With the agility of a shadow, Blaze blended into the darkness of the alleyways, effectively concealing his presence. He deftly navigated through the town, skillfully evading the watchful eyes of the soldiers stationed there. As he approached the blacksmith's manor, his senses heightened, alert to any potential threats or obstacles.
The manor loomed before him, partially illuminated by lights emanating from a few rooms, while the majority of the building remained shrouded in darkness. The favorable conditions aligned with Blaze's plan, providing him the cover he needed to proceed undetected.
Moving with utmost caution, Blaze leaped effortlessly over the fence in just two steps, his movements silent and controlled. He advanced toward the manor, his steps measured and deliberate.
Entering through a window, Blaze continued his stealthy progress, traversing the manor with meticulous care. Room by room, he methodically searched, his senses attuned to every detail. The manor's size did not deter him; he took his time, ensuring that no stone was left unturned in his pursuit.
Blaze's intuition heightened as he realized the abnormality of his search thus far. His instincts urged him to exercise even greater caution as he surveyed his surroundings, his eyes squinting behind the mask.
"Aphrodite, help me check around the room," Blaze finally dropped his pride as it seemed that he wouldn't finish the search. Despite his earlier hesitation, he understood the value of her supernatural ability to pass through physical objects.
Aphrodite responded with a hint of amusement in her voice, "I thought you wouldn't ask." With a laugh, she vanished from sight, leaving Blaze to anticipate her findings.
Blaze waited at his position for feedback from Aphrodite.
Moments later, Aphrodite reappeared beside him, providing the crucial information he sought. "The last room on your left," she relayed.
Blaze nodded and made his way to the room. As he reached the door, he gripped the handle and turned it with care, attempting to minimize any noise. However, a faint, squeaky sound escaped the hinges, alerting anyone inside of his presence.
He saw a man sitting on a chair while backing him. Blaze's eyes darted around before walking towards the man. Blaze's hair suddenly felt a deadly chill on his back.
With lightning reflexes, Blaze evaded the imminent danger, leaping back with unwavering resolve as a mesmerizing bolt of purple lightning surged forth from the man's outstretched hand. The sheer force of its impact shattered the very ground where Blaze had stood, leaving behind a gaping abyss, a testament to the destructive power it possessed.
Undeterred by the electrifying spectacle, Blaze's eyes burned with intensified determination as he swiftly closed the distance between himself and the enigmatic man. The man was about to stand and turn, but it was too late as Blaze appeared behind him in a flurry of motion. Using his left hand, Blaze seized the man's face in a vice-like grip, effectively muffling any potential outcry and pinning him to the chair.
Simultaneously, his other hand conjured a short ice blade, its edges sharpened this time around, a testament to Blaze's heightened proficiency.
The man thrashed and writhed, bolts of lightning crackling across his body in a desperate bid to repel Blaze's advance.
Yet, undeterred by the electrifying shocks coursing through his veins, Blaze held fast, his hands trembling with exertion, teeth clenched in unyielding determination.
With a surge of raw power, Blaze abruptly snapped the man's neck to the left, the motion swift and merciless. Simultaneously, the ice blade arced across the man's throat, its icy kiss leaving a crimson trail of finality as it sliced from left to right,
Yet, in a final act of defiance, as the veil of death enshrouded the man, colossal bolts of lightning abruptly surged forth, propelling Blaze through the air with unbridled force. Hurtling through the very door he had entered, he crashed into the lobby wall with a resounding impact. Agonizing pain coursed through his body as he collapsed to one knee, beads of sweat mingling with the determination etched upon his brow. A metallic taste filled his mouth, but he valiantly swallowed it down.
Rising from his battered stance, Blaze swiftly closed the distance to the fallen man, his heart pounding with the remnants of battle. But as he approached, relief washed over him, for the man now leaned lifelessly against the chair, his eyes vacant and his throat gushing crimson.
"He was a step from saving himself, but he wanted to store enough lightning and release it. Unfortunately, he met a ruthless individual," Aphrodite spoke from the side.
As the manor stirred with an unsettling commotion, Blaze's attention was finally drawn to the enigmatic face of the fallen foe. Squinting his eyes, he discerned the features of a youthful countenance, a revelation that sent a shiver down his spine.
"A trap," Blaze muttered grimly, his instincts sharp as he realized the magnitude of the situation. Without hesitation, he sprinted toward the nearest window, propelled by a sense of urgency. With a nimble leap, he cleared the obstacle, intending to make his escape. Yet, his momentum came to an abrupt halt as he collided with an invisible barrier just a mere meter away from the protecting fence.
"An array!" Aphrodite exclaimed, her words laced with concern. The realization struck Blaze like a bolt of lightning as he knew nothing about arrays.
"You know how to deactivate this thing?" Blaze inquired, his gaze darting around his surroundings with heightened vigilance. He knew time was of the essence, and he needed to find a way to circumvent the invisible prison that held him captive.
"I…I lost my memories," Aphrodite stuttered, ashamed of herself.
"Useless," Blaze muttered and used his hands to feel the invisible barrier. It was like a smooth, invisible wall.
'I never planned for this,' Blaze thought and turned towards the manor. Fire touches started converging in his direction.
The once-silent manor erupted with a cacophony, as if coming alive with a sinister purpose. Each room and corridor resounded with the crackling of flames, casting an eerie glow that revealed the unfolding danger. The dissonant clash of metal against metal reverberated through the air, a foreboding symphony that alerted Blaze to the presence of a colossal trap, cunningly laid in anticipation of his every move.
Blaze started sweating as he estimated the number of fire torches he could see.
"Caroline," Blaze growled through gritted teeth.
"Catch the robber alive!" A commanding and deep roar, emanating from the depths of the manor, made Blaze's heart palpitate.