“Triple slash.”Akime's katana severed the demon's head clean off. Reo's glaive spun mid-air, cleaving the tumbling neck stump. Narcissus' large katana bisected the collapsing body.

  They landed.

  Narcissus rose, katana ready. "Don't let your guard down. There might be more."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  He turned. A wind wave blasted from the forest—leaves exploding outward.

  In slow motion, a sickle streaked toward his throat—blade mid-swing, inches from cutting.

  “Scene shifts to Pherkad.”

  Knight stood before the grave. "I hope you've changed your answer." He laid flowers atop it, then departed.

  Middle Island.

  Zeep—BOOM.

  Narcissus fell back, evading the sickle. Mid-air, he glanced at the sky.

  In a flash, he scooped Akime and Reo with blinding speed—reappearing deep in the forest.

  He took a deep, relieving breath.

  A deeply resonant voice echoed: "You're slower than I thought."