Chapter 96: The blood clan (3).

Words : 1158 Updated : Sep 23rd, 2025

Plasma bolts shot out from all directions, streaking through the air like shooting stars. The assassins scrambled to dodge the incoming fire, their reflexes saving many of them as they darted and rolled to safety. The leader himself deflected several plasma bolts with his crimson sword, the energy sizzling as it clashed against his blade. "What the hell is this?!" The leader barked, his composure slipping as he scanned the forest. His crimson eyes flared as he tried to locate the source of the attack. From the shadows, golden plasma bolts continued to rain down on the assassins, the intensity forcing them to abandon their coordinated strikes and scatter for survival. Carlos, still kneeling, grinned weakly as he recognized the familiar glow of the plasma fire. "About damn time," he muttered, his voice filled with both relief and triumph. From the sky, the rhythmic hum of engines filled the air as several Aegis units descended, their glowing thrusters illuminating the dark forest below. They landed with precision, forming a tight defensive circle around Carlos. More Aegis units emerged from the forest, plasma rifles raised and scanning for targets. Their glowing golden visors cut through the darkness, tracking every movement in the dense forest where the assassins had vanished. Carlos, now surrounded by his mechanical reinforcements, grinned, his breath still labored but his defiance unbroken. "Now what?! Where'd all you bastards go?" he yelled into the trees, his voice dripping with mockery. "Weren't you all so powerful just a second ago? Come on, don't run off like scared mutts now!" But the forest remained eerily silent. The assassins didn't bite the bait, their presence hidden, but Carlos could feel their eyes still on him. "How's your situation, Carlos?" A familiar voice came through the communicator embedded in his helmet. It was Emilia, her tone professional but laced with concern. Carlos chuckled, glancing at the Aegis units standing like sentinels around him. "Hey, Emilia. Thanks for the backup. I'm fine, just a little scratched up, that's all. But enough about me. What about the rest of the Thunderblades? Any news on the other teams we sent out on missions?" Inside the mansion's control room, Emilia stood at the center of a circular array of monitors. Her sharp eyes scanned the incoming data as she spoke. "There's no sign of any other teams being attacked. From the looks of it, you were the primary target this time." She paused, her gaze shifting to the hologram of Cleo, who was watching the footage from Carlos' car camera with a calm, calculating expression. "Lady Cleo recommends you return to the underground city immediately. We need to figure out who's after your life before you're exposed any further." Carlos sighed, glancing back at his wrecked car. "Understood. I'll head back now. Cancel all other Thunderblades missions and give the teams a paid vacation until further notice. No sense in putting anyone else at risk." "Already done," Emilia replied. Her voice softened slightly, betraying a flicker of emotion. "Be sure to return with the Aegis escort. And Carlos... stay safe." Carlos smirked as he climbed back into his car, a faint warmth in his chest at Emilia's words. The vehicle groaned under his weight, its damaged systems sputtering, but after a few tense seconds, the engine roared back to life. " You got it, Emilia," he said, accelerating the engine before steering back onto the road. The remaining Aegis units fell into formation around him, their plasma rifles still scanning the forest as they escorted him toward the underground city. Meanwhile, in the shadows of the forest... The assassins watched from their hidden positions, their crimson armor blending seamlessly with the dark forest. One of them limped toward the leader, clutching the stump where his arm had been severed by the earlier plasma barrage. Without a word, he pressed the severed limb back to the jagged wound. A red mist began to swirl around the injury, and with an unnatural hiss, the arm reattached itself, the flesh knitting back together seamlessly. "Sir," the assassin rasped, flexing his fingers experimentally. Lyra yawned softly, stretching her arms and leaning into Rex's chest like a cat. "It's not that she has infinite energy," she said, her voice calm and measured. "She just doesn't want to be a burden anymore. I can tell she's pushing her body past its limits, but she doesn't care. She wants to be stronger." Rex raised an eyebrow, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Hmm. That actually makes sense. Well, in that case," he said, a playful grin spreading across his face, "I just thought of something that'll make her actually take a break." Standing up, Rex stretched his arms overhead, cracking his neck before walking toward Cleo and Nyra. He stopped just as Nyra was spinning into another kick. " Alright, girls, that's enough for now. It's time for Cleo and me to have a little sparring match with swords." Nyra immediately stopped mid-spin, her face scrunching up in protest. "What?! But I'm not finished with my—hey!" She yelled as Rex scooped her up and slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes. " Yes, yes, you've done great, little warrior," Rex said with a teasing grin as Nyra squirmed in his grip. " Now it's time for you to sit down, take a rest, and enjoy the show." He walked over to where Lyra was sitting and gently placed Nyra down beside her. "Stay here and cheer for your favorite parent," he added with a wink before turning back toward the training area. Nyra pouted, crossing her arms. "You're not even my parent!" "Not yet," Rex shot back with a smirk, grabbing a training claymore from the weapon stash. He spun it in his hand, testing its weight, before turning to Cleo with a mock bow. "So, my dear princess, are you ready to dance?" Cleo raised an eyebrow, her expression cool but with the faintest hint of a smirk tugging at her lips. " Give me a moment, my lord," she replied, walking to the stash to select her weapons. She chose two short training swords, their dull edges gleaming under the gym's bright lights. As she turned back to face him, Rex twirled his claymore again, loosening his shoulders. "Come, my lady. You may attack first. After all, I'm a gentleman; it's only proper that the lady leads the dance." He motioned with his finger, taunting her to make the first move. Cleo's golden eyes narrowed slightly. "You may regret offering me the first strike, my lord," she said, her tone calm but with a razor-sharp edge. Rex smirked, planting his feet and raising his claymore into a defensive stance. "Oh, I'm counting on it," he said, his voice laced with playful confidence.

Chapter 96: The blood clan (3).

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