Stillness gripped the lagoon as Etsuyo and the Elder faced the intruders.

  Zei lifted one hand in mock peace, his voice smoother than silk hiding razor wire. "Look... Ladies, we mean you no harm. Just hand over the girl, and we'll be on our way."

  His fingers gestured toward his companion, directing retreat. "Nobody has to die on this beautiful morning."

  Fire coursed through Etsuyo's veins, preparing for the inevitable fight.

  "Stay back, you foreign bastards. The guards will be here any minute now!”

  Lei took a menacing step forward, his orange eyes sparked at the insult as he partially slid his blade from its sheath. "Foreign Bastards!!? Why you..."

  "Lei, stop!" Zei commanded, intimidately lowering his tone while maintaining a warped smile. "It's not wise to cause a commotion in front of the other guests."

  The Elder's pupils dilated in shock, her thoughts spiraled.

  GUESTS?! WHAT IS HE… NO.. IT CAN'T BE!

  She closed her eyes and expanded her consciousness outward, scanning the surrounding area. Fear touched her awareness like cold fingers.

  YOUNG MASTER!!!!!???

  Her attention riveted to Etsuyo,a tacit understanding flooding between them.

  Dread knotted the children's stomachs realizing they've been discovered.

  Removing his body weight off Yasushi, Taichi gripped his shoulder seeking solace from the fear.

  The color from Koba's cheeks drained, compressing Megumi and Sachiko under his arms as they huddled closer.

  Panic tore through Etsuyo's brain like wildfire.

  FUCK! WHAT IS THE YOUNG MASTER DOING HERE?! AND WITH THE OTHERS! HOW DID THEY GET HERE?! DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMMIT! THERE'S NO TIME! SHIT!! WHERE ARE THE FUCKING GUARDS?!

  Her internal chaos spilled across her features, her composure cracking.

  Zei's cruel grin widened as he savored her distress.

  "They're dead." he said, rolling his words. "That's what you ladies are stalling for, right? Those two entryway guards?" His body glided closer, arrogantly closing the gap until he stood within striking range. "Ya see... we paid them a visit on our way here. Such weaklings. They didn't even put up a worthy fight."

  "LIAR!" Etsuyo fired back, seizing the opening. Water flowed through her arms launching a razor-sharp whip towards him.

  Her water whip sliced through the air, targeting Zei's neck.

  Casually standing his ground, Zei yawned. He lazily raised his hand and swatted Etsuyo's attack away, dispersing it into a harmless spray.

  Satisfied, Lei's laughter bubbled up from his throat.

  "ETSUYO, FALL BACK!" The Elder shouted advancing after her.

  Yasushi crouched behind tangled branches, his heart stampeding against his chest.

  What should we do... What should we do... We gotta get outta here!

  Catching wind of Yasushi in her peripheral vision, the Elder ceased her pursuit and blocked the intruders line of sight of him.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  This isn't good! I must protect the children! I need to stall for time.

  Etsuyo dropped back next to the Elder, shook by his formidable strength.

  Examining his palm, Zei flicked away water droplets. "Is that the best you can do? I expected more from a future Elder."

  Licking the edge of his sword, Lei snickered. "Maybe we should show them what real power looks like, ehh?"

  "Tell me…Who sent you?" The Elder sneered, planting her feet. Her voice held steady, carefully choosing her next moves.

  "I bet you're full of questions, you old hag,” Zei replied, his face configured into a patronizing grimace. “But you're in no position to demand answers."

  He advanced another step, hands glowing with a fiery aura. "Now, let's try this again. Hand over the child! Don't make me repeat myself."

  A flame then burst from his palms. Heat waves scintillated around his body, turning the crisp autumn air into a fiery chamber.

  The Elder leaned toward Etsuyo, keeping her voice barely audible. "We’re no match for them. It's time to change priorities."

  Etsuyo’s expression hardened into stone. "Understood."

  Annoyed by their whispering exchange, Lei launched himself skyward, blade glistening clearing its sheath. "Stop your whispering and hand over the fucking brat!"

  "NOW!" The Elder's commanded, pulling her outer robe off in one smooth motion. She freneticly spun, discharging a thick white fog from the billowing cloth.

  Recognizing the signal, Kaname fled deeper into the forest and vanished into the expanding mist cloud.

  Etsuyo's hands moved in a blur, conjuring a series of propelling water daggers and launching them with deadly precision. The projectiles whistled through the air, striking Zei and Lei's arms and legs. Upon impact, daggers froze and instantly spread outward like living crystals, locking their limbs in icy prisons.

  The white fog enveloped the forest and muffled Lei's furious roars. Zei's flames sputtered and hissed as he shifted his body side to side.

  Sensing his terror, Etsuyo sprinted toward Yasushi, finding him paralyzed with fear against a tree.

  “YOUNG MASTER, RUN!"

  Etsuyo's hand clamped around his wrist, dragging him away from the battle zone. Fleeing at full speed, the white mist swirled behind them.

  Yasushi shook his head, coming back to his senses. "Wait!! What about the others?!!!"

  Etsuyo stumbled, confusion choking her voice. "The others?"

  "Sachiko, Taichi, Megumi, and Koba are still back there!"

  Etsuyo's feet locked against the earth as she bit her lip, frustration and duty straining the corners of her mouth.

  "Okay! Wait here, Young Master."

  She pivoted around and launched herself back into the forest.

  Time crawled, each second feeling endless before silhouettes appeared between the treeline. Megumi and Sachiko broke from the fog at full sprint.

  "Megumi! Sachiko! Go back to the palace and get help!" Yasushi desperately instructed.

  Sachiko's feet shuffled against the ground, flustered by this order.

  "What about you?"

  Yasushi forced steel into his spine. His hand landed on Sachiko's shoulder, locking eyes with him. "I need to wait here for Taichi and Koba. Now go... Please."

  Sachiko sighed, bobbing his head. He seized the reluctant Megumi's wrist and raced toward the palace. As their footsteps faded, an agonizing scream ripped through the trees, chilling Yasushi to his core.

  OH NO, KANAME!

  His body plunged back into the forest without a second thought. The white fog wrapped around him, stealing his vision and sense of direction. Pressing forward, the fog thinned into a thin film and introduced him to a horror rooting him to the ground. His eyes burned as moisture gathered against his will. Etsuyo lay face down on the ground, Zei's foot crushing her back with brutish force. His hand clenched around the Elder's throat, lifting her off the ground. Tears streamed from her eyes as she struggled to breathe while blood trickled from a wound on her forehead.

  Zei's face reeked of sadistic pleasure. Drawing the Elder closer, he lashed out his tongue and licked away her sanguineous tears.

  The Elder's defiance burned through her anguish as she spat in his face. Her saliva boiled upon contact and evaporated.

  “HAHAHHAHA NOW THAT'S THE SPIRIT I LIKE HAHAHAHA!!” he laughed, his unsettling tone rippling through the clearing.

  Yasushi covered his mouth, unable to look away.

  Zei's laughter died into contentment as he emitted a sizzling heat into his hand. Tightening his grip around the Elder's throat, its intensity slowly burned the flesh around her neck, steadily crushing her windpipe.

  The Elder's eyes went bloodshot and bulged, desperately clawing at his hand, fighting to breathe.

  Thrilled by her futile attempts to cling to her life, he gripped tighter and inhaled the aroma of her burning flesh.

  *CRUNCH*