Aiko’s heart raced as she sprinted into the mist-filled ravine. The spider’s shriek echoed off the stone walls, sharp as knives. Her kunai flashed in her hand, her water symbol glinting faintly in the moonlight.

  From the mist, Kai’s voice rang out — strained but determined. “Aiko! Over here!”

  The spider whipped around, sensing Aiko’s approach. Its fangs clattered, legs pounding the stone. But now, Kai had backup.

  “Ready, Kai?”

  Kai gave a shaky grin. “Let’s do it!”

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  The siblings moved in perfect sync. Aiko hurled her kunai at the spider’s eyes, forcing it back. Kai, still under his Water Veil, darted beneath it, striking its legs with swift blasts of water.

  The spider screeched, flailing — but Aiko was already on the move. She leapt onto a rock, raised her hands, and channeled her own water technique:

  “Ripple Strike!”A sharp wave blasted forward, knocking the spider off balance.

  Kai, catching the opening, clenched his fists. “Aiko! One more hit!”

  The two siblings charged — one from the left, one from the right — their water techniques swirling like twin streams. With a final, combined strike, they shattered the spider’s leg, sending it crashing to the ground.

  As the dust settled, Kai collapsed onto the rocks, breathing hard. Aiko knelt beside him, smiling softly.

  “You did it, little brother.”

  Kai laughed breathlessly. “We did it.”

  Above them, the moon broke through the mist, casting silver light on the ravine. For a moment, the night was quiet — but deep in the shadows, something stirred.

  Author’s Note (After the Chapter)

  even crazier from here…

  — Author ??