KS29

The moment the girl fell she was on her, struggling to break the sword out of her grip.

Neo flipped the lower half of her body back, driving her knees into Ciel's back. The armour protected her a little, even if she felt the impacts. She slammed Neo's wrist against the rooftop until her fingers opened reflexively, dropping the weapon.

"Surrender," she demanded, activating her speakers so the girl could hear. "Give up now and I shall ensure your safety. You will be taken in for interro-" Ciel cut off as a leg wrapped around her neck from behind, Neo somehow bending almost double to manage it. She was dragged off when the girl straightened, putting incredible pressure on her throat. She fell back, hitting the tarmac, but caught Neo by the ankle when she tried to run.

What followed was a frantic contest of strength between the two, Neo kicking down with her heeled boots and Ciel doing her best to ride through the pain, wincing whenever a heel caught her mask. The impacts alone were enough to make it crack in places, though the reinforced material thankfully held.

It would have been real convenient if her mysterious ally joined at this point. Damn it. Why hadn't the Director briefed her on this, or at least ordered the Agent to intervene in a more tactile manner? It looked like she was on her own.

Hopefully Jaune was okay.

"Alright, then," Ciel growled, pushing herself up and reaching for her discarded weapon. Neo did the same, a bruise on one cheek and a sneer on her lips. "Let's see how you do without your pretty little Semblance."

[...]

"You alright?" Ciel asked through mask that was cracked in two places.

"I'm fine. You're the one who looks like she lost a fight with a brick wall."