In a mesmerizing display of calculated movement, Morgana gracefully danced through the barrage of razor-sharp bone projectiles hurled her way by the relentless Alexei. Meanwhile, Kira, with a swift and determined approach, unleashed her shadow blades, anticipating a direct hit. However, Morgana, in a twist of cunning, with a flick of her fingers, she disrupted the blades' movement causing the blades to drop harmlessly to the ground like discarded petals.
Seizing the opportunity, Morgana, decided to use a deceptive motion, While Kira had already thought of her attack as she pretended to conjure another set of shadow blades. Instead, she used her shadow web bind from the darkness behind her, tendrils winding and weaving through the air. However, with a wave of her hand, Morgana effortlessly dispelled the attack, revealing that Kira's true attack was already exposed.
As Alexei pressed on, Morgana's gaze turned toward her, a sly smirk playing on her lips. With a flourish, she flipped her hand forward, casting a wisp of curse upon the ground beneath Alexei, causing her to slip and tumble forward with an inadvertent, almost comical, squeal of surprise.
"Alexei, come on, you can do better. We've spent years together, you should know better," Morgana said condescendingly. Having observed Alexei execute countless attacks over the years, she expected more finesse from someone she had trained and fought with for so long.
"Alexei, don't listen to her. She doesn't know the real you. There's always a moment where any attack can land, no matter how strong they are," Kira shouted to Alexei, her words carrying a tone of encouragement.
In response to Kira's encouragement, Alexei, undeterred by her earlier fall, decided to rise to her feet and dusted off the dirt from her face. Alexei decided to press forward and unleash the same attack she was going to use before... Meanwhile, Kira, recognizing the need for a strategic approach as Alexei already had the hand to hand, she chose to stand back and drew her bow, preparing to provide support from a distance.
As Alexei advanced, she began rubbing her bones together, generating sparks in preparation for her intended attack. However before she could, Morgana, ever calculating, pulled back her robe and revealed a hidden arsenal of potions beneath. With a swift hand motion, she withdrew a black vial named 'Cursed Chains Elixir' and hurled it towards Alexei.
The vial landed on the ground and easily exploded upon impact, releasing a puddle of liquid that swiftly climbed up both of Alexei's legs, leaving behind the imprint of blue chains. The magical effect of the elixir acted like an instant restraint, freezing Alexei in place and preventing her from moving any further.
'This potion is so strong, I just can't move at all... Is this a new potion she created?' Alexei struggled with her thoughts, trying to make sense of the unfamiliar effects.
Kira who was behind Alexei leaning on a tree notched an arrow about to attack Morgana, but stopped when she noticed what happened to Alexei but again another unexpected turn as Morgana, decided to throw another black vial. However, this time, surprisingly the target wasn't Alexei but rather Kira.
The vial struck the ground, releasing a shadowy mist that quickly obscured Kira's vision. Despite her attempt to see through the shadows to the other side, the mist proved too dense even when with her bloodline giving her and advantage. Abruptly before she could react, Alexei, caught off guard by Morgana's sudden attack, screamed as she was sent flying through the shadowy mist.
The collision was brutal as Alexei crashed into Kira, both of them slamming into the tree together. The impact reverberated through their bodies, entangled in a painful aftermath. As Kira struggled to get up and comprehend the situation, she slowly realized the extent of the injuries as she felt more pain in her leg again.
"Argh!"
Alexei's scream echoed, and Kira, her vision now clear she saw the severity of the situation. Both of Alexei's arms were now broken, the result of the bone being dragged into the ground during the collision. The pain surged through her, and she began to breathe heavily, grappling with the intense agony of her injuries.
"Alexei, calm down. You will be fine," Kira reassured her, sensing the pain returning to her own legs.
When the shadow mist disappeared in front of them, Morgana walked out. "My Alexei, I gave you a chance before, but seeing the situation you're currently in, I'm willing to give you another chance. Are you going to continue believing her, or are you coming back to me?" Morgana asked.
"No... Never. As I said, I won't have you hurt anyone else... even yourself anymore," Alexei said slowly, even in pain.
"..." Morgana didn't say anything in response but let out a heavy sigh. Shaking her head she took out a small vial containing red liquid and swiftly threw it at Alexei.
As Alexei gazed at the vial in shock, time seemed to slow. The realization struck her like a heavy blow to Morgana's 'Hexfire.' This insidious fire not only burns your physical body but also bears a curse that lingers, inflicting ongoing pain. In that moment, Alexei understood the gravity of her impending fate.
Beside her, Kira moved too slowly, unable to intervene in Morgana. Despite the dire circumstances, a peculiar sense of satisfaction settled in Alexei's mind. She found solace in the fact that, in her final moments, she had forged a connection with someone she could consider a friend.
'Kira... I'm sorry for everything I caused you... bye,' Alexei thought with a mix of sadness at the prospect of dying and anger, knowing that Kira might meet the same fate.
As she braced herself, eyes closed heart speeding up, preparing for Morgana's hexfire attack, Alexei suddenly heard the sound of a vial breaking. Yet, she felt no impact or burning sensation. 'What's happening?' she wondered, peeking through her eyelids.
"You won't be dying today, my queen," a deep, loyal voice reassured her.
Everyone was shocked and wondered...Who is your queen and how are they your queen? all looking to the side in the direction of the voice they all gazed at there all were surprised to see a 8 feet giant skull knight with it's armor is a seamless blend of glistening white and deep crimson plates, adorned with intricate patterns resembling etched veins, It's eye sockets of the skull emanate a haunting, luminescent crimson glow. A billowing cape, ethereal and seemingly weightless, trails behind the knight. It shimmers with a blend of white and red, a long giant bone sword white handle and a crimson blade.
"Ravos!" Alexei shouted in a mix of excitement and shock. Both Kira and Morgana looked at Alexei and the skull knight in disbelief, wondering who Ravos was, as Morgana had never known any other skull knigt other than the lower skull knights she made.
"I thought you were dead..." Alexei said, her tone on the verge of tears.
Ravos, the skull knight, ignored Kira and Morgana, walking past them without a care. He quickly knelt down in front of Alexei. "I wasn't dead, my queen... you just have to call for me—" he began, but stopped, noticing the bleeding Alexei when his crimson eyes aslo briefly flashed orange.
Kira couldn't help but ponder, 'Is that one of her skull knights? This one looks different, and he called her Queen, what's that about? The last one called her Master.'
"What happened to you, my queen?" Ravos asked, concern in his voice. "You're hurt."
Ravos stood up and his intense gaze fixed on Morgana, causing her to step back. She quickly composed herself, standing tall and locking eyes with Ravos, whose gaze started to turn blood-red.
"You dare hurt my queen!" Ravos shouted, his voice filled with righteous anger.
"So, Alexei, you believe another one of your skeletons will save you?" Morgana taunted, slowly backing away with her arms spread wide.
Far Away in the Enigma Grove were Kage and Vayuna walking together"There is really something currently wrong in the grove" Kage said
"But we haven't found it yet" Vayuna
Back by Kira,Alexei and the others.
Abruptly a disconcerting creaking scream resonated through the forest, capturing everyone's attention. Something then landed from the sky in front of Morgana, emerging from the settling dust was a weird creepy creature. Its body, intricately crafted from bone, displayed a predominant white hue adorned with subtle red accents. A long, pointed tail, adorned with sharp spines, trailed behind it.
The creature possessed four small wings made of delicate, razor-sharp bone layers, Its four arms, two long and two short, terminated in pointed, sharp fingers. Thin, curved bony legs supported its body, The creature's face, particularly unsettling, featured a set of four sharp teeth and blood-red eyes that pierced through the air. The forest echoed with an eerie silence.
"This is Experiment No. 666, Reaper, your replacement," Morgana declared. "A superior version, one without emotions...especially without having the burden of thinking."
As Alexei grappled with the realization of Morgana's words, a surge of intense anger and pain overwhelmed her. Slowly understanding that she had been nothing more than a tool for Morgana's schemes she felt extremely hurt. In the midst of this emotional turmoil, Ravos his eye flashed orange again before turning blood red, suddenly lost control over his body and was, driven by an unknown force, charged towards Morgana with determination.
Kira quickly recognized the reaper creature. "That's the creature from the picture in her laboratory," she said, visually recalling the image on the wall with the sharp pointed tail, four wings, and four arms.
"I see you were in my lab... well, it shouldn't matter because after I kill you all, there won't be any secrets to expose," Morgana declared.
As Ravos pressed forward, the mysterious force took control of his body, and his feet slammed into the ground. Instantly, hundreds of bone spikes shot up from the earth, launching toward the No.666 Reaper. Causing the Reaper to flap its wings, managing to evade some of the spikes, but one found its mark, embedding itself into the bone of its foot, eliciting a screech of pain. The bone spike was quickly dislodged as the Reaper ascended higher into the air.
Ravos regained control over his body, perplexed by the sudden shift but having no time to dwell. As he observed the Reaper preparing to retaliate, it swung its razor-sharp claws in the air, creating blood blades that descended toward him. In response, Ravos uttered a word, and his surroundings responded. Bones untangled from his sword and quickly assembled into a swirling, large shield made of interlocking bones.