"Damn, that girl was bad as fuck," Loretta muttered to himself, striding out of Gi Eats, the vibrant atmosphere of Arystel buzzing around him. The image of Erenyx, fierce and beautiful, flashed through his mind, her axes gleaming in the sunlight as she had effortlessly dispatched those thugs. "But damn, I was cringey as hell," he added, scratching the back of his head in embarrassment. "Should've at least asked for her number."
With thoughts swirling like a cyclone in his mind, he ambled toward a nearby hotel, needing a place to rest and regroup. The lively streets were a blur as people bustled about, their laughter and shouts weaving a tapestry of city life. Loretta felt a strange mix of pride and regret about the encounter, wishing he could have left a better impression.
Meanwhile, back in the restaurant, Erenyx savored the last bite of her meal, the flavors dancing on her tongue. A smirk formed on her lips as she said to herself, "At least I don't have to ask Grandpa for money." She called over a waiter, settling her tab with ease before stepping back into the sun-drenched streets of Arystel, her heart pounding with excitement.
As she wandered through the vibrant market, the intoxicating scent of spices and roasted meats filled the air. Street vendors shouted their wares, the colorful stalls bursting with fruits and trinkets. Erenyx felt a thrill of anticipation; the city buzzed with energy, promising both adventure and challenge.
Her search for a place to stay led her to a quaint inn, its wooden façade warm and inviting. After a brief negotiation, she paid for a room and breakfast for two days and one night. Exhausted from her travels and the earlier adrenaline rush, she entered her room, which was modest but cozy, with a soft bed and a window that overlooked the bustling street below. She sank onto the bed, her body sinking into the comfort, and slipped into a meditative position.
As she gathered Essentia, a silver, flowing aura surrounded her, rippling with her focus. The energy surged around her, spiking and fluctuating as her mind wrestled with unease. "Loretta Ra... why does that name sound so familiar?" she muttered, exhaling deeply to clear her thoughts, trying to untangle the threads of memory that danced just out of reach.
After a moment, she opened her eyes, a fire igniting within her. "I shouldn't spend my time meditating. Maybe I should go fetch a bounty." Her decision made, Erenyx grabbed her phone, her fingers flying over the screen as she searched for the nearest bounty office. "Oh, this city is full of bounty houses," she mused, her heart racing at the prospect of a new challenge.
Upon arriving at the bounty house, the air was thick with tension and excitement, and the scent of sweat and anticipation filled her lungs. She wasted no time asking about high-paying bounties, her voice steady and confident. The attendant, a weary-looking woman with tired eyes, leaned closer.
"There's an Eonveil hunter with a bounty exceeding 50,000 Kril. They say he's incredibly dangerous."
Erenyx's interest piqued. "Anything special about him?" she pressed, her curiosity growing.
The attendant shook her head, her expression somber. "We don't have much information on him. Every Essential who has taken on the mission to kill him hasn't made it back."
A predatory smile spread across Erenyx's face, thrill coursing through her veins at the challenge presented before her. "I'll take the mission!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with enthusiasm, radiating an almost celestial glow. The attendant hesitated, concern etched on her features. "Are you sure?"
"More than sure!" Erenyx declared, practically vibrating with excitement. She quickly provided her banking information and dashed out of the building, ready to face whatever lay ahead.
As she sprinted toward the last known location of the Eonveil hunter, Essentia surged through her, invigorating her limbs. Erenyx propelled herself into the air, forming the hand sign to summon Zeus, her formidable Thunderbird companion. A crackle of electricity resonated as Zeus materialized with a fierce roar, his feathers shimmering in the sunlight. Erenyx landed gracefully on his back, her smile unwavering as they soared through the skies, the wind whipping through her locs.
After a thrilling flight of less than six minutes, a sinister aura prickled at Erenyx's senses like a chill down her spine. With instinct guiding her, she commanded Zeus to make a sharp turn downward. They dove toward the enemy below, the clouds parting as thunder cracked, creating a cacophony of sound. BOOM! A crater erupted in the ground as Zeus dive-bombed, Erenyx backflipping off his back moments before impact, her heart racing with exhilaration.
"C'mon! I know you didn't die from just that!" she shouted into the swirling dust that enveloped the area. As the cloud settled, a deep yet calm voice emerged from within. "Art of the Archer: Flame Arrow!"
Before she could react, a fiery arrow shot through the air, blindingly fast, hurtling toward her. Erenyx's reflexes kicked in, and she barely dodged the projectile, the heat singeing her hair as it whizzed by.
"Who are you?" the man called out, his voice steady as he assessed her.
"Telling my name to someone who is about to die is useless!" Erenyx spat back, adrenaline surging through her as she reached for her axe, 'Gin,' readying herself for battle. The man sighed at her brashness, his demeanor unfazed. "My name is Xavill Ra. You will regret facing me, child."
Erenyx's heart raced; she had heard tales of Xavill Ra, the last descendant of the Ra bloodline to awaken their Eonveil. This was no ordinary opponent, and she realized her bravado could cost her dearly. Yet determination hardened her resolve. She accelerated in her descent, spinning as she swung Gin toward Xavill's neck, but he evaded it effortlessly, his movements fluid and practiced.
As she stumbled back from her missed attack, he retaliated with a swift punch to her gut, the impact knocking the wind out of her. Erenyx gasped for air, her instincts screaming at her to stay focused. Xavill locked eyes with her, his gaze fierce. "Art of the Destroyer: Fireball!" A massive fireball erupted from his mouth, engulfing Erenyx in searing flames.
As the flames dissipated, Xavill's eyes widened in shock. There, standing unscathed, was Shiki, her majestic serpent companion, coiling protectively around her. The flames flickered off Shiki's iridescent scales, illuminating the scene with a surreal glow.
"I won't go down that easily!" Erenyx screamed, her eyes glowing a blood red, resembling a blood moon as she drew strength from the fiery essence surrounding her. She clasped her hands together, invoking power. "Art of the Moon: Weeping Forest Emergence!"
From the ground, a forest of trees sprang forth, their bark white and twisted, moaning and screaming like the trees from her home, creating a haunting battlefield. The ethereal sound echoed through the air, sending chills down her spine, but she pushed forward, embracing the strange new environment.
With the forest fully formed, Erenyx felt invigorated, a wave of confidence washing over her. Both axes, Kin and Gin, faded as their elemental energies were consumed by the forest's emergence. She formed the hand signs once more, summoning Zeus again, both of them dashing effortlessly through the trees, this new terrain their preferred fighting arena.
Xavill's eyes darted around, scanning the forest with urgency, his brow furrowing as he adjusted to the transformed landscape.
Suddenly, Erenyx launched an uppercut from below, catching him off guard and sending him spiraling into the sky. His body crashed against Zeus's wing, electricity coursing through him, igniting pain throughout his body.
Erenyx could feel the thrill of the battle coursing through her veins. "We can't lose like this, Zeus!" she shouted, adrenaline surging as she felt the strain of energy spent creating the forest. Determined to seize the moment, she leaped off the tree, grappling Xavill by his midsection. "Art of the Fighter: Liger Bomb!" she screamed, driving him down onto the ground with tremendous force, triggering a massive explosion that echoed through the forest.
The ground trembled beneath them as dust and debris filled the air, a shockwave reverberating through the trees. Erenyx felt a rush of exhilaration mixed with fear; she knew this was just the beginning, and the true fight was yet to come.