The two Ember Squirrels were not used to their prey giving chase, especially not among the treetops. Their nimble bodies darted from branch to branch, leaving trails of embers in their wake. Each time Elrian attempted to close the gap, they'd leap away with incredible agility, chattering mockingly.
Elrian's initial movements among the trees were clumsy. The Aerial Movement technique was still new to him, and its nuances were hard to master on the fly. But with each passing minute, he began to understand it more deeply. He learned to predict the Squirrels' paths, to use the wind to his advantage, and to move with a fluidity he hadn't known he was capable of.
However, the Squirrels' superior agility kept them just out of his reach. Every time Elrian thought he had one cornered, it would make an impossible jump or twist mid-air, avoiding his grasp or the slash of his weapon. Their fiery tails left searing trails, making it difficult for Elrian to follow directly behind. More than once, he narrowly avoided getting singed.
Serpwingra's voice continuously guided him, suggesting angles of approach and warning of the Squirrels' next moves. "Duck left," it would advise, or "Jump now!" Its guidance was invaluable, and though Elrian wasn't landing any hits, he was also evading injury.
But as the chase went on, Elrian noticed a pattern. The Squirrels, though faster, seemed to favor certain paths, certain trees. They liked to leap then double back, trying to confuse their pursuer. Using this knowledge, Elrian set a trap.
Positioning himself on a thick branch, he pretended not to see one of the Squirrels approaching from behind. As it lunged, he spun, using the Aerial Movement technique to give his spin more force. The sudden move caught the Squirrel off-guard, and though Elrian's weapon didn't hit, the flat side of it slapped the creature, sending it tumbling.
The second Squirrel, seeing its partner in distress, became more cautious. Its movements were less mocking, more strategic. Elrian, sensing the shift in momentum, pressed his advantage. Using the trees, the wind, and his growing mastery of the Aerial Movement, he began to herd the Squirrel, directing its movements subtly.
After what felt like hours, with sweat pouring down his brow and his muscles screaming for rest, Elrian finally managed to corner the second Squirrel. But instead of attacking, he simply held his ground, breathing heavily, weapon ready. The Squirrel, realizing it was outmaneuvered, gave a reluctant chitter and darted away, leaving Elrian victorious but exhausted on a thick branch. He had not defeated them, but he had proven he could stand his ground.
The two Ember Squirrels sensed their impending entrapment. Their eyes, previously gleaming with mischief, now glowed with a desperate intensity. Their movements became erratic, no longer the graceful, mocking dances from before, but wild, unpredictable lunges. Flames erupted more fiercely from their bodies, and their fiery tails became swirling torrents of embers.
Elrian, even with Serpwingra's guidance, found it hard to keep up. "Left! Now right! Duck!" Serpwingra's voice rang in his ears. The onslaught of the Squirrels was relentless. Every time he dodged or parried an attack from one, the other was right there, ready to strike. Fighting on the trees made it all the more difficult. Every step had to be calculated; every jump had to be precise. A single misstep could lead to a fall, and that would be disastrous.
A sharp pain shot through Elrian's arm as one of the Squirrels managed to land a bite. The fiery pain was intense, and Elrian's grip on his weapon faltered for a moment. Using the opportunity, the second Squirrel lunged, its sharp claws raking across Elrian's leg. The stinging sensation made him stumble, but he caught himself on a nearby branch.
His breaths were ragged, and blood oozed from his wounds, sizzling when it met the fiery trails the Squirrels left. However, Elrian's determination never wavered. He knew he couldn't let up, not when he was so close. Drawing deep breaths, he centered himself, calling upon every ounce of his training and the insights from his recent breakthroughs.
Using the wind to amplify his movements, Elrian began to counter-attack. When one Squirrel lunged, he'd redirect its momentum, sending it crashing into a tree or its companion. He exploited their wild, berserk state, turning their aggression against them.
Despite the pain and the overwhelming odds, Elrian managed to land a solid blow on one of the Squirrels, sending it plummeting to the forest floor. The other, seeing its companion defeated, became even more ferocious. Its attacks were a blur, but Elrian, drawing from deep reserves of stamina and willpower, matched it blow for blow.
With a final, desperate lunge, Elrian managed to strike the second Squirrel, ending the fierce battle. He collapsed onto a thick branch, panting heavily, his body covered in cuts and burns. He had survived, but the encounter was a stark reminder of the dangers of the forest and the lessons he still had to learn.
As Elrian attempted to catch his breath, Serpwingra's voice echoed in his mind. "Now might be a good time to practice controlling that life qi of yours."
Elrian winced. The pain from his wounds was intense. "Are you sure? Right now?"
Serpwingra's tone was firm. "The best practice is in real situations. You won't have the luxury of a calm environment when you need to use it in battle."
Taking a deep breath, Elrian nodded internally and focused. The life qi within him naturally moved towards his wounds, eager to heal and restore. He visualized a barrier, attempting to hold back the tide of life energy. At first, the energy simply washed over his imagined walls, healing his wounds rapidly.
"No, no, that's not right," Elrian muttered, feeling the frustration rise.
"You're trying too hard to force it," Serpwingra commented. "Imagine it as a stream. Instead of blocking it, try diverting it."
Elrian took a moment to steady himself, then imagined a stream of life qi. He visualized a series of gates, allowing him to control the flow. The first few attempts were clumsy. Either too much energy escaped, rapidly healing the wounds, or too little, rendering the exercise pointless.
With each try, he refined his technique, adjusting the gates, making them more flexible. He began to feel the difference between simply blocking and regulating the flow.
Hours seemed to pass. His concentration was so deep that he lost track of time. With every adjustment, he felt himself getting better. He managed to slow the healing process, letting the wounds close at a more natural pace. It was a delicate balance – ensuring he didn't stop the healing altogether, but also not letting it run rampant.
After what felt like an eternity, Serpwingra commented, "That's better. You've managed to reduce the flow by about 10%."
Elrian opened his eyes, feeling mentally exhausted but triumphant. The wounds were still present, healing slowly. "It's not perfect, but it's a start," he said with a hint of pride.
Serpwingra's tone was approving. "Indeed. With more practice, you'll gain better control. Remember, true mastery comes not from brute force but understanding and finesse."
Elrian nodded, absorbing the lesson. He had a long way to go, but every step, every lesson brought him closer to his goals. Today, despite the pain and exhaustion, was another step forward.