Chapter 13
Fluorescent lights flickered as the group advanced down the narrow hallway of Midland Circle. The air was heavy, thick with the scent of dust and dried blood, and their steps echoed off the marble floor tiles. The sound of distant scuffling guided them until a chorus of soft footfalls and shifting shadows signaled the ambush.
From the walls and ceilings, twenty-three Hand ninja emerged in silence, each dressed in black, blades drawn, eyes void of hesitation. A printer in the corner sputtered as it was kicked over, papers flying into the air as the hall transformed into a battlefield. Cubicle partitions and overturned desks created pockets of cover and chaos, but there was no time to plan—only to fight.
Daredevil was the first to move. With a sharp exhale, he ducked under the swing of a short blade, rolling forward before springing up into a spinning back kick that slammed into the ninja's ribs. He heard the hiss of another behind him and twisted, deflecting a katana with his twin billy clubs, the metal clanging loud and clear in the confined space.
He followed with a high elbow into the attacker's nose, then snapped a front kick into another's chest, sending him through a cubicle wall. His breathing stayed calm, even as the air buzzed with movement and blades.
Jessica lunged with a silent roar as she was too cool to roar, grabbing a ninja by the torso and hurling him across the hall into a water dispenser that exploded in a burst of water and plastic. Another ninja tried to leap at her from behind, but she spun with an elbow that cracked through his jaw.
One slashed at her thigh, only for the blade to snap uselessly against her durable skin. She grabbed him by the ankle and whipped him through a glass office window, shards scattering like snow. Her boots thundered against the ground as she stomped forward, grabbing two more attackers and smashing their heads together with a dull thud.
Luke Cage stood unshaken as two ninja slashed at his sides. Their blades sparked off his skin, doing nothing, and he responded with a casual backfist that sent one flying into a wall, cracking the plaster. The second swung again, only for Luke to grab the ninja's wrist and crush it with a squeeze.
prompting a scream before he slammed the attacker into a desk with enough force to snap the wood. Another came from behind with a spear, but Luke turned and took it to the chest—no effect. He broke the shaft, then shoved the ninja backward with a palm strike that threw him into a row of filing cabinets.
Colleen Wing danced with grace and fury. Her katana gleamed under the flickering ceiling lights as she parried a high strike, turned, and drove the blade into the thigh of a ninja before sweeping his legs with a low kick. She spun away from another blade, backstepped, and cut upward through her opponent's chest.
A third rushed her, and she used a side table to step up, flipping over him before driving her katana down into his shoulder. With each breath, she flowed through strikes, using walls to kick off, ducking under desks, slashing through attacks with elegance and precision.
Claire stayed close to the group, breathing hard but focused. A single ninja charged her, blade raised, but Ash was there first, catching the arm mid-swing. The katana bounced off his shell like it struck steel. Without activating his mana, he grabbed the ninja's shoulder and drove his knee into the attacker's chin, flipping him back over a cubicle wall.
Another leapt at Claire, and this time she ducked low, sweeping his leg and jabbing his throat. But before he could recover, Jessica snatched him by the collar and threw him against a whiteboard. Colleen stood close to Claire, slicing through any who got too near.
Ash moved like a storm, fluid and unreadable. He ducked under a wide slash, then twisted, elbowing the ninja in the back of the head. Another tried to stab him from the front, but the blade simply glanced off his shimmering shell. With a swift step-in, Ash delivered a side kick to the ninja's chest that sent him flying into a supply closet,
the door cracking off its hinges. He pivoted into another enemy, catching the katana mid-air, pulling the ninja forward, and launching a brutal right hook that shattered bone. His eyes flicked to the side, and without looking, he spun, heel kicking a silent attacker in the temple.
Desks were overturned, chairs shattered, glass partitions sprayed across the floor as the group advanced through the corridor. Blood pooled in places, mixing with spilled coffee and ink from broken machines. Daredevil flipped over a desk and landed hard, sweeping two ninja to the ground with a twisting leg whip.
Jessica rammed through a double door into another office space, dragging three attackers with her, all flailing as she used the walls and desks to slam them into unconsciousness. Luke followed, shielding Claire from a thrown blade that bent against his chest before he ripped a door clean off and used it as a battering ram.
More ninja dropped from ceiling panels, forcing the team to separate slightly across rooms and hallways. Colleen used a roundhouse to disarm one before gutting him, while Ash rushed another group, his fists blurring as he disabled three in rapid strikes,
targeting pressure points and breaking limbs. Claire used a fallen lamp to club a downed ninja trying to rise, panic in her breath but control in her swing. Daredevil called out warnings as he fought blind but flawless, his clubs bouncing between hands, cracking ribs and wrists as he rolled through every assault.
By the end, the hallway was littered with groaning bodies, broken glass, and the hum of damaged lights. The group stood, breathing heavy but alive. Dust hung in the air like mist, swirling with movement as the emergency lights bathed the corridor in a red glow
Ash exhaled slowly, rolling his neck. Jessica wiped blood from her knuckles. Luke stood solid, fists clenched. Claire caught her breath, eyes wide, while Colleen flicked blood from her blade and Daredevil listened intently to the silence that followed. Then, deeper into the building, another surge of mana pulsed through the walls.
Ash spoke, "They are buying time," as he opened the door to a long hallway. "We need to find them, and Danny, fast," Colleen said as Daredevil ran his fingers along the wall. Ash suddenly activated his mana and punched the wall Daredevil was about to touch, revealing an elevator.
Below that elevator was a long, deep hole to the ground. Daredevil looked at Ash as if to ask him what was wrong with him, but ash didnt seem to notice, as he was frowning the entire time. "What's wrong?" Luke asked as Ash sighed, "Once we descend, you might have to ascend the moment you find Danny Rand," he said as he sighed again.
Colleen asked, "What do you mean?" followed by Jessica, "Yeah, you need to be upfront with us." To which Ash said, "Whatever it was that they were digging for, they just invited something much, much worse." And by that, he meant that below him was a phenomenon. Mana was funneling into this hole like water trying to fill a canyon.
He had felt this since he entered the building and was sure of it the closer he got. They immediately became solemn as Ash stepped into the elevator. Before the door closed, he looked at them, "I advise that you guys stay here," but no one listened, so he kept quiet and descended.
They descended the dim hall, and it took a while for the elevator to get down. When it did and the elevator doors opened, it revealed a tunnel. The tunnel had been recently dug and looked like a cavern, aside from the supporting beams and lights. There were skeleton remains of an Asian dragon being cut up by the Hand ninjas.
They were greeted by the Hand ninjas with Elektra, along with an elderly woman who appeared small with a calm and composed demeanor. Her skin was fair, eyes sharp and observant, black hair styled neatly, and attire modest and traditional with a buttoned-up black jacket over a white blouse and black skirt.
Despite her frail appearance, she exuded authority and confidence. Her movements were deliberate and measured. She carried a cane, which she used as both a walking aid and concealed weapon. Next to her was a tall, lean man with a stern expression. His features were sharp, posture disciplined, dressed in dark suits that reflected his reserved nature. His hair was neatly styled, and he carried himself with purpose. wielding tonfas and a tantō. Daredevil stared hard at Elektra, while Colleen was concerned for Danny Rand, who was being held captive by the Hand.
But what Ash looked at was the dragon remains—or rather, the massive amount of mana swirling around into a cyclone. "A phenomenon," he thought, as the elderly woman spoke, "We meet again, the Defenders, and a surprise guest," she said, referring to Ash. He sighed and said, "Alright, get Rand. The sooner we do this, the better. We don't have time." Madam Gao, the elderly woman, replied,
"But we're just getting to know each other. But I know so much about you, Ash. It's incredible how much you've improved your life in a span of two months. Ash, truly, the greatest of men are forged by grief, hardship, and tragedy," she said as Ash walked toward her.
Well, he was going to walk past her, but suddenly, she struck him—well, palmed. She was faster than she looked, and since Ash underestimated her, he was struck. His shell held, of course, but there were cracks—faint ones, but cracks nonetheless—which spoke of how powerful she was. As he skidded back, he recovered. Ash sighed as he stood up, "You really have no idea what is coming through in a minute," before he lunged forward. His eyes glowed as he activated his mana, boosting all of his physical attributes.
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A/N , another long unintended chapter, and yes, i know, the title is classic, if you are cultivation manhua or webnovel fan, anyways, guess what creature is going to come out of that phenomenon, hint: four limp, claws and tails, turquoise scales and horns.