Return of the Legendary Runesmith

[Ariana reporting. I am at the mark.]

Ruby smiled as she marched forward.

Their mission was simple—get inside the base and attach the artifact Adrian had given them.

That was why they split up, each entering from a different side. No Acolyte was allowed to escape alive.

Ruby had only come across a few lesser Acolytes so far, and she cut them down without losing any time.

Now, she was heading straight for the front entrance, her grip tight around the artifact.

But then—

Above.

She felt a sharp wave of killing intent and moved on instinct—

SCRATCH

Even so, her shoulder was grazed, blood spilling from the cut.

She clicked her tongue and leapt back.

Her eyes locked onto the figure of a long-haired man, a sword gleaming in his hand.

He looked to be in his thirties, slim in build, exotic features, with sharp grey eyes fixed firmly on Ruby.

"I cannot allow you to advance any further," he said calmly. "Though I respect your courage, I suggest you turn back."

Ruby snickered. "Why don't you make me?"

She lunged forward, her whip cracking through the air, aimed straight for the man's left eye.

But she had misjudged him.

His figure blurred, and her whip lashed through nothing but an afterimage.

Dhak

Something solid struck her back—not a piercing blow, but blunt—sending her crashing down from mid-air.

Ruby planted her palms against the ground and twisted around, ready to dodge the follow-up strike.

But the swordsman only stood there, his blade lowered.

Ruby narrowed her eyes. "Why didn't you stab me when you had the chance?"

The man's voice was calm, steady. "This sword—and this man—have sworn never to harm a woman."

Ruby let out a laugh. With a swift motion, she drew her legs in and sprang back to her feet.

Her whip slipped from her grasp, clattering to the ground. In its place, a pair of daggers gleamed in her hands.

Ruby tightened her grip on the daggers and charged.

Steel flashed as her blades lashed out in a flurry, each strike swift and precise, testing the man's defense.

The swordsman moved like water, his body tilting, feet gliding, his blade intercepting her attacks without ever striking back. Every time her daggers closed in, his sword was already there, deflecting with the barest motion.

Clang! Clash! The sound of steel rang out again and again, sparks scattering in the air.

Ruby ducked low, her daggers weaving together in a scissor strike toward his abdomen. He twisted, the edge of her blade scraping harmlessly against the flat of his sword.

"Tch—!" She pushed harder, her eyes wild with momentum. She leapt, spun, her dagger aiming for his throat—yet the man stepped aside at the last instant, letting her slash past him.

"Damn you!" Ruby snarled, her heels digging into the ground before she lunged again, relentless.

This time, she feinted low and then whipped her arm high. The dagger's tip kissed his cheek, leaving a thin line of red before he slid back, expression still calm.

Both froze for an instant—Ruby breathing hard, daggers raised, as she jumped back and the man standing tall with just a graze marking his face.

The swordsman slashed his blade downward, voice firm. "Last warning. Retreat, or I will make you."

Ruby's lips curled into a grin. "Are you sure about that?"

His eyes narrowed—then suddenly—

Ba-dum.

His heart lurched. The thin cut on his cheek darkened, veins crawling outward like black roots.

He reached for healing magic—but then something flashed before his eyes.

"Huh?"

In an instant, the battlefield was gone. He stood in an arena.

The roar of a crowd thundered around him. His hand gripped a bloodied sword.

Before him lay a fallen woman. Her protective mask had slipped away, revealing her face. Her neck was slit, blood pooling at his feet.

And the sword… the very blade in his hand… dripped with her blood.

He had killed her.

He had killed his—

"Aw, poor thing." Ruby's mocking voice slithered through the illusion. "Using your feminine features to slip into the contest as a lady… only to end up cutting your wife."

The Acolyte's teeth sank into his lip, crimson running down his chin. His hands shook, knuckles bone-white, as his long raven hair shadowed the fury in his eyes.

Ruby grinned, her voice dripping with venom.

"Just because you weren't strong enough to face men, you fought women as a woman… but for what? Only to kill the very woman you did it all for? Pathetic. I'm more disappointed that you didn't finish the job by unaliving yourself with that same blade."

The man sucked in a sharp breath, his grey eyes burning red as he glared at her.

"How… dare… you!" His voice quivered with suppressed rage.

Then it burst.

He lunged forward, the ground cracking beneath him, dust exploding in his wake. He launched toward her, toward the insolent bitch who dared disgrace his oath—

Who needed to die!

Ruby didn't flinch. She stood tall, that grin still etched across her lips.

His sword cut through the air, drawing closer, closer—until the face before him was no longer hers.

It was hers.

Kaira.

Her gentle blue eyes looked at him with kindness, soft and forgiving even in death.

"Kai…"

His hands trembled. His charge slowed. His resolve broke for just an instant—

And that was all Ruby needed.

SQUELCH.

The swordsman's body jerked as steel tore through his throat. He gagged, blood bubbling up as his sword slipped from his hands and clattered to the ground.

His eyes widened, not in rage, but in the cruel clarity of reality—Ruby's crimson eyes staring back, merciless and unblinking.

Ruby's grin stayed when she leaned in close. "There was an easier way," she whispered, flicking out the revolver Adrian had given her. "But I like to break my prey first—mind, spirit—then give them what they deserve."

The Acolyte spat a curse. "Rot… in… hell."

Ruby only snorted. With a single clean motion she sliced his head from his shoulders. The body slumped to the ground with a dull thud.

She wiped her dagger on his sleeve. A voice crackled from the artifact at her belt.

[Ruby? How long?]

Annabelle.

Ruby didn't waste a second. She sheathed the dagger and slipped into the base. Inside, she pulled the transmitter and spoke in a flat, steady voice. "Reporting—Ruby. I am on my mark."

Now it was down to Annabelle and Adrian to finish the setup. Once they were ready, they'd corner the cult leader and end this for good.

'Just… be safe out there.'

°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading.