The tension in the air was palpable, almost suffocating, as Ada and Vega stood poised, ready to face the soldiers who had just emerged from the shadows.
The silence between them was filled with unspoken understanding.
They didn't need words to communicate anymore. It was a feeling, an instinct honed through years of training and experience, a shared bond that had been forged under fire.
Ada's grip tightened on the hilt of her blade, the cold metal feeling strangely warm in her hands.
The soldiers were not just any ordinary enemies—they were too organized, too purposeful.
She could see the glint of weapons in their hands, the way they moved as one.
This wasn't a random encounter. They had been waiting for them.
Vega, still hidden in the shadow of the doorway, took a step closer to Ada, her presence an unspoken promise that she would be by her side no matter what.
She gave a slight nod, her eyes locked on the group ahead, reading their movements with a quiet intensity.
"We can't take them all on at once," Vega whispered, her voice low and steady. "But we can take down the ones that are in front of us."
Ada glanced at her briefly, her face unreadable.
She knew that Vega was right. They didn't have the resources to go head-to-head with a full unit of soldiers, especially ones who were clearly well-trained and equipped.
But there was no turning back now.
The leader of the soldiers stepped forward, his posture imposing.
His eyes were cold, assessing, and his lips curled into a thin, mocking smile as he surveyed Ada and Vega.
"You two think you can stand against us?" His voice was low, but it carried an unmistakable threat.
Ada's lips curled into a smile, but it was devoid of warmth.
She stepped forward, positioning herself between Vega and the leader.
Her gaze never left the soldier's eyes. "We're not interested in standing," she said, her voice steady but carrying a sharp edge. "We're interested in surviving."
The leader's smile faltered for a split second before he regained his composure.
He motioned to his soldiers. "Take them," he ordered, his voice now a low growl.
The soldiers moved with swift precision, but Ada and Vega were ready.
In a single, fluid motion, Ada drew her blade, her eyes locking onto the nearest soldier.
Without a word, she charged forward, her movements calculated and deadly.
Vega followed, her crossbow in hand, a silent shadow that flanked Ada, covering her from behind.
The clash of steel against steel rang out in the dimly lit control room as Ada engaged the first soldier.
The soldier's weapon came down in a swift arc, but Ada was faster.
She sidestepped, ducking beneath his strike and retaliating with a quick slash across his chest. The soldier staggered back, grunting in pain, but before he could react, Ada was already on the move again.
Vega, meanwhile, was picking off the soldiers from a distance.
Her crossbow bolts flew with precision, each shot finding its mark.
She moved like a ghost, silent and deadly, her eyes scanning the battlefield as she searched for her next target.
But despite their skills, they were outnumbered.
The soldiers were relentless, their movements calculated.
Ada could feel the pressure mounting as more and more soldiers closed in on them, forcing them to fight harder to maintain control of the situation.
"You two are stronger than we expected," the leader said, his voice laced with grudging respect. "But it won't be enough."
Ada's eyes narrowed. "We're just getting started," she said coldly, parrying another strike.
She could feel the adrenaline coursing through her veins, her every muscle taut with the anticipation of the next move.
She wasn't going to back down—not now, not ever.
Vega glanced at her quickly, her lips curving into a small, almost imperceptible smile. "I'm starting to like this," she murmured, reloading her crossbow.
The battle raged on, the sounds of combat filling the air.
Ada and Vega moved as one, a well-oiled machine, each anticipating the other's movements, covering each other's blind spots.
Despite their exhaustion, despite the odds stacked against them, they fought on.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, the last soldier fell to the ground with a heavy thud.
The room fell silent, save for the labored breaths of Ada and Vega as they took a moment to recover.
Vega wiped the sweat from her brow, her eyes scanning the room for any remaining threats. "That was too close," she muttered, though there was a glint of satisfaction in her eyes. "But we made it through."
Ada nodded, though her gaze remained fixed on the leader of the soldiers, who was still standing, unscathed.
His cold, calculating eyes were now locked onto Ada, his expression a mix of annoyance and something else—something far more dangerous.
"You've proven yourselves," he said slowly, his voice laced with disdain. "But that doesn't mean you'll get away from us."
Ada's grip on her blade tightened. "What do you want from us?"
The leader didn't answer right away. Instead, he took a step back, his eyes narrowing as he studied them both.
Then, without warning, he signaled to his soldiers to retreat.
Ada and Vega watched, confused but wary, as the soldiers filed out of the room, leaving only the two of them and the leader behind.
The tension in the room was almost unbearable.
"You're not going anywhere," the leader said quietly, his tone hardening. "We have unfinished business."
Suddenly, a loud crash echoed from behind them.
Ada's reflexes kicked in instantly. She spun around, her blade already in hand, ready to face whatever new threat had appeared.
But what she saw made her freeze.
A figure stepped into the room, their face obscured by a dark hood.
In one hand, they held a weapon—an unfamiliar one that gleamed in the dim light.
"Who are you?" Ada demanded, her voice sharp.
The figure didn't respond immediately.
They only raised their weapon, their intentions clear.
But as they moved toward Ada and Vega, the leader's cold voice rang out, "Stop. They're with us."
Ada and Vega exchanged a look. Neither of them understood, but they both knew one thing: nothing was what it seemed in this world. And they were far from out of danger.