The winds whipping through the corridor weren’t strong enough to scatter Maren’s water. Either JJ wasn’t trying, or he wasn’t the best fighter. Regardless, it let Maren catch her breath before the real issue arrived. 

Maren whipped her water, which she let JJ blow away. No reason to intentionally hurt the guy further; if her last beating hadn’t sunken it into him that he was in over his head, she doubted any more would. 

JJ yelled, his gale shoving Maren back several feet, right as the tips of her whips began to freeze. 

This again. Maren leaped away from the rushing Cailleach, who was only ten feet away. How to deal with you? 

The small woman closed the gap between them, opening her palms. The ice spread, reaching closer to the water along Maren’s body. Maren cut off her power, hopping away. Soon, six thin ice tendrils danced to a rhythm Maren no longer beat. 

The Cailleach swung her arms and the ice followed. Maren kept her distance, slapping her hands together. Mouth drying, a wide, vertical pulse of water spouted. The swinging ice struck Maren’s hand, diverting her attack, but not before the front of the wave slammed into the Cailleach’s chest, throwing her back. 

Water slapped the ground, then froze and rose into the air. Maren bit her lip as it shattered and formed into dozens of spiked spheres. This woman was essentially Maren’s natural enemy and Mav was too occupied to help. All the while, Maren’s mouth was parching and her skin was turning brittle. 

Just push past it. 

JJ swept Maren with a gale as the Cailleach hurled the spheres at her. Grunting, Maren formed a small wave at her feet and shot it upward, pushing the spheres away. The farthest parts of the water began to freeze, so Maren leaped away from the wall and snaked a thin stream of water up her arm. The woman’s arms were extended, so Maren aimed a pressurized line at her forearm. 

The water turned into ice, but moved so fast that the pointed tip sailed clean through her arm before she could alter its course. The Cailleach screamed, hitting the floor as she gripped her forearm. 

Maren smirked. She finally had an edge. 

JJ stepped close, throwing an easy-to-evade punch. 

“See?” he whispered. “If we work together, we can take them down.” 

Maren responded with a slow kick. “That won’t stop her. And those other two...” 

An explosion sounded from the distant room. “I think he’s got that handled.” 

“Never doubt an Ethereal Leader.” Maren sent another kick, which JJ caught. “Especially not two.” 

The Cailleach removed the ice, ripped her dark cloak, and made a wrap over her wound. Then she was on her feet, ice advancing with her at its epicenter. Maren jumped and kicked with her other leg at JJ’s chest. He stumbled back, letting her go. Maren hopped away, gathering more water as half the floor was covered in ice. 

“Hate to give you more ammo,” Maren said. “But it’s the only way I can–” 

Two figures soared down the hallway, closing in on her. Maren changed target, throwing her hands forward and blasting a jet of water at them. Her water changed direction, instead now aiming at the Cailleach who froze it. 

Then the Ethereal Leaders landed, the dark-haired one throwing his arm down. Pressure shoved her to the ground while the white-haired one threw a knife. 

Mouth parching, Maren sent a burst of water from her shoulder, meeting the knife midair and swiping it aside. The man prepared another knife, but Maren didn’t need to worry. They weren’t paying attention to the constant explosions behind them. 

“Assholes!” Mav yelled as he reached them. 

He blasted below himself, scattering Maren’s assailants. The pressure released, but before Maren could move, strong fingers wrapped around her waist and pulled her away. 

“You alright?” Mav asked in her ear. 

“Yeah,” Maren said. “But we need to regroup.” 

“But JJ...” 

The dust settled. Dancing ice blades surrounded the Cailleach, the Temporal Ethereal Leader held two knives, the Spatial Ethereal Leader was putting his hands together, and JJ’s hair swayed in his breeze. Only his face had a hint of reluctance. 

“Mav,” Maren said, tone short. 

Mav let her go and ran forward. Orange white fire flashed over his body and gathered in his left palm as he brought it back for a strike. The others pressed forward as Mav jumped. 

“Deep Impact!” Mav roared, punching the ceiling. 

An explosion rent metal, shaking the hallway. An incredible heat shoved Maren back, but she was on her feet before Mav was at her side. 

Another crash sounded. Shattered boulders fell into the hallway. Maren and Mav took off, not slowing even after the sounds of chaos and destruction faded in the distance.