Astrea woke up hearing a knock at the door. It wasn't asking but demanding entry.
Another knock.
Still dead silence.
Suddenly a crash echoed through the house. Astrea stood up instantly. Walking through the door were three men moving motivated on pure malice.
"Where's our money Holt. Y'know we told you today was the deadline buddy." Said the man in the middle.
"I told you earlier today I just need a little more time I'm begging you" began Holt emerging from his room, walking towards the men. "Please Sodom, I've been unlucky fishing allow me some more time".
The man named Sodom threw a punch straight at Holt who didn't attempt to dodge. He took the hit falling backwards crashing to the floor.
Astrea as soon as Holt fell to the ground, ran to stand in front of him spreading her arms to protect him.
"Get the fuck out the way." Sodom said.
"Make me" said Astrea
Laughing Sodom seemed entertained by Astrea, however he wasn't here to mess around. Without notice Astrea felt herself unable to move, bound by some invisible force. The two men who had entered with Sodom both grabbed Astrea and threw her against the wall. Her body crumpled as she hit the wall, falling to the ground in pain. Holt by this time had gotten up off the floor. He stared at the Sodom accepting that now he had no choice but to fight.
Holt could see the mirage behind Sodom. Not close enough to touch but close enough that the space between them felt claimed. Blue-black skin caught no light, one eye open and sharp, the other half-lidded in-patient refusal. A thin cord rested in its left hand, weightless, waiting. A straight blade hung at its side, quiet, as if cutting were beneath it. Fire rose behind the figure, silent and unmoving. He recognised it as Fudō Myōō, the Immovable Wisdom King.
Holt manifested his own mirage. Behind him, a vast figure took shape in the air. A broad, humanoid form draped in net-like robes, skin the colour of deep water, marked by pale scars like old harpoon lines. Heavy eyes reflected a distant horizon, calm and endless. Looming over it all was the faint outline of a colossal whale, translucent and glowing softly, its presence felt more than seen. Kujira, God of the fishermen.
"What's his activation condition for his ability" Holt thought.
Holt activated his own ability summoning a fishing rod out of thin air. Instead of one hook at the end of the rod there seemed to be 3 different, independent hooks. However, before Holt could even attempt to figure out what to do, he felt his muscles seize up as an insurmountable pressure built up on his body.
"Since you can't pay, we'll take your body as payment." Sodom sneered. Turning to his friends he said, "Pick him up, we're leaving".
They went to pick him up, however Astrea finally got up moving once again to trying to protect Holt.
"This girl doesn't know when to quit, should we just kill her." Said one of the men.
"Whatever, do what you want." Sodom said.
That man moved towards Astrea his smile cutting through the darkness. He aimed a swift kick at Astrea connecting with her stomach. Her body skid across the floor. Ripping skin from her arms. She tried to stand getting to her knees. A punch landed before she could get to her feet. Giving her no time to recover, another punch landed. Then another. Punch after punch. Kick after kick landed on Astrea's broken body. Blood splattered painting the floor red.
"Why am I so weak…" Astrea thought, "Every time I can't save anyone".
"Hurry up Stick we're leaving," said Sodom.
"Jeez man I'm coming."
Landing one last punch Stick left the house with Sodom and the other man taking Holt with them, leaving Astrea clinging to life on the floor.
Fading in and out of consciousness, Astrea's mind faded to black.