IN FRONT OF THE CAVE
Marky took quick steps back, keeping his gaze fixed on Gabriel. The tension in the air was palpable, and both their breaths were visible in the dusty atmosphere. He gripped the large bow firmly, the bluish glow of mana arrows beginning to form between his fingers.
"This human is stronger than I thought," Marky thought, frowning as he took a few more steps back. "If I create distance, I'll have the advantage. He won't be able to avoid my shots."
Marky's strength lay in his precision and lethality at a distance. Close combat was not his strong suit, but he had attacked up close, hoping to gauge Gabriel's potential. However, Marky doesn't have access to Gabriel and Taina's information, he cannot use the Analyze skill, he was caught off guard.
Marky quickly retreated, putting fifty meters between them. Meanwhile, Gabriel, who had been watching the enemy's strategy closely, reacted immediately.
"I won't give him the chance to shoot another one of those arrows," Gabriel murmured, his voice low but filled with determination. He flexed his knees and advanced with surprising speed, his sword glinting in the faint mana light.
Marky raised his bow and began to concentrate mana at the tip of the manifested arrow. The glow grew, pulsing like a small star, as he slowly drew the string. Time seemed to slow down as he aimed with deadly precision.
But Gabriel was not an easy target. He closed the distance between them like a whirlwind, the sound of his steps echoing through the desolate forest. With a fluid motion, he raised his sword and shouted:
"Cutting Winds!"
The blade slashed through the air with a silvery glow, sending a blade of wind toward Marky. The energy traveled fast, tearing through the air In its path, but Marky, alert, jumped to the side at the last moment, the attack passing centimeters from his body.
"Hah, you're fast, but I'm more precise!" Marky fired the arrow charged with freezing mana.
The arrow cut through the air like lightning, leaving a trail of ice in its path. Gabriel, sensing the danger, crossed his sword in front of his body, using it as a shield while advancing. The impact of the arrow was devastating; ice spread around, covering Gabriel's sword and hardening the ground beneath his feet.
"Tsk!" Gabriel grumbled, feeling his arms weigh down from the impact. But he didn't give in. With a powerful motion, he broke the ice around the blade using his energy and kept advancing.
Marky didn't waste time. He was already loading another arrow, this one with an even brighter glow. "This time, you won't be able to get close," he murmured, aiming carefully.
But Gabriel had already anticipated this. He stopped abruptly and planted his feet on the ground, holding the sword with both hands. A whirlwind began to form around him, leaves and stones rising in violent spirals.
"You want distance, then I will reach you with the wind," Gabriel shouted, his voice echoing in the turmoil. "Wrath of the Winds!"
The energy released by Gabriel's sword was colossal. A hurricane emerged, more powerful than the previous ones, roaring toward Marky with devastating force. The wind carried pieces of rock, ice, and debris, spinning in a chaotic and destructive manner.
Marky's eyes widened, realizing the gravity of the situation. He fired the arrow he had loaded, its freezing energy crossing the space toward the center of the hurricane. The impact between the two powers was catastrophic.
The Ice began to consume the hurricane, but not before it reached Marky. He was thrown backward, his body hitting the ground with force, while pieces of ice and cutting wind tore at his skin.
On the other side, Gabriel also felt the impact. The explosion from the clash of powers sent a shockwave that pushed him back, almost knocking him down.
When the dust settled, the two adversaries were panting. Marky, with blood dripping from small cuts, leaned on his bow to get up. Gabriel, with his sword still in hand, breathed heavily, his eyes fixed on the enemy.
"You are… resilient, human," Marky said, his voice filled with frustration and respect.
"And you talk too much," Gabriel replied, pointing his sword at him.
Both knew the fight was far from over.
INSIDE THE CAVE
Taina breathed heavily. Her hand trembled as she pressed against her swollen belly. The pain from the contractions was growing more intense, but she remained alert. The escape had not been easy, and her instinct told her something was wrong.
Suddenly, a subtle sound of footsteps echoed through the cave. It was almost imperceptible, but her sharp senses caught the danger. "I'm not alone…" she thought, trying to gather her strength.
A shadow moved quickly behind her. Before she could react, a dagger pierced her back, tearing through the flesh and making her scream in pain.
"Do you think you can escape, human?" the demon assassin mocked, approaching with a cruel smile. His fangs gleamed in the cave's dim light, and his red eyes was glowing with malice.
Taina fell to her knees, the blood flowing from her tunic. The pain from the wound mixed with the contractions. Her water was about to break, but she didn't allow herself to give up.
"You… won't kill me… so easily."
With one last silent prayer, Taina extended her hands. Her divine aura glowed intensely, filling the cave with a golden light.
"Extreme Healing!"
The divine healing magic struck the demon like a devastating wave. He screamed, first in surprise and then in pure agony. His body began to react uncontrollably. The immune system, overwhelmed by the healing energy, went mad. The antibodies started attacking every healthy cell, destroying him from the inside out.
"What… what are you doing to me?!" he screamed, trying to advance, but his movements became erratic.
The demon fell to the ground, convulsing as the magic continued to destroy his body. In seconds, he stopped moving, his skin decomposing and his bones cracking until they turned to dust.
Taina gasped, her vision blurred by pain and exhaustion. She pressed her hand against the wound on her back and whispered again:
"Divine Healing."
The golden light enveloped her body, closing the wound opened by the dagger. But the effort and the blow took their toll. Her water broke, and the pains of labor took over her body.
"Gabriel… I need you…" she murmured, tears streaming down her face as she crawled to a safe position.
ON THE BATTLEFIELD
Marky noticed the immediate change in Gabriel's expression. Despite being focused on the fight, Gabriel felt hesitation, as if something was wrong.
"Ah, it seems your precious wife isn't so safe after all," Marky taunted, a malicious smile spreading across his face.
Gabriel narrowed his eyes but didn't respond. He knew something had happened, but he couldn't take his focus off the enemy in front of him.
"You feel it, don't you? The smell of blood… Do you think she's okay? Do you think she managed to escape?"
Marky raised his bow again, pulling the string calmly as he loaded a mana arrow. He prolonged the moment, enjoying Gabriel's uncertainty.
"If I were you, I'd run to check… before it's too late."
Gabriel advanced with his sword in hand, trying to ignore the demon's words, but his strike became less precise. Marky easily dodged, stepping back with a dry laugh.
"Ah, you're losing focus, human. And when that happens, you die."
Marky fired another arrow, this time aiming directly at Gabriel's feet. The impact froze the ground around him, temporarily trapping the hunter.
"You know I'm telling the truth. Want to save that human woman? Then run."
Gabriel roared in frustration and, with a powerful strike, broke the ice around his feet. He stepped back a few paces, trying to assess the situation.
Gabriel's heart was racing. He knew Marky was trying to manipulate him, but the demon's words had planted a dangerous doubt.
"Taina is strong… She can defend herself…" he said to himself, trying to convince himself.
But then, a distant scream echoed from the direction of the cave. It was faint, but unmistakable.
"Taina!" Gabriel shouted, his eyes wide with panic.
Marky took advantage of the moment and fired another arrow, but this time a Light arrow charged with mana, now aiming directly at Gabriel's chest. Gabriel, still shaken, managed to dodge at the last instant, but the impact of the explosion sent him several meters back.