Chapter 95: Sister Steel (Castle bonus)
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Flint answered with a shrill whistle, the east alarm. Needle answered west. Cerastis warriors sprang from bedrolls, shields locking into a half-circle. Mia stepped from her makeshift command tent, crimson armor buckled but cloak still half removed. She took one glance at the incoming tide and drew her double-sabre.
"Thea!" she hissed. "That bitch finally showing her true colours."
Blue-cloaked twenty ants slid down dune faces, kicking plumes. Their formations were tight and drilled. Thea’s elite razors. At their head strode Captain Darius, aura bright enough to cast his own moonlit shadow. His eyes found Kai first, glinting with satisfaction.
He raised his hands. "Advance."
The two banners collided like storm fronts. On the east flank Flint’s repeater clacked, bolts lancing into the first wave. Shale met three glaives at once, hammer roaring. Needle danced, parrying, and counter thrusting.
At the center, Mia darted forward to intercept her sister. Thea glided down the rock slope, sapphire armor reflecting moonfire, a smile like frost on her lips.
"Little sis, Mia," she crooned, twirling her rapier-staff. "I offered you safe harbor. Instead you sit in a trench like a frightened larva. Allow me to end your embarrassment."
Their auras clashed. A six stars rank against seven stars rank. Their aura sparks crackling in the dry night air. Sand around their feet swirled in miniature cyclones.
Blades blurred. Mia’s spare tires cut low, Thea flowed aside, staff ricocheting. A hole opened in Mia’s cloak. She answered with a scissor strike that nicked Thea’s pauldron. Sisters wheeled through dust devils, every impact sending shockwaves. Yet Thea pressed steadily, her higher rank dripping force into each flick.
"Still slower," she taunted, landing a palm thrust that shoved Mia two steps back.