The tension hung thick in the air as Xander stared at the two women. Their beauty was overwhelming, their presence intoxicating, yet it was clear neither Aria nor Celestia could stand the other.
"Lead the way," Xander said to Aria, his voice hardening as he decided to press forward. Celestia's warning lingered in his mind, but he couldn't afford hesitation. He was in an unfamiliar world, with dangers lurking at every corner. Trust wasn't a luxury—it was a gamble.
Aria smirked, clearly pleased by his choice. "Good boy," she purred, her emerald eyes gleaming with satisfaction. She turned on her heel, her cloak swaying in a way that teased the curve of her hips, and began walking.
Celestia said nothing as Xander moved to follow. But before he passed her, she reached out, her slender fingers brushing against his arm. The faint warmth of her touch sent a shiver through him.
"Be careful," she murmured, her sky-blue eyes locking onto his. They were so sincere, so impossibly kind, that for a moment, Xander felt his resolve waver. "She will demand more than you realize."
Aria's voice interrupted them, sharp and cutting. "Come on, stranger. We don't have all day."
Xander glanced back at Celestia, but she was already retreating into the ruins, her golden hair glowing faintly under the crimson sky. He clenched his fists and turned away.
The landscape grew darker as they ventured deeper into the Shadowlands. Twisted trees with blackened bark rose from the ground like skeletal hands, their branches clawing at the blood-red sky. The air was thick with the stench of decay, and Xander could feel the weight of unseen eyes watching them.
"You're quieter than I expected," Aria said, breaking the silence. Her voice was soft but edged with mockery. "I figured you'd have a million questions by now."
"I'm too tired to waste my breath," Xander muttered, his gaze fixed on the ground ahead.
Aria laughed, the sound rich and alluring. "Smart answer. But don't get too comfortable, stranger. The Shadowlands have a way of testing your limits."
She slowed her pace until she was walking beside him. Her presence was intoxicating, the faint scent of her—dark roses and something spiced—clouding his senses. Her emerald eyes studied him closely, like a predator sizing up her prey.
"So," she said, her tone light but probing, "what's your story? A lone mortal wandering the Shadowlands isn't exactly a common sight."
Xander hesitated. He didn't know if he could trust her, but the truth seemed simpler than a lie. "I woke up here," he said finally. "I don't know how or why."
Aria raised an eyebrow, her smirk returning. "Interesting. And what did you do to end up here? Sell your soul? Betray someone important?"
"I don't remember," Xander said, his voice hardening.
Aria's smirk widened. "Amnesia. How convenient."
Before Xander could respond, a low growl echoed through the air. He froze, his hand instinctively gripping the hilt of his blade.
Aria, however, seemed unfazed. She stopped walking, her emerald eyes scanning the shadows around them. "Ah," she said softly. "They've found us."
From the darkness, shapes began to emerge—hulking beasts with glowing red eyes and razor-sharp fangs. Their twisted bodies were covered in black, matted fur, and their claws gleamed like obsidian.
"Wolves?" Xander asked, his voice low.
"Werewolves," Aria corrected, her voice calm. "And very hungry ones, by the looks of it."
The largest of the beasts stepped forward, its massive frame towering over Xander. Its jaws dripped with saliva, and its eyes burned with unrestrained malice.
Aria sighed, drawing a slender blade from the sheath at her hip. "Let's make this quick, shall we?"
The werewolves lunged, their snarls echoing through the air. Xander barely had time to react as the first beast charged at him, its claws slashing through the space where he'd stood a moment ago. He rolled to the side, drawing his sword in one fluid motion.
Aria, meanwhile, moved like a shadow. Her blade gleamed as she danced through the chaos, her every strike precise and lethal. She ducked under a werewolf's swipe, her dagger flashing as she slashed its throat. Black blood sprayed across the ground, but she didn't stop. Her movements were almost mesmerizing, her lethal grace leaving Xander momentarily distracted.
"Focus, stranger!" Aria called out, her voice sharp.
Xander gritted his teeth and forced himself to concentrate. He parried a blow from one of the werewolves, his sword cutting deep into its side. The beast howled in pain, but Xander didn't stop. He pivoted, slashing again, and the creature collapsed with a heavy thud.
The battle raged on, the air thick with the stench of blood and the sound of snarls and steel.
Aria was untouchable. Her emerald eyes glowed faintly as she moved through the fray, her leather cloak billowing around her. Her strikes were swift and deadly, her smirk never leaving her lips.
Xander was struggling to keep up, his muscles burning with exhaustion. But as the last werewolf fell, he realized they had survived.
Aria wiped her blade clean on the fur of one of the fallen beasts, her smirk widening as she turned to Xander. "Not bad, stranger," she said. "But you'll have to do better than that if you want to stay alive."
Xander didn't respond. He was too busy trying to catch his breath, his sword trembling in his grip.
Aria stepped closer, her emerald eyes gleaming. "You're lucky I like you," she said softly, her voice teasing. She reached out, brushing a strand of hair from his face. Her touch was cold, yet it sent a shiver through him.
"Let's keep moving," she said, stepping away. "This was just a warm-up."
As they walked, Xander couldn't shake the feeling that Aria was enjoying herself far too much. And yet, he found himself drawn to her, despite the danger she represented.
In the distance, the ruins of another temple came into view. But this one was different. It shimmered faintly, as though it were made of light.
"Another detour," Aria said, her tone annoyed.
Xander frowned. "What is it?"
Aria sighed, her emerald eyes narrowing. "An angel's sanctuary. Let's just hope she's not in the mood to lecture us again."