The mirror-smooth fluorescent flying objects spun slowly, reflecting the images of the group on their glass-like surfaces. They circled the girl like fireflies dancing around a priestess. After making a gentle turn, they shot out at high speed, stopping in the air in front of the group.
"Bronya detects… multiple energy sources gathering. Danger!" Bronya's usually expressionless face showed a hint of gravity.
The scattered flying objects suddenly converged, linking together. They continuously absorbed the Honkai energy in the air, converting it into stored attack energy. The small objects, gathered together, emitted a fluorescent glow as bright as starlight.
"Not good, everyone get behind me!" Li Xuan realized their intent. Against such a powerful attack, scattering to evade would still make it easy to get hit. And he was probably the only one who could take it head-on.
Hearing Li Xuan's words, Kiana, Mei, and Bronya didn't hesitate and quickly gathered behind him.
"Swoosh! Boom!~" The flying objects collectively fired a massive blue energy beam, as thick as a water bucket. The beam struck the rooftop, and the reinforced concrete floor crumbled like rotten wood. Debris flew, and dust filled the air. The energy beam tore across the rooftop, moving steadily toward Li Xuan and the others. In a moment that felt like an eternity and an instant, the beam finally made contact with them.
Li Xuan's Divine Garb—the Xuanyuan Festive Garb—swayed slightly. The runes on the clothing seemed to come alive, glowing faintly with golden light. Li Xuan could almost hear the prayers and blessings of people from a thousand years ago, echoing across time. A solid-looking blue energy shield materialized in his hands as the Xuanyuan Festive Garb operated at full power.
The energy beam and the shield finally clashed. The point of contact on Li Xuan's oval shield rippled as it continuously neutralized and consumed the beam's energy.
The blue shield was being worn down by the energy beam. Its color began to fade, and the solid-looking shield started to become ethereal. Sweat beaded on Li Xuan's forehead. Fortunately for the group, the enemy's energy beam was also weakening and about to dissipate.
Li Xuan can't take it all by himself… Mei thought, looking at Li Xuan's pale profile. Mei drew the Yamamoto Night Shadow Katana from her waist. She raised her hand, aimed the tip of the blade at the flying objects, and threw it with all her might. The katana traced a perfect arc through the sky, flying straight toward the fluorescent objects.
"Crack~" The katana collided with the surface of a flying object, making a crisp sound like shattering glass. Shards flew like tiny stars. The surface of the hit object flickered with an unstable light. The girl immediately noticed this and hastily tried to command the other assembled objects to break apart and escape.
But it was too late. "Bang!~~" The damaged object, after a few final flickers of light, exploded violently. In an instant, the dark night sky was lit up by the fire, but the light vanished as quickly as it came. Several other unlucky objects were caught in the blast and exploded in succession.
The number of fluorescent flying objects was instantly reduced by a third, and the others were temporarily disabled. As for the energy beam, it dissipated after the objects broke apart.
"Hah, hah~" Li Xuan gasped for breath, his body collapsing to the ground. His face was pale, and he was drenched in sweat. In the end, his shield's energy couldn't recover, causing the 'Xuanyuan Festive Garb' to draw on his life force—his stamina—to power the shield and resist the attack.
"Mei-senpai, you're amazing…" Kiana's eyes shone with admiration as she showered Mei with praise.
"Well, it was thanks to Li Xuan's shield that I was able to do that…" Mei said humbly, a gentle smile on her face. She reached out with her fair hands and helped Li Xuan up from the ground.
"Hmph~ It's only natural for a boy to protect a girl…" Kiana said, pouting, a little jealous that Mei was helping Li Xuan up. "Right?! Li Xuan?" Kiana half-threatened, her eyes wide.
"…Yes, yes, Miss Kiana," Li Xuan replied with a helpless, bitter smile.
"Good boy…" Hearing Li Xuan's submission, Kiana's mood improved again. She stood with her hands on her hips, a smug smile on her face.
"…" The girl watched the group, who, after nullifying her attack, had started to chat and laugh nonchalantly. A flash of envy and hope appeared in her eyes, but it was quickly buried by the sorrow within them. I'm just a person born as a weapon… maybe not even a person. But… I'm so envious of those who are cared for and protected by others. It must be so warm, right? Like the summer moonlight? the girl thought.
The girl looked up at the night sky, which had turned dark as clouds obscured the moon. She remembered the momentary brightness from the explosion of her 'fireflies' and murmured to herself, "Is my light really that insignificant…"
"But I won't give up…" The girl's slender, fair right hand gripped a long spear. The blade at its tip reflected the moonlight, its edge gleaming like snow. She staggered to her feet. Her life was already nearing its end. Her legs were growing weak, and her nerves were starting to die.
There's no helping it. A summer firefly's life is but a moment. It fades with the summer…
"Mei-senpai! Watch out!…" A flash of white light crossed Kiana's vision. She immediately pushed Mei aside and used the momentum to quickly retreat. A beam of what looked like moonlight shot past between them.
The white light grazed Mei's arm, leaving a shallow cut from which blood welled up. The light even severed a lock of Mei's flying black hair.
"Mei-senpai!" Kiana's eyes were filled with terror as she saw the blood on Mei's arm as she fell. The white light struck the ground and stopped. It was a long spear, its cold blade plunged into the concrete as easily as a hot knife through butter. The green shaft quivered from the force of the throw.
The girl knelt on the cold ground, panting softly, her hands trembling as they supported her body. She had used all her strength in that attack and now had none left. The Honkai energy within her was beginning to go out of control.
The summer firefly's life has reached its end… To die in battle, this is my destiny, the girl thought. It's September. Autumn is coming.