The forest air turned icy and sharp as Sora fixed her gaze on the young trio. Her lips curled into an unsettling, sinister smile. Let's see how far they've come. Of course, I won't go easy on them.
She took a slow, deliberate breath, and the atmosphere reacted—air rippling visibly as frost crystals formed mid-air, twinkling like dangerous stars. When she exhaled, the frost expanded outward in an eerie mist, coating the nearby trees in a glittering sheet of ice. The temperature plummeted, gnawing at their skin with a sharp, unforgiving chill.
Kibo stood firm in front of Lily and Syl, gripping his katana tight enough to make his knuckles turn white. "Lily! Syl! You two need to follow my movements!" he shouted, trying to mask the tremor in his voice.
Inside his mind, Ignis cackled with raw amusement. Brat, you think you can stand against her? There's no escape from here.
If there's no way to escape, I'll need your help, Kibo responded inwardly, forcing down his fear.
Oh? The little coward wants my assistance? Pathetic. Figure it out yourself. Or die. Either way, you're about to learn something, Ignis sneered.
Kibo gritted his teeth, fighting down the frustration. Sora hadn't moved an inch, just staring at them with that twisted, expectant look, daring them to make the first move.
With a surge of adrenaline, Kibo shot forward at lightning speed, his blade slicing through the frigid air. He appeared right before Sora, aiming for her neck with a deadly, precise strike.
But Sora's smirk deepened. "Oh, Kibo," she whispered mockingly. "I'm not Grand Uncle."
Her hand shimmered, and frost spiraled up her arm, forming intricate, glistening patterns before solidifying into a crystalline gauntlet. The transformation was as mesmerizing as it was terrifying—ice crawling over her skin with deliberate, lethal precision.
Before Kibo's blade could connect, Sora moved—blindingly fast. Her ice-encased fist collided with his gut like a sledgehammer, forcing the air from his lungs. Kibo's body flew backward, crashing into a frozen tree with a sickening crack.
"Kibo!" Lily screamed, her voice trembling with fear.
The ground beneath Kibo shifted ominously, dozens of razor-sharp ice shards erupting from the earth and converging on his crumpled form. The deadly barrage glinted with cold malice as they shot forward.
Lily's eyes widened, and she reacted instantly, spinning her dagger with practiced fluidity. Her blade intercepted the incoming shards, each strike accompanied by a harsh, ringing clang as ice shattered mid-air. Syl leapt forward, dual blades flashing as she cut through the remaining projectiles, her movements fierce and unyielding despite the biting cold.
As the onslaught ceased, Lily knelt by Kibo's side, worry etched into her face. "Kibo, are you okay?"
For a moment, he didn't move. Then, slowly, he stirred—and a low, unsettling chuckle slipped from his lips. His eyes gleamed with a wild, almost feral glint, and a twisted grin stretched across his face.
"Kibo?" Lily's voice wavered, unsure and uneasy.
Syl kept her gaze fixed on Sora, who casually lowered her ice-clad hand, the frost cracking and flaking away to reveal smooth skin beneath. Her face remained calm, but her eyes were sharp—calculating, unfeeling. Then, with terrifying speed, she vanished.
Syl's instincts screamed, and she barely managed to cross her blades as Sora materialized in front of her, an ice sword forming mid-swing. The impact rattled Syl's bones, the force sending her skidding backward into a frozen trunk, pain lancing through her arms.
"Syl!" Lily shouted, panic creeping into her voice.
Sora didn't pause. Her eyes locked onto Lily, and with a fluid flick of her wrist, she hurled the ice sword straight at Lily's chest.
Time seemed to slow as Lily's heart pounded in her ears. She couldn't move—couldn't even breathe.
Kibo's katana intercepted the ice blade mid-air, shattering it with a defiant clash. Shards scattered like deadly snowflakes, and his grin widened—a maniacal, unhinged expression fueled by pure adrenaline.
"Oh? You also have this side of you, Kibo," Sora mocked, her voice dripping with dark amusement.
Kibo met her gaze with a menacing grin, blood streaking down his face but eyes burning with defiance. "You've yet to see the best of me," he growled, his katana held firm as he shielded Lily from harm. Behind him, Lily slowly opened her eyes, her heart racing at the sight of Kibo standing over her, unwavering.
Kibo… she thought, her chest tightening.
In one swift motion, Kibo pushed Sora back with a ferocious swing of his katana, forcing her to skid across the icy ground. Frost cracked and shattered under her feet, deep grooves marking her path. Regaining her footing with a lazy grin, Sora tilted her head, intrigued.
Kibo helped Lily to her feet, his hand steady and commanding. "If you're gonna play rough, Aunt Sora, then let's turn it up," he snarled.
Deep in his mind, Ignis cackled with pure delight. Oh, brat, you're barking up the wrong tree. You're not winning this fight.
Shut up and help me, then! Kibo barked back internally.
Hah! Help you? Why? You're finally showing some spine. About damn time. Now shut up and fight.
Kibo focused back on Sora as she slowly raised her hands. Ice coalesced behind her, forming jagged swords that hovered menacingly in the air. Each blade was razor-sharp, shimmering in the pale light. As her arms dropped, more ice swords materialized in her grip.
Both of them grinned—a twisted, mirrored expression that promised carnage.
Oh, this is gonna be fun, Ignis snickered.
Then they moved—blurs of chaos crashing into each other with enough force to shatter the ground beneath them. Sora sent her ice swords hurtling at Kibo in rapid succession, the frozen blades spinning like lethal whirlwinds. Kibo's katana blazed with energy as he cut through each projectile, metal clashing against ice with a savage clang that echoed through the forest.
Sora didn't pause. Abandoning the remaining swords, she charged forward, her fists coated in brutal ice gauntlets. Each punch struck like a battering ram, slamming into Kibo's ribs and jaw with bone-rattling force. Blood splattered from his mouth, but his grin never faded. He twisted his body, slashing at her midsection, but Sora ducked effortlessly and retaliated with an uppercut to his stomach, sending him skidding backward.
Syl, groaning on the ground, struggled to push herself up. Lily rushed over, worry lacing her voice. "Syl! Are you hurt?"
Syl coughed, wiping blood from her mouth. "No… but Aunt Sora's hits feel like getting crushed by a glacier." Her eyes flickered toward the chaotic battle, heart pounding as the intensity skyrocketed.
Sora and Kibo moved like phantoms, too fast for the eye to track. Blades clashed with bursts of energy, while ice formed and shattered in an endless barrage. Kibo's movements grew more frenzied, his bloodlust flaring as he forced himself to keep up.
Lily clenched her dagger tightly. "We need to help him," she said, determination hardening her voice.
Syl shot her a wild look. "Are you crazy?! That's not a fight we can jump into! Kibo… he's on a whole other level right now."
"I know," Lily shot back, eyes burning. "But this training isn't just for him. It's for all of us!"
Syl hesitated, glancing back at the fight as Kibo deflected a brutal swing aimed for his throat. He parried the blow, then slammed his head against Sora's with a sickening crack, making her stumble. Yet her grin never faltered, and neither did his.
Ignis cackled again. You're a damn mess. Bleeding everywhere, ribs broken—honestly, it's hilarious.
Shut up and give me something useful, Kibo spat.
Fine. Here's a tip: She's only at five percent. You're still boring her, brat. Try not to die.
Kibo's manic grin widened, blood dripping from his lips. "You always know how to push my buttons," he muttered.
Sora's smile didn't waver. "Tired already, Kibo? Ready to give up?"
He spat blood on the ice, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. "Not a chance."
From above, Lily's voice cut through the air like a blade. "Kibo, jump!"
He hesitated, still focused on Sora, his mind caught between bloodlust and strategy.
"Better listen to your lover, brat," Ignis teased.
Without hesitation, Kibo obeyed, launching himself into the air. Sora caught the movement, turning just in time to see Syl strike from behind. Planting her hands on the icy ground, Syl's eyes burned with determination. The earth trembled, and massive roots shot up, coiling around Sora like serpents. They wrapped her tight, forming a living prison.
For a second, Syl dared to hope.
But the roots froze over, vibrant green swallowed by creeping frost. Cracks splintered through the bark as Sora's icy aura tore through them.
"Syl, come on!" Lily's voice snapped Syl back to reality.
Syl didn't hesitate, moving on pure instinct. She landed beside Lily, who grabbed her hand, ready to escape.
Kibo hesitated, his eyes fixed on Sora, still trapped in the roots as they slowly shattered.
"Kibo, we need to leave!" Lily shouted, her tone urgent. She grabbed his hand, her grip strong and steady despite the danger. Meeting his gaze, she didn't flinch or back down.
Kibo's gaze softened just a bit, and he gave a reluctant nod. The trio bounded from branch to branch, disappearing into the forest.
Behind them, the roots shattered completely, frozen fragments scattering through the air. Sora stepped out from the icy wreckage, calm and unbothered as she adjusted her glasses. A sly smile tugged at her lips.
"That took Syl long enough to show her abilities," she murmured, brushing off a speck of ice from her apron. "They're really starting to become something interesting."