----
“Get behind the walls, now!" she shouted, gritting her teeth
against the pain.
"At least a dozen swords shot at them this time. Danielle
couldn’t see where they wereing from, but the sound
of them cutting through the air gave her a clue.
“Her dagger was too short to reach them all. Without
thinking, she quickly shed her coat, wrapped it around
herself, and swung it like a whip, using the fabric to block
the des.
----
"Standing at the center, Danielle
spotted her family huddled safely
against theWall, and her anxiety
eased a litte. With the coat in hand,
she sweng it wildly through therair,
deflecting sword after sword=in that
meiment, she felt like a general on
the battlefield; focused ard fully in
control.
----
“Human strength could only do so much, but these hidden
weapons just kepting. The thick fog and the constant
attack made it clear this was a trap set to stop anyone from
getting through.
“Danielle kept deflecting the des, but she could feel the
cuts from where they grazed her.
"She quickly scanned the area. There had to be a switch
somewhere, something they triggered when they came in.
But before she could think much more, another group of
weapons flew at them.
“Look for a switch on the wall!" Danielle shouted, blocking
the iing des. "We need to stop this thing!"
“They didn’t waste any time, quickly searching for the
switch to stop the weapons, but all they found were solid
walls covered in vines.
----
“Why are there so many vines here?" Howard muttered,
pulling at one, thinking maybe it was connected to the
mechanism. But he quickly realized it was just a vine,
nothing to do with the weapons at all.
“Vivian’s frustration was growing. Her daughter was out
front, blocking the weapons while they stood there,
completely useless.
“Danielle was starting to wear down. A long sword shot
toward her shoulder. She barely dodged in time, but it still
scraped her, leaving a shallow cut.
" Blood started dripping from the wound, but the rusty
de didn’t go deep. Danielle didn’t have the luxury of
worrying about it, though.
----
“Danielle, you’re hurt!" Vivian’s face was full of worry.
“I’m okay, Mom. Dad, Xavier, you guys climb up the vines."
Danielle quickly figured it out; these hidden weapons
wouldn’t hit the vines, so if they all stayed on them, they
might be safe from the attacks.
“Without hesitation, Howard, Vivian, and Xavier scrambled
up, using both hands and feet, eager not to hold Danielle
back.
“Danielle, we’re up! Come on, hurry!" one of them called
out.
"Danielle took a quick nce at them, relieved they were
safe. She dodged to the side, grabbed a vine, and was up
in no time.
“The three of them were panting when they saw Danielle
leap up so effortlessly. The skill gap was obvious.
----
"Taking a de reath, Danielle held
on to the vinéand thought about
what to deyrext. She couldn’t just ￠~
hang here forever, the vine might>
breakcy hey couldn’t put their Wes I in
its hands. She needed toe up
e something else.
----
“Danielle, take a break. I will head out first and see if he
can find a way,” Howard said, even though he was in his
fifties, he kept himself fit and strong.
“Dad, I’ming with you. Let Mom
and DanielieStay here. If we get
through, ae an bring them over," oo
*avier eee, , clearly worried abouttis
dad. idn’t want to always rely on
his sister for protection, espetially
after she had just gotten hurt.
----
“Alright, but you two be careful. Danielle and I will wait
here," Vivian said.
“Howard and Xavier started crawling through the vines,
heading ahead to find a way forward.
“Danielle, do you have any anti-inmmatory medicine? Let
me help you put it on. Those rusty weapons could cause
an infection if we don’t treat it." Vivian’s eyes were
brimming with worry.