She stomped hard with her left foot on a rock embedded in the floor of large cobblestones. She observed them with a predatory glare, like a beast about to finish off its prey. She snarled, baring her sharp fangs.

"With me, sweet talk won't get you anywhere!"

A swift breeze separated the brute's head from his shoulders, which rolled across the ground as a grim reminder of what was coming for his companion.

She leaned close to his ear, breathing deeply through her mouth.

"Is there anything else you'd like to say?" — her voice resonated, layered with that of her spirit.

"Bitch! Die, you—"

In the middle of his sentence, he was cut off by an enormous gush of blood, spurting out like a macabre fountain.

"Not going to finish? What a pity... I guess my hand slipped." — she laughed softly into his ear.

"I have more important people to deal with than a lab pawn, you know?"

She wrenched her sword from his chest. Then, a heavy sound echoed—the march of many boots heading her way. She glanced around the massive stone chamber; the place was damp and soaked through. Scattered about were various machines and the same type of tanks she had been held in. She grinned excitedly and thought: Great, just great...! There's going to be a beautiful carnage here.

The enormous wooden doors groaned loudly as they were forcefully thrown open. Elite soldiers marched in, fully armed. Above them, a terminal held a group of scientists observing her, ready to intervene from above behind bulletproof glass.

She took two confident steps forward, making it look as if she were about to surrender. But with swift, fluid motions, she drew her sword, shaking it to opposite sides.

"Angetsu, ryū... Ōgi..."

She closed her eyes, raised the blade to eye level, completed the incantation, and snapped her eyes open.

"Kuro no Kami... Gurai Genko!"

An immense field of darkness engulfed the entire area, leaving everyone blind and desperate. They couldn't even see the comrade beside them.

"Scientists! Can you see her?!" — one of them shouted.

The answer came in the form of several gunshots, followed by the thuds of their bodies dropping like wet sacks of potatoes.

With faltering steps, one of the soldiers dragged his feet backward, his face twisted in fear, drenched in cold sweat. A breathy whisper sounded in his ear.

"Kagenui..."

He felt wet in an instant. His legs lost their balance, and he collapsed to the ground. His friends, horrified, tried to flee, thinking it was a good idea.

Agonizing screams echoed, and everyone ran. Some bashed their heads against the walls, others against objects directly in front of them. Then, the ground shook violently, followed by heavy stomping feet. A loud roar erupted from the girl.

"Getsumen Kuzushi!"

The floor shattered, cracking and hurling many of them into the air. The terrain became uneven, leaving fragments with sharp points everywhere. Everyone died either pierced or impaled.

In the center of the hall, she panted, exhausted, as the darkness field dissipated. She burst into a long, mocking laugh, degrading them all.

"You're all so pathetic! You could have at least given me a good walk."

She turned to look for an exit. But as she took her first steps, a chilling sound shot past her like lightning. With precise movement, it cleaved the air itself in two.

Her amused expression vanished, replaced by a serious, hardened version of herself. The door creaked behind her. The dimly lit environment made her shiver.

"Who's there?! You've got some strength, huh!" — she asked, skeptical.

From the great ornamented stone portal, a calm, serene metallic footstep echoed.

"Surrender! Test Subject 137. I can grant you mercy if you kneel before me." — he demanded, staring her down with a nervous edge.

He's strong... he knows this body can't beat him. There's something giving him that power, something close to my level... — Ryukuro thought, nervous and cautious.

"What is your name, sir?"

"Silence! I gave you an order... obey, unless you want to suffer!"

"I'd rather face you with honor and die than submit to an enemy!"

He stared at her nervously but held himself back, then fell into a fit of laughter.

"You are the first person who has the audacity to think that way." — he said sarcastically.

She turned and looked at him—a tall man with silver hair, who stared back with unwavering posture. She sheathed her sword, leaned slightly forward, keeping her hand close, and unleashed a slash.

"Kage-giri!"

A cut made of shadow silently crossed the room. He extended his hand, caught it, and dispersed it.

"Pathetic. You should have followed my advice..."

"Raycaliburn!" — He raised his hands above his head, chanting his prayer.

"Spada dei raggi eterni, appari davanti a me!"

The crash of thunder echoed through the hall. An electric sword formed in his hand. He kept one hand raised with the sword, channeling energy through his arm to imbue it.

"Campo di tempesta!"

An electrified field advanced. Karin quickly countered with a vertical strike.

"Ryūsoku - Kyōfū!" — A fierce gale dissipated the attack and the humidity, propelling her forward.

As she charged, she brought her sword to her waist. The blade expelled long threads of violet lightning. Crossing the room rapidly, she conjured.

"Sakugetsu, ryū, ōgi, tenryūzan!"

In a swift slash, she struck with all her might. The blade gleamed with dense purple energy. As her foot landed, the ground gave way around her from the sheer pressure.

"Anshō!" — she shouted, finishing the move.

The quick draw collided with his sword. Smirking, he shoved her back, sending her flying. She ricocheted off the hard surface and crashed against the wall. The collision shook everything, cracking some of the dungeon's bricks.

The tattoo on her arm slowly faded, and her eyes returned to their usual blue. With her vision heavy and her body still weakened, she tried to stand.

The Lord in the gray cloak stood completely unharmed. She, on the other hand, could only manage to stay on her knees. Her clothes were ragged, and her body was covered in wounds. Finally, she lost her grip on her sword—and her spirit's possession.

She looked at him, trembling and confused, almost on the verge of tears from the effort.

"What? What's happening? Why am I still here? Damn it... I guess this is my end..."

"Raycaliburn! Lampo dell'Avescuro." — In a swift spin, he sliced the air ahead, forming a giant electric eagle that illuminated the entire space with fluorescent blue light.

A small, swift figure crossed through the attack at the perfect moment, dispelling it. Upon landing, the figure raised a girl: a long, dark velvet cape fluttered. She adjusted her glasses and stared ahead.

"Raytto Caster, First Commander of the UMBRAS Trinity! Leave this girl alone!"

"Princess of Franpari... How did you know about this test subject?!" — he exclaimed irritably.

"Simple! Her mother told me everything. Nothing too complicated."

The princess assumed a combat stance, one palm open, provoking him.

"Come on, then! Dark Knight."