Nia staggered back, her dagger hanging loosely at her side. Sweat drenched her brow, her breathing ragged. For a heartbeat, she looked defeated, her knees almost buckling.
Belle narrowed her eyes, gun raised but finger steady on the trigger. Her instincts screamed trap, but the hunter's thrill of an easy kill gnawed at her composure.
"Already done?" Belle's tone was cold, but her voice carried a hint of anticipation.
Nia lifted her gaze, eyes hazy as though her focus was slipping. "Maybe…" she whispered. She dropped her dagger, letting it clatter against the ground. Her shoulders slumped, posture collapsing like someone finally breaking under the strain.
Belle allowed herself a thin, sharp smile. She leveled the barrel at Nia's heart, exhaling slowly, aligning the shot.
But the instant Belle's focus locked, Nia's lips curled into the faintest smirk.
Her figure flickered.
Belle fired. The bullet tore through Nia's afterimage, scattering motes of light.
