[ Belkan monastery, Walder / September 20, 0078 07:38 ]

The Gadget stopped her punch so effortlessly, that it might as well have not noticed it. These Type IVs had defensive fields even thicker than the best of Scaglietti's creations.

For the second time today, Subaru wished really badly for Revolver Knuckle to be with her.

She recoiled back, watching with a sinking feeling as the Gadget turned to her.

"Tea!" She couldn't let the Gadget out of her sight.

"My shots didn't connect. They're coming for me."

The Gadget advanced on Subaru. She dashed right.

"Absorb Grip!"

Riding up the bumpy wall towards the high ceiling, Subaru caught a glimpse of Tea taking cover behind a pew. She didn't have time to see more, as she somersaulted off the wall.

"Knuckle Duster!"

Subaru aimed for the dome-shaped top of the Gadget's control module, using gravity to accelerate her. Her head rapidly cleared of thoughts. Her eyes, her magic-encased fist, and her target formed a single line.

Heartbeat.

With this momentum, she should have been able to punch through the Gadget's defenses.

Heartbeat.

Her fist met no resistance. The AMF was gone. Her timing was off. A large obsidian-black blade swung from the side before her attack could connect.

Heartbeat.

Subaru felt sharp pain across her chest. Her spine hit the pews, breaking them. Only the altar stopped her slide. The years of neglected training had just caught up with her.

The wound was bleeding badly. Clutching it shut, Subaru fought back the pain and looked for Tea.

Three Gadgets were almost upon her. The pew she hid behind was smashed and she was now between the rows, backing carefully towards the altar while keeping the drones in her sights.

Professor Schwanstein's body lay in her path. Subaru tried to call out but her throat only let out a weak hiss. Mustering up her remaining mana, she tried mending the wound instead.

Tea stepped carefully over Professor's outstretched arm. Her concentration didn't waver even for a moment.

The fourth Gadget Drone de-cloaked itself right behind Tea. A voiceless scream built up in Subaru's throat, as the black sickle blade began its short swing towards her back.