Maids VS Apocalypse

Lara pivoted on her left foot and the ground he was standing on an instant ago shattered. Her movements showed no concern for the large red hood’s sudden acceleration, spinning the spear as she passed it from one hand to the other behind her back then swung it up diagonally.

A sharp clang rang out as the white blade extending from the spearhead struck her opponent’s forearm, which was covered in a shining yellow bracer. Instead of cutting straight through it, the white glow scattered against the golden surface.

The red hood slammed his right foot on the ground and clenched his raised hand. His entire arm vanished into a blur as he swung his fist down at the maid who wasn’t even half his size.

Alarmed, Lara’s first instinct was to make a swift retreat. Just as she moved back one step, the ground at her feet shattered. She glanced at it in passing then fixed her opponent with a glare.

He pulled his extended fist back to his side and raised the other in front of his body which he had tilted slightly to the side and took a firm stance. His cloak was blown back revealing what was hidden under it.

Tattered clothes wrapped a mountain of muscles, each so well defined they appeared to be sculptured from stone. Thick veins bulged from under rough bronze skin inlaid with countless gruesome scars.

One look was enough to tell the giant went through many gruesome experiences, further separating him from the others who wore the same colors as him.

The hood on his head remained, casting a shadow that covered most of his face except for the wild grin on its lower half.

The giant of a man took a step forward and twisted his torso, his right arm turning into a blur as it shot forward. Standing her ground, Lara raised the output of her Force Field and held her spear up to block.

BANG!

An invisible blast scattered against the glowing shaft of the spear. Lara’s silver hair and long skirt fluttered in the resulting wind but only slightly as if their weight far exceeded what it appeared to be. She was about to switch to the offense when the red hood suddenly appeared in front of her with his fist raised.

Adjusting her posture, Lara tilted her spear and parried the downward punch by letting it slide along its shaft and bringing the glowing spearhead down in the same motion.

The white arc that followed in its trajectory spread out like flowing water then suddenly scattered. Instead of retreating to evade her attack, the massive red hood swung back his arm and met the white blade with the shiny bracer covering his thick forearm.

With the white blade parried, the massive red hood swung his left fist at the maid.

Momentarily stunned, Lara could only cover herself in the full output of her Force Field. The impact she was expecting didn’t arrive, however. Chains clanged as the red hood’s left arm came to an abrupt halt and the force behind it dispersed in a blast of air.

The red hood watched as the maid took the chance to retreat. His gaze shifted to the left and landed on his arm. He saw the sickle and green chains coiled around it and followed them to the source.

A dozen meters away, an illusory orange hand held onto the green chain. Right behind it was a thin man whose right arm was raised as he spun something creating a large circle.

The glow on the chains brightened quickly and the air around them distorted and ignited. The giant red hood yanked the chains but couldn’t move them an inch. His head jerked up and he kicked the ground. His entire body folded as he jumped abruptly. A white arc passed under him just then.

Lara took a step forward and drew another arc with the blade of her spear then followed it with one more. The massive red hood was about to evade when the chain coiled around his arm contracted and pulled his body from the air.

He flipped to adjust his body and changed his target to the thin man pulling the chain, his free arm readied to strike. A petite figure appeared in front of him just then swinging a Force Field coated broad sword.

CLANG!

The large slab of metal slammed into the bracers and scattered a shower of orange sparks.

The blow altered the red hood’s trajectory as he bounced higher than before. Flipping once more, he reached out and grabbed the green chain with both hands. Smoke erupted from under his palm along with a short sizzle. He paid it no mind and yanked at the chains, launching himself at their source.

"Have you no shame?" He yelled. "Butting in on our duel!!?"

"Who said it was a duel?"

Franco grimaced and hurriedly got out of the way, simultaneously unequipping his weapon and causing it to disappear. Another giant of a man stepped into his spot with a clenched fist and swung it at the falling red hood.

A violent tremor washed over the surroundings as two massive fists collided.

Ben’s feet sank into the ground but he was undoubtedly the winner of their clash. Orange energy swirled around his extended arm, taking the form of a magnified fist as it shot outward and blasted his opponent.

"Really," Ben held his right wrist and rotated it a little. "What a tough bastard."

Elya landed behind him and took her spot beside Mark.

"Those bracers are troublesome."

"He’s a Soldier, alright." Franco clicked his tongue. "And a high-level one at that."

The massive red hood landed a few dozen meters away and slowly rose up to his feet. His left hand shot up and a clang resounded from it, followed by a violent explosion right behind him.

As his cloak fluttered in the blowing wind, his head turned to the right. He remained still for a second then faced forward. After a few seconds, he shifted his gaze to the maid on the left. A second later, he lowered his arm and dismissed the halo over his head.

"I’m guessing you aren’t the same riffraff as the others."

No sooner had he uttered those words than a white arc reached him. He stepped back and evaded it with ease as if to show that he had seen it coming.

"Sorry, little missy, but-" He jumped again and three arrows pierced the ground he stood on the instant before. "Let’s leave it for another time. Even I know when I’m at a disadvantage."

The arrows twinkled and detonated. Blue flames enveloped the giant’s figure but dispersed in a blast of wind. Landing on the roof of a nearby building, he stopped to gaze at the squad. A second later, he turned around and vanished.

Silence filled the empty street as the echoes of the explosion faded away. The sounds of battle came from the surroundings to take its place and everyone snapped back to their sense.

"Bloody hell," Ben heaved a long sigh. "What hole did he spawn out of?"

[Save it.] Ramsay’s voice rang out in everyone’s ears. [The others don’t have as much brains. Get going before they surround you again.]