Leon steadied his breathing, adjusting his stance as the glowing moth continued its erratic flight around him, its crystalline wings shimmering with faint light.
'It's time to get serious,' he thought, narrowing his eyes. 'I need to end this quick in case more moths show up.'
Closing his eyes for a brief moment, Leon sank his mind into the red crystal embedded in his consciousness. A familiar warmth washed over him, his thoughts sharpening as his mind seemed to accelerate. Ideas, strategies, and calculations flowed with ease as he processed everything in an instant.
'The wings are fast, but the body slows slightly when it shifts direction... The acid spit leaves it exposed for just a second... And the left wing—it's weaker, lagging behind the right during sharp turns.'
His eyes snapped open, determination settling into his gaze. He repositioned his sword, his body moving with fluid precision as he processed the best approach. The moth let out another piercing screech, its wings flaring as it hovered mid-air, preparing to attack.
Leon's lips curled into a faint smirk. 'I've got you now.'
Without hesitation, he surged forward, his movements faster and more focused than before. His sword gleamed under the light of the crystals as he closed the distance, ready to strike.
Leon dashed forward, his sword steady in his grip as he closed the distance. The moth, sensing his approach, flared its wings and veered sharply to the side, its crystalline glow leaving faint streaks of light in the air. It released another shrill screech, trying to throw him off balance, but this time Leon didn't flinch. His mind was clear, his focus razor-sharp.
The moth swooped upward, hovering high above him as its wings began to shimmer with an intense glow. Leon's instincts screamed at him, and he immediately sidestepped just as a stream of green, viscous acid shot down toward where he had stood. The acid hissed on the ground, eating into the rocky surface, sending up a faint plume of steam.
'That was close,' Leon thought, gripping his sword tighter. 'If that lands on me, even with the protective gear, it won't end well.'
The moth didn't stop. It dived toward him, wings outstretched like razors. Leon rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the strike as he pivoted on his heel to face it again. The creature's movements were fast, almost erratic, but Leon kept his calm, his sharpened mind analyzing each motion.
'It's quick in the air, but its turns are sloppy,' he noted, his eyes following its path. 'I just need to force it into a corner.'
As the moth darted to the side again, Leon lunged forward with a feint slash. The blade cut through empty air as the creature veered away, just as he'd expected. He pushed off the ground with his foot, pivoting mid-motion to cut off its escape route. The moth faltered, its trajectory wavering for a moment as it tried to adjust.
'Now!' Leon thought, capitalizing on the hesitation.
He swung his sword in a clean arc, aiming for its left wing. The blade connected, slicing through the shimmering appendage. The moth let out a piercing wail as it spun out of control, crashing onto the rocky ground with a dull thud.
Leon didn't relax just yet. The moth writhed on the ground, its remaining wing fluttering weakly as it tried to lift itself. Its mandibles clicked furiously, and Leon caught sight of the green acid building in its maw again.
'Not this time,' he thought, rushing forward.
Instead of using his sword, Leon shifted his stance, channeling Essentia into his fists. His body moved instinctively as he activated the White Flash Fist. A burst of light erupted around his arm as he threw a precise punch toward the moth's core. The impact connected with a thunderous crack, shattering the creature's crystalline body.
The glow in its wings dimmed as its body collapsed, lifeless and still.
Leon exhaled deeply, wiping the sweat from his brow. His heart pounded in his chest, but a sense of accomplishment swelled within him. This was the first time he'd faced an Essentia Beast in live combat, and he'd come out on top.
As he sheathed his sword, Leon glanced toward the horizon. The faint buzzing sound that had been present earlier was now growing louder, more distinct. His stomach tightened as realization dawned—the sound wasn't fading. It was multiplying.
'More are coming,' he thought grimly, gripping his sword once more.
Before he could act, his Essentia Band buzzed to life. Amara's voice came through, sharp and urgent. "Leon, I see another group of moths heading your way! They'll be on you in less than a minute!"
Leon's knuckles tightened around his sword, but Amara's voice continued before he could respond. "Hold on! I'm going to call Darin, and we'll meet up with you as soon as we can. Just hang tight and hold them off for a little longer!"
Leon nodded to himself, his mind steadying at her words. 'I just need to hold out until they get here,' he thought, adjusting his stance.