The sound of the collapsing earth behind Jazz roared like an approaching thunderstorm, he could hear the cracking and crumbling of the ground, a deep, ominous rumble that seemed to chase him with every step. In his peripheral vision, he saw Keilee sprinting alongside him, her face set in determined concentration. There was no time to communicate, only to run away from the collapsing ground behind them.
The edge of the building loomed closer, a jagged boundary between safety and a daunting leap. Without hesitating, he pushed off the edge, launching himself into the air. For a brief moment, time seemed to slow, and he felt weightless, suspended between the collapsing building and the ground below.
As he descended, Jazz tucked his body, preparing for impact. Fortunately, the ground below was grassy, the soft earth cushioning the initial shock. He rolled forward, distributing the force of the fall, the cool, slightly damp blades of grass brushing against his skin. It was a welcome contrast to the rougher surfaces he had expected, easing the impact and allowing him to recover more quickly.
Jazz stood up, catching his breath and taking a moment to steady himself. As he looked around, he saw that Keilee was already on her feet a few yards away, her eyes fixed on the collapsing building. He followed her gaze and saw that the structure hadn’t entirely given way; it was mostly the rooftops that had crumbled, sending debris cascading down the sides.
From their vantage point, the building looked old, as if it had withstood countless storms and years of neglect. The walls were weathered and cracked, vines snaking their way up the faded brickwork. Windows, some shattered and others still intact, were framed by sagging wooden shutters, their paint long since peeled away.
“It seems that only most of the rooftop collapsed,” Jazz said, glancing at the damaged structure.
“I have a strong feeling that Lyric and Deep Tone are still alive,” Keilee replied.
They hurried towards the old building, carefully navigating the debris. Just before they reached the entrance, Jazz stopped and turned to Keilee.
“Keilee, I think we should hide the Resonance Key somewhere here,” he suggested. “If the Rogue Resonants are also alive, it’s much safer if it’s not with us.”
Keilee agreed and they dug a small hole and buried the Resonance Key near the entrance, next to a large, distinctive rock that stood out among the rubble.
The smell of dust was thick as Jazz and Keilee stepped into the building. The interior was shrouded in darkness, broken only by occasional shafts of light piercing through the holes and cracks in the structure. The entrance was wide and arched, the large wooden doors hanging off their hinges, splintered and worn by time. Inside, the ground was littered with debris from the collapsed rooftop—broken beams, shattered tiles, and chunks of broken bricks across the floor.
The damage from the rooftop collapse was extensive, with sections of the upper floors having given way, leaving gaping holes that exposed the interior to the elements. These breaches allowed more light to filter in, illuminating the destruction. Large fragments of the roof had crashed down to the ground floor, creating hazardous piles of rubble and twisted metal.
As Jazz and Keilee moved further inside, the sounds of their footsteps resonated through the vast, empty space, mingling with the distant creaks and groans of the building settling under its own weight. Every step was taken with caution, their eyes darting around, alert for any sign of Leeland and Gabe—or their enemies.
Suddenly, they were startled by flashes of light coming from the gaping holes above. The bursts of illumination were accompanied by a cacophony of noise—sharp, rhythmic sounds and the distant thud of impacts reverberating through the building. The chaotic symphony of echoes hinted at a fierce battle taking place somewhere above them.
Jazz and Keilee exchanged a tense glance, their senses heightened by the unsettling atmosphere and the sounds of conflict echoing through the decrepit halls. As they took another step forward, they were halted by the sight of a glaring eyes shining through the darkness ahead. An ominous glow accompanied by a low, menacing growl resonated from the shadows.
The creature from the darkness suddenly leaped at them, its massive form emerging with terrifying speed. Jazz and Keilee reacted instinctively, jumping to either side. Jazz dove to the left, rolling to his feet, while Keilee sprang to the right, landing in a crouch. As both of them hit the ground, they quickly summoned their Echoes, the familiar energy filling the air. In the center, the Gore Hound landed heavily, its glowing eyes now fully visible, casting an eerie light across its menacing form.
The Gore Hound’s glowing eyes locked onto Keilee, its growl vibrating the air as it chose her as its target. With a snarl, it lunged forward, its massive jaws snapping in the air, its claws scraping against the ground with terrifying force. Keilee’s instincts kicked in, and she darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the beast’s savage strike.
The creature wasn’t far behind, its heavy paws pounding the ground as it surged toward her. Keilee’s heart raced, but she remained calm, weaving through the broken remnants of the building. The columns that once held the structure together now became her sanctuary—she leapt toward the nearest one, using it as leverage to pivot and change direction. She ran a few paces, then leapt off another column, using her agility to keep one step ahead of the beast’s ferocious pursuit.
Each time the Gore Hound lunged, its massive claws barely missed her as she ducked and twisted with lightning speed. Keilee wasn’t simply running; she was using the columns strategically, darting behind them and leaping off their surfaces to evade the hound’s devastating attacks. The creature’s growls grew louder with each failed strike, but Keilee’s reflexes and determination were sharper, and she wasn’t about to let the Gore Hound corner her.
Keilee weaved between the columns, her focus solely on the Gore Hound, which prowled with deadly intent, its eyes locked onto her every movement. The creature was relentless, its massive claws scraping against the floor as it lunged forward, jaws snapping. Keilee’s heart pounded in her chest, but she kept her composure, knowing that she had to wait for the right moment to strike.
Keilee saw her opening. With a burst of agility, she darted to the side, her glowing blue nunchucks crackling with magical energy as she swung them with precision. The glowing ends of the nunchucks struck the Gore Hound’s side with a sharp crack, sending a surge of energy through the creature’s body. The beast let out a snarling howl of pain, stumbling back in shock, its fur bristling as it recoiled from the blow.
Before the Gore Hound could recover, Jazz, who had been silently following behind them, saw his opportunity. He rushed forward, his sword gleaming in the dim light as he leaped into action. With a swift, powerful slash, he cut through the air, his blade biting into the creature’s exposed flank. The Gore Hound let out a blood-curdling roar as the sword struck, its glowing eyes wide with fury. It spun toward Jazz, now enraged, its claws raised to retaliate. Jazz braced himself for the creature’s onslaught, but before it could close the distance, a blur of motion came from the side.
Keilee, her body moving with fluid grace, closed the gap in an instant. Her nunchucks crackled with energy, their glowing blue hue intensifying as she gripped both of them tightly. In a single, powerful motion, she swung them in unison, the magical force building as she unleashed a devastating strike. The air seemed to hum with energy, and as the nunchucks collided with the Gore Hound’s neck, a blinding flash of light erupted, a surge of raw power that sent a shockwave through the room.
The Gore Hound let out an agonizing cry, its body convulsing as the force of the attack ripped through it. Its fur crackled with the blue energy, its limbs shaking uncontrollably. With a final, ear-splitting roar, the creature collapsed to the ground. The glow in its eyes dimmed, and it lay still, defeated.
Jazz stood still for a moment. The creature, now lifeless, was a stark contrast to the terror it had once instilled in him. He could still feel the echoes of that earlier fear, the way his body had trembled in the face of such a monstrous threat. But now, with his sword in hand and his focus sharpened, he had felt something entirely different—confidence, control, and a readiness to fight.
His gaze shifted to Keilee, who stood beside him, her breathing steady despite the intensity of the battle. There was a power and grace in her strikes, a raw precision that was impossible to ignore.
* * *
Leeland steadied himself, his hand gripping the glowing quiver, aiming intently at his approaching opponent. Just as he released the arrow, a shockwave of energy hit him, jolting his arm and sending the arrow shooting upward into the air. His balance wavered, and two more shockwaves struck his chest, forcing him to stagger back, pain radiating through his torso.
As he regained his focus, he realized his opponent had vanished from view. Though the footsteps echoed through the darkness, they were carefully concealed, impossible to track by sight alone. He straightened up, and nocked an arrow, his eyes narrowing in concentration. He aimed toward the direction of the sounds, ready to release at the slightest sign of movement.
Suddenly, three sharp beats of percussion reverberated through the air. With instinct kicking in, Leeland quickly rolled to his side, narrowly avoiding the shockwaves that exploded on the floor where he had just been standing. The ground trembled as the force of the blast shook the air. As soon as his roll was complete, an arrow was already in his hand, his muscles primed for the shot. He fired toward the source of the sound, the sound of the arrow hitting a distant wall confirmed the miss, but the glowing light of the arrow reflected off the surface, revealing the outline of his enemy hidden in the shadows.
Leeland’s focus sharpened as his opponent darted to the side, narrowly avoiding the first and second arrows. Without hesitation, Leeland nocked a third, his aim steady and precise. He could feel it in his bones—this shot would hit. As he released the arrow, another shockwave hit him square in the arms, the force jolting through his body and sending the arrow soaring upwards, completely off course.
Leeland ran, his breath heavy as another shockwave blasted the air behind him. The force sent a gust of wind through the space, but he narrowly avoided the brunt of it, managing to find cover against a nearby wall. His hand trembled as he quickly nocked another arrow, the lingering effects of the previous shockwaves rattling his muscles.
With a swift spin, he peeked from his cover, spotting his opponent in the distance. He released the arrow, but the shot was off. The tremors in his arms from the earlier shockwaves had disrupted his aim. He knew immediately it had missed.
Leeland pushed forward, his legs pumping as he dashed, adrenaline coursing through his veins. The previous attack had given him a crucial insight—his opponent’s shockwaves had a specific range. As he sprinted, he adjusted his pace, anticipating the strike. He wasn’t wrong.
From behind him, three more shockwaves erupted, the force of each one slamming into the air with violent intensity. He could feel the heat and pressure radiating from the blasts, each one closer than the last. The ground trembled beneath his feet, and the sound of the shockwaves followed, like a monstrous roar chasing him down.
His heart raced as he pushed himself harder, the shockwaves seeming to follow his every move. Each burst of energy came faster, closer, like a predator hunting its prey. The air crackled with electricity, the force of the shockwaves grazing the back of his legs, sending jolts of pain through his body. He could hear the blasts reverberating against the walls, echoing through the space with a menacing rhythm.
Leeland gritted his teeth, his body straining to stay ahead of the invisible force that stalked him. He knew that if he slowed, even for a moment, the shockwaves would catch him. He had to keep moving, pushing through the relentless pressure from behind.
As Leeland sprinted, his eyes darted around, searching for anything that could help him break the chase. The dim light revealed the dilapidated state of the building—the walls were cracked, columns buckled from years of neglect, and beams overhead twisted and splintered with age.
In the midst of the chaos, a thought suddenly sparked in Leeland’s mind. He could feel the shockwaves closing in behind him, but he also realized the walls, the columns, and the beams might offer the advantage he needed. He could use the environment against his opponent.
He skidded to a halt, his boots grinding against the cracked floor, and quickly turned to face the source of the pursuing enemy. He eyed his enemy, knowing that the moment he released his arrow, the shockwaves would hit his arms, trying to send his shot off course.
He breathed in deeply, focusing his mind as he notched an arrow. His opponent’s footsteps were barely audible, but Leeland could feel the attack coming, the build-up of energy in the air. His hand tensed around the bowstring, ready to release. He could almost predict what was coming.
Just as he released the arrow, the shockwaves slammed into his arms, pushing the bow upward. His muscles screamed in protest, but in that split second, Leeland redirected his aim, releasing the arrow toward the beam above his enemy.
The arrow shot through the air with a sharp whistle, striking the beam above the enemy’s head. There was a moment of silence before the impact. Then, with a deafening crash, the beam cracked and splintered, sending debris hurtling down. The ceiling above collapsed, showering the area with falling rubble and broken structures. Pieces of wood, metal, and concrete rained down, engulfing the space where the enemy stood.
Leeland collapsed to the ground, his body aching from the onslaught of shockwaves. He sat there for a moment, leaning against the crumbling wall, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His arms trembled, and the fatigue of the battle weighed heavily on him. Yet, there was a quiet satisfaction settling in his chest.
He had done it. Despite the pain, he knew he had won this round. The fight wasn’t over, but for now, his enemy was thrown off guard, and he had bought himself the time he needed.
* * *
Jazz and Keilee hurried up the stairs, their footsteps quick and urgent as they ascended toward the upper levels. The sound of a massive collapse echoed from above, followed by the distant rumble of crumbling stone and wood. They exchanged a look, both understanding the same thing: the battle had escalated.
With adrenaline surging, they pushed themselves harder, their hearts racing. As they reached the next level, the sight before them stopped them in their tracks.
Gabe lay on the floor, battered and bruised, his body covered in fresh wounds. His clothes were torn, and his breathing came in shallow gasps. Blood stained the ground beneath him, but he was still alive.
Standing over him, looming in the dim light, was Ivy. Her figure was a dark silhouette, but the whip in her hand was unmistakable—a crackling weapon glowing with dark purple and black energy, the sinister light reflecting off her cold eyes. She stood tall, unfazed by the chaos around her, the whip swaying in her hand like a serpent ready to strike again.
“Gabe!” Keilee exclaimed, her voice tinged with anger as she rushed forward, her nunchucks gripped tightly in her hands. Her face twisted in a mix of frustration and fury, her protective instincts surging at the sight of her fallen comrade.
Ivy, standing tall and unfazed, flashed a cold, almost mocking smile. With a casual motion of her other hand, she beckoned Keilee forward, a taunting gesture that invited her to step into the next round of their deadly game. Her eyes glinted with cruel amusement, knowing exactly how much she provoked the young fighter.
As Keilee charged forward, only a few feet away from Ivy, the Rogue Resonant moved with swift precision. Without warning, she cracked her whip, its dark purple and black tendrils snapping through the air with deadly accuracy. The tip of the whip curled around Keilee’s foot, and before she could react, the world spun violently. The force of Ivy’s whip jerked her off balance, sending her crashing to the side. Keilee hit the ground hard, rolling uncontrollably, her body skidding across the rough floor, pain flaring through her as she tried to regain control.
Jazz came rushing forward, his instincts kicking in as he saw Keilee on the ground. But just as he reached her, something sharp caught his attention. Without thinking, he leaped backward, his body twisting in midair to avoid whatever was coming. Small rocks and debris rained down, hitting the floor with a sharp clatter. The impact of the rocks was unmistakable—some left deep dents on the ground, while others cracked as they skittered across the floor. Jazz’s heart pounded as he realized just how close he had come to being hit. His eyes quickly scanned the surroundings.
Jazz’s ears picked up faint whistling sounds in the air. Reacting purely on instinct, he leaped again, propelling his body out of the way. But this time, a rock struck him mid-air. It hit his shoulder with a brutal impact, the pain searing through him like a bullet wound. His body jerked with the force, and he stumbled in the air before landing hard on the ground. The shock of it nearly knocked the breath out of him, but he quickly scrambled to his feet.
Jazz’s eyes darted around the room, scanning every shadow and crevice, his senses on high alert. He knew the attack hadn’t come from Ivy; her whip was still in her hand, poised and ready. The rocks—those weren’t her doing. His heart raced as the memory struck him like a thunderclap: the invisible assailant from the rooftop. The way the enemy had blended into the surroundings, hiding just out of sight, made it nearly impossible to pinpoint their location. He quickly summoned his Echo, feeling it surge through him as it morphed into a sword. His senses sharpened, every breath deliberate, every movement precise.
Jazz raised his sword in front of him, the blade steady in his grip as his eyes flicked toward Keilee. She had pushed herself up from the ground, shaking off the effects of the blow, her stance firm as she met his gaze.
Jazz’s grip tightened on his sword as he instinctively stepped back, his eyes scanning the space around him. The rocks came—sharp, fast, and deadly—like invisible projectiles aimed at him. With fluid precision, he swung his sword, each strike deflecting the incoming stones. The sharp crack of rock meeting the glowing blade echoed, but Jazz moved with calculated grace, evading every strike. The rocks ricocheted off his blade, some spinning away, others splintering into dust, but none hitting their mark.
Keilee’s muscles coiled as she dashed forward, her nunchucks gripped tightly in her hands. Ivy’s whip cracked again, its dark, twisting length slicing through the air toward her, but Keilee was ready. With a swift leap, she soared to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike. A second lash followed, but Keilee was already in motion, her nimble body twisting in midair, sidestepping the attack with a fluid grace that left Ivy’s whip striking nothing but empty space.
Closing the distance, Keilee’s eyes sparkled with determination. She was almost there, just a few feet away from Ivy, and she could feel victory within her grasp. Her heart raced as she prepared to strike, but just as she closed the gap, Ivy’s leg shot out in a swift, powerful kick.
The impact sent Keilee sprawling to the ground, her body rolling across the cold, cracked floor. She grimaced, but within moments, her training kicked in. With a quick push, she planted her feet and sprang to her feet, her eyes locked on Ivy.
Jazz was fully focused, sword in hand, eyes darting around as he tried to anticipate the invisible assailant’s next move. He could feel the subtle shifts in the air—the faintest disturbance—just before the rocks came hurtling toward him. But no matter how fast he reacted, the rocks came violently, relentlessly, each one crashing with deadly force.
His sword moved with precision, slicing through the air to deflect some of the rocks. A crack sounded as one rock struck the edge of his blade, sending it tumbling harmlessly to the ground. But even as he blocked some, others hit their mark—one grazed his arm, another slammed into his shoulder, and the impact sent a jolt of pain through him. It felt like a bullet slamming into his skin, knocking him off balance for a brief moment.
The assault was ceaseless, each rock coming faster than the last, forcing him to keep moving, keep dodging, and block as many as he could. But with every hit, the pain mounted, and the realization struck him: his invisible attacker was closing in.
Jazz could feel his Echo resonate within him, its energy pulsating like a heartbeat, as if it were communicating with him. The connection was immediate, instinctual, as though his very soul was in tune with the blade. Each time a rock came hurtling toward him, he blocked it with precision, the glowing sword of light effortlessly cutting through the barrage. But his eyes darted around frantically, searching for the source of the attack. The rocks came from a narrow path, just a stone’s throw away.
Suddenly, an unfamiliar surge of energy coursed through him, more powerful than before. His Echo pulsed, as if encouraging him to act. Jazz wasn’t sure what would happen, but his instincts screamed for him to trust it. With a deep breath, he gathered every ounce of focus and power. The sword vibrated in his grip, the blade glowing brighter as energy seemed to pour into it from deep within his core.
He swung his sword with a fluid, decisive motion, and in an instant, a brilliant beam of light shot from the blade, as if a flash of pure force had been unleashed. It tore through the air, cutting through the stone and dust, directly toward the narrow path where the rocks had been coming from. The beam struck with a deafening crack, and the very ground seemed to tremble in response.
From the collision, his invisible assailant—Kellan—was thrown violently from his hiding place. The force of the impact sent him spiraling through the air, crashing to the ground in a heap. He rolled across the debris-covered floor, dazed and disoriented. The once-hidden figure now lay exposed, unable to continue his assault, as Jazz stood ready, his sword still glowing with the aftermath of the attack.
Ivy’s focus seemed to falter for just a moment as she watched the flash of light tear through the air. The intensity of the attack distracted her, and before she could react, Keilee was already upon her. She didn’t waste a second. She kicked Ivy’s foot with precise force, knocking her off balance and sending her stumbling. In one fluid motion, Keilee gripped Ivy’s foot with her nunchucks, using the leverage to throw her into the air. Ivy was flung upwards, twisting helplessly as she soared toward the large opening on the second floor. The force sent her crashing violently through the space, her body colliding with the pile of rocks on the next floor below. The impact was deafening—rocks and debris exploded in every direction as Ivy’s form crumpled into the rubble, unmoving.
Keilee stood for a moment, her chest heaving, her eyes locked on the wreckage where Ivy lay. She wasn’t sure if Ivy would get up. The battle had taken a toll on both of them, and this last blow seemed to have shattered the Rogue Resonant’s will to fight.
She turned her gaze to Jazz, her expression softening for just a moment. It was a silent moment of understanding between them, as if the battle was over. They had done it.
Their brief pause was broken when they spotted Leeland in the distance, struggling to walk, but there was a faint smile on his face. He raised his hand in a weak wave, his movements slow but steady. The sight of him, though battered, gave Jazz and Keilee a sense of relief. He was still standing, and the fight was finally over.
“Are you still alive, Deep Tone?” Keilee remarked with a smirk.
Gabe’s voice came through, dry but laced with his usual sarcasm. “I am… Just hungry.”
Keilee’s smirk softened into a grin, and she shook her head. “Of course you are,” she muttered, her tone teasing but relieved.
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