Adeline leaped forward and nded a strong attack on Jack; their swords cshed as the surrounding area was instantly blown away. Jack summoned his mana, then pushed back, but Adeline remained resolute as the two tested each other’s power. A white fsh could be seen as Adeline felt slight pain. She turned to the woman who was now glowing white. The surrounding knights also leaped into action, each attacking Adeline. She dodged and blocked as they slowly pushed her back. Adeline confirmed that these knights were very strong compared to those she had faced. Satisfied, she swung her rge sword, creating a small space for herself.
“Ganging up on a girl, what happened to chivalry?”
Jack saw the opportunity for a sneak attack as he stabbed through a small opening between the soldiers, but his sword was stopped by her quick reflex. Adeline advanced as she performed an overhead swing on one of the knights. The knight blocked the attack, but the force was too great, and his knees buckled. She followed it with a strong kick as his body flew through several trees. The knight spat out blood as he tried to regain his footing. She turned her attention to the other knights.
Her blood-red sword swiped through the air with a distinctive whistling sound. The knights raised their swords to block. Her sword crashed viciously against theirs as Jack once again elusively moved to Adeline’s back and pnted a dagger in her side. Adeline felt a sharp pain as she saw Jack at the corner of her eye. The attack itself was not lethal but was enough to temporarily incapacitate her.
“I am sorry, did that hurt?”
Adeline groaned in pain as she staggered slightly. She checked her wound, which was now bleeding profusely. She pced her hand to stop the bleeding and raised her sword with the other as the knight she previously incapacitated returned with an empty vial. She weakly struck once more, this time with less effort, as Jack somehow appeared to her right side, then cut her thigh. She felt one of her muscles was cleanly cut off. Maybe this was an opportunity. Adeline purposefully let down her guard as the knights approached her.
Once they were close enough, blood spikes rose from the ground, impaling them. Their blood slowly dripped out as it made its way to Adeline. The woman started to pray as white light covered their bodies. To her surprise, the knights were not recovering. Adeline slowly got up as she stared at the knights who were still gasping for air.
“So that’s what you do, give buffs and heal, but sadly these knights are dead.”
Jack appeared behind her once more as he tried to sink his dagger into her side but was blocked by a red shield. He then opted for his sword. Blue mana poured from his body as he swung with force, but it cshed with Adeline’s sword. Jack decided to reposition as he stared at the woman once more. The knights were barely alive as their bodies finally fell to the ground. She turned her attention towards the woman who was kneeling as she darted and released an attack. Jack appeared and blocked the attack. Jack pressed forward as his more refined swordsmanship gave him the advantage.
Adeline, refusing to back down, answered with raw power. Their swords cshed, throwing debris everywhere. Jack pulled his dagger and swiped at her. Blue mana surged once more as Jack started to use both weapons. Adeline started to struggle as she would block one attack only to be stabbed the next second. Frustration slowly started to creep in, but she maintained a level head. Jack was surprisingly surgical with his movements; every stab and swing was calcuted. Adeline stared at her body as a new worry appeared. Her healing was not as fast, even while using her blood abilities. She turned to the woman who was still on her knees and deduced maybe it was her doing. Jack, on the other hand, looked unscathed.
“Is something the matter, demon?”
“I am just wondering how weak you have to be for a healer to pocket you. This isn’t very knightly of you.”
“Demons like you do not deserve respect.”
“I heard you’re nothing but a spoilt child who suckles on her mother’s tit every time someone is mean to him.”
Adeline made an exaggerated sad face as Jack’s anger erupted. He instantly disappeared, leaving behind a blue hue. Adeline’s body was suddenly covered in sword wounds as part of her armor slowly fell off. The pain was instant as Adeline’s mind jerked. Blood slowly dripped down her face as Jack came into view. He wiped some of her blood on her own clothes. Adeline tried to move her body, but she was unable.
“I cut every tendon in your body. I was hoping I would py with you a bit more, but you were very annoying.”
The grip on her sword tightened as she summoned her strength. She tried to raise her sword, but Jack once again sliced her hands. She let go of her sword as Jack started to celebrate by humming and skipping around her body.
“I actually did my research on your kind and your abilities. As long as you have no blood, you’re basically useless.”
Adeline only heard murmurs as excruciating pain took over. She tried to silence her body, but to no avail. She tried to lift her hands once again. Jack got closer as he cheered her on. He then sliced her thumb off. Jack raised her bloody face as he admired his work but was met with a defiant smile. Jack ran his dagger down her face, making sure that she felt every sensation. Adeline’s smile only deepened as Jack kicked her away. Her body crashed on the stones. She remained still for a moment as she once again tried to get up. Her body was healing, but not as usual.
“Are you wondering why you’re so weak all of a sudden? We drank a special poison that affects all demons. We used it during the great purge. After I kill you, the emperor will be sure to award me handsomely.”
Adeline’s eyes slowly closed as her vision turned to bck. It suddenly became quiet as she felt her body seemingly float. Her mind slowly accepted fate, as pain became numbing.
