As Atomic Flare readied herself, a dense white mist began to stir around the Breakers. No matter how hard the wind blew, the mist did not waver. It gently hugged each of the Breakers, giving them the sense of empowerment. It danced gracefully between the Breakers, until it rushed towards Zenta. The blade came down and blood flew into the air.
Standing in front of Zenta was a mysterious robed figure who blocked the massive axe with its bleeding hands. Above the petite figure was a familiar cat-like apparition whose identity was shrouded in the dense mist that covered the area. The phantom creature behind the robed one was also grabbing the executioner axe, mimicking its counterpart to help hold it in place.
“Move!” The person cried out; the voice was unmistakable to the Breakers. A woman’s voice.
In an instant, Zenta’s ears immediately perked. He turned back to see who had saved him, and his jaw had nearly dropped. The beast is stunned for a moment, before rolling away from the scaffold and flipped back up on his feet. Not even a moment later, the axe dropped right where his head was. The beast was still, never removing his gaze from the mysterious person. His hands twitched, no doubt from the shock, as he slowly reached out to the being. His hand immediately darted back once he heard the woman speak.
“Pan-Pan!” The woman cried to Atomic Flare. They seemed close, but how? “Pan-Pan… You were supposed to wait for me! I-I’m stronger now, see! I’m stronger...!” The woman’s voice lowered so that it was nothing, but a mere whisper, directed to Atomic. Her hands balled into fists; she bit her lip to hide her sadness, but tears rolled down her cheek, nonetheless. “I’m stronger… I’m… I’m sorry, Pan-Pan…”
"Is that...?" Zenta said with uncertainty, hesitating to touch the robed figure. "I-Is that…you?"
The robed woman let out a soft sigh. Her arms, covered with cracks, reached up to remove the hood covering her head and face. Once her hood was down, large black and white cat ears shot up to their neutral position on her head. Cracks littered her face, her eyes lacked sleep, and her hair was fading to gray, loose and wavy, no longer bounded by a band. A black star rested on her forehead; a symbol that matched the forehead of the feline ghost behind her. Under the robe was the mark of her Master, ripped from her previous jacket and stitched to the inside of the robe. Finally, a striped tail popped out from under the robe.
The woman slowly turned to her Master.
“Been a while, huh, Master?”
Zenta, upon seeing the familiar energy and hearing the voice of his student, collapsed to his knees before her. The burden in his heart about where she was the entire time has been lifted. His jaw and shoulders trembled as he gripped his chest as hard as he could. Although unable to cry, his weak voice captured his true feelings.
“Cuki…”
“On your feet, Master. Now’s not the time to get emotional…” Cuki said before turning to the Breakers. There was no mistaking it; this was Cuki. Something seemed off, however; behind those green eyes was no ounce of life. An endless, empty stare.
Cuki looked down at the Xy’phers holding them in place before stomping her heel on the ground. Metal spikes shot from the ground, impaling the Xy’phers and forcing them to release their hold on the Breakers. They were impaled in every possible way, yet, they did not die; in fact, Cuki seemed to have purposely left them alive. From there, she nodded to the Breakers, turning her back to them.
“You guys better get ready, we’re gonna have a rough time with this one…”
