The trio walked through the dense woods. Their footsteps echoed loudly against the hard ground.
Asura suddenly stopped mid stride. She turned to face Zenyph. Her expression was unreadable.
"Do you hear that?" inquired the young noble girl.
Zenyph listened intently. He could vaguely make out a faint noise. A low growl rumbled in his ear.
He squinted his eyes trying to see past the thick vegetation covering every inch of space. He scanned his surroundings carefully searching for signs of life. Suddenly his gaze fell upon a small figure crouched behind a tree trunk. It's fur was pitch black and it had bright red eyes staring at them intently. Its muscles rippled under the moonlight illuminating its outline. It was a large wolf with razor sharp claws and fangs. It stalked slowly forward it's yellowish pupils shining brightly.
Zenyph recognized the creature immediately. It was a Beowolf. One of the many species native to the Nightborn.
"Yes I do." responded the silver haired boy calmly. He glanced at Asura questioningly. "Is it dangerous?"
Asura laughed dryly. "It's weaker than the nameless but we need light magic to damage it." Asura looked to Alice expectantly. "Alice you have any weapons with light enchantment on the?"
"Um yes I do." said Alice fumbling with her backpack. She rummaged through her belongings taking out multiple weapons.
She handed Asura two swords. The blades shone brightly under the light of the moon.
"One is enchanted with holy fire. The other with holy blood." stated Alice matter of fact.
"Holy blood? Holy Fire?" Zenyph wondered silently as he watched Asura take the weapons.
"Okay Zenyph stay back and watch over Alice. Don't engage unless absolutely necessary. Alright?" ordered Asura firmly.
"Sure thing. Let me handle the water magic." replied Zenyph as he readied himself mentally preparing for combat.
"Water magic?" Asura scoffed in amusement.
"My body has become capable of wielding dark and water magic. My water magic is far more superior than my dark magic." bragged the fourth prince confidently.
"I'm sure it is." sneered the vampire sarcastically.
"Just wait."
Asura sprinted toward the beast while unsheathing both her weapons. She leapt into the air aiming her attack at the head of the wolf.
The wolf easily dodged her strike and counterattacked with its powerful claws.
Asura ducked swiftly avoiding the swipe. She spun around striking repeatedly with her blades slicing at its hind legs.
The wolf yelped loudly as it retreated backwards leaving bloody wounds behind.
Meanwhile Alice and Zenyph stood idly watching the fight unfolding before their very eyes.
"Shouldn't we help?" whispered Alice anxiously clutching her staff tightly.
"Nah. Asura knows what she's doing." shrugged Zenyph nonchalantly observing the scene unfolding before him.
Asura continued her assault relentlessly attacking the Beowolf over and over again. She slashed mercilessly tearing into its flesh with every swing. Crimson liquid splattered across the snowy terrain staining the pure whiteness crimson red. The beast struggled feebly trying desperately to escape from its tormentor however Asura showed no sign of mercy. Soon enough the monster succumbed to its injuries dying on its knees in defeat.
After killing the Beowolf Asura returned to Zenyph and Alice.
"Did you enjoy watching the show?" taunted Asura wiping the blood off her cheek using her sleeve.
"Yeah. Your skills are quite impressive. You definitely earned your place as first in the class." praised Zenyph.
"Thank you. Let's keep moving." suggested Asura gesturing them to follow her.
As they walked further through the woods they encountered more monsters such as Deathstalker spiders and other deadly creatures. Eventually they found themselves standing at the entrance of a cave.
"There's a path that leads deeper into the caverns. We can rest there until morning comes." said Asura glancing at the cave mouth.
"You want to rest in a cave? A place with only one entrance and exit? Where any number of things might eat us? No thanks." rebuked Alice raising her brow skeptically.
"Fine. We'll camp here now then move after we rest up. Does that work for you princess?" teased Asura giving Alice a mischievous smirk.
Alice blushed at the nickname and turned away looking to the silver haired boy for back up.
The three friends were suddenly interrupted when they heard an agonized shriek echoing throughout the forest. The sound seemed distant yet close enough to hear clearly. It was definitely someone screaming.
Everyone froze instantly alerted by the sudden cry. They exchanged worried looks before quickly following the source of the noise. They ran through bushes and branches nearly tripping several times before finding what appeared to be an injured human lying unconscious on the ground. His skin was orange. His hair was short and messy. His clothes were torn exposing parts of his chest. Blood trickled down his neck seeping into his shirt creating stains all over his torso. He clutched his arm tightly trying to stop the bleeding unsuccessfully. He was barely breathing due to his shallow breaths.
The three approached cautiously kneeling beside him examining him closely.
"His skin color is unusual... He smells like blood..." murmured Asura studying the stranger intensely.
"I think we should bring him with us. He could be useful. What do you think Zenyph?" questioned Asura curiously.
"Lets find out what did this to him. He should be able to tell us more about it." decided Zenyph determinedly.
They carried the wounded male into their campsite setting him near the fire so he could warm up.
After cleaning his wound and bandaging it properly Asura sat beside the unconscious man waiting patiently for him to awaken.
An hour passed without any changes occurring within the body of the orange skinned being. Then suddenly his eyes snapped open revealing his silver colored irises. Blue mana surged through his veins. His muscles bulged slightly growing denser and larger. He looked around frantically trying to gather his bearings. His gaze landed on Asura and something inside of him snapped.
"YOU!" roared the man pointing an accusing finger at her angrily. "YOU'RE THE ONE WHO DID THIS TO ME!"