Little Black, the Giant Hound wreathed in black mist, charged out first, his sleek form slicing swiftly through the oppressive air. This time, instead of lashing out with his claws as usual, he let the dense fog swirling around him surge outward, blue-white arcs of electricity flickering within it. Lightning burst from his body, dancing through the air with a crackling hiss like the tongues of frenzied snakes. It swiftly mingled with the blue flames, and with a thunderous roar, lightning and fire erupted together!
In that instant, explosions rang out one after another among the withered branches, deafening as a barrage of cannon fire.
Behind Little Black, the Ghost Bride, A Xi, had already made her move. Ever since she awakened, the fluctuations of red moon power within her had undergone a qualitative leap. Where she had once been able to attack only with her claws, her abilities had now undergone a second mutation.
She stood quietly, blood slowly spreading from beneath her scarlet wedding dress as though it were alive.
When the withered branches scorched by lightning and blue flames struggled to lunge at them, the blood surged upward like a curtain, blocking the group's path with astonishing speed. Though it looked like nothing more than liquid, it stopped the branches' attacks.
It had neither solid heft nor a cutting edge, yet those sheets of blood wound tightly around the branches, leaving them unable to break free. The withered branches shuddered violently within the blood. Then a faint, continuous sizzling echoed out, as though something were slowly being corroded.
It was moving, really. The new ability A Xi had gained through her mutation was not meant for attacking, but for protecting others better.
"Little flower." The female ghost with flowers pinned in her hair spoke softly, her voice