CHAPTER 101: DENY

The monster growled, dragging its hulking form back to its feet. Its glowing red eyes were now fixed on the twins, a raw rage burning within them. Sia and Mia stepped forward, moving in perfect sync. Their playful smirks were gone, replaced with a sharp, cold focus.

Sia cracked her knuckles. "Let’s clean this up. Mia, are you ready?"

"Always," Mia replied, rolling her shoulders. Her skin began to shimmer, a thin layer of hardened mana coating her arms as she prepared for the fight.

The monster lunged, its claws swiping through the air. But before they could connect, the twins vanished, reappearing in a flicker of shadows on either side of it.

"Over here!" Sia taunted, darting forward. She slammed a mana-hardened kick into its side, the force of the blow making it stagger.

Mia followed right behind her, flipping into the air. She brought her knee down hard on the monster’s back, sending it crashing to the ground. The creature howled, black ichor oozing from its wounds, but it pushed itself back up, its claws flashing. It swiped at Sia, but she ducked and rolled under its attack, spinning on her hands to kick its legs out from under it.

"Too slow," she said, jumping back to her feet.

Mia darted in next, her movements quick and smooth. She drove her palm, now reinforced with mana, into the creature’s chest. The impact sent it skidding back, its own claws leaving deep gouges in the dirt as it struggled to stay upright.

The twins moved together in a deadly dance, one attacking while the other dodged. The monster could not keep up, its claws slashing at empty air as they flickered in and out of its reach.

Mia smirked as she teleported out of the monster’s path just in time. "This skill is really handy in human form."

"Focus!" Sia shouted, her hardened fist slamming into the creature’s jaw.

The monster roared in frustration, swiping wildly. Its claws came close, grazing Sia’s arm, but she flickered back before it could do any more damage. Mia crouched, drawing in the mana from the air around her. The glow returned to her body, and her energy was renewed.

"Let’s end this."

The twins exchanged a glance, then nodded. They charged at the same time. Sia went high, leaping to slam a kick into the monster’s head. It roared in pain, stumbling back. Mia went low, her fist smashing into its legs and forcing it to fall. The creature hit the ground hard, its body trembling as it tried to get up. But they did not give it the chance.

Sia rushed forward, striking its torso with her hand. The impact cracked through the clearing like a thunderclap. Mia followed, flipping over the creature to land behind it. She drove both of her fists into its back, forcing it down one final time.

The monster’s growls faded, and its body twitched before going still. The clearing grew quiet, the only sound their steady breaths.

"Well, that is done," Sia said, brushing off her hands.

"Not bad," Mia added, giving the fallen creature a dismissive look. They turned to Kana, who was slumped against a tree, her face pale.

"Still alive over there?" Sia called out, smirking.

Kana glared at them, but her voice was weak. "I could have handled it..."

"Sure you could have," Mia said, walking over to her. She crouched down and pulled out another healing vial. "Here. Drink this before you pass out."

Kana took it, her hands still trembling. She drank it down, and the warmth spread through her chest, easing some of her pain. "Thanks," she muttered, looking away.

"Do not mention it," Sia said, offering her a hand. "But try not to get beat up so bad next time, okay?"

"Yeah," Mia added, grinning as she helped Kana to her feet. "We need you alive, well, mostly alive."

Kana sighed, but she could not stop a small smile from forming. "You two are so annoying."

"That is what we are here for!" the twins said together, laughing as they led her back toward where they had been separated.

Wren hit the ground hard, coughing up blood. ’Damn it, where did such a powerful monster come from?’ She backflipped to her feet, activating her mana claws and dropping into a defensive stance.

"You are a fascinating little creature. To achieve human form at such a low level... could it be... are you a tamed beast?" The guardian landed gracefully, her large, feathery wings vanishing into the night.

Wren did not answer, she just observed her opponent’s every move.

"I will take your silence as a yes. How pathetic, letting a human control you. I expected a little more from you." Despite the provocation, Wren did not give in. She steadied her breathing and kept her gaze locked on the guardian, analyzing her every movement.

The guardian tilted her head, a smirk tugging at her lips. Her presence was commanding, and her every step was deliberate. "Silent defiance, is it? Perhaps you are not entirely without spirit." She extended a hand, and the wind began to stir violently, swirling around her.

Wren felt the shift in the air, the currents tugging at her hair and clothes. She covered her feet in mana and dug them into the ground, lowering her center of gravity. ’Stay calm. Read the flow of her attacks. Remember master’s fighting style. Use his style.’

The guardian’s tone turned cold. "You think your little human master is strong? Let me show you what true power looks like." With a flick of her wrist, the wind surged forward, forming a razor-sharp blade aimed directly at Wren.

Wren dove to the side, rolling to her feet just as the wind blade tore into the ground where she had stood. She did not hesitate, dashing forward with a burst of speed, her claws slashing at the guardian. But the guardian was faster. She sidestepped smoothly, her movements almost lazy.

"Predictable," she muttered, raising a hand. The wind coiled around Wren like a serpent and lashed out, knocking her off balance.

Wren skidded across the ground, her claws sparking against the dirt. Her body ached, but she gritted her teeth and forced herself upright.

"That is it, I love that look in your eyes. Entertain me some more." The guardian slowly slid a hand down her stomach, her eyes locking onto Wren. "I feel like taking you as my own pet. What do you think?"

Wren stared at her for a few seconds before she finally replied, "Sorry, but I am already taken."

"Huh? You dare deny me?" the guardian snapped.