Akira and Kana landed in the gymnasium, facing a towering praying mantis-like creature. It let out a low growl, raising its scythe-like forelegs. In the darkness, its silhouette loomed grotesquely, the glinting edges of its blades gouging the gym floor.
Akira stepped in front of Kana, his right arm's blade at the ready. "Hostile confirmed. Engaging combat mode. Kana, fall back."
As Kana darted to the edge of the court, Akira charged.
The mantis's scythe sliced through the air, aiming for his head. He ducked low, evading it with precision.
A flash of his blade.
It carved through the creature's leg, spraying green ichor across the floor.
Enraged, the mantis swung its other scythe, aiming to crush him. Akira leaped clear, driving his blade into its torso.
A dying screech echoed as the creature collapsed.
"Threat neutralized. Temporary safety secured," Akira said, retracting his blade and approaching Kana.
She crouched at the court's edge, catching her breath.
"You okay?" she asked, looking up at him.
"My systems are operational. Your condition?"
"I'm… exhausted," Kana said faintly, hugging her knees. "I don't even know how long we've been running."
Akira studied her for a moment, then scanned the gymnasium. "No hostiles detected. I deem this a rest opportunity. Ten minutes, remain here."
Kana nodded slightly, and Akira took position beside her.
The gym fell silent, save for the distant creaking of the school's framework.
Kana pulled a small water bottle from her uniform pocket, her hands trembling as she unscrewed the cap. After a sip, she held it out to Akira. "Want some?"
"I don't require hydration. It's a human resource. Keep it for yourself."
She gave a small laugh, clutching the bottle as she closed her eyes. "Right… you're a robot. But you've been protecting me this whole time. Thank you."
Akira's face remained impassive. "It's my mission. Emotional data processing is unnecessary, but your survival is my priority."
Kana kept her eyes shut, steadying her breathing.
The ten-minute break was a fleeting sanctuary in the endless night.
Akira stood watch, his gaze sweeping the gym's exits and windows.
Just before the rest ended, his sensors caught a faint tremor.
"Rest period concluded. Hostiles detected approaching from outside," he said, rousing Kana.
She stood, tucking the water bottle away. "Here we go again… Alright, I'm ready."
They headed for the gym's back exit, but a sound stopped them—a scraping, like claws raking wood.
Akira opened the door.
A massive centipede-like creature awaited, its segmented body bristling with sharp spines. Red eyes glowed in the dark, fixing on them.
"Combat preparations complete. Kana, stay behind me," Akira said, his blade snapping out.
The centipede lunged, whipping its spines toward him. Akira dodged and slashed, carving into its body.
But the creature didn't falter. Its segments split apart, each wriggling independently, surrounding them.
"Multiplying variant confirmed. Neutralizing now," Akira said, his blade a whirlwind as he hacked through the fragments.
Kana grabbed a basketball from a nearby storage rack and hurled it at one segment. It was a small gesture, but it distracted the creature long enough for Akira to finish it.
"Your assistance is noted. We move now. Next, the staff room for supplies," he said, urging her forward.
They fled the gym, plunging deeper into the school.
The centipede's remains lay scattered behind them as the night's darkness grew heavier.