The sun hung low in the sky as the Vengeful One and her forces pressed onward, the jagged peaks of the Ebonspike Range looming ever closer. The fiery torment within her raged unabated, her steps steady only through sheer force of will. She didn't let her troops see the strain, but each passing moment gnawed at her resolve.
As they stopped briefly to regroup, Lian approached her queen, her expression cautious yet resolute. In her hands was a worn waterskin, its leather stained from years of use. She held it out to the Vengeful One with a small bow.
"My Lady, you should drink."
The Vengeful One blinked, her crimson eyes flicking from the waterskin to Lian's face. For a moment, she hesitated. Accepting such an offering might be seen as weakness. But then, another thought crept in—accepting it could also reinforce her bond with her Grand Commandant, showing her appreciation for the care her Marines offered.
After a heartbeat of deliberation, she reached out and took the waterskin. "Very well, Lian. Thank you."
She unscrewed the cap and raised it to her lips. The water was cool as it flowed down her throat, but almost immediately, a sensation unlike anything she'd felt in days overtook her. It was as though a soft, refreshing breeze had swept through her very soul. The fire within her dimmed, not extinguished but dampened just enough to give her the briefest moment of clarity. Her mind, clouded for so long by the relentless haze of Hunt's Euphoria, felt startlingly sharp, even if only for an instant.
She lowered the waterskin slowly, her breaths coming more evenly as she stared at it with genuine astonishment. "This… This is extraordinary, Lian. What is in this water?"
Lian straightened, her expression a mixture of pride and nervousness. "My Lady, I remembered something my father taught me when I was a child. There's a strain of berries that, when soaked in water, can counteract almost any ailment. Alone, they're poisonous, but when prepared correctly, they can cleanse the body of what ails it—temporarily, of course."
The Vengeful One chuckled softly, the sound both amused and disbelieving as she swirled the remaining water in the skin. "Poisonous berries, you say? Clever, Lian. But tell me, what would you have done if the poison had killed me instead of helping? If it turned out I had no ailment to cure?"
Lian's composure cracked instantly, her face flushing as she stumbled over her words. "I-I… My Lady, I would never— I mean, I was careful! I tested it, I swear, I—"
A deep laugh burst from the Vengeful One, cutting off Lian's flustered stammering. "Relax, Lian. I'm teasing you." She capped the waterskin and handed it back with a faint but genuine smile. "Thank you. Truly. You don't understand how grateful I am. Just for a moment, it felt like I could think again. Like I was myself."
Lian bowed her head, her expression softening with relief. "I'm glad it helped, my Lady. You've always carried so much. If I can do anything to ease that burden, even for a moment, I'll do it without hesitation."
The Vengeful One placed a hand on Lian's shoulder, her touch firm yet kind. "And that is why you're my Grand Commandant. You don't just serve—you care. Never lose that, Lian. It's a quality too many leaders lack."
Lian straightened under her queen's praise, her chest swelling with pride. "Yes, my Lady. Thank you."
As they resumed their march, the Vengeful One allowed herself a fleeting moment of peace. The fire within her still burned, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, it wasn't all-consuming. She glanced toward Lian, her smirk softening.
"You've earned my thanks today, Lian. Let's hope this isn't the last time I'm this grateful to you."
"I'll strive to ensure it's not, my Lady," Lian replied, her voice steady, though the faint flush in her cheeks remained.
The Vengeful One chuckled again, the sound more genuine this time. The fire would return in full force soon, she knew. But for now, she cherished the brief clarity, her faith in her troops—and her Grand Commandant—renewed.
"STARBOARD BRACE!" the Vengeful One bellowed, her voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.
As the ground beneath her shook with the approach of something colossal, she disappeared into the shadows with a fluid, unnatural grace, her Umbral Step skill pulling her through the darkness. She reappeared just before her troops, standing as a lone sentinel between them and the incoming terror. Her crimson eyes blazed with unrelenting fire as she shouted, "Eclipse Bastion!"
A shadowy shield erupted before her, its swirling, inky tendrils radiating a sinister yet protective aura. The monstrous force barreling toward them collided with the shield in a deafening explosion of shadow and power. The troops watched in awe as the impact sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the ground beneath them trembling violently.
The shield held for a fleeting moment, its dark tendrils writhing against the raw force of the attack. But then, with a deafening crack, it shattered into a million shards of darkness, each one dissolving into the air. The recoil of the blow sent the Vengeful One skidding backward across the dirt, her boots carving deep grooves into the ground.
Her left arm hung limp at her side, the sheer force of the parried blow snapping it like a brittle twig. Yet even as pain shot through her body, a dark grin spread across her lips, a grin that sent shivers through the troops watching her. Her arm snapped back into place with a grotesque crunch, the regenerative power of the shield mending the damage in seconds.
And then, she looked up.
Towering above them, the Umbra Wyrm emerged from the shadows of the Ebonspike Range, its massive form enough to freeze even the most battle-hardened soldier in place. Its body was a nightmarish blend of dragon and basilisk, covered in jagged, obsidian scales that seemed to absorb the very light around them. Its elongated snout was lined with rows of serrated fangs, each as long as a spear, and its glowing, sulfurous eyes burned with an ancient, malevolent intelligence. Twin sets of wings spread wide, each powerful flap sending gusts of wind that threatened to topple the gathered forces. Its tail, spiked and coiled like a battering ram, lashed against the mountainside, sending boulders tumbling into the abyss below.
The creature's roar shook the air, a sound so horrifyingly primal it seemed to seep into the very souls of those who heard it. Some of the troops faltered, their weapons shaking in their hands, fear rooting them to the ground.
But not her.
To the Vengeful One, the beast was not terrifying. It was not insurmountable. It was the cure to her suffering. The fire of Hunt's Euphoria surged through her veins, returning a hundredfold, burning hotter and brighter than ever before. She felt the haze of her thoughts vanish in a single burst of clarity, her blood roaring with purpose. The agony she'd endured for over a week had sharpened into a singular, exhilarating focus.
"WHAT IS YOUR DUTY?!" she bellowed, her voice a beacon of defiance against the oppressive presence of the beast.
The troops snapped out of their stupor, their fear overridden by the sheer power of her command. In unison, their voices roared back, trembling but fierce. "TO SERVE THE QUEEN'S WILL!"
She stepped forward, her dark grin widening as she raised her hand toward them. "WHAT IS THE QUEEN'S WILL?!"
"THAT WE FIGHT AND DIE!" The cry came louder this time, their fire rekindled, their trembling grips steadying as the words reminded them of their purpose.
She spread her arms wide, her crimson eyes locked on the towering Umbra Wyrm, her voice carrying over the thunderous roars of the beast. "WHAT IS DEATH?!"
The troops answered as one, their voices shaking the earth. "IT IS OUR DUTY!"
She let out a sharp, barked laugh, her fiery gaze sweeping over her forces. "Prepare yourselves, my warriors! The hunt has begun!"
With her declaration, the troops steadied their weapons, their fear replaced with a fierce determination. The ground shook again as the Umbra Wyrm advanced, its sulfurous eyes narrowing on the queen who dared to defy it.
She flexed her fingers, the fire in her veins burning brighter than ever as she whispered to herself, "This is it. The fire has a purpose now. Let's see if this beast can endure it."
The hunt was on. And she would lead it to its bloody, glorious end.
The Umbra Wyrm loomed over her, its massive form blotting out the sky as its sulfurous eyes narrowed in predatory focus. The air crackled with tension, and the ground beneath her boots trembled with each step of the monstrous beast. Its tail lashed the air, a spiked battering ram that promised destruction, while its serrated fangs gleamed with lethal intent.
The Vengeful One stood her ground, her cloak billowing in the winds whipped up by the beast's wings. Her crimson eyes blazed like twin infernos, her fists clenching at her sides as the fire of Hunt's Euphoria roared within her veins. Every nerve in her body screamed for battle, every muscle coiled like a spring ready to snap.
"Come, then! Show me your strength!" she roared, her voice cutting through the cacophony of the beast's guttural growls.
The Umbra Wyrm didn't hesitate. With a deafening roar, it lunged forward, its massive claws tearing into the earth as it closed the distance in an instant. Its tail swung in a deadly arc, the spiked tip carving through the air like a scythe.
She dodged to the side, her Umbral Step skill flickering her through the shadows just as the tail slammed into the ground where she'd stood, sending shards of rock flying in all directions. Reappearing behind the beast, she clenched her fist and unleashed a devastating uppercut aimed at the base of its tail.
The impact reverberated through her arm, the obsidian scales of the Umbra Wyrm as hard as any enchanted armor she'd ever faced. The beast let out a guttural snarl, whipping its tail around in retaliation. She barely ducked in time, the spiked appendage slicing through the air just inches above her head.
She retaliated with a swift punch to its hind leg, her strength amplified by her aura of rage. The force of the blow cracked the ground beneath the beast's massive foot, forcing it to momentarily falter. Seizing the opportunity, she dashed forward, her fists glowing with shadowy energy as she aimed a barrage of punches at its underbelly.
The Umbra Wyrm reared back, its wings spreading wide as it let out a deafening roar. Its claws raked through the air, one massive talon swiping toward her with terrifying speed. She raised her hands, casting Eclipse Bastion, the dark shield forming just in time to block the strike. The force of the blow sent her skidding backward, her boots carving deep grooves into the dirt.
Her arm snapped with the impact, but the pain was fleeting as the shield's regenerative properties mended the damage almost instantly. She grinned, her eyes gleaming with unrelenting determination. "Is that all you've got?"
The beast snarled, its sulfurous eyes narrowing as it lunged again. This time, its massive maw opened wide, revealing rows of jagged teeth as it snapped toward her. She leaped into the air, using Umbral Step to vault above the creature's head. Twisting in midair, she brought her fists down in a double hammer blow to the top of its skull.
The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, cracking the stone beneath the Umbra Wyrm. The beast roared in fury, shaking its massive head to dislodge her. She landed nimbly on the ground, only to be met by the beast's tail sweeping toward her like a battering ram.
She raised her arms to block, her aura flaring as the tail collided with her in a bone-shaking impact. The sheer force sent her flying, her body smashing through a cluster of boulders before she rolled to a stop. Dust and debris filled the air as she pushed herself to her feet, her cloak torn and blood dripping from a gash on her forehead.
The Umbra Wyrm didn't wait, charging toward her with terrifying speed for something its size. Its massive claws tore into the ground, its eyes glowing with unrelenting malice. She met its charge head-on, her fists glowing with dark energy as she slammed into its chest with a devastating punch.
The impact sent both combatants reeling, the Umbra Wyrm stumbling backward while she slid across the ground, her boots digging into the dirt to steady herself. The beast roared again, its wings flaring as it launched into the air. Shadows fell over the battlefield as it hovered above, its tail lashing downward in a deadly arc.
She leaped to meet it, her body a blur of motion as she dodged the tail and delivered a spinning kick to its side. The blow landed with a resounding crack, forcing the beast to crash back to the ground. It lashed out wildly, its claws carving deep gouges into the earth as it tried to regain its footing.
"I'm not done with you yet!" she growled, closing the distance in an instant. She ducked beneath a sweeping claw, her fists slamming into the beast's ribs with enough force to shake the ground. The Umbra Wyrm roared in defiance, its tail coiling around her leg and yanking her off the ground.
The world spun as it flung her into a nearby cliffside, the impact sending a cascade of rocks tumbling down. She groaned, her body aching, but the fire within her burned brighter than ever. Pushing herself free of the rubble, she smirked, blood dripping from the corner of her mouth.
The Umbra Wyrm roared again, its massive form silhouetted against the jagged peaks of the Ebonspike Range. She raised her fists, her aura flaring like a dark inferno. With a guttural snarl, the Umbra Wyrm charged again, its claws tearing into the earth as it closed the distance. She met it head-on, the battlefield shaking as queen and beast collided in a clash of raw power and unrelenting fury.
The battlefield was chaos, the roars of the Umbra Wyrm echoing across the Ebonspike Range, shaking the very earth beneath their feet. The Vengeful One stood in the center of it all, her blood boiling with the fiery surge of Hunt's Euphoria, her crimson eyes blazing as her shadowy aura flared around her.
The Umbra Wyrm let out another guttural roar, swiping its massive tail toward a cluster of Marines who stood frozen, torn between their queen's safety and their duty to the hunt. The Vengeful One blipped forward in a flash of Umbral Step, her body a blur as she materialized in front of her troops. Her arm extended, and with a flare of her Eclipse Bastion, the shadowy shield erupted before her, blocking the strike with a deafening crash.
Her arm trembled under the force of the blow, her teeth gritted as she pushed back against the beast's might. The shield cracked but held long enough for the Marines to regain their footing. Turning to face them, she barked, "Retreat! Fall back to the ridge now!"
"But, my Lady!" one of the Marines shouted, his voice shaking as he gripped his weapon tightly. "We can't leave you alone with this thing! Let us fight by your side!"
Her expression darkened instantly, her fiery gaze locking onto the soldier who spoke. The tone in her voice shifted, sharper now, like the edge of a blade. "That wasn't a request. That was a command. Retreat. Now."
The Marines hesitated, their loyalty warring with their fear for her safety. She clenched her fists, her aura intensifying as her Domination Command skill activated. Her voice rang out like a thunderclap, amplified with an undeniable authority that forced itself into their very beings.
"This is not an order! This is a command! Retreat!"
The skill's effects surged through her troops, their muscles stiffening as the sheer force of her will overtook their bodies. One by one, they began to fall back, their movements mechanical as they were compelled to obey. Some shouted apologies, others fought the tears welling in their eyes, but none could resist the power of her command.
Lian, visibly torn, managed to choke out, "My Lady, please—"
"Go!" the Vengeful One snapped, her gaze locking onto Lian with a fierceness that brooked no argument. "I need you to ensure the safety of our forces. That is your duty! Do not fail me!"
Lian's jaw clenched, her knuckles white around the hilt of her sword. She nodded reluctantly, saluting sharply before turning to lead the retreat. "Yes, my Lady! You heard her—move out! Now!"
The troops fell back in disciplined formation, their armor clinking as they moved toward the ridge. Despite the distance growing between them and the queen, many glanced back over their shoulders, their hearts heavy with guilt and worry.
The Vengeful One turned back to face the Umbra Wyrm, her smirk returning as her aura flared once more. The beast roared, its sulfurous eyes narrowing on her as it charged, its claws tearing through the earth.
"Good," she murmured, her voice low and filled with dark satisfaction. "Now it's just you and me. Let's see which of us falls first."
The troops watched from the ridge, their hearts pounding as their queen stood alone against the monstrous creature. Her commanding presence still burned in their minds, her voice an unshakable force that reminded them of why they followed her. Even in retreat, they couldn't help but believe she would emerge victorious.
The battlefield was a tempest of violence, a storm of unrelenting power and fury as the Vengeful One traded blow for blow with the colossal Umbra Wyrm. Dust and debris filled the air, each impact sending tremors through the ground, the surrounding peaks trembling as if bowing to the raw force of their battle.
She lunged forward, her fist glowing with shadowy energy as it connected with the beast's armored flank. The resounding crack sent a shudder through her arm, but she grinned through gritted teeth as she followed up with another devastating strike. Her attacks came fast and precise, targeting the same spot in a relentless attempt to exploit a weakness.
The Umbra Wyrm roared in fury, its sulfurous eyes blazing as it swung a massive claw toward her. She ducked low, her instincts razor-sharp, and countered with an uppercut to its jaw. The force of the blow sent the beast's head snapping back, but it retaliated in an instant, its tail whipping around like a battering ram.
The spiked tail caught her mid-dodge, slamming into her ribs with a sickening crunch. She flew backward, her body carving a trench in the ground as she skidded to a halt. Blood dripped from her mouth as she pushed herself to her feet, her wounds already knitting together, the supernatural healing granted by her divine blessings working tirelessly to keep her upright.
The Umbra Wyrm snarled, pouncing forward with terrifying speed for something so massive. Its claws raked through the air, and she raised her arms to block, the impact sending shockwaves through her entire body. Her bones cracked under the force, but they healed just as quickly, her flesh regenerating as fast as the beast could tear it apart.
She roared in defiance, driving her fist into the beast's claw with enough force to make the creature recoil. The momentum gave her just enough space to leap upward, her body twisting in midair as she delivered a spinning kick to its neck. The impact staggered the Umbra Wyrm, its wings flaring as it struggled to regain balance.
"Where's your weak spot, you overgrown lizard?" she snarled, landing heavily on the ground, her fists clenched as she prepared for the next exchange. Her body ached, her muscles screaming for reprieve, but the fire of Hunt's Euphoria burned hotter, silencing the pain with the thrill of combat.
The Umbra Wyrm roared again, its maw opening wide as it unleashed a torrent of shadowy flame. She dove to the side, the ground where she'd stood moments before erupting into an inferno. Without hesitation, she charged back into the fray, weaving through the beast's attacks with uncanny precision.
Every strike she landed chipped away at its armor-like scales, but every blow it landed against her tore her apart just as brutally. Her regeneration was relentless, but so was the beast's endurance. It was a war of attrition, and neither showed any sign of faltering.
"Come on! Is that all you've got?!" she bellowed, slamming her fist into the beast's snout. The impact sent a shockwave rippling outward, but the Umbra Wyrm countered with a vicious swipe of its claw, raking across her torso and sending her crashing into a boulder.
She spat blood, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand as she stood once more, her eyes blazing with unyielding fury. "Fine. Let's see who breaks first."
The Umbra Wyrm snarled, its tail slamming into the ground in challenge. The two combatants charged at each other again, their roars and impacts echoing across the mountains as they continued their brutal, unending slugfest. It was a battle of wills, a test of who could endure the unthinkable longer.