Etsuyo's stare burned with murderous intent as she locked eyes with Zei, his proposal searing through her mind like acid. The cavern erupted into a chaotic rumble of approval, mixed with hurled insults and threats. The enclosing stomps shook loose centuries of mineral deposits. Rock fragments rained from overhead and the limestone cracked under the relentless pounding. Each footfall sent shockwaves throughout the underground layer, peaking the anticipation to its breaking point.

  Whipping his head between Etsuyo and the entrance, Yasushi's heart thrummed against his ribs like a trapped bird, watching the massive silhouette slowly materialize on the cavern walls.

  She crouched, accepting his challenge and claimed the weapon. The blade glimmered, reflecting off the torchlight as she hoisted it, sinking into an offensive stance despite her ravaged condition. Her frame convulsed from the endured brutality, sucking in a lungful of fetid air to calm her mind and harden her fighting spirit.

  Focusing her eyes, she pulled from the depths of her core, searching for any remnants of her mana. Sweat beaded across her torn flesh, its droplets sluggishly responded, lifting from her skin. They hovered around her, wobbling with unnatural weight. Her will fought against invisible chains scrambling the connection to her ability.

  The water droplets shuddered violently above her wounds, caught between her desperate commands and the corruption eating away at her. Veins bulged in her forehead from the strain as the moisture gathered and initiated a protective shell around her arms. Then, without warning, the droplets burst in all directions, splashing back against her injuries in cold derision. Agony ripped through her limbs like molten iron. Her balance failed as she staggered sideways. Carved sigils across her back flared with blue fire, searing deeper into her skin.

  Shit! These bastards sealed my ability! I can't use it! Fucking cowards! I need to-

  A vile roar broke through her thoughts, its thunderous steps arriving at the entrance as her eyes widened at the nightmare emerging. The troll's monstrous form barely fit through the opening, its mammoth shoulders scraping rock while chains rattled around its limbs like a rabid beast. Foam and thick saliva streamed from its jaws. Deep wounds crisscrossed every inch of its mutilated gaunt flesh, and its wild eyes fixated onto her with ravenous hunger.

  Etsuyo's fingers wrapped around the sword's grip. Her body hastily shifted into a defensive position awaiting the attack. With another ear-splitting roar, the troll charged towards her, sweeping its left fist upward in a bone-crushing arc. She rolled sideways, blade flashing as she carved a line across the creature's knuckles. Blood sprayed across the stone, inciting Zei's men howled applause.

  The battle became a blur of motion. The troll's massive arms burgeoned where she stood moments before. She ducked, weaved, and struck back at every opening, each counterattack leaving smaller wounds on the beast's hide. Sweat smeared the blood on her face, her lungs burning from exertion.

  The troll remained relentless, showing no signs of slowing as the strain on her body grew noticeable.

  I can't take much more of this! I gotta end it now!

  The troll's frustration boiled over, its bloodied fist clobbered into the cavern floor with explosive force. Rocks shattered like glass, creating a jagged crater that yawned open beneath Etsuyo's feet.

  She launched herself upward, clearing the deadly pit by inches. Mid-leap, her exhausted muscles buckled, preventing her from gaining an altitude to escape the shockwave rippling outward from the impact. She crossed her arms as the invisible wall of force slammed into her body, its blast hurling her backwards through the air. She plummeted to the ground, legs shaking, battling to regain footing.

  Sensing its opportunity, the troll swung its right arm toward her, connecting with devastating power. The blow hurled Etsuyo across the cavern like a rag doll. Her body collided with the far wall, forming web cracks racing through solid limestone as she crumpled to the ground.

  "ETSUYO!" Yasushi cried out, barreling his voice through the escalating cheers. He clenched his fists helplessly at his sides, willing every ounce of his strength to flow into her motionless form.

  The entire cavern rumbled with frenzied acclamations. All eyes devoted to her motionless figure slumped over against the fractured wall.

  Dust settled around her as she weakly stirred. Blood streamed from the splintered gash across her forehead, painting red tracks down her face. Shattered ribs grinded against her internal organs with every breath, her fingers still clutching the sword's handle.

  Damn! Damn! Damnit! I thought I could last longer! It took almost everything out of me to defend against that. Another hit like that and I'm dead for sure.

  Her arms violently shivered, pulling herself upright as a fierce grin slipped from her bloodied lips, her eyes never leaving the troll lumbering towards her.

  "You're weak for a fucking troll," she spat, her voice obstinately raspy. "Nonetheless… A troll is just a troll and your master had to weaken me, because if I was even in a tad bit better condition... your head would've easily been mine!"

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  Her gaze abruptly shifted to Kaname and Yasushi across the cavern, managing to display a reassuring smile. Using her blade as support, Etsuyo dragged air into her damaged lungs, gathering the last vestiges of her strength.

  The troll quickened its pace plowing forward, releasing a deranged bellow. Etsuyo steadied her feet, jaw set with granite determination.

  This is it… My last stand. Kaname... Young master... Watch me!

  The creature bore down on her, raising his arms overhead. Its fists proceeded downward to crush her into the cavern floor. At the last possible moment, Etsuyo mobilized, diving sideways as the blow fell. Leaping onto the troll's extended arm, her feet found purchase on the scarred flesh, using the troll's own momentum against it.

  Both hands locked around her sword's grip as she vaulted through the air. The blade sliced a silver arc and found its target with unerring precision. A horrible, choking cry poured out from the core of the troll's throat as the steel pierced its beating heart.

  Its monstrous frame swayed like a felled tree before pummeling to the floor. Etsuyo's legs gave out, dropping to her knees beside the fallen beast, her back turned toward its inert bulk.

  The cavern plunged into absolute silence, standing frozen in comprehension of the results.

  The melody of Etsuyo's labored breathing settled over the chamber like a burial shroud. Yasushi's voice shattered the stillness, rippling with joy as he paraded her victory.

  "You did it, Etsuyo! You won! YOU WON!!!"

  He spun around to face Zei, embracing his newfound courage. "A deal is a deal, you bastard! Let us go!"

  Zei's face curdled into visible annoyance.

  "How naive…” he theatrically exhaled. “I was expecting a little more fight outta her too."

  Confusion stole Yasushi's expression, glancing over to Kaname. Her saddened demeanor chilling him to his core.

  "Kana, what's wrong? I don't get it..." his voice trembled, dread cramping his stomach. "She won. We can go home now.”

  Kaname's arm heavily rose, pointing her finger in Lei's direction behind Yasushi. The dread pooling in his stomach, nauseously triggered shallow breaths as he turned back.

  The world tilted sideways beneath his feet watching the troll tower over Etsuyo. It wrapped its hand around the sword's hilt, metal scraped against bone wrenching the blade free from its chest. The blood sprayed from the slit, tossing the weapon aside like discarded trash

  "ETSUYO! ETSUYO! GET UP! BEHIND YOU... IT'S BEHIND YOU!" Yasushi squalled, stumbling forward with tears blurring his vision.

  Hearing his dolorous pleas, she slightly lifted her head, embracing the bitter smile sealing her fate.

  Ahh… so this is how it ends for me…

  The troll lumbered closer, preparing to deliver its final blow. Mustering the scraps of will, Etsuyo proudly held her head high toward Kaname.

  "This is my final request to you! Take care of the Young Master and avenge me! See him through this nightmare and make these lowlifes pay for what they've done!"

  She swerved her attention to Yasushi, her harsh lines softening to genuine affection overcoming the agony.

  "Young Master!.. It was a pleasure serving you! Be kind to Kaname and protect her!”

  Then, in one foul swoop, the troll's hand warped around her arm, fading out her words. Effortlessly hoisting her into the air, its mouth watered dangling her before it. Pulling back its arm like a catapult, it whipped her forward, slinging her body through the air then plowing into the ground, tearing her arm off.

  Blood spattered across the crowd, eliciting exhilarating bliss from Zei's subordinates.

  Yasushi's stomach lurched, covering his mouth to cease the vomit seeping upward.

  "Look away, Young Master," Etsuyo weakly managed, blood trickling from the corners of her mouth.

  "You... shouldn't see...thi-"

  Unable to finish her thought, the sound of the troll's fists thrashing into her body struck the cavern like thunder, its force burying her deeper into the ground.

  Time seemed to slow as hope crumbled around Yasushi bearing witness to her final moments. His view melted through streaming tears, his throat raw from unconscious screams.

  Zei moved Kaname from his lap and set her aside standing up from his throne. He approached Yasushi, watching him foundered on his hands and knees, wracked with sobs.

  He reached down, grabbing his shirt collar and hauling him back onto his feet.

  "Ready for your gift?" he whispered, edging him closer to his face.

  Yasushi's tear-stained face shot upward in bewilderment, facing Zei's widened lips delighting in his grief.

  "Lei! It's over!" Zei ordered, replacing the barbarous cheering with whispers of disappointed murmurs.

  "Aww... Just a little longer, sir,” Lei humorously protested, his eyes relishing the carnage.

  Zei's stare turned deadly, boring into him like a knife slicing his throat.

  "Uh... Yes, of course, sir. Understood."

  A sharp whistle chimed from Lei's lips, instantly halting the troll's rampage. It straightened from its hunched position over Etsuyo, lengthening shadows throughout the blood-soaked rocks.

  "Alright ya stupid shit, go back. Your job here is done." Lei waved off, slapping the troll on its back.

  Devoid of any will of its own, the troll instinctively obeyed. Snatching up Etsuyo’s severed arm as it retreated, it gnawed on the mangled flesh while muzzling into the gore.

  She lay on the ground, quivering in the growing pool of her own blood.

  Trapped in Zei's grip, an acidic numbness coursed through Yasushi's veins observing his free hand disappear behind him, then emerging with a curved blade.

  The insouciance of his words lingering in the air.

  “Kill her”