Sensing the chilling, murderous aura hidden within the flashing blade light, Kaguya couldn't help but frown. Even she had been forced to evade that violent strike just now.
Boom! Golden and violet blade lights intertwined, weaving a massive fork-shaped net across the sky.
The energy fluctuations stirred up a raging hurricane. The surrounding air was violently torn apart, while the thick fog churned wildly under the pressure of the blades. The dense mist that once shrouded the area was instantly ripped to pieces, vanishing without a trace.
Just as the blade light was about to strike her, a simple yet ancient mirror materialized before her. A flash of white light flickered, and the attacks unleashed by Inuyasha and Sesshomaru barely slowed upon contact before being reflected straight back.
The moment they saw their own power rebounding toward them, both their expressions hardened. Without hesitation, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru moved in unison, swinging their weapons once more to counter. Four streaks of blade light collided violently in midair, erupting into a thunderous roar.
"Interesting…" Watching the two take a step back after being struck by their own reflected power, Kaguya's otherwise expressionless face showed a faint trace of surprise. Their strength had finally forced her to take them slightly more seriously.
"The Shikon Jewel… embedded into a weapon." Floating high above, her gaze locked onto the blade in Sesshomaru's hand, and a fleeting glint of greed flickered through her eyes.
After searching for so long, she had finally found it. Even from a distance, she could clearly feel the overwhelming, surging power emanating from the jewel.
Stepping forward, she looked down upon Sesshomaru and Inuyasha with icy indifference. Her voice was cold, devoid of emotion. "Hand over the Shikon Jewel… or die."
"And it seems Sebastian isn't here," she added faintly. "What a pity… I won't be able to eliminate him together."
"Who are you?" Inuyasha's grip tightened.
The combined force of his and Sesshomaru's earlier attacks had been effortlessly neutralized. It was enough to tell him this enemy was far from easy.
Without waiting for an answer, Inuyasha stepped forward again. With a heavy stomp, demonic energy surged from his body like a roaring tide. The Tessaiga in his hand transformed instantly, shifting from its normal state into its dragon-scale form.
Staring directly at her, his voice turned solemn. "What are you doing here in a G.D.I. controlled area?"
"Who I am… is none of your concern." Her lips curved slightly, her gaze filled with amusement as she looked at them both. "Hand over the Shikon Jewel… or die."
"Then stop talking!" Inuyasha didn't hesitate. "Flowing water accelerates, attributes enhanced! Burst!"
With a furious roar, he unleashed his strongest strike. His instincts screamed at him that the woman before him was extremely dangerous.
As one of the Guardians appointed by Sebastian, Inuyasha had only one goal at this moment. End this quickly. Eliminate the threat before it can grow.
In response, the ancient mirror in Kaguya's hand radiated power. Dozens of violet beams shot forth instantly, twisting and writhing like living vines as they surged toward Inuyasha and Sesshomaru.
In mere moments, the space around them was completely sealed, forming a dense cage of light above their heads.
Damn, too many! Even as Inuyasha tore open a gap with his attack, it was immediately sealed again by new beams. Several streaks of cold light pierced forward, completely blocking every possible escape route.
After the earlier clash with Sesshomaru and two consecutive attacks on her, Inuyasha's breathing had already grown heavy. Surrounded, his heart tightened.
"Move!" Sesshomaru acted without hesitation.
With a single decisive slash, a crescent of violet blade light burst outward, cutting through the encroaching vines with ruthless precision. The suffocating cage was instantly torn apart, and the two broke free.
"…It's dawn." Far away, seated atop a small rocky hill, Sebastian watched the rising sun. A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips, while beside him sat Kikyo and Tsubaki.
At that moment, a warning signal from the base reached him. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had already engaged an enemy.
Sebastian's expression remained calm, yet deep within, the outcome was already decided. Anyone who dared attack G.D.I… would meet only one thing. The full might of the G.D.I. military.
"Why aren't you sleeping anymore?" Noticing movement beside him, Sebastian turned his gaze.
Kikyō had quietly sat up, leaning gently against him. She smiled softly. "I just… wanted to watch the sunrise with you a little longer, Brother Sebastian."
"…Is that so?" Sebastian nodded slightly, his tone calm.
"You should've called me when you woke up!" A voice suddenly interrupted.
Tsubaki puffed her cheeks, opening her eyes in mock annoyance, though her drowsy expression betrayed her act. Clinging to Sebastian's arm, she stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Sensei, are you thinking about something?" Despite how subtle it had been, she had sensed it, that fleeting trace of killing intent.
Kikyō had felt it too.
Meeting their gazes, Sebastian understood. Nothing could truly escape their perception anymore. Since they were awake, it was time. The one who had disturbed him had already been sentenced. Though Esdeath and the others were capable of handling it, this time, Sebastian intended to move personally.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield.
"…How troublesome." After several unsuccessful exchanges with Kaguya, Inuyasha and Sesshomaru were forced to slow their assault.
As their energy was draining far too quickly, their opponent had yet to reveal her true strength.