It screamed- not from its mouth, but it came from it, loudly.
I wince, the noise was almost high enough to shatter glass, almost sounding like the metal grinding sound I've heard.
James falls to his knees, hands over his ears. Ari froze in her tracks, struggled but also fell onto one knee as she got closer, face contorted with strain.
The president seemed to be unaffected, continuing to slice down monsters with such elegance and grace it could have been a dance, but the monsters doubled, not going without a fight.
I turn my focus to the humanoid again, who continues to grin gleefully, hovering in the air inches above the snow in all its eerie glory, the darkness seemed to writhe into tendrils around its body, contributing to its creepy factor.
I shiver in my light clothes, the cold finally coming to bite me in the as#. I started to move sluggishly as if my ankle was tied to a chain and ball, starting to drag me down the slope again. Gritting my teeth, I push forward.
Two giant Corrupted-massive monsters of chaos, came forward as I came closer to the strange spirit. Its forms flickering and morphing with the dark tentacles around the humanoid, hard to make out an exact shape and form other than a big spat of black fog with glowing red eyes and wickedly sharp fangs as it snarled.
The spirit looks on coolly as I struggled as if finding it amusing to watch.
'I have underestimated you humans...but now it's time for me to finish playing...clear them out. '
Its voice resounded in my head, and adrenaline kicks in as the two monsters beside it leap forward, teeth bared and ready to tear me inside out.
I lunge forward with new energy, putting all my force behind my dagger as I aim for the spirit's heart. A splurt of inky black blood splatters me as my blade buries itself into its chest up to its hilt. The humanoid stares at me, its empty white eyes widening in surprise.
'You...are...'
Its body collapses inwards, disintegrating into dust as the shadows dissipate. All the monsters turn to sand as the last of the humanoid falls to the ground, the pile of dust the only evidence it was ever real.
I fall onto my knees, suddenly drained of my strength. I stare at the dagger in my hand I stabbed with, the remnants of the black blood evaporating into dark smoke as I sit in place, still stunned by the event.
The sound of footsteps comes up behind me.
I turn to see the president, a faint smile on her lips, Julian and Hunter both supported by Evelyn and James and they follow up behind her.
Minuet stops in front of me, her glasses askew on her face, otherwise appearing unscathed by the teeth and claws of the enemies she fought.
"Are you hurt?" She asked me, kneeling to closer examine for any injuries.
I turn away, slightly embarrassed at her close proximity, "..Just a few cuts and scrapes. It's fine..."
She looked unconvinced but didn't press any further.
Hunter and Julian come up to us, both held up by Evelyn and James as they limped forward.
Julian flashes a grateful smile, holding out his hand, his green eyes holding back the wince at the effort, "I have to thank you. To formally introduce myself, my name is Julian Adras. How about yours?"
"...Raven, " I said, taking his handshake hesitantly, "Raven Uishi."
"Ever the charmer Julian," Evelyn teased.
Hunter speaks up after Julian, turning to me, "I'm Hunter, pleased to meet your acquaintance. And I would like to thank you as well." He smiles just barely noticeably, but the form is there.
"You think we can learn a thing or two from the newbie?" James asked, the question light. "If the Triple-A Elites couldn't handle something one singlehandedly did, I think we can."
"This whole experience is already invaluable," said Minuet, "It's a first for everyone, but at least we now know what to expect if the time arises again."
Ari was silent, quietly standing in the back, her arms crossed as her expression was deep in thought.
I look away, not wanting to deal with any more of her attitude or think about it.
"Hey, I say this calls for a celebration!" shouted James, "Drinks on me!"
"But, a little healing first would be nice, " said Julian.
They walk away in the direction of twinkling lights of a nearby town, laughing as they recalled what had happened, the mood lighthearted.
Ari stays in her place for another moment, before shaking her head and walking after the others.
I stare at the place where the remains of the dust laid in the snow, where it has already started to be carried away by the wind.
Minuet pauses, glancing at me.
"...Are you coming?"
"In a minute," I said
She looks at me for a while longer, before nodding and turning away.
"Don't linger too long."
She walks away, leaving me to myself as I watched the sand blow away.
I stand, sighing, and then a sudden strong gust rustles the trees, taking away the remainder of the dust. I notice something glint on top of the snow as the rest of the dust blows away. I reach over to pick up a tiny shard of a crystal, tufts of dark smoke still clinging to its edges.
My fingers brushed the smooth surface of the glass, and I look into its reflective surface.
The image of a burning forest briefly flashes in my mind, the suffocating smell of smoke filling my senses.
As quick as it came, it disappeared.
Confused, I blink out of a trance, staring at my own faint reflection in the shard. I shake my head, thinking it was just my imagination. As I did, I catch a flash of crimson out of the corner of my vision. My eyes snap towards the trees, scanning the forest. Seeing nothing, I shake off the feeling and turn away, dropping the crystal shard into my pocket.
But little do I know...
...Someone- something, was watching.