Electricity crackles in and around the man’s bizarre gauntlet.

Maria takes a step.

The soldiers open fire, but the bullets pierce cold, empty air. She’s already closed the distance, leaping over the tank with sword poised to bisect the man at the waist—

“Just a rabid dog, huh…”

His words are smothered by the shrill cry of lightning—a bolt that pierces Maria’s belly and pulls her along down the street. She rolls half a dozen times on the snow before coming to a halt, lying face down on the white-blanketed pavement.

“You’re a fucking idiot.”

“Yup! Your granddaughter’s an idiot~”

Maria blinks. Whether it was the lightning bolt or the words that echoed in her mind in that moment of cold stillness on the snow, her beleaguered heart eases down, her eyes see something other than red, and the urge for violence is abated.

Day 1 Evening 04 - First Engagement at Errázuriz Avenue (VS Rider)