The hall echoed like an abandoned temple.
The floor was cold, forged from ancient metal and scarred with cracks that leaked faint, bluish light.
At the center, two colossal statues stood side by side — imposing warriors, each holding a sword that reached the ceiling.
Their expressions were serene, yet something within them pulsed — almost alive.
Lucy approached with calm steps and curious eyes, her fingers brushing the hilt of the sword at her hip.
She tilted her head, studying the details of the sculptures: the veins carved in marble, the battle scars, the faint glow flickering in their eyes.
Suddenly, a deep voice boomed through the chamber, shattering the silence.
One of the statues lit up — its eyes turning bright white.
"Look, brother! It's taken centuries, but we finally have company!"
The other statue's eyes flared with a deep violet glow.
"I can see that."
The white-eyed one replied,
"We should give our guest a proper welcome!"
"You're right!" said the violet-eyed one. "We must be gracious hosts."
"What should we do?"
"How should I know? We need to do something… unusual!"
Lucy crossed her arms and let out a long sigh— a mix of boredom and provocation.
"Brother, our guest just sighed!" said the white-eyed statue.
"A SIGH? What is a SIGH?" asked the violet-eyed one.
"Well, a sigh is when —"
Lucy cut in sharply, impatient.
"Enough! How long are you two going to keep babbling?"
She raised a brow, voice laced with irritation.
"In case it's not clear, your guest wants to get through that door!"
The ground trembled.
"Our duty is to guard this gate," said the violet-eyed statue.
"That's right! We can't let you pass!" added the white-eyed one.
Cracks spread through their bases. Marble split open, chunks of concrete falling away like husk.
From beneath the stone, two colossal Yetiwarriors emerged—covered in gray fur and rippling muscle, each wielding an elemental blade: one crackling withlightning, the other swirling with blades of wind.
Lucy rolled her neck, smiling.
"Two against one? You really know how to welcome a girl."
She flicked her coat aside, gripping her sword in one hand and Baruk's mace in the other.
The air vibrated. The Yetis roared and charged.
The Wind Yeti struck first, slashing horizontally — the displaced air swept the floor clean, shattering pillars like dry twigs.
Lucy leapt above the swing, spinning midair and landing on the creature's back.
She slammed the mace into its shoulder —purple energy surged across its body.
The Thunder Yeti came next, bringing down its sword.
The impact sent electric waves bouncing through the hall's columns.
Lucy rolled along the ground, firing her pistols as she slid on her knees — bullets sparked against the beast's armored hide.
"You're big, loud, and overdramatic..."
"You remind me of my last boss," she said dryly, readying her next strike.
The Thunder Yeti roared, raising its blade and hurling a bolt of lightning that grazed Lucy.
She caught the charge with her sword, channeling the current and redirecting it —
a bright arc of energy struck the Wind Yeti square in the chest. The floor quaked.
The Wind Yeti spun, conjuring a tornado that tore through the chamber.
Lucy grinned and swung Baruk's mace down hard — the shockwave of violet energy shattered the whirlwind and sent both monsters crashing back.
She leapt, spinning gracefully through the air, and drove her sword through the Wind Yeti's chest. It howled — a sound that echoed to the ceiling — then shattered into shards of light.
The remaining beast stood defiant, eyes crackling with fury. Lucy landed lightly and twirled the mace once before hurling it. The weapon smashed into the creature's head, shattering its bony helm and exposing the crackling skull beneath.
"Time to turn out the lights," she said with a grin.
She crossed her pistols and fired.
The Yeti exploded in a flash of light, dissolving into static energy.
Silence returned — save for the faint crackle of dying electricity.
The two elemental swords — a white one and a purple one — fell to the ground, humming with residual power.
Before Lucy could move, the massive gate ahead creaked open with a metallic groan.
She started forward — but then, a soft voice, almost a whisper, rose from the fallen blades.
White Sword: "Wait!"
Purple Sword: "Yes, wait! We've been waiting for you for a long time!"
White Sword: "Yes… a very, very long time…"
Purple Sword: "For someone stronger than us."
White Sword: "Someone capable of wielding us."
Lucy crouched, studying the pulsating blades at her feet.
White Sword: "My name is Gnu."
Purple Sword: "And mine is Fritz. We must go with you."
Both (in unison): "We can be of great use to you."
Lucy raised an eyebrow, analyzing them.
"Alright… but on one special condition."
Gnu: "What would that be, madam?"
Fritz: "Say the word. We'll obey."
Lucy pointed at both with her hands.
"Don't. Talk."
The two swords vibrated nervously, their light flickering.
"We shall obey your command as you wish," they said together.
Lucy sighed, picking up both swords by their hilts.
The air quivered — currents of wind and thunder surged across the hall, raising her hair and painting the walls in flashes of blue and white.
She swung them, testing the balance as trails of stormlight followed every move.
Energy of wind and lightning coiled around her, and she laughed softly, genuinely entertained.
Gnu whispered in awe: "Impressive…"
Lucy clashed the two blades together.
"No talking!"
Silence.
She waited a few seconds, one eyebrow raised.
Nothing.
A satisfied smile curved her lips.
"Good."
With her new weapons in hand and a wild gleam in her eyes,
Lucy stepped through the open gate.
The darkness beyond awaited her — alive, pulsing, brimming with danger and promise.
To be continued...