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Chapter — Blood and Honor
A straight road.
Perfectly straight.
Above it, another suspended road had become nothing more than a mass of debris.
The buildings, aligned on both sides, seemed to carve a path toward the sky, guiding the eye between two celestial bodies:
the splendid white new moon, and the immense crimson moon, dominating the dark heavens.
A transport truck lay crushed on the ground—compressed, flattened, reduced to a smoking carcass, debris scattered along the roadside.
At the center of the main road, several adversaries faced one another.
On the left stood three women in light armor, perfectly fitted to their bodies.
One wore a long, radiant bracelet covering her entire forearm.
To her right, another wielded a large golden shield, radiating energy.
On the left, the third held a golden light lasso, gently vibrating.
Facing them stood a skinny boy, little more than skin and bones. His jacket was tied around his waist, leaving his bare torso exposed.
At his left stood a teenage girl, wearing a tight sleeveless red top, black pants, and a long blood-colored ribbon flowing behind her.
Slightly behind them:
two teenagers, around fifteen years old, wearing white rabbit masks marked with the numbers 63 and 36.
A few strands of hair escaped their masks—pure white for the girl, deep black for the boy.
It was 63 who spoke.
— Oh… we meet again.
You're the ones who got in our way last time, stopping us from reclaiming the treasures we were supposed to retrieve.
The bracelet bearer answered firmly:
— It is our duty.
You attempted to steal the treasures of the Vruole Museum in Psira.
Even if it isn't always our primary mission… I will be the one to bring justice down upon mere thieves.
The lasso bearer followed:
— We will never let you leave with the Scarlet Jewel.
Suddenly, 36 lifted her gaze toward the sky, attentive, as if sensing something invisible.
— You're not completely stupid… even if you really are very mean.
The shield bearer sighed.
— They ultimately succeeded in their real objective.
63 placed two fingers on his chin, thoughtful.
— Not bad.
You managed to temporarily capture the black rabbit, First.
But it won't last. She will bring you misfortune.
Especially since Number Thirteen has already acted… honestly, you're destined for disaster.
A sharp knock struck the back of his head.
— Stop rambling! exclaimed 36.
Are you here to fight, or to read their future in their palms?
63 smiled, carefree.
— True… I was just stressed when you weren't here.
Now that you're back, I'm way too relaxed.
But I'm awake, don't worry.
And by the way… you hit really hard.
36 replied with conviction:
— We have to hurt them.
For underestimating our mistress, First.
That's the least we can do.
63 shrugged.
— She said to simply send the merchandise to Five Fifth when he passes through here in a few minutes.
No need to overcomplicate things.
— Really? asked 36, surprised.
— Of course.
A telepathic transmission formed instantly.
— Why are you yelling so much, brother?
— Because it's not a big deal, sister.
— This will end quickly. They won't even understand.
— Without meaning to, they gave us an incredible opportunity.
— Ten minutes to lift the veil.
— Five minutes to disappear.
— Ready?
— Ready.
63 looked back at the Wonders.
— You're supposed to be warriors of honor.
So why take part in a plan of betrayal that leads to the sealing of our mistress?
The bracelet bearer snapped:
— You know absolutely nothing about us.
So shut up.
The shield bearer continued:
— What do you know of honor to judge us?
The honor of a warrior toward her general…
That of a fighter…
That of the blade…
Of family…
Of life?
The lasso bearer concluded:
— Honor is a chain one chooses never to break.
A bond with one's master, one's general, one's family, one's life, one's battle.
Resisting the entire world if necessary.
And you… have you ever felt such weight around your heart?
36 answered without hesitation:
— Being that pious? No thanks.
I'd rather be myself.
But that feeling… I already know it.
63 added with a crooked smile:
— We could almost get along.
But we mostly like dancing with death.
In an instant—
They vanished.
They reappeared behind the Wonders.
Two blood scythes formed in 63's hands, sweeping toward First Wonder and Second Wonder, while 36 struck Third Wonder violently.
⟨ Hemoglobin — Blood Scythes ⟩
⟨ Hemoglobin — Infection ⟩
The battle erupted.
63 faced Second and Third.
The shield flew, rebounded, was blocked—then Second followed through without turning, striking in a perfect circular motion.
In midair, a lasso wrapped around 63 and slammed him violently into the ground.
Meanwhile, 36 exchanged a flurry of blows with First.
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Elsewhere.
In a park.
Two figures sat on a bench:
Oz, the rabbit, and Void Black.
— Your true objective was to capture First, Oz stated.
Void, sprawled lazily, replied:
— Exactly.
The others don't interest us much.
She's the leader, after all.
Oz gazed at the sky, legs crossed.
— Why would one of the greatest draconic bloodlines want us dead so badly?
It's surely not for a few trinkets…
And you're not even truly trying to destroy us.
Void remained silent.
Oz continued:
— Time is running out.
Look… the battle is already over.
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Back on the road, everything shifted.
63 and 36 suddenly stepped back, standing back to back.
They calmly caught their breath.
63 extended his hand, revealing a necklace adorned with a scarlet ruby, pulsing with blood-red energy.
— Looks like we won.
Bye.
Together, they unfurled their blood bat wings and took flight.
The Wonders tried to pursue them…
But their bodies froze.
Then collapsed.
— Infection… one of them murmured.
Not bad, kids…
To fall from grace against children… tainted from the very first blow…
— But we will not return impure.
⟨ Trinity Blade — Purification ⟩
A golden blade appeared above them.
Their energy slowly returned.
The battle was over.
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