A symphony of howling wolves echoed through the night skies, their chilling cries intertwining to create an eerie chorus. Night birds hurriedly fluttered their wings, soaring through the dense foliage, seeking a vantage point to observe the unfolding spectacle. The shy moon timidly cast its gentle glow upon the scene, its curve untouched save for the shadow of an acrobatic figure.
Focus your gaze upon her. Both of her eyes shimmered with a mesmerizing red hue, bathed in the fading moonlight. Her body exuded perfection, poised as if ready to rend the silent night, yet a flicker of doubt danced across her face. It stemmed from a failure that had yet to yield results.
Beneath her, the prey, a stalwart figure, stood relatively still. His footing vibrated, causing the earth to crack before birthing living roots that hungrily reached for the stand still figure - Anubis. But fate was unkind to them, as a single swing of his claw severed and incinerated the grasping tendrils, leaving them futilely attempting to regenerate.
Yet, perhaps that was not Valeria's main plan. Before the last traces of her living roots vanished, she plunged from the heavens. Her claw struck the earth with thunderous force as she hurtled towards the master, leaving an indelible mark in her wake. Valeria knew Anubis would be aware of her attack, but she refused to let this encounter meet the same end as those before.
Clumps of dirt and rocks were hurled at Anubis, obscuring his calm visage and blinding his field of view. While Anubis attempted to repel the assault, his hand became ensnared by living roots, their unyielding grip tightening around his flesh.
Drawing near with precision, Valeria prepared for the final strike. She believed the precious seconds she had bought would divert the master's attention, or at least create the illusion. In a sudden motion, Valeria altered her trajectory, spiraling above her master until his vulnerable back was exposed.
In the fraction of a moment, Valeria readied herself, poised to execute a full rotation of her claw, but her body was restrained. No, more precisely, her right hand had been seized by Anubis, an act that remained concealed until now. "I still have another—" she began, her voice resolute, only to halt as she realized both of her hands were locked mid-air by the master.
"Are you attempting to deceive me with mere words? Out there, numerous foes possess the ability to read your emotions. I hope you haven't forgotten that," Anubis said, his tone light with a hint of amusement.
A thin smile played upon Valeria's lips, her satisfaction evident for her plan had succeeded. While Anubis held her hands captive, his own foothold was bound by the very living roots Valeria had sought to ensnare him with.
"Hmm, I didn't expect such cooperation from you," Anubis mused, his surprise evident in his voice.
The thin smile that had adorned this man's face since the beginning widened even further as excitement coursed through his veins. Swiftly, he propelled his feet, pushing his figure closer to the action. With the familiar melody resounding in his ears, he drew his uchigatana from its sheath, causing a dazzling glint to emerge from the darkness of the night. "Shukuchi!"
In the next moment, Soran materialized on the scene, his formal greeting replaced by a mischievous chuckle. "I've come to report, Anubis!" he declared, his voice carrying a delicate yet resolute tone, as he swung his sword with lightning speed towards the immobilized Anubis.
"An opportune moment is waste," Anubis murmured, seizing the chance to lift Valeria into the air and hurl her towards newly arrived Soran.
The collision disrupted Soran's attack and sent them tumbling down the mountainside. "Shukuchi might be a versatile technique for ambushes, but did you not consider the distance and surroundings? With this slope, a direct approach would not have granted you the required distance, Soran," Anubis admonished.
Valeria struggled as she tumbled, but swiftly adjusted her footing, followed closely by Soran. "Argh, and here I was willing to alter my plan to buy those precious seconds," Valeria complained.
"I... I appreciate that you did that for me, but I was completely unprepared, and all I knew was that I had a small window of opportunity that I couldn't let slip away," Soran replied, his voice reflecting a mix of gratitude and frustration. "If I had taken just one more step earlier, Anubis would have effortlessly freed himself from your root bindings."
This man had just returned from Eldoria, ready to deliver his routine report to Anubis. In the first place, Soran wasn't initially included in their affairs. However, from a considerable distance, he sensed their intense battle and realized they were in the midst of training. The first glimpse he caught was Valeria's various attempts to ensnare Anubis, sparking a peculiar idea in his mind to strike while Anubis was in a vulnerable position.
Above them, Anubis descended gracefully, his imposing presence commanding attention. Yet, despite his regal aura, the two below seemed unable to find common ground, their complaints filling the air.
Oozing with confidence, Soran extended his uchigatana almost-backward with a flourish. "I'll handle the cost, don't worry," he assured, a mischievous smirk dancing on his lips. "Shuraudo!" he mused under his breath.
In reality, facing a true adversary would hardly inspire such a self-assured expression from Soran. His mind would be racing, strategizing on how to escape and survive. But this time, fortune seemed to favor him. He no longer needed to fear progress or taking risks.
Anubis came to a halt, observing the stance Soran had assumed and the ominous aura that emanated from him. "Shuraudo... attempting to block it would prove futile," Anubis silently acknowledged.
That was one of the skills Soran had obtained from the Talent Scroll: Yami no Kenshi. It had proven to be a remarkable asset as an ally, but a formidable challenge when faced as an adversary. Anubis had no regrets about sharing the Talent Scroll with Soran. In fact, it could very well become a pivotal decision.
The time for their plot was rapidly approaching. The grand stage meticulously prepared by Anubis was inching towards its climax. All that remained was for the right moment to emerge, while they gathered the necessary strength. Ever the silent observer, Anubis issued a challenge to his two subordinates. "Show me the progress you've both made so far," in a words heavy with anticipation, he declared.