บท 404: To The Limit

Lifting his sword in a peculiar fashion with the flat side facing up, he called out, "Alright! It's now or never, Aiko!"

The desperation of the prowling, spiked hounds forced her to make a quick decision as she stood still for a moment; allowing a calming breath into her lungs, she jumped into the air before nimbly landing atop the flat steel of the young man's blade. 

With the girl standing atop the sword, he was surprised how light it felt, even with how small and lithe she was. 

Holding a smile that bordered between excitement and pure desperation, he roared out, "Let's do this!"

Swinging as hard as he could, he flung the young woman into the air as she managed to just briefly summit the tree line while the nightly winds brushed against her white, flexible robes. 

"Khh…!" She gasped a bit, shielding herself from the cold winds. 

Though she quickly forced herself back into focus, aiming her gaze down below at the hounds on the ground.