Neros looked up at the sky as the guards uncuffed him, the steel restraints around his wrists falling to the sand with a heavy thud. The beast was unleashed once more, circling him, sizing up its new prey. It let out a low, menacing growl, but Neros remained undisturbed, almost lost in thought as if unaware of the danger before him. Above him, Selah and the others cried out, urging him to defend himself, desperation clear in their voices.
But then, what they feared most happened. The beast lunged forward, rushing toward him with terrifying speed. It pounced, its massive frame casting a shadow over Neros as it bore down, jaws wide open, ready to deliver a fatal bite.
Selah: Neros, noooo!
Silence followed, a heavy stillness that overshadowed Neros's death. The crowd erupted in wild cheers, their voices echoing through the arena. With teary eyes, Selah scanned the spectators, noticing that many were from different countries, each bearing their own unique insignias. Her heart sank as she clenched her fist, a deep sense of guilt gnawing at her. She blamed herself for being helpless, for losing someone so important.
Hyuwin could only look at her with pity, his own frustration mounting. He strained against his shackles, attempting to summon his power, but it was useless, no matter how hard he tried, his skills remained suppressed.
As the guards moved to escort them back to their cells, Hyuwin resisted, shoving one guard hard enough to send him crashing against the wall, where he slumped down, unconscious. But his defiance was short-lived; within moments, the other guards overpowered him, forcing him back into submission.
One spectator glanced up at the sky, shielding his eyes from the harsh glare of the sun as he murmured to himself.
Spectator: The sun seems unusually bright today.
As he looked closer, the light seemed to draw nearer, intensifying until it struck him, a searing beam that left him completely paralyzed, his eyes wide with shock. Around him, the crowd was bombarded by a rapid succession of beams, each paralyzing its target. People collapsed across the arena's platforms, chaos erupting as panicked screams filled the air. The ruler shot up from his throne, his gaze sharp as he surveyed the sudden pandemonium. Just then, a beam of light struck him as well, but he resisted, holding his ground as energy crackled across his palm.
Orihi Ves'ruun: W.. what's this?
Confused, the ruler's mind raced, searching for the culprit behind this meticulously orchestrated attack. He narrowed his thoughts to a select few who possessed the cunning and resources to execute such a careful plan, his gaze darkening as he considered each possibility, a name crossed his lips in a barely audible whisper, laced with both disbelief and rage.
Orihi Ves'ruun: Mavel Stormrage!
The remaining resistance team, who had blended into the ranks of the red-robed soldiers, seized the opportunity within the coliseum, revealing themselves and seizing weapons amidst the chaos. They swiftly took control, launching attacks from within and further escalating the predicament the country was facing.
Selah and the others watched in surprise as the beams of light seemed to deliberately avoid them, the situation shifting unexpectedly. Vaisth gave a subtle nod to his daughter, who swiftly knocked out the incoming guards at the entrance. She then seized the key to their cuffs, tossing it to Hyuwin, who was still lying on the ground, struggling to recover.
Immediately, Selah jumped from the platform and made her way to the ground, only to discover that the beast was not mauling Neros, but rather licking him.
Selah: Neros, you're alive!
Neros stood up and explained that he had planned it all along, sneaking out of his cell every night through a tunnel he had dug with the help of his little friend to tame the beast. He exclaimed that the guards and the warden who made their rounds at night were part of the resistance and turned a blind eye when he sneaks out. He had positioned Fortis above beforehand, allowing it to amass enough energy from the sunlight for a less lethal output. The little friend he mentioned then jumped onto his shoulder, waving at her.
Before he could finish his story, Selah hugged him tightly. Above, Hyuwin looked down, his face betraying a trace of sadness in his heart.
Then, to everyone's shock, the beast regurgitated the prisoner it had seemingly devoured earlier. The prisoner, still alive but unconscious, was covered in saliva, his body limp and battered from the ordeal.
The guards attempted to support their ruler and help him escape the attack, but they too were struck by the beams of light. As the resistance closed in on him, the ruler conjured wall of flames to shield himself from the assault.
He looked down and saw Neros, still alive and laughing with Selah in the arena. Enraged he sent a ball of flames hurtling toward their location. Neros was alerted and raised his left hand. Selah noticed a device on his wrist glowing faintly blue, reminded her of Soren. With a swift gesture, Neros activated the device, erecting an invisible shield that intercepted the flame.
Orihi Ves'ruun: Wha? That's no sorcery, how could he possibly? So, it's you!
Neros locked eyes with the ruler. The ruler was filled with a sudden terror of the unknown methods he had yet to understand. In a panic, he engulfed himself with blue flames before vanishing.
Hyuwin leaped toward their location, urging them to escape. As they made their way through the corridors, a group of guards blocked their path. But now free from his shackles, Hyuwin transformed into his innate form, his body surging with power. He swiftly overpowered the guards, sending them flying with ease.
Meanwhile, Neros and Selah, riding the beast, charged forward. With a single swipe of its massive claws, the beast effortlessly swatted aside anyone who dared to block their path, clearing the way for their escape.
Suddenly, the knight in crimson armor appeared, blocking their path. He landed with a heavy thud. The air around him shimmered with scorching heat, emanating from his armor as it seethed with barely contained rage.
With a subtle gesture, Hyuwin stepped forward, accepting the challenge. His voice, now deep and resonant from his transformation, he signaled Neros and Selah to go toward the cube.
Hyuwin: Go on, I will follow you shortly after.
Making their way toward the deeper part of the fortress, Selah glanced back at Hyuwin. He met her gaze and offered a gentle nod, assuring her that he would hold his ground.
While making their way through the corridors, Selah turned to Neros with an unusual question, one that took him completely by surprise.
Selah: Neros, are you by any chance connected to Soren? He's the one who saved us all from that attack back in Sabin.
Neros: No, err, I don't know him personally. More importantly, I'm glad to hear there is someone out there with the strength to save you from that monster.
Selah: I haven't told you about Draknorax, how did you know?
Perspiration trickled down Neros's forehead as he tried to act innocent, swiftly changing the topic.
Neros: Well... I've heard some rumors, yes. Ahem, anyway, let's hurry. I think we're getting closer, I'm picking up the signal.
Reaching their destination, they were greeted by darkness. Neros' eyes wandered for a moment until his bracelet warned him of an incoming attack. He swiftly commanded the beast to dodge, avoiding the strike.
Then the massive chamber was illuminated by torches with eerie blue flames, casting flickering shadows across the stone walls. The air was thick with an unsettling chill. Above them, the Orihi Ves'ruun hovered, suspended over what appeared to be a vast pile of bones, remnants of a majestic beast long forgotten. The bones, mostly intact, formed the shape of a giant serpent, its serpentine form coiling through the darkened space.
Orihi Ves'ruun: To think that you would force me to use a weapon which I plan to destroy the capital with. No matter… the results will all be the same. Even without the power of the last Acirys, I shall awaken the power of an ancient Erbecea, one who once carved the realm with fear and terror, and rule the world. You shall feel my wrath!
Selah touched her throat, feeling it dry out as the air grew thinner. Neros noticed the oxygen and humidity levels were dropping fast. Acting quickly, he signaled the beast to retreat from the chamber. Though hesitant, it obeyed and ran off. Neros then pressed a command on his bracelet, which emitted a small holographic screen displaying a confirmation as the device whirred into action.
Orihi Ves'ruun: Perish!
Like a phoenix descending from the heavens, his form merged with the serpent's, and the entire chamber erupted into a maelstrom of white flames, consuming everything in a furious blaze. Neros extended his hand toward Selah, who stood frozen in shock, her mind reeling, as he uttered the next command.
Neros: Fortis, Aegis Frame to Selah!
In an instant, the bracelet transferred to Selah's wrist, morphing, and expanding across her body to form a sleek, futuristic suit of armor that shimmered with dark, iridescent hues. The suit hugged her form, reinforced by layered plates along her arms and legs, with intricate circuitry pulsing faintly beneath the surface. Small, adaptive appendages unfolded from her back, humming with energy and adjusting for agility and balance. Her helmet wrapped around her head, a translucent visor displaying tactical data across her field of vision.
Flames rapidly consumed everything around them. Selah glanced at Neros, who stood engulfed in fierce white flames, his figure almost disappearing within the inferno. Even the small creature on his shoulder disintegrated into cinders in a mere instant. Protected by her new armor, Selah managed to withstand the searing heat, though a few sections of her suit glowed red-hot, faintly singed from the intensity.
Selah: Neros!
She intended to rush to Hyuwin, but the armor resisted, locking her in place. Warning signs flashed across the holographic screen in front of her, prioritizing the imminent danger the monster posed.
In front of her, the serpent began to take form. The bones that were once lifeless stirred, shifting and clicking together with unnatural precision. Flames erupted from its massive skull's eye sockets, while its ribs slowly reformed, glowing with blue fire that burned from the inside like flesh. The monstrous creature loomed before her, its form now animated by the infernal energy, radiating with an eerie, sentient power.
A sun symbol, burned into the serpent's skull, glowed with an ominous light, completing the creature's transformation. As the final piece of the ritual took hold, the ruler's voice echoed through the well-lit chamber.
Orihi Ves'ruun: Aha ha ha ha! Now this, this is power! Even without proper flesh the ancient Erbecea's soul proved formidable even after death! With this I can destroy the capital!
Paying no mind to Selah, now cloaked in the mysterious suit of armor, the monster surged forward, its massive form bursting through the ceiling with terrifying force. With a mighty roar, it ascended into the sky.
Fortis: Ordinance confirmed, eliminate anomalous energy signature.
Selah stood frozen, her mind racing as the events unfolded before her. Her heart pounded in her chest, her thoughts a blur. She struggled to grasp the full scope of what was happening the armor, the beast, the command she was unable to comprehend. She couldn't shake the overwhelming worry for Neros' fate, his life hanging by a thread somewhere in the chaos.
Fortunately, the suit sensed the distress of its wearer and released cool air inside, cooling the systems from the inside out for better performance. Selah was a bit startled and noticed that she could now move freely. She rushed to find Neros, but the flames blocked her view, and she couldn't find any remains of him. Grief gripped her heart before she redirected her anger toward the ruler, looking above.
Suddenly, from the flames where the serpent's carcass once lay, two figures emerged, unaffected by the scorching heat, their eyes glowing with power. One of them, Kahtiaze, wore Selah's pendant on his chest.
Selah braced herself to defend when, from the entrance where she and Neros had entered, a woman in a white robe sliced through the flames, creating a narrow path toward the enemy. The enemy leaped to evade the strike, and the woman, removing her robe, the enigmatic lady with silver hair stood beside her, ready to aid her in battle.
The battle began with Kahtiaze charging forward, swinging his battle axe. The enigmatic lady cast a stern glance at Selah before meeting her foe head-on. Suddenly, an alert rang on her screen as the obsidian knight appeared behind her, attempting to stab her. But the armor quickly adjusted, propelling her a precise distance away from the blade before it issued a command.
Fortis: Switch Aegis Frame to Assault Frame?
More confused than ever, Selah nodded, unsure of how to respond. Suddenly, the armor buzzed, and the appendages on her arms and legs transformed into lethal weapons, while wing-like appendages with glowing edges deployed from her back. She felt as though she was walking on air as the armor lightened, levitating her off the ground. With a powerful burst, she shot forward toward the obsidian knight, leveling the ground beneath her.
Meanwhile, Hyuwin, breathing heavily as patches of his skin seared from the heat, realized that no matter how many times he attacked, the crimson knight before him showed no signs of tiring.
Hyuwin: If the battle continued like this, even my recovery couldn't to keep up.
Desperate, he broke away, sprinting with all his strength as he scaled the walls, trying to find a way to gain the upper hand. But as he ascended, the crimson knight's cape split into two, transforming into wings that followed him relentlessly, closing the distance.
Surprised, Hyuwin felt the crimson knight's sword pierce his back, causing him to stumble and fall, rolling painfully on the ground. In agony, he undid his transformation, limping, he made his way toward a dark room, finding an entrance to escape from the relentless knight.
Inside, the crimson knight unleashed a stream of fire, searching for his victim. Unbeknownst to him, Hyuwin sat behind a stone slab, resting. A few armored soldiers entered the room and, upon spotting Hyuwin, caused a commotion that caught the knight's attention. In response, the knight unleashed another blast of fire, scorching the soldiers to cinders.
Fortunately, Hyuwin managed to evade the flames, narrowly escaping the inferno. As the fire subsided, Hyuwin noticed saliva dripping from inside the knight's helm, a sign that the knight might have lost control of his human aspect. Taking note of this, Hyuwin continued his escape, relentlessly pursued by the knight.
The enigmatic lady exchanged blows with Kahtiaze, who seemed to grow stronger with each passing second. Her right eye glowed a soft blue, peering deep into her enemy's soul. She realized that Kahtiaze was drawing power by absorbing the dark energies flowing from multiple sources, steadily amassing strength.
A groan was heard behind her only to discover that the obsidian knight have fallen against Selah who can see through his illusions, the armor wields advanced detection system that adjusted with her enemy's unique energy signature ignoring his mirage ability now kneeling with blades impaling his arms and back with flowing energies that locks him in place struggling.
Selah turned her gaze forward, ready to assist the enigmatic lady in her fight. But in her brief moment of distraction, the obsidian knight slipped free from the suit's grip, his form dissolving like smoke before materializing silently behind her. Just as his blade neared her, the suit's sensors emitted a sharp warning. Instinctively, it bent her body out of the blade's path, moving with fluid precision to dodge the attack just in time.
Selah: That was dangerous, if it wastn't with this piece of armor I am done for.
The suit, sensing the imminent threat, reacted instantaneously. Its appendages extended, and a blade with glowing laser edges emerged from her arm. In one swift motion, Selah thrust it forward, the blade slicing through the obsidian knight with precision.
The knight's form was cleaved in two, his body falling to the ground in a heap, the battle ending almost effortlessly as the armor hummed with a soft, mechanical pulse.
Simultaneously observing Selah's battle, momentarily dumbfounded by her flawless precision and deadly efficiency. Suddenly, a powerful fist swung toward her from the side. She dodged just in time, the force of the punch erupting into a blast that sent waves of heat and scattered flames behind her.
In response, she crossed her arms, positioning her hands opposite each other. Concentrating, she channeled dense ethereal energy to the edges of her sickles. The energy became visible, a vibrant bluish-green light enveloping the curved blades.
Enigmatic lady: ֆքɛƈȶʀǟʟ ǟʀȶֆ, ֆքɨʀɨȶ ɛɖɢɛ!
With her blades honed to an almost supernatural sharpness, the enigmatic lady surged forward in a flash of blue light, her movements a blur. In a swift, seamless motion, she executed eight rapid strikes in succession. In a heartbeat, all four of Kahtiaze's arms were severed, before he could even react.
Kahtiaze's large frame fell to the ground with a heavy thud as the enigmatic lady spun and landed gracefully, emerging victorious. She moved forward to claim the pendant once and for all, but Selah voiced her protest, questioning her motives for taking the pendant for herself.
Selah: Why go through all this trouble to take my pendant? Why is it so important to you?
The enigmatic lady paused, glancing over her shoulder at Selah, and replied softly, a hint of sorrow in her voice.
Enigmatic lady: More than your friendship could ever understand.
Unaware, wisps of dark energy began to rise from Kahtiaze's convulsing form. Selah's suit issued another warning just as the obsidian knight's remains began to shift eerily. Meanwhile, Hyuwin lay on the ground, struggling under the weight of the crimson knight, who was poised to strike him down, only to suddenly halt mid-motion.
In a flash, the knight disintegrated, transforming into a surge of pure energy that drifted toward a corridor entrance nearby. Relieved, Hyuwin took a deep breath, steadied himself, and rose to his feet, ready to track down Selah.
Selah and the enigmatic lady stood frozen, watching in shock as the swirling energies fused with Kahtiaze. As he rose, his wounds healed instantly, and red scales sprouted along his arms and newly formed limbs. A scaled tail grew behind him, matching the crimson hue of his armor. His helm shattered, revealing a grotesque face marked by fangs, six glowing eyes, and a set of horns. His skin darkened to a deep obsidian hue, resembling that of a Dragonoid, while the pendant fused on his chest pulsed erratically, constantly siphoning energies from within its confines.
The enigmatic lady, taken aback, fixed her glowing right eye on his transformation and saw a vast, ancient soul within Kahtiaze, so immense it seemed to fill the entire chamber, anything she had ever encountered.
Enigmatic lady: This shouldn't be impossible!
The enigmatic lady whispered, her voice tinged with disbelief. She took a step back, but in the blink of an eye, the monster was above her, delivering a crushing stomp that created a small crater upon impact. She was hit directly, groaning in pain and coughing up blood. Selah tried to rush to her aid, but a warning flashed across her suit's display, urging her to block an incoming attack. Before she could react, the monster punched her with such force that she was sent flying through the ceiling, momentarily suspended in the air before crashing back down to the ground. Her suit's screen immediately began flashing damage reports, detailing the extent of her injuries.
Hyuwin arrived and witnessed the gruesome scene. Selah lay unresponsive, her suit immobilized with sparks flying from its damaged appendages. The enigmatic lady, too, remained unconscious, her body still. The monstrous creature loomed over them, its red eyes glowing ominously as it slowly approached, walking toward the entrance where Hyuwin stood.
He knew the moment when monster stepped outside, it would unleash carnage, claiming countless lives. Despite his injuries, Hyuwin understood that he had no other choice but to block the entrance, even if it meant sacrificing his own life to do so.
Fortis: Warning… Warning…
Selah finally woke up to the shrill warning sounds echoing through her suit. Struggling to push herself up from her knees, she forced herself to stand. Her vision cleared, and she saw the enigmatic lady still unconscious on the ground. But what struck her the most, the sight that pierced her heart with overwhelming pain, was the monstrous figure holding Hyuwin by the head. His body was battered, covered in wounds and bruises, his limp form seemingly lifeless in the creature's grasp.
Selah: Wha, Hyu… win?
Succumbing to her rage, Selah charged forward without thinking, but the monster released Hyuwin and grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the ground before slamming her into the floor repeatedly, causing her suit to crack, and half of her face was exposed. Her screen flickered, sending distress signals. Finally, the monster glared down at her, its maw opening wide as it prepared to unleash a powerful blast. Desperate, Selah clung to his arms, struggling with every ounce of strength she had left.
As the monster unleashed his scorching breath, its arm fell off along with Selah. The enigmatic lady, though tottering, bleeding, and struggling to breathe, managed to rise to her feet. With a swift motion, she unleashed a sharp slash toward the monster.
However, the creature effortlessly healed its wounds as if nothing had happened, before redirecting his attention toward her.
The lady's gaze shifted to the pendant. The monster was relentlessly absorbing its power, and a crack had formed along its side. It wouldn't last much longer.
Enigmatic lady: Sister, hang in there, I am going to end this soon!
She blocked the monster's attack and urged Selah to help her, to buy herself an ample time to prepare for a counterattack.
Enigmatic lady: You there, buy me some time.
Selah, still shaken, quickly checked on Hyuwin, who was breathing faintly. Desperate she commanded the suit to do something, to save him, while warning signs continued to flash across her cracked screen.
Selah: Please save Hyuwin, please…
But the suit couldn't comply, sending sets of instructions she couldn't understand. In despair, she prayed to Aldis to protect Hyuwin before rising to face the monster, who was locked in combat with the enigmatic lady. She tried to run, but her movement was sluggish from the suit's sustained damage. To compensate, she grabbed one of the blades that had once impaled the obsidian knight and charged forward.
Enigmatic lady: Ngh! Hurry, we have to end this quick!
Selah: On it! Hya!
Selah drove the blade into the back of the monster's knee, forcing a pained growl from it. In retaliation, it struck her with the back of his hand, sending her rolling across the ground while leaving the weapon lodged in its leg. As the monster reached down to pull it free, the enigmatic lady leapt forward, delivering a powerful kick to his face that sent it staggering back. She then leapt away, preparing an incantation. Recognizing this as her signal, Selah rushed forward, grasping the weapon and driving it deeper into the monster's leg. Selah held on tightly, enduring the monster's relentless onslaught. Her suit was breaking apart, fragments falling to the ground as her knees began to buckle, teetering on the brink of collapse.
She looked up and saw something incredible unfolding before her, the enigmatic lady was undergoing a breathtaking transformation. Her entire form shimmered like that of Arifea, her robe tightening into a fitted, elegant dress. From her chest, glowing blue lines spread outward, tracing patterns along her arms and across part of her face. Her sickle elongated, its blade now sharper, serrated, and adorned with intricate symbols. Her dress extended to her ankles, embroidered with vibrant blue and silver patterns. Her hair flowed longer, a delicate blue petal pin appeared near her right ear, and her right eye shone an intense, dominant blue.