"Mavislin!" yelled Bryan, catching the Valkyrie.
Her left arm had completely fallen off while she clung onto Bryan's shoulder with her remaining arm. Just like with Ysabeau's training, she risked her life to protect him once more. This time, it was severe. He didn't know if she could make it.
The butterfly girl was shocked as well, as she did not expect the Valkyrie to jump in. If she had such a speed, she would've gone for Rie's neck instead. The Valkyrie should have a proper counter to negate her Stage Five but she used that chance to protect her underling.
The choice to protect another's life while using your own is not an easy choice to make. But this Valkyrie threw that thought away in a blink of an eye. Without a moment's hesitation. The Valkyrie... Chose to protect the vulnerable one.
Her mind whirled as she reminisced her hurtful past. Where her parents tossed her out at a tender age just because she was born different. If only she had such a kind brother to defend her, she wouldn't have gotten so much hate.
Anger and sadness swarmed her heart as she remained silent, looking at the duo. Why was she that hated? Why was she hated by life itself? Rie looked at Bryan as he kept calling Mavislin to wake up. There was something awfully familiar about this man, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.
She gently shook her head as she prepared to stab his open back. However, her spear halted in mid-air. Gripping onto the weapon, Bryan was livid as his eyes struck terror and fear into Rie's body. With another pull, he managed to fling the Flower Mage away.
She landed easily but was still in shock as she looked at her spear. The power of his grip was strong enough to dent the spear. If he continued, he would have broken it.
"You are going to regret pissing me off. I won't end your life. I will make you end it yourself," threatened Bryan as his eyes pierced a hole right through her head.
"Oh... I'm so scared. You may be in the Arks, but I can tell that you are still human. Just born with powers. Your physical limits are nothing compared to me," said Rie, scoffing at the man.
"We'll see about that. Don't underestimate me, I am the Barren Pillars' Slayer. And I will live up to my title," replied Bryan, with the intent to kill.
"Don't talk so much. You are nothing compared to the two I've faced."
He laid Mavislin onto the ground. He begged in his heart that her healing capabilities could quickly cancel out the poison. It wasn't healing up, but the poison did stop. Bryan inwardly thanked the heavens as he gently whispered into her ears.
"I'll take over. I won't let you down."
The Valkyrie smiled as he said those words. In truth, there was no way a Valkyrie could be knocked out by some third-rate poison. However, this would still render her immobile, but she was nowhere near dead. If it was that easy, the Arks won't have such a hard time dealing with Benjamin.
Before her healing kicked in, the poison had claimed her heart, arm, and left lungs. Her Elemental Core was left undamaged but she was still in slight pain. Sometimes, she regrets having her Elemental Core as her wings, since she was a vegetable now.
Until her body can go back to normal, she was going to be lying there for a while. And to add salt to the painful wound, she was still using the Alter Form of her powers. Now, she needs to convert back to the original Element. Only then she can start the proper healing process.
Bryan took his stand as he cracked his knuckles. He then drew out his newly sharpened Katana. He felt that the whole thing was reminiscent of Ysabeau's training. But this time, the stakes are higher. The thrill is way more than last time.
This was starting to be interesting. He knew that he can't be too engrossed in his feelings but this was too good of a fight to miss. Now he knew why Mavislin likes to smile when facing off with new opponents.
He had both the thrill and anger to fight this person. He took the first move, closing in the gap between the two. Rie was still lost in her thoughts as she tried her best to fend off Bryan's flurry of attacks.
But when he pulled out his Wakizashi to slash her face, Rie finally knew why he was familiar. But this cost her hand as she used it to block the slash. She then thrust the spear forwards, to impale Bryan's abdomen.