The library was eerily quiet, save for the faint hum of the monster’s mechanical limbs as it scuttled between the rows of bookshelves. Its body was a tangled mess of wires and blinking lights, with claws that clicked against the marble floor like the ticking of a clock. Sailor Mercury crouched behind a heavy oak table, her visor glowing faintly as it scanned the creature’s patterns.

“Analyzing movement… cross-referencing energy signature…” she muttered, her voice barely above a whisper. A translucent screen hovered in front of her, scrolling with data faster than most could comprehend. “Weak point detected: central processor, just below the thorax.”

The creature emitted a metallic screech, swiveling its glowing red eyes in her direction. Mercury The monster’s claws sliced through the air just inches from her shoulder, sending a shower of splinters flying. Mercury grimaced but stayed focused. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned a glimmering blue harp into her hands. The strings shimmered as she plucked them, the sound reverberating like drops of water into a still pool.

“Shine Aqua Illusion!”

A torrent of freezing water burst forth, coating its limbs in a sheath of ice. It shrieked, stumbling as its movements slowed, but the red glow of its eyes burned brighter. Mercury’s brow furrowed. “Not enough… I need more time.”

The creature began to thrash, shattering the ice with an ear-piercing crack. Mercury tapped her earring again, reopening the visor. “Secondary analysis… come on, come on…”

The monster lunged, but this time Mercury was ready. She leaped to the side, rolling gracefully before landing on one knee. “Bubble Spray!” A thick mist filled the room, the oppressive library air cooling instantly.

Suddenly, a loud crash echoed through the room—a bookcase toppled, and the monster’s screech morphed into a distorted roar. Mercury spun around, heart pounding as the mist began to clear. A shadow moved through the haze, too tall and deliberate to be the mechanical beast.

Someone else had entered the fight.