The street was narrow and broken, stone cracked from years of neglect. Wooden signs hung loose above shuttered shops, swaying slightly in the sea breeze.
Vivi wiped sweat from her brow and took a slow breath.
Two street pirates lay unconscious near the wall, one groaning softly as he tried—and failed—to get up.
"That's the third group today," Kaya said, adjusting her grip on her cane. Her hands were steady now, even if her breathing wasn't.
Robin glanced down the street, arms slowly withdrawing back into her body. "They're getting bolder. Or desperate."
Vivi nodded. "Or both."
Rael leaned against a collapsed post a short distance away, arms crossed, eyes sharp. He hadn't moved during the fight. He hadn't needed to.
"Don't relax yet," he said calmly. "This town doesn't send its teeth first."
As if on cue—
Footsteps.
Heavy. Slow. Confident.
Three figures stepped into view from the far end of the street.
They weren't like the others.
These men stood straighter. Wore better gear. Their weapons were clean, well-maintained. They walked like they belonged there.
One of them—tall, broad-shouldered, with a crooked grin—let his eyes roam openly over the girls.
Too openly.
Vivi felt it first.
That crawling feeling.
Her jaw tightened.
Kaya stiffened, a chill running down her spine. "I don't like him."
Robin's expression hardened. "Nor should you."
The man whistled low. "Well, would you look at that."
His eyes lingered far longer than necessary.
"Pretty things causing trouble," he continued, smile widening. "That's my kind of story."
Vivi stepped forward. "Back off."
He laughed. "Oh, I like it when they talk back."
Kaya's grip tightened. "You're disgusting."
Robin didn't raise her voice. "You should turn around and leave. Now."
That only made him grin wider.
"Ohh," he said, clearly enjoying himself. "Spicy."
He leaned forward slightly, hands resting on his belt.
"When I get you," he added casually, "you'll be saying my name real sweet."
The air snapped.
Vivi felt heat rush to her face. "Low-life."
Kaya's voice shook with anger, not fear. "You make my skin crawl."
Robin's eyes went cold. "You're beneath notice."
The man's grin stretched even wider.
"Even better," he said. "I like 'em fiery."
One of the men beside him scowled. "Enough talking. Let's finish this."
The third said nothing, but his hand rested lightly on his weapon.
Rael straightened slightly.
"Good," he said quietly. "They've chosen."
The Fight Breaks
The perverted man lunged first.
Too fast for a street thug.
Vivi barely dodged as his hand brushed past where her shoulder had been. She spun away, heart pounding.
"He's faster," she warned.
Robin reacted instantly.
Arms erupted from the ground, wrapping around the second man's legs. He cursed, swinging his blade downward—
Only for Kaya to step in.
She remembered the angle. The timing.
Her cane struck his wrist.
The blade clattered to the ground.
He screamed.
The silent third man moved then—straight for Kaya.
Rael's foot shifted.
But Kaya held.
She stepped back, redirected his momentum, and pushed.
Not strong.
Correct.
The man stumbled just enough.
Robin finished it, slamming him into the wall hard enough to crack stone.
Vivi turned back—
The perverted man was smiling.
"Nice moves," he said. "Still going to enjoy breaking you."
He swung.
Vivi blocked—but the impact rattled her bones.
She staggered.
Rael took one step forward.
"Don't," Vivi said sharply. "I've got this."
Rael stopped.
The man laughed. "Confidence. I like that."
He went in again.
This time, Vivi didn't retreat.
She focused.
Tension.
Release.
Her strike wasn't powerful—but it landed clean against his ribs.
He grunted, surprised.
Vivi followed up, movement sharp, controlled.
He blocked the third strike.
Then Robin's arms wrapped around his torso from behind.
He roared, muscles bulging—
And Kaya struck his knee from the side.
The sound was sickening.
He collapsed.
Breathing hard.
Still smiling through the pain.
"…Worth it," he muttered.
Robin slammed him unconscious.
Silence followed.
Aftermath
Vivi stood there, chest heaving, fists shaking.
"I hated that," she said quietly.
Kaya nodded, swallowing. "Me too."
Robin exhaled slowly. "But you didn't freeze."
Rael approached at last, eyes scanning them carefully.
"Any injuries?"
Vivi shook her head. "Just shaken."
Kaya flexed her fingers. "I'm okay."
Rael nodded once. "You handled it."
Vivi looked at the unconscious men. "They were stronger than the others."
"And they won't be the last," Rael replied. "But you stood your ground."
People were peeking out now.
Watching.
Whispering.
Hope stirred again.
Rael looked toward the deeper part of town.
"They've noticed you," he said. "Now we see how they respond."
Vivi squared her shoulders.
"Then let them come."
Kaya nodded. "We're not backing down."
Robin's gaze was calm—but firm.
"This island doesn't belong to them."
Rael allowed himself a small smile.
"Good," he said. "Because this was only the warning."
---
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