Xue's body tensed as he managed to free himself from the entangled chains. His pulse raced, the pain from the slam still fresh, but his focus was sharper than ever. As he stumbled back to his feet, the realization hit him like a cold wave: A vampire. Not just any vampire, but a member of the long-lost noble race that had perished centuries ago. How could one of them still be alive, let alone here, in the midst of this chaotic, demonic realm?
Before he could contemplate further, a familiar sound cut through his thoughts—the swishing of the chain. The scythe came flying at him again, but this time, it was different. The blade was burning with an eerie flame, its fire crackling in the still air. The flames danced around the edges of the scythe, making it look even more lethal, like a cursed firestorm in motion.
Xue's eyes narrowed. The weapon's speed was unnerving, but he knew he couldn't afford to hesitate. He dashed toward the scattered mana he'd released earlier, calling it back to him. His hand closed around the hilt of his sword as the flames of the scythe came closer, its inferno nearly licking at his skin. He angled his body just in time to dodge, slashing with his blade to deflect the chain. The force of the attack caused the air to crackle with heat, but he held his ground.
"Why are you here?" Xue demanded, his voice cold and focused, yet carrying a hint of disbelief. "You should have perished a long time ago, along with your race. What is your purpose in this place?"
For a moment, there was only the flickering of the flames and the sound of the wind rustling through the dead trees. Then, the vampire—a girl, though not a child by any means—smirked and stepped forward. She twirled the chain in her hand, the fire on the scythe's edge flickering with amusement.
"Allow me to introduce myself," she said, her voice smooth like honey but laced with something darker. Her eyes gleamed with a mix of malice and amusement. "I am Eve. A member of the 12 Seats, ranked third."
Xue's grip tightened on his sword as the words settled over him. The 12 Seats. Powerful individuals from the demonic continent, loyal to the Demon King. To think that someone from that organization—let alone one of the highest-ranked—was here, in this forsaken place, was a revelation in itself. Eve's presence wasn't just a coincidence. She was a piece of a much larger puzzle, and Xue's instincts screamed at him that this was only the beginning of something far more dangerous.
Xue's eyes flickered with a quiet intensity as he faced Eve, his sword gripped tightly in his hand. The air around them crackled with tension as she twirled her scythe, its chain glinting in the dim light like a serpent poised to strike.
Without warning, Eve lunged, the fiery scythe arcing toward him with blistering speed. Xue barely managed to sidestep, the heat of the flames brushing against his skin. The chain wrapped around a nearby dead tree, the force of the attack splintering the bark with a sharp crack. Eve yanked the scythe back, using the momentum to swing it again, this time aiming directly at his torso.
Xue didn't waste a moment. He parried with his sword, the clash of metal ringing through the air as the fire from her scythe flared with a growl of power. The heat was overwhelming, and Xue felt the sweat on his brow as he shifted his weight and struck. His sword met her scythe's blade with a resounding clang, but Eve was already pulling away, spinning in a fluid motion to regain her stance.
"You're fast," Eve said, her voice dripping with a mix of amusement and respect. "But not fast enough."
Before Xue could react, the chain shot toward him again, this time aiming for his legs. Xue leaped backward, just barely avoiding the scythe's reach as it slashed through the air with fiery precision. The explosion of heat singed the edges of his cloak, but he didn't have time to worry about it. The moment his feet touched the ground, he was already moving—dashing to the side and slashing at Eve with a ferocity that mirrored her own.
Eve was quick, her movements graceful and lethal, but she wasn't unchallenged. Xue's strikes were calculated and precise, targeting her openings. He could feel the weight of the battle settle on his shoulders, his every move dictated by instinct as he danced with the vampire, each clash a deadly gamble.
The two of them were locked in a dangerous dance—Xue's sword against Eve's fiery scythe, the air between them crackling with the heat of their attacks. Each time Xue struck, he felt the force of her power trying to break through his defense. But he couldn't afford to let up. Not with the stakes so high.
"You think you can defeat me?" Eve taunted, her eyes glinting with malicious delight. "You, who are nothing more than a shadow of what you once were? A fleeting hope in the face of true power?"
Xue's expression darkened as his blade connected with her scythe once more. "I don't need to defeat you," he replied coldly, his voice barely audible over the clang of metal. "I just need to survive long enough to stop you."
Eve laughed, the sound echoing through the desolate forest, a sharp, chilling noise that made Xue's teeth grit. The flames from her scythe seemed to burn brighter, more intense as she swung again, this time with a barrage of strikes that forced him back.
Xue's body moved on reflex, his sword blocking and dodging, each swing pushing him closer to the edge of his limits. Eve's power was undeniable, and the heat from her weapon was relentless. But Xue's resolve never wavered. He knew he couldn't afford to lose focus—not with the fate of the bodies at stake, not with everything he had promised to protect.
With a sudden burst of speed, Xue slid under the arc of her scythe, narrowly avoiding a killing blow. In that moment, he saw an opening. His sword slashed forward, aiming for her exposed side.
But Eve was faster than he anticipated. With a swift motion, she jerked the chain, bringing the scythe up just in time to parry his strike. Their weapons locked, the tension between them thick and electric. For a brief moment, they stood there, locked in place, neither willing to give an inch.
Then, with a feral snarl, Eve pushed forward, breaking the deadlock. The scythe whirled in her hands, faster than before, the flames intensifying around the blade. Xue gritted his teeth and prepared for the next clash, his focus razor-sharp, but his body beginning to feel the toll of their fight. He couldn't keep up this pace forever.
He had to find a way to finish this—and fast.