Part 2
The room remained in utter silence. No one dared to move. The girl in Victorian attire still held the Reaper's scythe with a single hand, unmoving.
The once-imposing enemy struggled in vain to free his weapon.
—Who are you? —the Reaper growled, both angry and unsettled.
She didn't answer right away. She simply pushed the scythe aside with a smooth motion, forcing him to stumble back a few steps.
—My name is Simmone Amoretta —she finally said. Her voice, neutral and emotionless, echoed with a calm that chilled the air.
Haruto, still panting, frowned. He looked down at his shoulder… and noticed it: Simo was no longer there.
—You... Simo? —he asked, incredulous.
The girl looked at him. Her white eyes showed no emotion, only an unshakable serenity.
She gave a slight nod.
—I never meant to deceive you. —Her tone remained flat—. I didn't have enough energy to return to my human form.
Yuna, who had stayed silent, watched her closely.
—I knew that crow was hiding something —she muttered, narrowing her eyes.
The Reaper, still unsteady, didn't take his eyes off Simmone.
—It doesn't matter what form you take —he growled—. Your soul will be mine... just like the others.
Simmone slowly turned to him.
—You don't have the power to do that —she stated, with a calm that only heightened the tension.
The atmosphere grew heavier.
—You may have stopped my scythe... —the Reaper said, his eyes burning with rage—. But I can't detect any mana in you. You must be vulnerable to magic.
Simmone didn't respond.
—Dark Shock! —he roared, launching multiple dark spheres.
—Oh no, I'm in serious trouble —Simmone said in the same neutral tone, so expressionless it almost sounded like an unintentional joke.
The group watched in silence, bewildered. Even Thalindra, usually impulsive, didn't say a word.
The spheres closed in. Simmone raised her hands and deflected them effortlessly, as if brushing away dust in the air.
The Reaper stepped back. His gaze betrayed frustration.
—Why is that brat so strong...? —he exclaimed, now with a hint of doubt.
Simmone tilted her head.
—I'm not strong. You're just weaker than me... Though I shouldn't have said that. Please forget it.
—Stop mocking me! —the Reaper roared, charging at her.
His scythe slashed through the air with fury. Once, twice, three times. But each strike was repelled with pinpoint precision. Simmone didn't even seem to be trying.
—You're going to get tired if you keep that up —she said, deflecting another strike without losing her composure—. Wouldn't you rather surrender?
The Reaper screamed, intensifying his attacks. But she remained unshaken. Every move was graceful, restrained… as if she were toying with her prey.
—I'd appreciate some help... —she suddenly said, turning her head toward Yuna.
Her voice was so calm it felt like she was talking about anything but a battle.
—I can cover you, but I don't have light magic to defeat him... —Yuna replied, then muttered—. Ah... I shouldn't have said that.
The Reaper's fury kept growing. He struck harder, but each attack dissolved against Simmone like waves crashing against an unbreakable wall.
—He still has 99 souls left —Thalindra said, watching seriously—. That's the real problem now.
Simmone sighed, as if the matter were nothing more than a minor inconvenience.
—It won't be a problem —she answered indifferently.
Haruto stared at her, unable to grasp how she could stay so unconcerned.
—Soul Drain —she declared in her usual, serene and flat tone.
In an instant, the Reaper's souls began to be absorbed. Spectral lights drifted from his body as if an invisible force was claiming them.
—No! What are you doing? My souls! It took me years to collect them! —he screamed in desperation.
Simmone watched him with faintly glowing eyes, calm and still.
—They don't belong to you. They've suffered enough... I'll keep them.
As the Reaper tried to regain control, Thalindra walked over to Yuna and handed her a faintly glowing yellow arrow.
—Shoot this at him. Finish it while he's still distracted.
—What kind of arrow is this? —Yuna asked, inspecting it.
—It's made of Luminite —Thalindra replied firmly—. My final card, in case everything else failed.
Melodía, unsteady on her feet, placed a hand on Yuna's shoulder and raised her wand once more.
—We're counting on you, Yuna… —she murmured—. I'll give you the last of my strength.
—Symphony of Light: Oblivion —she channeled her magic into the arrow, which began to shine brightly.
—I leave it to you... my friend —she whispered, before collapsing.
Yuna gripped the arrow tightly. Her eyes locked onto the Reaper.
—Thank you. I'll put everything into this shot.
Simmone glanced at the scene out of the corner of her eye. Though her demeanor remained cold, she acknowledged everyone's efforts.
—Time to wrap this up —she said with a tone that almost bordered on sarcasm—. Tea time is approaching… and I don't intend to miss it.
—Ice Chamber —she declared. Raising her hand, a crystalline dome of ice trapped the Reaper, freezing him completely.
Five glowing souls emerged from his body as the spell completed. For the first time, her expression showed a slight trace of fatigue.
—Now, Yuna —she ordered in a firm voice.
—Hunter Shoot: Oblivion! —Yuna shouted, firing the shot.
The arrow tore across the room like lightning, leaving a trail of brilliant light before striking its target dead-on.
A blinding flash lit up the cavern. Then, silence.
Tiny sparks floated in the air like fireflies as the light faded.
The Reaper was gone. Not a trace of his body remained. His scythe had vanished.
The battle was over.
Haruto let out a long sigh and collapsed onto his back. At last, his body could rest.
Thalindra walked up to Yuna with a huge grin and slapped her on the back, nearly knocking her over.
—Well done, leader! You can breathe easy now. We did it.Yuna responded with a warm smile, though her body still felt the strain of the battle.
She leaned down and gently picked up Melodía.
—Everyone did great —she said softly, looking at the group with appreciation.
Simmone gathered the loot left by the Reaper and handed it to Yuna with meticulous movements. Then, she walked over to Haruto and sat beside him.
—Good work. You all gave it your best —she said without emotion, though her words carried a weight that conveyed approval.
Still lying on the ground, Haruto turned to her with a tired smile.
—Thanks for saving us, Simo... I knew you were special, but I never imagined you were a person.
Simmone tilted her head slightly.
—You saved me first. You believed in me when no one else did. If you'll allow it, I'd like to keep traveling with you... I can return to my crow form if that's what you prefer.
Haruto raised a hand toward her.
—Welcome to the team, Simmone. Stay in whatever form feels most comfortable to you —Haruto said.
Simmone gave a slight nod. Her face remained unchanged, but something in her presence grew subtly warmer.
The group began to relax. The tension of the battle faded, and the cavern, now calm, held only the echo of their breathing.
Thalindra broke the silence, approaching with her arms crossed.
—So, our little white crow was a girl all along? —she said, studying Simmone—. You could've given us a heads-up.
—My crow form was more efficient under the circumstances. I wasn't sure how you'd react to knowing I was human —she replied in a neutral tone.
Kizuna fluttered around her, glowing with excitement.
—So it was you, Kizu! That explains why you always seemed so wise! But... why so serious? You've gotta smile more!
Simmone turned her gaze toward her. Her silver eyes reflected an unshakable stillness.
—My emotions have gradually faded over the years. I'm sorry.
Kizuna blinked, surprised, but her cheer didn't waver.
—No worries! I've got more than enough emotions for the both of us!
Melodía, still recovering, watched with a mix of interest and skepticism.
—So you were with us from the beginning, but couldn't transform?
—It wasn't my intention to hide it. I simply didn't have the energy to maintain this form. Besides, traveling as a crow was more practical.
Yuna stepped closer, inquisitive.
—Why now? Why reveal yourself at this exact moment?
—Haruto was in danger —she replied without hesitation—. Protecting him was my priority.
Haruto, who had been listening quietly, smiled.
—Well, I'm not complaining. Thanks for saving me, Simo... or should I say, Simmone.
—It's the least I can do, considering what you've done for me.
Yuna looked up and addressed the group.
—Now that everything's clear, we need to rest before moving on.
Simmone looked at everyone around her.
—I hope I can be of use in this form. If it becomes inconvenient, I can return to my crow form.
Kizuna spun through the air dramatically.
—No way! You're way more interesting like this! Plus, with that serious face, you can totally intimidate enemies!
Thalindra burst out laughing.
—Personally, I prefer your human form. At least now we can talk face-to-face.
Melodía raised an eyebrow.
—As long as you're not a burden, I've got no complaints. But if you're staying, you'd better prove you're more than just talk.
—I'll keep that in mind —Simmone replied, unfazed.
Haruto pushed himself up, leaning on his katana.
—So, how about we save the chatting for later and head to the reward room? I'm curious to see what's waiting for us this time.
The group nodded. Fatigue showed on their faces, but there was also a new light: relief, satisfaction... and a touch of anticipation.
Every step forward was a small triumph. A reminder of all they had overcome.
The serene cavern guided them onward with a faint glow, leading into the unknown.
Whatever they were about to find… they knew they were one step closer to their destiny.