The city groaned under the weight of Akira's crimson storm. Blood tendrils whipped through shattered streets, snapping at Sentinels and rogue immortals alike. Flames of energy licked the skyline, illuminating her red-and-gold aura like a warning.
Rin shouted from the side. "Akira… the Architect's presence is getting stronger!"
She smirked, fangs flashing. "Good. Let him watch. Let everyone watch."
From the shadows, a second wave of elite hunters appeared—Takumi at their head, his loyalty fractured, a dangerous glimmer in his eyes. He lunged first, blades slicing the air. Akira dodged effortlessly, letting a whisper of her aura tease his mind.
"You can't resist me," she purred, crimson tendrils brushing his armor, teasing, taunting. "Why fight… when you could follow?"
He faltered. That split second was all she needed. A surge of Rank 11 energy flowed through her, lashing out in a whirlwind of blood constructs. Enemies were lifted, twisted, and thrown aside—some crumpled, others temporarily animated to fight for her.
But the Architect's shadow fell heavier. From above, black rifts tore open, spewing shards of obsidian that froze anything they touched. Akira twisted her Blood Manipulation mid-flight, shattering some shards and redirecting others back at the attackers. Chaos reigned.
Then the twist: one of her newly controlled constructs—made from a fallen Sentinel—turned on her unexpectedly. The Architect's interference had subtly corrupted it, biting into her aura.
Pain flared. A tiny fraction of her power flickered. She hissed, eyes blazing.
This is why you can't rely solely on strength, she thought. Strategy matters.
With a surge of cunning, she ripped the corrupted construct apart, absorbing its tainted energy and stabilizing her storm. Her aura flared brighter than ever. Rank 11 – fully mastered… and teetering on the edge of Rank 12.
She landed on the rubble-strewn street, eyes scanning the battlefield. Takumi and the surviving immortals hesitated.
"Watch closely," she purred, flexing her talons. "Next move might just change everything."
From above, the Architect's voice echoed, angry and calculating:
"Do you truly think you've surpassed me? You've only begun to awaken…"
Akira's crimson aura surged, almost as if responding. She smiled. "Then let's see how far I can go."
🔥 Cliffhanger: Akira fully masters Rank 11, but the Architect's interference introduces corruption into her constructs, testing her control. Rank 12 is on the horizon, but the next battle could push her past everything she's ever faced.