Kochi slammed her hand against the ground, and with a sudden motion, pinned Floris' leg in place. Her hunter's mark lit up, glowing a violent red.
"So," Kochi said, her eyes narrowed, "let me show you my ability, then."
Chains snaked tighter around Floris like vipers, constricting her limbs.
"How many times do I have to tell you? This won't…" Floris stopped mid-sentence.
Something felt wrong.
Kochi chuckled softly. "Hm? What's the matter?"
Floris clenched her teeth and tried to release a wave of black energy from within her body to break free but the power didn't surge. It flickered, then vanished into the chains wrapped around her. Her eyes widened slightly.
"Tch," she clicked her tongue, annoyed.
(So this is her ability… She can absorb power from whatever her chains wrap around… but)
Floris noticed Kochi was now visibly straining to keep hold of the chains. Sweat beaded at her brow.
( It seems there's a limit.)
With a sly grin, Floris gripped one of the chains with both hands, pulling it tight
Kochi's brow twitched, sensing something shift.
"If you're going to absorb my power," Floris said, voice low and daring, "then why not take all of it?"
A massive pulse of dark energy exploded outward from Floris's body. The sheer force of it lit the air with a deep violet hue. Kochi's eyes widened.
"Agh!"
The burst knocked Kochi off balance. She tried to brace herself but was sent flying, her body crashing hard into a nearby wall. Dust and rubble exploded around her.
Floris stood,her nose bleeding slightly.
(This vessel… it won't hold if I keep using this much power. I have to end this quickly.)
She summoned another surge of energy into her palm, dark.The black blast pushed, and she thrust her hand forward, firing it straight toward the dazed Kochi.
Inside Kochi's mind, panic screamed.
(No… I can't die here… no!)
But just before the blast could strike, a massive shield of glowing energy formed between her and Floris. It shimmered with raw force, deflecting the attack in an instant.
Zed stood at the center of it, arms outstretched, the energy barrier crackling around his hands. His eyes were locked onto Floris, dead serious.
"Leave her to me," he said, calm but commanding.
Floris lowered her hand slightly, confused but unshaken.
"And who are you supposed to be?" she asked, her voice steady.