Burst Forth

4E 201 | Early Sun's Dusk | Sixty Days Since Arrival

Tsukihana vanished.

The crimson afterimage remained where she had stood while three Dwarven spiders split apart. Spheres burst at their core seams. The four-armed Colossus turned too slowly.

Its crossbow arm fell from the shoulder.

Tsukihana reappeared with her sword extended.

Two black marks spread beneath her right eye. More coiled down her right arm like living ink.

She felt them.

She did not understand them.

Understanding no longer mattered.

The workshop simplified itself into targets.

Metal. Distance. Joints. Cores. Threat.

Katana called to her from far away.

Tsukihana crossed the floor in three steps and dismantled every smaller machine near her companion. The frost Colossus swung. She cut the hammer haft before it landed, then severed the machine's knee.

Mei watched with caution for the first time.

"That power is unstable," she said.

Katana moved to Tsukihana's side. "Can you hear me?"

Tsukihana turned. Her eyes recognized the shape but not the meaning.

"Targets," she whispered.

The remaining machines converged.

Mei tightened her chain. "Then point her at the correct ones."