Amidst the shadows of the forest, a fierce duel unfolded . The only source of light was the flickering campfire. Yet, this feeble light was of no help to the two fighters, for their eyes were bound by blindfolds.
One combatant, clad in a sleek, black Victorian suit, wore silver gloves that suited his silver hair that shimmered like the moonlight itself. Despite his attire, which might pose a hindrance, he moved with surprising agility. However, he was clearly on the defensive, struggling to counter the relentless barrage from his opponent.
The second fighter was dressed in a modest training suit. His blue hair flattered as his movements were fluid even without sight, Alex launched a relentless series of strikes with precision on Gracefell, evading every counterattack with ease.
Gracefell attempted to alter the tempo of the confrontation, hoping to gain the upper hand by shifting his attack patterns. Yet, his efforts were in vain; Alex's experience and intuition were too refined. Trained from a young age, Alex's senses were razor-sharp, allowing him to anticipate every attack simply by relying on his foresight.
In a matter of moments, the duel reached its end. Gracefell, unable to adapt to the relentless onslaught, was swiftly knocked down . Alex sent him crashing to the ground, ending the fight
As the clash came to an end, Alex removed his blindfold and walked over to Gracefell. Extending his hand. Gracefell accepted the help and, with a calm demeanor, said, "Thanks."
Alex responded with a serious tone . "Bro, your body is not weak at all. If it were, you wouldn't have left even a scratch on me in our previous duel. However, you need to train to enhance your body and senses with mana. This will help to refine your development to full potential."
With that, we made our way back to the campfire. Alex, already tired and battered after a long day, summoned a sleeping bag and settled down to sleep. Meanwhile, unable to sleep, I decided to apply Alex's advice.
Settling into a flower chair, I focused on my breathing to sharpen my concentration. Mana lies within both my body and the surrounding air. Normally, I could draw on external mana to cast spells, but I was surrounded by miasma. While in theory it can be used to enhance my body I'm still not on that level.
I focused on channeling my own mana to coat my entire body. Despite numerous attempts, I struggled to maintain the flow,
[ Alex made it look easy for how naturally he use it]
I gave up on that, deciding to start step by step .Eventually, I managed to extend mana to my hand. It took several tries to sustain it for more than a few seconds, but when I succeeded, a rush of energy coursed through my arm.
[Now it's time to test it], I wore my mask and ventured deeper into the forest.The miasma wasn't even a threat thanks to my attire.
Soon, I encountered a group of giant spiders, and they seemed eager to meet me, having heard about me from those small spiders.
I found myself mounted on one of these enormous creatures, which led me to an expansive, desolate landscape.After patting the spider on its head in gratitude
I approached the center of the open landscape. My mana reserves were vast, but casting life magic consumed a significant portion. Reflecting on my first duel with alex , creating weapons consumed a lot of mana
Now, I aimed to enhance my body using the same amount of mana.Focusing intently, I channeled most of my mana into my hand, concentrating . With a powerful punch, I struck the ground. However, the result was an immediate catastrophe —the ground shattered, and I found myself falling in the chasm.
The giant spiders, surprised by the sudden event , tried to catch me but were horrified as they failed to reach me in time.
I didn't know how long I had been falling, but one thing was certain: if I hit the solid ground, I was as good as dead. Wasn't fairies supposed to have wings? Where are mine? I cursed under my breath as I extended my mana towards my hand, but this time, l stabbed myself in the chest. As my blood flowed freely, a big silver butterfly emerged from my chest
The butterfly strained to lift me, its wings beating with all their might, but its efforts were insufficient. I continued to fall, though at a slower pace thanks to the butterfly's help. Eventually, I made contact with a surface that was surprisingly soft yet sticky. The butterfly vanished as the last of my mana was depleted.
I lay there, catching my breath, when I began to feel a tingling sensation spreading across my body. I opened my eyes to find myself entangled in a web, the sticky strands pressing against my clothes. Above me, a spider as enormous as a mountain gazed down at me with an intense curiosity. It descended slowly, lifting me with delicate care and wrapping me in a cocoon. [Not again,]
To my surprise, the spider spoke, "It seems you've received my gift."
I looked around, trying to confirm that I wasn't hallucinating. My voice came out hoarse as I asked, "Canst thou speak?"
The spider nodded gently and replied, "Of course I can." Her excitement was evident as she continued, "It's been centuries since I met one of the Ancients. For so long, we thought you had gone extinct, my name is lolth."
I was at a loss for words, so I remained silent for a moment before asking, "Do all mythical beings possess the gift of speech?"
"Yes," she answered. "We all can, though only fairies can understand us. Let me guess, that butterfly didn't say a word, did it?" She paused before continuing, "Well, don't mind her. It's just her nature. My children spoke of you often, hehehe." She suddenly lost her balance but quickly steadied herself. Before I could inquire further, she spoke softly, "You've probably noticed, haven't you?"
I knew what she meant. The knowledge of the crown once I had delved into it made it known to me.
"We're dying," she said, her voice gentle even as she delivered such a grim truth. "This includes all the creatures of the forest. We have lived all these years for the sake of a promise, a promise we knew deep down would never come true. I remember the old days vividly. I was so small then, easily held in a single hand. We were nothing more than insects, easily trampled without notice."
She paused, slowly removing my mask. The giant spider began to glow with a radiant, gentle light, transforming into a beautiful woman. She walked towards me, wearing only a simple silk robe. Her black hair fell to her neck, and her red, merlot eyes locked onto mine. The cocoon that had enveloped me disappeared, leaving me standing in her presence.
Standing before me, she resumed speaking. I stared at her red eyes, seeing her reflection in them. Her voice was as soft as ever. "You loved us, and we loved you in return. We cherished your company and your benevolent gaze. But one day, you all vanished, leaving only a promise to meet again. So much time has passed; many of us died believing you had abandoned us. Yet here you are, a fairy within my reach."
She raised her hands to my neck, beginning to choke me, her voice still gentle but now tinged with anguish. "Your heartbeat remains steady even in death. My hands moved of their own accord, trying to end your suffering, but why am I crying? Why does my heart ache so much? Why? Why?" Tears streamed down her face as she collapsed to the ground.
I understood her emotions, but did I even have the right to answer? I knelt beside her, cradling her face so our eyes met once more. I spoke gently, "Thou art afraid, not of death , but of fading into oblivion. Thou art troubled by the dread of being forsaken, of having thy existence deemed unworthy of remembrance." I paused before continuing, "Lolth, I too shall soon meet my end, as thou art likely aware. Yet I vow that until my final breath, I shall remember thee. I shall remember thy existence and that I am the one who brought thy life to its end."
Lolth smiled at me through her tears, and I could see her wish reflected in that gentle expression. I stood, signaling to the thorns that had been resting, which entwined around my hand. Blood dripped to the ground, coalescing into the form of a giant scythe.
Looking down at the kneeling Lolth, I spoke softly, my speech cracking, "Is there anything you wish to say?"
She took a moment before replying in a soothing voice, "Miserable soul, you may one day find someone in whose eyes you see yourself reflected."
As she finished speaking, I swiftly brought the scythe's blade down, decapitating her in an instant. I sensed her soul leaving her mortal body as her form was enveloped in a radiant light, fading away to leave behind a small spider.
I knelt, holding the spirit delicately in my palm. All the spiders that once existed in the nest vanished, leaving me alone with the spirit
I knelt down as the spider gently crawled to my face, I simply stayed still, looking up to the place where I have fallen