Chapter 8 : How to get the Blood
Day 3 was a sunny day, but my heart was heavy with worry. My mother's condition had taken a turn for the worse, and I could see the pain in her eyes.
"Mother... how are you feeling today?" I asked, trying to hold back tears.
_cough_ "I... I'm okay, Kane. Just a bit tired." She smiled weakly, but I could see the strain in her face.
"No, Mother, you're not okay. You have a fever, and you're getting weaker by the day. I'm so scared of losing you, even if it's just for a little while," I said, my voice shaking.
_cough_ "Kane, I... I'm sorry. I never wanted to be a burden to you. I know I wasn't the best mother... I wasn't there for you when you needed me most." She paused, struggling to catch her breath.
"Mother, no! You were always there for me, even when no one else was. You were the only one who loved me, who accepted me for who I am. I'm the one who's sorry, sorry for being such a disappointment to you," I said, tears streaming down my face.
_cough_ "Kane, don't say that. You're not a disappointment. You're my son, my flesh and blood. I love you more than anything in this world." She reached out a weak hand and stroked my face.
I felt a lump form in my throat as I remembered the painful memories of my childhood. "But Mother, everyone else hated me. They called me a bastard, a black sheep. They said I was a mistake, that I didn't deserve to live."
_cough_ "Kane, don't listen to them. They don't know what love is. I love you, and that's all that matters. You're my son, and I'll always be here for you, no matter what." She coughed again, her body wracked with pain.
I held her hand, feeling helpless as I watched her suffer. "Mother, please get better. I need you. I can't do this without you."
_cough_ "Kane, I... I will. I promise. I'll get better, and we'll face whatever comes next together." She squeezed my hand weakly.
"Oooh, wittle Kane, you so confused, yes you are! Mommy Rosea here, and she take care of you, okay? You no know how survive in big bad world, but Mommy teach you, yes she will! You be safe with Mommy, always and forever!"
_Kane looks up at Rosea with wide eyes, unsure of what to make of her silly talk_
Rosea continues, "Oooh, you think you all alone, but Mommy here, and she love you so much! You be strong, wittle Kane, and Mommy be strong too! We face big bad world together, and we win, yes we do!"
_Kane starts to smile, feeling a sense of comfort and security with Rosea by his side_
Rosea coos, "Mommy know you scared, but Mommy here, and she no let anything bad happen to you, nope! You safe with Mommy, forever and ever!"
Hmph...? As I stood up, my head spinning, I realized I had dozed off for a few hours. The dream still lingered in my mind, but I pushed it aside, focusing on my current situation. Without the System, I couldn't start my training, and recovering my Life Crystal was my top priority.
"Reaching City is my only option," I thought, determination burning within me.
My gaze drifted to Lyra's direction, and a sly grin spread across my face. "If I could get her blood, I could create the Ice Demon Pill... but how?"
I pondered, recalling the effects of the Demon Purifying Pill. My strength had increased significantly, comparable to a Rank 2. A spark of confidence ignited within me.
"Raw strength might just be enough to take her down," I thought, a plan forming in my mind.
Under the cover of night, I snuck towards Lyra's quarters, my senses heightened. I could feel her presence, her aura radiating like a beacon.
As I approached, I noticed she was alone, her guard down. I seized the opportunity, creeping closer, my fists clenched.
"Lyra," I whispered, my voice barely audible.
She turned, her eyes narrowing. "Kane, what are you doing here?"
I charged, my raw strength propelling me forward. Lyra's eyes widened, but she quickly regained her composure, summoning a wave of ice shards to block my attack.
The battle had begun.
Chapter 9: Raw strength
As I charged towards Lyra, she swiftly summoned a wave of ice shards to block my attack. But I was relentless, using my raw strength to plow through the icy barrier. The force of my blow sent Lyra flying across the room, her eyes widening in surprise.
The commotion alerted the others, and soon, the quarters were filled with the sound of footsteps and raised voices. Lyra's guards rushed in, but I was too fast, using my strength to overpower them.
In the chaos, Lyra and I were pushed out of the quarters, into the darkness of the jungle. The sounds of the fight faded into the distance as we stumbled deeper into the underbrush.
Lyra regained her footing, her eyes blazing with fury. "You fool, Kane! You'll pay for this!"
With a swift motion, she summoned a blast of frost, striking me with a wave of icy cold air. I stumbled back, my skin burning from the chill.
But I refused to back down, charging forward with a roar. Lyra met me head-on, unleashing a flurry of ice and frost attacks. I countered with my raw strength, using my fists and feet to block and parry her blows.
The fight raged on, the jungle around us becoming a blur of green and brown as we clashed. Lyra's skills were formidable, but I refused to yield, using my strength to push through her defenses.
As the battle wore on, I began to gain ground, my blows landing with increasing frequency. Lyra stumbled back, her breathing ragged, her eyes flashing with anger.
But she refused to give up, summoning a massive ice pillar to block my attack. I slammed into it, my strength faltering for a moment.
Lyra seized the opportunity, striking me with a blast of frost that sent me stumbling back. I fell hard, my skin burning from the cold.
As I struggled to rise, Lyra stood over me, her eyes blazing with triumph. "You should have stayed out of this, Kane," she spat, raising her foot to deliver the final blow.
But I refused to yield, using every last ounce of strength to block her attack. The fight was far from over.
As Lyra's foot came crashing down, I raised my arm to block it, but her strength was too much. Her boot tore through my skin, ripping flesh and muscle. Blood gushed out, soaking my sleeve.
I gritted my teeth, pain searing through my arm. Lyra's eyes flashed with triumph, but I refused to yield. I swung my other fist, connecting with her jaw. Her head snapped back, a faint crack echoing through the air.
Lyra stumbled, her eyes widening in shock. I took advantage of the momentary distraction, striking her again and again. My fists pounded against her skin, leaving bloody welts.
But Lyra was far from defeated. With a snarl, she summoned a wave of ice shards, striking me with razor-sharp precision. The shards tore through my clothes, slicing into my skin. I felt a searing pain as my flesh was ripped apart.
I stumbled back, my vision blurring. Lyra pressed her advantage, unleashing a flurry of frost attacks. I raised my arms, trying to block, but her blows were too strong. My skin was torn and battered, blood flowing freely.
In a desperate bid to turn the tide, I charged forward, using my raw strength to overpower Lyra. We crashed to the ground, rolling and punching. The jungle around us was a blur of green and brown as we fought.
Lyra's eyes flashed with fury, her teeth bared in a snarl. She struck me with a blast of frost, but I countered with a blow to her stomach. Her breath whooshed out, her eyes widening in shock.
I took advantage of the momentary distraction, striking her again and again. My fists pounded against her skin, leaving bloody welts. Lyra's eyes began to glaze, her movements slowing.
But she refused to yield, summoning every last ounce of strength to strike back. The fight raged on, our bodies
battered and bruised. The jungle around us was silent, the only sound the thud of flesh on flesh.