Kirito sprinted across the rooftops, his nimble steps keeping pace with the elusive Zeta. She darted ahead, her lithe form effortlessly leaping from one rooftop to another. The moonlit night provided the perfect backdrop for their chase, casting long shadows as they weaved through the labyrinth of rooftops, their footsteps barely making a sound. Zeta's tail swayed gracefully as she led Kirito on a thrilling pursuit, her feline instincts guiding her every move.
"Hey, stop!" Kirito shouted, desperation in his voice. Zeta shot him a quick glance over her shoulder, a mischievous smirk playing on her lips as she replied, "You'll never catch me." She continued to gracefully bound across the rooftops, leaving Kirito trailing behind, determined to catch her.
Kirito couldn't help but grin in response to Zeta's challenge. While he was the type who wouldn't easily give up, he relished the thrill of the chase and the excitement in the air. With a determined look in his eyes, he muttered to himself, "Challenge accepted," and continued to sprint after Zeta, fully embracing the exhilarating pursuit through the moonlit rooftops.
As Kirito continued to chase Zeta across the moonlit rooftops, her initial playfulness began to evolve into a grudging admiration for his unwavering determination. Her agile movements were met with his relentless pursuit, and she couldn't help but be impressed by his persistence.
As they reached the edge of a building, Zeta made a quick decision. With a sly grin, she leapt gracefully into the abyss, disappearing into the dark alleyways below.
Kirito watched Zeta vanish into the darkness of the alley below and remarked, "It seems that darkness is your greatest ally." With a confident smirk, he continued, "But I'm here to bring a bit of light to that darkness." Channelling his power, he cast a spell that sent a brilliant flash of light illuminating the entire alley as he gracefully jumped down, determined to catch her.
Kirito felt a sudden, intense gaze upon him, and in an instant, he noticed Zeta's cat-like, gleaming eyes closing in for an attack. But just as she pounced, he executed a skilful move, disappearing in a blur of movement.
To her astonishment, Zeta found herself standing behind empty air with her daggers poised to strike. Kirito's clever manoeuvre had left her momentarily off balance.
As Zeta stood momentarily off balance, her eyes widened in surprise as she felt a sudden gust of wind from above. Kirito, his Elucidator gleaming in the moonlight, descended with incredible speed. With a powerful blow, he aimed his sword at the Zeta before him, ready to strike her down.
However, as his blade made contact, there was an unexpected squelching sound. To his shock, the Zeta he had just attacked seemed to melt away, revealing that it was not Zeta at all, but a cleverly crafted copy made out of Slime. Kirito's sword had sliced through the slime clone, causing it to disintegrate into a gooey mess.
Zeta, not far from the scene, watched as Kirito's attack dissolved the slime clone. She furrowed her brows, her sharp mind quickly analyzing the situation. "He really intended to kill me with an attack of that calibre," she murmured to herself.
But just as she was coming to terms with the danger, she heard Kirito's voice from right behind her. "You've got it all wrong," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice. "I went a bit strong on purpose because I knew that wasn't you. Can't be too careful in a chase like this, right?"
Zeta, taken by surprise and startled like a panicked cat, let out an adorable hissing as she leapt into the air, her large cat ears perking up and her long tail fluffing out in shock. Her eyes widened, and she stared at Kirito with a mixture of confusion and embarrassment, resembling a startled feline caught in the act.
Kirito couldn't help but chuckle at the comical sight. "Sorry about that," he said with a mischievous grin. "I guess I overdid it a bit, didn't I?"
Zeta, still in a state of surprise and panic, lunged at Kirito with her daggers once more. With a swift, agile movement, Kirito gracefully dodged her attacks. As her daggers whistled through the air, he said, "We don't need to fight. I'm not here to harm you."
He noticed the fear and panic in her eyes, understanding that her actions were driven by a desperate reaction. In a moment of empathy, Kirito made a quick move, disarming her and performing a front foot sweep that left her off balance.
Before she could hit the ground, Kirito caught her, his strong arms enveloping her in a gentle embrace. "Easy there," he whispered, his voice soothing. "I've got you." Zeta's initial panic began to subside as she found herself in Kirito's arms, her heart racing for a different reason now.
Zeta gazed into Kirito's eyes, her heart racing as she felt his steady heartbeat against her chest. In that silent moment, she couldn't help but let her guard down, showing a vulnerability she rarely revealed.
However, as their eyes met again, she suddenly became aware of how close they were, and her cheeks flushed with embarrassment. She swiftly stepped back, breaking the intimate moment, and muttered, "You're an idiot. You should've just taken me down or knocked me out."
Zeta quickly jumped away from Kirito, putting some distance between them. Her flushed cheeks gave way to a determined expression as she straightened her posture and said, "I won't surrender, no matter how kind or sincere your intentions may be. This isn't over yet."
Kirito couldn't help but chuckle to himself, finding Zeta's stubborn determination and fiery spirit strangely reminiscent of his own sister's behaviour when she was just a child.
"Alright," Kirito conceded with a nod, realizing that Zeta's determination left him no choice but to take things more seriously. He readied his stance and said, "I'll give you that. You're quite the challenge."
Zeta, now more wary and focused, observed Kirito closely, ready for his next move. She had proven herself as a formidable opponent. The moonlit rooftop chase continued, each of them now aware of the other's skills and determination, making the pursuit even more intense.
As the moonlight bathed the rooftop, Kirito suddenly disintegrated his sword, and with a sigh of exhaustion, he plopped down on the ground, crossing his legs. He looked drained and muttered, "Man, all this running and fighting really takes it out of you."
Zeta, not expecting this sudden turn of events, couldn't hide her surprise and confusion. She blinked at Kirito and then raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Oh, is that so?" she replied with a smirk. "Well, you know, sitting ducks are my favourite kind of target. Easy pickings, really."
With a dramatic sigh, Kirito exaggerated his exhaustion even further. "Well, in that case, I guess I'll just have to hope you're not as ruthless as you claim." He gave her a playful wink and a lopsided grin, fully aware that Zeta wouldn't actually take advantage of his "exhausted" state.
Zeta chuckled at his antics, her playful side emerging once more. "You're lucky I prefer a challenge, I hate boring things."
Kirito, with a sly grin, looked at Zeta and said, "How about we make a little bet? If I can catch you before sunrise, you owe me a good explanation of who you and your organisation truly are."
Zeta, her curiosity piqued by his proposal, raised an eyebrow and replied, "And what if I manage to elude you until sunrise?"
Kirito leaned in closer, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Well," he teased, "if you manage to elude me until sunrise, you can say goodbye to our little game of cat and mouse."
Zeta flashed a confident grin and nodded in agreement. "You've got yourself a deal," she said. With a playful wink, she suddenly vanished into the shadows, leaving Kirito alone on the moonlit rooftop, eager to resume their thrilling game of pursuit until sunrise.
With Yukime and Delta...
Yukime, her large fox ears perked up and tails swaying gracefully, faced off against Delta, a fierce girl. The moonlight illuminated the clearing where they had chosen to confront each other, casting an eerie glow on the battle.
Delta bared her sharp, wolf-like fangs and growled, her fur bristling with intensity. Her eyes locked onto Yukime, and she lunged forward, aiming to close the distance quickly.
Yukime, her expression calm and determined, deftly blocked Delta's relentless attacks with her pair of War fans. With precision and grace, she skillfully parried each strike, her fans creating a shimmering, defensive barrier that kept Delta at bay.
As they clashed in the moonlit clearing, Yukime's serene voice carried through the night. "You're lucky," she said, her eyes locked onto Delta's, "that Kirito-kun doesn't want any casualties tonight. We could have settled this differently."
Delta, her snarls echoing through the moonlit clearing, felt her anger building with every failed strike. "Argh! All you do is block and evade," she growled in frustration, her wolf-like eyes burning with irritation. "Is that the best you've got, you sly fox?" Her frustration only fueled her determination to finally land a blow on the elusive Yukime.
Yukime, her foxtails swaying gracefully, smirked at Delta's frustration. As Delta lunged at her with fury, Yukime chanted a spell under her breath. Suddenly, the ground beneath Delta's feet turned icy, and her legs became encased in a sheet of shimmering, magical ice.
Delta, now immobilized, growled in frustration, struggling to free herself from the spell's grip.
Yukime, her eyes locked onto Delta's, approached with a calm and measured stride. "You see," she said with serene confidence, "sometimes the best way to deal with a fierce opponent is not to match their aggression, but to outwit them and let their own fury become their downfall."
Yukime, her gaze unwavering, calmly responded to Delta's frustration, "I'm not underestimating you, Dumb Wolf. I'm simply approaching things in the most efficient way possible."
As she spoke, Delta's determination surged, and with a powerful burst of energy, she shattered the icy encasement around her legs. With newfound determination, Delta rushed toward Yukime, her claws extended and her teeth bared, determined to land a decisive blow.
As Delta lunged at Yukime, her claws slashing through the air, she suddenly collided with an illusionary image of Yukime. The image shattered into mist, leaving Delta disoriented and off balance.
From not far away, Yukime's voice echoed through the moonlit clearing. "You've already walked into my trap," she taunted. "The ice from your attacks has left you inhaling its magical essence, and now you'll be plagued by illusions."
Delta, recovering from her disorienting collision, shot Yukime an insult, "You're nothing but a tricky fox, using illusions to cover up your lack of real skill!"
Yukime, her laughter echoing through the clearing, couldn't help but find Delta's insult amusing. "Oh, dear," she chuckled, "it's because of individuals like you, pure of heart but a tad bit...dense, that our Beastkin race sometimes faces stereotypes and misunderstandings. But don't worry, this so-called fox is here to help educate you."
Delta, her rage reaching its peak, unleashed an immense surge of magic that manifested as a swirling, destructive whirlwind. The furious tempest tore through the moonlit clearing, obliterating trees, rocks, and anything in its path. It was a terrifying display of Delta's raw power.
Amidst the chaos, Delta's eyes blazed with an uncontrollable fury as she fixed her gaze on Yukime. With a voice seething with anger, she roared, "Delta will hunt you, you sly fox! There's nowhere you can hide from Delta's wrath!"
Just as Delta's destructive tempest raged on, a swift and shadowy figure suddenly appeared behind her, moving with incredible speed. In an instant, Delta was knocked off her feet and sent tumbling to the ground. As she struggled to regain her composure, she found herself enveloped in a gentle embrace.
Zeta, her cat-like grace and agility on full display, held Delta in her arms with surprising tenderness. She whispered soothing words to the enraged Delta, calming her as she would a wild animal. "Shh, Dumb Dog," Zeta said softly, her voice filled with a mix of amusement and care. "You should've just run away."
Yukime's fox-like ears perked up as she observed the scene unfolding before her, with Zeta holding Delta in a gentle embrace. Her keen senses detected something amiss in the moonlit clearing, and a feeling of unease began to creep over her.
Her large, elegant tails swayed with uncertainty as she whispered to herself, "Where is Kirito-kun? Did something happen to him?" The thought of him being in trouble sent a shiver down her spine, and she couldn't help but worry about his safety.
Kirito, with a casual stride, approached the scene where Zeta held Delta in a gentle embrace. He wore a confident smile and spoke with a sense of ease, "Well, it seems like our little problems have been sorted out, haven't they?"
Zeta, her cat-like ears twitching with irritation, let out an exasperated sigh. Her large, expressive tail flicked back and forth impatiently as she muttered, "Ugh, don't get too full of yourself, Kirito. You didn't win the bet."
She reluctantly released Delta from her embrace and shot Kirito a stubborn look. "I just got distracted, that's all," she grumbled, her tendencies shining through.
Kirito raised an eyebrow, amused by Zeta's feisty response. "Distracted, you say? By what?" he inquired, his playful grin never leaving his face.
Zeta's feline features revealed a hint of embarrassment as she confessed, "I, uh, caught a whiff of some delicious fish nearby, and, well, you know how I am with fish..."
Kirito burst into laughter, finding her admission both endearing and humorous. "You're something else, Zeta," he chuckled. "I guess we'll have to call it a draw this time."
Zeta's cheeks flushed with embarrassment as she saw Kirito laughing heartily. Her cat-like instincts kicked in, and she struggled to find the right words to stop him, all while her tail fluffed up with nervous energy.
In a playful and slightly embarrassed tone, she stammered, "H-Hey, stop that laughter! It's not funny at all. I... I was just having a momentary lapse of focus, that's all."
Kirito, his laughter subsiding, gave Zeta an understanding nod. "Alright, Zeta," he said, "I'll let it slide this time. But we've got bigger things to worry about. Both I and Shadow Garden encountered the Cult of Diablos, and I think it's time we start working together in one way or another to deal with this threat."
Zeta, her feline features filled with an enigmatic allure, responded to Kirito's proposal. "You know, Shadow Garden operate in the shadows," she said with a mysterious smile. "But we'll keep your offer in mind. If there ever comes a time when we need your aid, we'll find a way to reach out."
With a graceful nod, Zeta suddenly vanished into the moonlit night, leaving only a faint echo of her laughter behind.
Delta, her eyes narrowing as she gazed at Kirito, couldn't help but express her lingering frustration. "Delta wanted to play with you, but you have that sly fox's scent all over you," she growled, her wolf-like features expressing her irritation.
With that, Delta disappeared into the moonlit night.
As Kirito watched Zeta and Delta disappear into the moonlit night, he couldn't help but feel a mix of relief and curiosity about their enigmatic organization. He took a deep breath and began to turn away, ready to contemplate their encounter.
However, just as he was about to step away, he heard a familiar voice shout his name with concern. "Kirito-kun!"
He turned around quickly, and to his surprise, he saw Yukime rushing towards him with a look of genuine worry in her eyes. In an instant, she leapt into the air and wrapped her arms around him in a tight and reassuring hug. Her large, elegant tails swayed gently as she held him close.
Yukime held Kirito in her warm embrace, her fox-like eyes filled with relief. She whispered softly, "Kirito-kun, I'm so glad you're alright. Is everything okay? Did everything go well?"
Kirito, touched by her concern and comforted by her presence, smiled and replied, "Thanks, Yukime. Everything's fine now.
I think, in a way or another we got ourselves a new ally."
Author's Note:
First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to all of you for supporting and following this story. Your enthusiasm makes me so happy.
I want to clarify a few aspects of this chapter.
Kirito's familiarity with dealing with sneaky opponents stems from his experiences in gaming, particularly facing hackers and cheaters. This background informs his approach to challenges, especially against elusive adversaries like Zeta.
Yukime embodies cunning and trickery. Her strategy against Delta reflects not only her character but also a tactical choice. In a direct confrontation, she acknowledges that Delta's raw power could be overwhelming. Hence, her indirect approach and use of illusions showcase her adaptability and intelligence.
It's essential to note that characters may hold back or adhere to specific rules set within the narrative, such as Kirito advising Yukime not to go all out.