As Dmitri trudged along the uneven terrain that seemed to lead inevitably to the landship, he could hear the murmurs of discontent rising from his group. The recurring question, muttered in low, uncertain voices, was whether they were heading in the right direction. Many of them questioned why Dmitri, who didn't have Oripathy like some of the others, was even bothering to stick with them. He could have easily left and saved himself the trouble.
But Dmitri's mind was set. Hmph. I don't need to break my promises. I declared that I'd pay him back after helping me. Simple as that.
The journey to the landship wasn't as straightforward as they'd hoped. They faced multiple beast attacks along the way, the kind of threats that would make lesser groups turn back. But Dmitri's team, despite their ailments, handled these challenges with practiced precision, their sheer numbers and resolve giving them the advantage. That all changed, though, when they felt a shift in the air—a stillness that sent a collective shiver down their spines.
The songs of birds died in an instant, replaced by a suffocating silence that settled over the forest. It felt as if the world itself was holding its breath. Dmitri and his group felt their heartbeats quicken, their senses sharpening to the point where even the rustling leaves seemed like a threat.
Why are you here? The question came from everywhere and nowhere all at once, a voice like a ghostly echo that slipped through the air. They knew, instinctively, that this wasn't a mere whisper from the wind—it was a person, someone nearby watching their every move.
"Same as everyone," Dmitri answered, his voice steady but filled with defiance. "To find a home." His words drew nods from some of his group members while others tensed, gripping their weapons tightly in case things went south.
Dmitri readied his compact crossbow, its familiar weight a comfort in his hands. Without warning, he fired at a branch above them, shattering it into splinters. The branch fell, revealing Sera crouched behind it, her movements fluid as she dodged the debris with a curse.
Fucking dammit, Sera thought, her frustration barely hidden. How the hell did he spot me? I'm sure I was suppressing my mana. She felt a flicker of irritation beneath her calm exterior, but at least she had the Hydra mask on, hiding her features from view. The mask's blank white surface, coupled with her hooded jacket, gave her a ghostly appearance in the dim forest light.
Ah, yes, she thought with a touch of pride, it's time to introduce my precious jacket. Let's give it the spotlight it deserves!
Sera's jacket, named Whooled Plush, was one of her most treasured possessions. The inside was lined with soft, plush fabric that felt like a gentle hug, colored in a light vanilla shade. The exterior, however, was a deep navy mixed with black, its hue shifting depending on the light. It was slightly oversized, even on Sera, but the fit allowed her greater movement—not to mention the two large front pockets lined with shock-absorbent material, secured by magnetic snaps for easy access.
And those weren't the only features; the jacket also sported four additional pouches, strategically placed just above the both of the jacket's elbow joints, each sealed with velcro to keep things secure. She wore the jacket open most of the time, for ease of movement, and because, honestly, it looked pretty cool that way.
The hood itself was practical, though it didn't fully cover her head because of her pointed Sarkaz ears. To balance that, the hood was lined with a thinner material, designed not to weigh her down. And on the back, near her right shoulder, were three small clips to hold extra gear if she needed it.
Ah, and let's not forget, Sera mentally added, this beauty also comes with an armor rating of +76. Not bad, if I do say so myself.
Returning her attention to Dmitri, Sera watched as he sized her up, his eyes narrowing at her masked face. To him, the stark white mask hid too much—obscuring not only her identity but her very essence. The mask unsettled him, making it hard to gauge who or what he was dealing with. Dmitri's mind raced as he tried to pin down what kind of enemy he was facing, settling on one detail that stood out—her pointed ears, one of which was pierced. A Sarkaz, just my luck.
"Out of our way, Sarkaz," Dmitri growled, his tone dripping with disdain. "This has nothing to do with you. So I'm only going to say it once—step. Aside." He loaded another arrow into his crossbow, his aim steady and unwavering.
Sera's lips curled into a smirk beneath her mask, even though her face was twitching involuntarily from the stress of the situation. "What makes you think I won't kill you here and now, boy?" she replied, her voice carrying a hint of menace. From the way her tail swished back and forth, Dmitri's group knew she was ready to strike at a moment's notice.
Without another word, Sera drew Ling from her Ghosty, the blade's red glow flickering to life as she channeled blighted flames onto it. She watched Dmitri's eyes narrow, his grip tightening on his weapon as he prepared for the inevitable clash.
And then, as if the world itself paused, they both disappeared from sight—blurring into motion as they tested each other with their weapons. Dmitri's wind-based sequences clashed with Sera's flame-imbued strikes, the air around them sparking with raw energy.
Sera knew she needed to up her game, so she activated a skill from her arsenal called Rapid Dash. The skill allowed her to boost her speed by ten percent for five seconds, at the cost of 50 magicules and 175 stamina per use. She hadn't done much physical exertion that day, so her reserves were still plentiful.
Dmitri's eyes widened as Sera closed the distance between them in an instant, her form blurring as she landed a punch squarely into his stomach, sending him stumbling back. He coughed violently, spitting out a curse. "Oi! Why aren't you attacking demo—Ack!" His words cut off as Sera's fist connected with his ribs, knocking the wind out of him.
Calling someone a "demon" on Terra II was considered a slur—something only the ignorant or hateful used against Sarkaz and other races with demonic features. Sera didn't care much for the insult itself, but the disrespect grated on her nerves.
The clash continued, both combatants moving in a flurry of motion, sequences activating and colliding with each other. Sera's mastery of thermodynamics allowed her to control the flames around her with precision, while Dmitri's affinity for wind made him a slippery opponent, darting in and out of range.
"What's wrong, boy?" Sera taunted, her breath coming in ragged but controlled gasps. "You're too slow to hit me, aren't you?" Her eyes glinted behind the mask, challenging him to do better.
Dmitri grit his teeth, his eyes burning with determination. He wasn't used to being underestimated, and Sera's mocking tone cut deeper than any wound. He readied another arrow in his crossbow, the metal glinting in the dim light of the forest.
The rest of Dmitri's group watched on, torn between fear and awe. They hadn't expected to face someone this skilled, someone who danced on the edge of death with a smile hidden behind a mask. And yet, there was no denying the respect Sera commanded even in the heat of battle.
You wanted to find a home, Sera thought as she watched Dmitri struggle. Then prove to me you have what it takes to survive in mine.
The fight was far from over, and as their skills clashed, the air around them seemed to hum with anticipation. This encounter would not only determine who was stronger, but also who had the right to call this landship—and this world—their home.