Splash...
My body plummeted into the cold water of the pond, disturbing the serene tranquility that had enveloped the surface.
However, even underwater I felt like being burnt alive.
'Aghhhh...'
I tried to scream, however, all that escaped my mouth were bubbles. I was also soon forced to go up because I couldn't hold my breath any longer.
Splash... Splash...
Like a drowning victim, I clawed at the water's surface, trying to suppress the pain that seemed to sear through my body.
As I reached the shore, I noticed that blood was oozing from my eyes and nose. Although I knew this wasn't good, I could do nothing about it.
"Shit... Shit... I should've picked Claws of Revenge!"
Plowing the dirt with my fingers, I cursed through gritted teeth.
...
The pain kept tormenting me for what felt like eternity. At some point I was very close to passing out but I forced myself to stay conscious, knowing that losing consciousness would mean certain death.
In the end, somehow, I managed to preserve.
Although battered and broken, I had survived the trial.
"That.. was.. cough! cough! shit..."
Coughing out blood and vomit, I collapsed onto the grass and closed my eyes, grateful to be alive. Suddenly, a wave of rage overwhelmed me.
'That fucking tree...'
I rolled onto my back and stared at the pink Sakura blooming above me, its delicate petals floating through the air.
"Fuck you!"
I screamed at the tree, raising my hand and flipping it off. For the next few minutes, I spent my remaining energy cursing at the tree.
If not for the Sakura turning into ashes due to Ashen Armor being taken, I would've continued to curse it.
Swish...
Watching as the gray particles of the tree disintegrated into the air, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction.
However, I didn't sit around for too long.
"Let's see..."
Slowly, I raised my left hand and began to roll up my sleeve, revealing a tattoo of a gray phoenix.
For a brief moment, I traced my fingers over the intricate design, feeling the raised lines beneath my touch.
It was a mark and proof that I now had the Ashen Armor.
With red and blue sparks dancing in my eyes, I stood up and licked my lips.
"Passive mode."
As soon as the words left my mouth, strange warmth washed over my entire body. I watched as the tattoo on my arm glowed with dim silver light and began to emit ash-like lair that spread across my skin.
It was a very weird feeling, as if I was submerged into a cloud of smoldering ashes.
The armor itself became like a second skin, covering me neck to toe in a gray sheen that was barely a few millimeters thick.
"This is perfect..."
Letting out a content sigh, I did some quick stretches and movements to test the flexibility and range of motion provided by the Ashen Armor and all I have to say is that the Artifact didn't let me down.
'It's time to leave...'
Although I wanted to try the Active mode of my newly gained toy, I was aware that I didn't have a lot of time.
The sun was already rising in the distance and I had to make it back to the city before 'it' came.
Tap... Tap...
Carefully holding my right hand that was trembling slightly due to the injuries sustained after my encounter with the Midnight Wolf, I began making my way back toward the city.
Since the night was over, not a lot of monsters roamed the forest, allowing me to reach the wall of the city without much trouble.
Placing my Sword back into the backpack, I, once again, began to crawl through the tunnel that led into the city.
'I'm safe.'
As I emerged on the other side, I quickly trailed back the path I had taken the previous night, arriving in the air train station and boarding the train back to the Academy.
Although there was still time to go and grab the other artifact, I'd much rather focus on healing my injuries and resting for now.
'I had enough adventures for the week...'
***
Whoosh... Whoosh...
A sound of wings massive flapping through the air echoed through the entire area, silencing even the sounds of creatures inhabiting the forest.
All of the beings within the vicinity felt that something dangerous was approaching. Something so powerful that even a million of them couldn't dream of harming such a monster.
Some froze in fear while others simply fainted, not able to withstand the mere presence of the creature.
Tap...
As the creature landed on the ground, flames erupted all around it, engulfing trees, grass and even melting rocks that were too close to it. Within seconds, greenery that stood there for dozens or even hundreds of years turned into ashes.
The creature, however, didn't even care about the destruction it was causing. Its eyes were fixed on a beautiful pond with ashes floating on the surface. Embers glowed within the creature's eyes as it let out a deep, haunting screech.
Somebody has touched what belonged to it.
Swish...
With a single swift movement of its massive wings, the creature took flight once again, leaving behind a trail of devastation and fear in its wake.
High in the sky, it overlooked the burning forest with eerie satisfaction.
Maybe the thief is still nearby and if so, there's no escaping from the flames of the enraged Phoenix.
Screech...
***
Looking outside the window of the air train, I felt strange vibrations pass through my armor.
Unknowingly, a small smile appeared in the corner of my lips.
"It seems that 'it' noticed..."
Letting out a deep breath, I closed my eyes. Good thing there was no way for the creature to know my location or else I would be in serious trouble.
I've done a perfect heist!