TW: Violence, gore.
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Artemisia's chest rose and fell to each of her ragged breathing. The fabric from the cloak she's wearing was visibly torn, exposing the purple dress she's wearing that is now drenched in her own blood. Her gleaming golden orbs slit dangerously against her enemy, resembling that of a serpent waiting its turn to capture its prey. Her heavily scaled hand leaned forward, ready to release another surge of mana against her enemy, Hale.
"This is getting out of hand, this has to end! " Artemisia's voice was void with emotions, purple swirls danced around her like a surge of flames in an open fire. Bits of scales started to appear on the sides of her face and two purple horns materialized on her forehead. The air cackled with tension as her mana licked the place, further aggravating the scorching heat it endured that was brought by their clash.
A throaty laugh erupted from Hale's bloodied lips. His suit was now in disarray, a chaos of tattered pieces especially on the side where his left arm should be, now missing; blood dripping profusely. It created a crimson pool to the wrecked cobblestones where his missing limb lie, its fingers still moving despite being separated to the body.
Hale bended, taking it back from the floor. "As you wish! " Delight laced on his voice, his lips formed into a wide grin. The flowing blood from his arms glowing with a darker hue, it slithered its way towards the arm that was lost, like a thread fixing a piece of fabric, it moved delicately, re-attaching itself until his arm was whole once again.
Hale's huge black bat wings sprouted from his back. Tiny crimson spheres made of blood fell suspended in the air, with a low gurgling sound - some of them morphed into thin, jagged sharp blades; capable of burying itself deep on someone's flesh and melt even the toughest of bones while those which remained in their form were explosives that will track its victim down unless it successfully hit its target or a strong magic destroyed it before it could even blow up.
"Blood Garden! " Hale roared, a maniacal cackle soon followed. The magic he summoned made its way to Artemisia's direction with a resounding speed.
Artemisia picked up her pace, her hands blurred, conjuring tiny shurikens made from her mana. It glistened with purple, mirroring Artemisia's eyes. With a flick of her wrist, her blades met with the explosive spheres. The air tensed violently, creating a powerful tremor, the rain of attack didn't finish there, the thin ragged blades followed suit. To protect herself from the impact, she covered herself using her scale-hardened wings imbued with mana. Artemisia gritted her teeth, although her scales were hard, Hale's magic still affects her. She winced at the dull ache spreading to her wings.
"You cannot just continue defending yourself, Artemisia! You also need to attack! " She heard Hale's sing-song voice taunting her, the sounds of footsteps could be heard. She unfurled her wings in an instant only for her to met Hale's claymore charging into her direction. She caught the attack by only using her clawed hands, gripping it tightly as her jaw hardened. Her hands strained against the cold metal of the claymore, its blade only inches away from her chest.
Hale pushed his weapon to reach Artemisia, his face etched with amusement. "What's wrong, Artemisia? " he spoke in a mocking tone. He pushed down his weapon with his sheer strength. Artemisia pushed back, her face strained from exertion. Hale's claymore became a lot heavier than before maybe because it copied the hardness of Artemisia's scales afterall, apart from Hale's abilities with his blood, his original ability when he was still a nymph was to copy someone's abilities. Hale has been doing it all throughout their fight... using her own magic against her.
"You're too grandiose with magic but even you have limits. Give it up, Artemisia, " Hale continued, his voice painted with a fake sympathy. "You're becoming tired, I can make you rest forever, Artemisia, " he suggested, his pupils filled with mirth.
Artemisia clenched her jaw, there's no way that she'll give this man the satisfaction he wants. It's her duty to protect the people against the likes of Hale. "Don't be too cocky, I am not done yet! " A flow of magical energy surged through her. She never thought that she'll be pushed to use this but this time it's necessary.
A huge magic circle flared at her feet, dragonic patterns etched with it intricately along with glowing ancient runes scribed witb a spell to conjure it. It beamed with a purple light, hissing like flames. Hale who had steadily been forcing back Artemisia felt a shiver down his spine. Hale had seen this before, it's awfully familiar - like one of the spells that cursed the cat race.
Hale was not dumb, he knew that he needs to be cautious about it. He leaped backward, propelling himself clear of the circle. He chuckled nervously, it'll be a new experience to him. He'll be able to try if he could copy an advanced form of magic that is only unique for protectors.
"So, you have some tricks on your sleeve, Artemisia? " Hale's body felt an unusual feeling, it's the first time in many years that he had these. It's a mixture of anticipation and unease but he's quite confident that he could take it especially now that the souls that they were hunting also strengthened his magic.
Artemisia didn't speak, she continued channeling her magic. A roman numeral III appeared on her forehead, it gleamed with a light hue of purple.
" I call for the blossoming rose,
Whose thorns knows no bounds and beauty an eternity of deception,
Offer this desolate place salvation and the taste of sweet spring,
And bury those insolent ones to be used for your disposal! Tales of Arcana: The Weeping Empress! " Artemisia chanted, from the glowing magic circle, vibrant and lush rose vines erupted, their tendrils snaking across the bloodied ground.
A lone red rosebud appeared, followed by another until it became a whole garden. They bloomed consecutively, their petals opened; showering the air with a cloud of sweet-smelling pink dust. Its fragrance scattered on the place - erasing the smell of smoke and blood. As the dust settled on the middle, it formed a figure of a woman until her full appearance came into full view. Her long blond hair cascaded down her back and she was wearing a glittery white dress, a silver crown rested on her head. Her arms stretched out, bound with the rose vines as her eyes squeezed shut, tears flowing down her cheeks.
At that moment, Hale felt lightheaded, like he was being drawn into the woman that Artemisia summoned. His feet were moving on their own. He gritted his teeth, stopping himself from further advancing. He knew it's a trap! With a strained shout, he materialized another set of his blades but now he used it to injure himself, a proper distraction not for him to be lured to Artemisia's magic.
His eyes narrowed, his lips smirking as blood filled his mouth. He spat it, eyes looking straight at Artemisia. "Not a chance! "
With a snarl, crimson energy swirled around him. It smelled like blood, a stark contrast with the fragrance of Artemisia's magic. A chorus of voices of the damned, a horrifying orchestra; echoed through the silence until the crimson energy, like fog being lifted, revealed a huge metallic door. There was blood dripping from it, blue and red veins wrapped around it - pulsating as if it was alive. Seconds later, countless clawed hands, covered in blood make their way out of the door - trying to break free from it as the sound of voices, now screaming and whispering coherently, intensified.
Artemisia was unfazed, she lifted her dragonic hand up in the air. As soon as she did that, the woman she summoned fluttered her eyes open, revealing her eyes that shimmered like stained glass windows, each fragments reflecting a different hue, completing the colors present on the rainbow. A mournful hymm escaped the woman's lips, complimenting the grotesque symphony of Hale's magic.
The earth groaned in protest, sending tremors as their magic populated the air. Cracks snaked across the land, spitting dust and debris like a horrible storm. The amount of potent aura they release was enough to send the remaining trees to oblivion - reduced to embers the moment it made contact with the tremendous powers.
"Let's end this! " roared Hale, now various chains made their way out of the cursed door - ready to drag its prey in.
Just as their magic was about to collide into a catastrophe, a figure emerged from the shadows - halting their advances. The person stumbled, his body full of wounds, it was Gravitas, one of Hale's generals. Artemisia, seeing their enemy's condition, felt relief. It means one thing... they're in the upper hand. Artemisia sighed, clenching her fist.
Gravitas bowed down to his Master, his face strained with pain but there was also a hint of cold fury laced in it. With a shaky voice, afraid of his master's reaction, he delivered a message, "Master! We must fall back! Our forces were annihilated. It was done by the Raven and his people and... Trace was with them! "
Hale froze, the chains halted mid-air. He chuckled devoid of amusement. It vibrated to his chest but the sound it was making sent a bitter taste in his mouth. The Raven. The name scraped into his insides. He underestimated the fellow so much, he let the bastard reign his parade. But acquiring Trace on his side? His general? An unpleasant feeling crept on his chest, it was heavy and infuriating - it was betrayal and he couldn't believe that it was possible! Trace was loyal to him. He understood his pain better than anyone but why did he choose to do this? He hated it. He doesn't believe this!
His glare snapped back at Gravitas, wh trembled under the sudden crushing feeling of his master's rage. It felt like his body was being pressed down until it breaks. Bile rose on his throat until he choked, spitting huge amounts of blood.
"What kind of crap are you telling me? " Hale hissed, his clawed hands now has visible veins as if it's ready to strike Gravitas down any moment from now. Gravitas shrank down, his voice was almost a faint whisper. "It's true, master! He's now serving the raven and he gave me this... " Gravitas reached for his pockets, fishing for a crimson ring. It was the same ring that Hale was giving to his trusted subordinates. Hale took it from Gravitas hand, looking at it intently.
A heavy silence descended, broken only by the sound of Hale's ragged breaths. He gripped the ring tightly on his hand, a familiar ache twisting his heart. The laugh that started with a harsh bark escalated quickly, morphing into a chilling, loud roar. An ungodly amount of mana erupted from him, shattering the ring to pieces.
'Why did you do this to me, Trace? '
There was a repeated thought running on his mind as anger surged into his body like an untamed fire. His voice was shaking, a mixture of sorrow and loathing, "Why did you do this to me?" It started as a faint whisper until it got louder and louder as he kept on repeating it. His words end up into a scream, blood dripping on his skin where his nails dug deeply.
'What did I lack? Why is this always happening to me?! '
Hale's mind was in a mess, he felt vulnerable and he hated it. He hated feeling this weak. His breathing hitched and his eyes began to stung. He bit his lips hard to stop himself from shedding tears. No, he won't be crying. He needs to kill them all and his misery will all end. It's them!
'This is their fault! How dare they! ' His mind was screaming at him, fueling the fire in his heart to intensify. He will kill them! All of them!
His attention now turned to Artemisia, his eyes bloodshot and veins popping on his forehead. Artemisia was just watching Hale's expression. It affected her, she could feel his pain and she was trying her best not to tear up or say anything. Her heart throbbing loudly on her chest, it was heavy and burdening but she must stop herself. Hale was their enemy, she should not pity him... but he's also a victim.
Hale's voice was chilling, his index finger pointing at her, trembling. "You witch! You did this! You did this! " He was blaming her, his amount of mana was outrageous; making the air around him impossible to breathe. "You brainwashed him! " he continued, voice filled with utter disdain yet Artemisia just shook her head, preparing herself for the next words she'll say that she's aware will cause nothing to change the situation.
"Maybe Trace realized what's right. " Her voice was calm. Hale sent her the looks as if she was joking. He didn't say anything further as he dragged Gravitas with him - dissolving in a crimson mist. Artemisia took a deep breath. She's sure that things will go further south. She knows that Hale's anger tripled and they need to plan how to stop him.
Artemisia dissipated her magic, it disappeared in a burst of pink and violet sparks. Her horns and scales also followed suit.
It wasn't that long when Artemisia heard the voices of Anthony and Aegir calling her. And somehow, she was thankful that they didn't cross paths with Hale. She knows eventually they will.
Anthony saw the expression written on her face, with a worried look, he asked her, "Are you okay, Artemisia? " She could only nod her head but she knew she wasn't. The physical wounds were one thing but the emotional wound that had opened upon seeing Hale was another.
No one dared to ask what transpired but only a single person, who just asked her occasionally, not minding on whatever she was thinking. "You fought with him, didn't you? " It was Trace. He was also with them, dragging Pucèlla, a cat elder, by the foot.
Anthony and Aegir exchanged glances until what Trace said slowly sank into their minds. The devastation left in the place could only prove who fought with Artemisia. With a gulp, Anthony and Aegir spoke his name in chorus, "Hale... "
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