Palace Gates

The dull booms from outside the palace grew more distant, while fine stone dust kept raining from the rooftops. The band of light at the hall entrance remained steady, and the formation in the outer hall had not wavered. A wall of mist hugged the floor, the doorway alternated between light and shadow, and the pillars cast shadows parallel to the steps.

Youpi advanced from the depths of the outer hall. His footsteps were heavy, leaving dents in the stone tiles as cracks spread to either side. Knuckle stood in the center, the backs of his fists taut; Shoot circled halfway around a pillar, fingertips raised; Linas held up her weapon, its tip pressed to the floor. The three stood in a line, facing the passage.

Morel raised the mist wall from knee height to waist height, drawing its edges inward into an arc and leaving only a narrow gap down the middle. Behind the mist, Knov lowered two narrow doorways, their angles aimed at the side passage and rear corridor respectively. Ryan guarded the left wing of the entrance, his outer blade held low, its tip angled toward the stone. Palm stood against a pillar with a page pressed to her arm, writing, "Youpi has returned; the gate defense has taken shape."

Youpi charged straight in without pausing. The mist wall caved inward, white fog surging. Knuckle stepped forward to meet him, his fist driving straight into Youpi's breastbone. The dull impact spread outward, and the wave of mist rolled back. Shoot swept to the front right at the same time, his fingertips drawing a thin line that sliced a bloody gash along the outside of Youpi's elbow. Linas struck diagonally from the left, her weapon landing with heavy force and shattering the stone tiles.

Youpi forced his way