The blue glow of the Nighttear Flowers shimmered faintly in the low-lying area, surrounded by the thick, oppressive miasma. Aaron gripped his staff tightly, raising his other hand to signal his team to prepare for action. His eyes were fixed coldly on the opposing mage inspecting the flower buds. Without hesitation, Aaron resolved to strike first.
With a sharp motion, Aaron swung his staff. Magic surged like a torrent as he began chanting, his voice blending seamlessly with the hum of energy in the air. A sharp, icy blue spear materialized and shot forward, piercing through the dense fog with precision.
"Thud!" The ice spear struck the mage's shoulder. A cry of pain escaped the man as he staggered back, collapsing to the ground. Chaos erupted in the opposing group. Arna seized the moment, releasing a volley of arrows.
"Clang! Clang!" A burly shield-bearer intercepted the arrows with deft precision, his massive shield absorbing the impacts. Though the shield bore visible dents and scratches, it still held firm, shielding his comrades from further harm.
"Damn it! What do you want from us?" the enemy leader roared, his voice trembling slightly as panic set in.
Aaron stood at the edge of the miasma, his staff raised, coldly watching their struggles. He offered no reply, instead summoning more magic. As the air temperature plummeted, frost began to creep along the ground. Sharp spikes of ice erupted upward, lancing toward the panicked group.
"Boom!" The shield-bearer dropped to one knee, using his shield to block the ice spikes. While the shield withstood the assault, its edges were chipped, and cracks spread across its surface, signaling its imminent failure.
"Still resisting?" Aaron sneered, sweeping his staff through the air as more frost gathered, spreading an icy sheen across the ground.
"Attack!" the enemy leader bellowed, leaping forward with his sword blazing in flames, aiming straight for Aaron.
Arna moved with lightning speed, drawing her bow and loosing an arrow aimed at the leader's chest. The leader cleaved the arrow mid-flight with his flaming blade, but the move disrupted his rhythm. Aaron advanced instead of retreating, summoning a frost barrier that formed instantly between him and the charging foe.
"Bang!" The flaming sword slammed into the icy barrier, sending shards flying. Yet the frost wall held firm, forcing the leader to stumble back. For the first time, fear flickered in his eyes.
Another warrior from the opposing group turned his attention to Arna, charging toward her with his sword raised. But Arna, anticipating his move, sidestepped deftly and hurled a dagger. The blade struck true, embedding itself into the warrior's arm.
"Ahh!" The man cried out, dropping his sword as blood dripped from the wound. He staggered, clutching his injured arm, but stubbornly tried to advance again.
Arna gave him no chance. She closed the distance quickly, her dagger flashing in the dim light as it aimed for his throat.
"Stop!" the shield-bearer shouted desperately, tossing aside his broken shield to block her strike. He raised his hands in a gesture of surrender, his voice hoarse. "Enough! We surrender!"
The battle abruptly ended. The remaining members of the opposing group were battered, breathing heavily, their faces etched with pain and frustration. The leader, his expression twisted with fury, growled, "You've won. The Nighttear Flowers are yours. Take them."
Aaron approached slowly, his eyes cold and calculating as they swept over the defeated group. He stopped in front of the injured mage, lifting his staff slightly to point at the man's chest. His voice was icy: "The name of Archmage Sion won't save you here. Tell me, why did you trespass into the lands of House Viscent? Was it truly just for the Nighttear Flowers?"
The mage, pale and trembling, hesitated before glancing at his leader. Finally, he spoke in a low voice, "Yes… Archmage Sion sent us to collect the Nighttear Flowers. They're crucial for his research on a new magical array."
"A new magical array?" Aaron's eyes narrowed, a hint of intrigue flickering across his expression.
The leader snorted. "That's right. We're just following orders. We didn't come here to provoke anyone. Take what you want and let us go."
Aaron smirked, his tone dripping with scorn. "The Nighttear Flowers are mine. But deliver a message to Archmage Sion: The lands of House Viscent are not open to intruders."
He gestured toward the sacks of flowers. "Arna, take them."
Arna moved swiftly, retrieving the Nighttear Flowers and securing them in her pack. She nodded to Aaron after ensuring their safe collection.
Without sparing the group another glance, Aaron turned and began walking away. His voice carried through the miasma, laced with chilling authority: "Don't let me see you here again. Next time, there will be no mercy."
As they made their way back through the forest, Arna broke the silence, her voice low: "Aaron, do you really believe they're Archmage Sion's men?"
Aaron's expression remained cold as he replied, "Perhaps Sion sent them, but their purpose isn't as simple as they claimed. An archmage like Sion wouldn't dispatch people into the miasma for mere flowers. There's something more."
Arna nodded thoughtfully. "What will you do with the Nighttear Flowers?"
"Deliver them to the Shadow Alliance," Aaron said, his tone measured. "But we'll also use them to uncover Archmage Sion's true intent. This storm is far from over."
Aaron's voice was calm, but his gaze burned with a quiet intensity. With the Nighttear Flowers in hand and a new thread to unravel, he knew the game had only just begun.