Dodging an incoming attack, Alexia's legs trembled beneath her. She slipped crashing down. Groaning, she tried to get up from the bloodied floor. She staggered to her feet, panting slightly. Only to slip again, tumbling down. She unintentionally avoided the snapping jaws of the demon wolf above her.
While lying on the floor, she tightened her hold on the hilt of her sword, slashing at the wolf. Whimpering, it retreated. Using her sword, she pulled herself up, being careful not to slip again.
Using the moonlight seeping through the towering crimson trees, she studied the wolf.
It's black coat surrounded by swirling darkness had blotches of red. It's malicious green eyes watched her,too. They stared at each other, tense. Silence in the air.
Until the sound of a rumbling stomach broke it. Alexia turned her gaze away, blushing slightly. She muttered," Cut me some slack! We've been going at it for two days." Being met with silence, she faced The wolf, narrowing her eyes. It growled at her in response. Biting her cherry lips, she let out an exasperated laugh. Shaking her head, she prepared to lunge at it.
" Crazy. I'm talking to a demon wolf."
Reacting to her actions, it also readied itself, clawing at the ground. They moved simultaneously, trying to futher weaken their opponent.
" Sorry Wolfie. But I don't fancy becoming a midnight snack."
Saying that, she infused her sword with red flickering flames mid-lunge. The demon reacted quickly, turning the mass of swirling darkness into tentacles. They created a barrier, shielding him. Alexia missed her target, slicing through a tentacle instead.
Her brows furrowed as she retreated. Clicking her tongue whilst shaking her head she commented;
" Now that's not nice. Stay still! "
Once again she gathered her strength and swung her sword. Already prepared, the demon met her blade with it's steel claws. The sound of metal clashing rang out. The impact sent two of them flying backwards.
Mid-flight, she positioned herself. Landing on her on the trunk of a tree, she pistoned herself back. Moving through the air, she arrived where the demon had fallen. Slashing downwards, she tore through it's back, before rolling to a stop on the slippery ground.
It let out an agonized howl, arching it's back. Half kneeling, Alexia let out ragged gasps behind it, smirking slightly. She picked herself up while letting out a silent hiss. Steadying her trembling sword hand.
" You big bad demon. Is that all you got? I'm just getting started." She provoked the wolf, her posture straight.
Turning around to face her, the demon clawed on the ground twice and pounced.
" Now we're getting somewhere." Wiping off her smile, her eyes glinted as she held her sword with both arms; placing it in front of her.
Standing on its hind legs, the demon placed one paw on her sword and used the other to tear through her armour. It growled and bit her shoulder when it's claws failed to tear through her chest.
Letting out a grunt, she pushed it some meters back, sending it to the floor. It let out small silent pants with a smirk on its face. It was as if it was telling her;
" Who's a little Wolfie now?"
Her body trembled, as haggard breaths escaped her mouth but her eyes held mirth. She placed a hand on her shoulder trying to stop the bleeding. " Tearing my shoulder? Ha! I've gone through worse."
The demon's smirk flattered. It growled menacingly showing off it's canines among a set of yellowed teeth. The dark aura surged fiercely in response to it's emotions.
Taking a defensive stance, she took in a calming breath. ' The fight isn't over. Stay steady."
It lunged at her again and she held out her sword. It looked as if it was repeating the previous attack. But midway, it's attack changed course hitting her squarely in the stomach. In retaliation, she brought down her sword to it's neck leaving a deep gash. Before using her left foot to kick it away from her as she tumbled to the ground.
Watching dark blood ooze from it's neck wound and listening to it's whimpers, energized her. Licking her parched lips, Alexia prepared to get up only to slip on the new blood on the ground.
Narrowing her eyes, she asked herself with a thoughtful look. " How many times have I fallen in one night? This is getting ridiculous." Briefly glancing at her sword, her heart sunk slightly. Her flames were fizzling out. ' I have to finish this soon.'
She turned her gaze to the demon, who was licking at it's wounds, whimpering and howling to the moon. " Stop trying to call for reinforcement, we both know that they're all dead. Just come forward and obediently join your fallen brothers."
Her light tone turned into a growl as she dashed to the wolf. As if injected with chicken blood, the wolf sprung to it's feet, howling, looking ravenous as she pounced on her.
They clashed, sounds of dripping blood, clashing metal and mangled flesh were in abundance.
The dazzling sword now had only a metal gleam, her flame had died out. She grunted, slashing at the demon's paw aiming at her neck. The sword slid against the black coat, sending it back but failing to harm it.
Using the force of the push, she slid back, disengaging. She glanced at the sword in her hand, ' Now I can only rely on my brain.'
Her eyes lit up with an idea.
Staring at the approaching demon, Alexia tossed the silver sword at it's feet, raising her hands up in surrender. This put a pause to the beast's actions as it retreated warily. Her lips curved at it's movement.
" Come on, Wolfie. I don't bite. Don't you want a tasty snack? I'm all yours". Her voice turned husky as she playfully winked at the wary demon. ' Why are you growing brains now? Just attack!" She thought that way but she still had on a smiling face as the demon studied her.
She pouted, blinking her delicate lashes. ' Today, we will see the effectiveness of the legendary beauty trap.' The demon's features twisted into a sinister grin as it leapt unto her, sending them both to the ground.
Now on top of her, it's maw moved closer to her face, it's front paw holding her down. It relaxed, already sure of victory. She met it's gaze, giggling while thrusting a hand through it's chest. Tearing through it chest, she tore out it's heart, smilingly watching it's face contort in shock and pain as it howled loudly, blood dripping on her face.The darkness turning erratic as it danced around them both.
Alexia winked at it giggling. " You got played wolf. And one more thing..." She paused, her face solemn as she whispered, "Never underestimate the enemy." The demon let out one last howl before collapsing on top of her with a thump.
" Oof."
Underneath the demon, Alexia just lay there, staring at the hidden moon. She grimaced when she felt the demon's sticky blood seeping onto her body.' Am I experiencing a literal blood bath?'.
Scrunching up her nose at the metallic smell, she sighed and groaned. She bit her lips to stifle a cry as she used her aching arms to free herself. Heaving, she continued lying down in the pool of blood. ' let's just rest for a bit.' She coughed, letting out some blood that slid down the corner of her lips.
Straining herself, Alexia turned her head sideways with a splat. Wincing, her eyes searched for a luxstone. " Now I have slain this beast. It's time to retrieve my prize."
Her eyes lit up when she noticed something shiny beside her. Weakly stretching out her hand she soon felt the familiar warmth and smoothness under her palm.
She closed her eyes, absorbing the essence in the luxstone. She sighed in relief, feeling warmth going round her body, healing minor injuries and relieving some of her fatigue.
She opened her eyes, smiling. " Such dense essence, it must have been an apex beast then. Powerful..." Her smile widened, "...but it still died by my hand."
Watching the luxstone under her palm, turning into shimmering powder, she tried to stand up. Her body still ached but not as much as before.
Getting up to her feet unsteadily, she walked to the place where she flung her sword. She moved with a slow, dragging pace. The wet blood hugging her tightly, producing a splat with every step.
Placing a hand on her waist, she groaned, bending down to pick up her now maroon sword. Grabbing it by the hilt, she fought with the blood for possession.
Now holding her sword, she placed it in the scabbard at her side. Staring north, she dragged her body in it's direction. " It's time to go home." She whispered.