章 14: Dance of Death (2)

"If you would just listen to me, I can try and explain!" Trinity parries his attacks the best she can, considering she's not a trained fighter. She's surprised to find that she's managing much better than she expected, however. It's as though her body moves in the motions on its own in response to her scythe. It seems that it has a mind of its own and things start to shift into perspective.

"Shi…are you…leading me?" Before she can get an answer, her hand swipes above just in time to counter the man's knife from stabbing her in her jugular. "Bro, please calm down and listen!"

"I ain't your bro girlie! Either fight me properly or lie down and surrender. I'll make it quick."

"No, I'm not going to let you kill me either. I just want to take a moment to talk this over." Despite her appeals for a diplomatic approach, he continues to attack her relentlessly still.

"Trinity…if you don't fight, you'll really die." Once again, Shiori speaks audibly. "Follow me."

Suddenly upping the ante, Trinity can feel her scythe begin to move more pointedly and she allows it to guide her movements, instead of her trying to lead it. Once she does, she can immediately feel the difference in her attack pattern and power. She can feel her improvement.

"Ah, now you're getting serious! That's what I want to see! I'd hate to kill you so easily." In response to her advanced movements, he in turn increases his battle moves, matching her again.

Soon their fight becomes something of a dance, the choreography becoming more poignant and refined as they go along, even becoming something of a beautiful sight for the battle enthused.

After a while, they both begin to slow down, their breathing becoming more labored. "Not bad for a novice…but you've gotta be about ready to surrender, right? You fought well, I mean it."

"I don't know…what you think of me, but I won't surrender…not for anything. I wanted to talk it out, but that doesn't seem to be an option, so now I'm going to follow Shi's lead and fight."

"Shi? Who the hell is that?" With that question, he becomes distracted for a split second, and a second is all she needs. "Are you delusional or some-." He stops his speech abruptly. "Bleh!"

Trinity can feel the sudden increase in tension, and it finally registers that her scythe has just pierced the man cleanly through, the tip protruding from his back after penetrating his chest. As he starts to cough blood, the weight of what she's done starts to kick in. "I, I didn't mean to…." As she says this, she starts to feel sick. However, it's not because of what she's done, but rather-.

"Thrilling, isn't it?" Trinity is startled by the voice of someone unknown by her ear, causing her to jump away and enter a defensive stance; violently ripping the scythe from him as she does.

"Who are you?!" She prepares for another fight, but the woman she locks eyes with isn't giving off a threatening aura. In fact, she smiles at Trinity and looks rather impressed. Aroused even.

"Hmm…you are rather peculiar, but also quite alluring. I think I might even have a little crush."

"Um…who are you?" She asks this again, but with a softer tone this time. "Do I…know you?"

"Afraid not, but we can change that if you'd like. I do have a thing for the tall, dark, and killer types. I think you'd fit the bill quite nicely. Now that you've killed my dog, I have free time."

"Huh? Your dog?" She looks at the man, who's bleeding out on the ground, the life nearly drained from his eyes. "You mean this man? By dog…do you mean like servant? Or a slave?"

"Oh, those can certainly work too, but no…I meant that quite literally." She points at him.

Trinity turns to see that the man has now transformed into a horned dog and is completely dead. "Oh…I see." Trinity isn't sure what to think and has a lot of questions but doesn't ask them now.

The woman before her has white hair in a bun, sharp silver eyes and a lightly tanned complexion. She's a beautiful woman, and certainly fits her flirtatious image. Trinity stares at her shamelessly and directly, not realizing the implications of her actions, like a child's first sexual awakening.

"Oh my…if you keep staring at me like that, I might actually bring you home." The women flirts in return. "However, it seems that will have to wait for now." Trinity looks on with confusion, but suddenly becomes alerted to the shadows that have now surrounded her. "It seems you've already been claimed. Too bad, but even I dare not oppose her. Good luck dear…you'll need it."

"Huh? What's happening? What do you-?" Trinity asks with fear, as the shadows devour her.