The creature did not fall.

Even after the blood blade pierced its joint, even with the crimson chains burning within, the monstrous turtle rose. Slowly, as if defying the very laws of pain. Its paws slammed into the ground, cracking the desert into craters. The black crystal spines expanded in all directions, pulsing like exposed nerves.

Ada shuddered. Her chest heaved, her breath a cycle of pain. Each breath felt like razors were tearing at her lungs. But still, her golden eyes burned with defiance.

With a hoarse groan, she forced her body to move. Blood ran down her torn wings, her abdomen, her legs. The sword remained clutched in her hand, a living extension of her hatred.

"I'm still here…" she whispered, her voice more to herself than to the monster.

The creature's roar responded, deep and vibrant. It was as if the desert itself had gained a voice, crying out for her death.

The ground shook with the beast's advance. With each step, a thunderclap. With each impact, the air split into invisible waves.

Ada raised her blood-stained sword. Her fingers trembled so much that the blade wavered, but it didn't fall.

The turtle struck first: one of its massive paws came down on her like a wall. Ada swung her sword and parried. The impact made her bones creak. The shock ripped through her body, and she was thrown to the ground, rolling in the dust.

Before she could get up, a shower of thorns launched itself at her. Ada raised her sword, spinning it in circles, creating a barrier of solidified blood. The sound was deafening: each thorn that struck exploded into black fragments, cutting her skin in dozens of places.

She roared, more in pain than anger.

The third attack came without pause. The creature's mouth opened, revealing a pulsating darkness, a living abyss that sucked in the air. Streams of demonic energy spewed from it, as if the throat were the gateway to a private hell.

Ada leaped aside, but one of the crystal spears struck her in the shoulder, piercing flesh and muscle. The scream that escaped her throat was wild, guttural. The sword nearly fell from her hand.

Even so, she retaliated. The blade glowed with pulsing energy, and she lunged forward, slashing diagonally at the creature's paw. The blow split flesh, but it was shallow, almost useless. The beast roared, more angered than wounded.

Ada fell to her knees. Her wings trembled, useless. Her body no longer responded as it should. The sword weighed like lead in her hand.

"No… I can't…"

The thought struck her like poison. Demonic pride screamed for her to continue, but reality crushed her mind. With every second, she was closer to death.

The creature lunged once more. Ada raised her sword, blocking the blow, but the blade exploded into crimson shards, severing her own hands. She fell backward, gasping.

Her golden eyes fixed on the beast. Her vision wavered. The edges of the world blurred.

"I won't win... if I persist... I'll die here."

Despair seized her chest. Bitter acceptance struck like cold iron. Escape was her only chance.

Gathering the last of her energy, Ada closed her eyes and concentrated her blood into her sword. The crimson pulsed, swelled, and then exploded in a crimson cloud.

Smoke filled the desert like a living veil, covering everything. Shadows danced beneath the moon.

Ada took advantage. Her wings, even torn, beat hard, lifting her into a desperate flight. Her body was nothing but pain, but she raced through the air, each beat a torment, each movement a cry for help.

She didn't look back. She couldn't. All that mattered was getting away, escaping.

But the monster wasn't stupid.

A roar rumbled, and then came the flash.

The creature's mouth opened into a fissure of pure demonic energy. From it shot a black beam, thick as a wall, cutting through the sky and the veil of smoke as if it were nothing.

Ada realized it too late.

The flash was approaching at an absurd speed. The heat of the energy was already burning her skin. Her eyes widened, and for an instant, she felt the inevitability of death.

"This is the end…"

The beam exploded toward her.

But it didn't hit her.

At the last instant, twenty swords appeared out of nowhere. Forged of demonic energy, they lined up like shields, creating a shimmering wall. The impact was brutal. Lightning slammed into the blades, and the resulting explosion lit up the desert as if the sun had risen for a second.

Ada was thrown back by the shockwave, but she didn't feel the pain of death. She blinked, confused, breathing raggedly, and then it happened.

Arms wrapped around her.

Firm. Warm. Protective.

Her body, broken and exhausted, was pulled against a soft, welcoming chest. The contrast disconcerted her. The warmth… the familiar scent… the security she hadn't felt in so long.

Ada lifted her face and, to her surprise, rested it directly against the full breasts of the woman holding her. For an instant, the demonic warrior didn't exist. Only her lost daughter remained, fragile, being held.

"Mommy's here…" the voice sounded firm, sweet, and captivating. "Don't worry."

Raphaeline.

Her mother.

Ada froze, her eyes wide. The shock was so intense that for a moment she forgot the pain, forgot the monster, forgot even herself. Her heart, which had previously pounded in despair, now pulsed with confusion and a relief so deep it hurt.

The swords still floated in the air, protecting them both from the next attack. The turtle roared in fury, but Raphaeline's presence eclipsed even the creature's shadow.

Ada's body gave way. For the first time since the fight began, she allowed someone to hold her. Tears burned in the corners of her eyes, but she didn't know if it was from the physical pain, the relief… or simply because, in the midst of hell, her mother had returned.

Raphaeline held her tighter to her chest, stroking her bloodstained hair.

"Rest, Ada. Mommy will take care of the rest."

And, wrapped in that embrace, the girl who never allowed herself to weaken... finally gave in.