Time seemed to slow to a halt as silver mist rolled in from the torn veil, rising behind the creature like a dragon rearing its head.

Whispers echoed in his mind, speaking words he couldn’t understand. The cold wind turned his breath into fog, it numbed his arms and legs. He was weakened, his power was fully drained, and his body ached all over.

A part of the rearing mist rolled into the creature’s palm, overflowing through its fingers, and falling down to the dead earth. It almost seemed alive in how it moved – it didn’t stray from the creature’s feet, swirling and ever moving in its place.

The creature lowered its hand red with blood. It’s lips curled up with what seemed to be enjoyment. It slowly crouched until it’s head was at the same level as Midhir’s. The mist gathering at its feet slowly moved forward, mimicking the motions of its hand as it grabbed his torn shirt.

Words he couldn’t understand echoed in the silence. He grunted with pain as the words clawed at his mind as well. They were different than before – it wasn’t saying the same thing.

“I,” he wheezed, grabbing onto the creature’s wrist with the last drops of his strength. “…don’t understand…”

The creature hissed, its eyes narrowed, and it tightened its grasp. It spat the same words once more, its voice rising as it spoke. The mist rose along with it, it wrapped around Midhir’s lower body, its cold touch sending shivers down his spine.

There had to be something he could do, anything! Desperately he tried to reach within, to find even a drop of spiritual power.

A strong wind blew, shaking the trees and sweeping the dead leaves away. He thought he heard a sound from above, almost like the caw of a crow, or a raven. The sound of the wind rustling the leaves drowned it out as the creature spoke again.

Midhir grunted as pain struck his mind. The creature’s words almost familiar. Almost. They weren’t, of course – but they clawed at the back of his mind.

… betray us?

His eyes shot wide open as he recognised the last few words.

His reaction made the creature pause for a split second as the wind grew stronger. It tilted its head to the side as it raised its other hand towards Midhir’s chest. The mist followed it.

A small piece of metal glinted as it flew by him. He felt its wind on his cheek just before it struck the creature’s arm.

Stolen story; please report.

With an animalistic growl, the creature leapt back. Its claw gripped the piece of metal – a small, insignificant dagger – and pulled it out. Black blood oozed out of the open wound as the creature threw the dagger to the ground. Its hate filled gaze turned towards Midhir – no, behind Midhir.

“Yeah, that’s better.” A clear voice echoed in the silence as the wind suddenly stopped.

His ears perked up. Was that really her? A part of him didn’t trust his ears – it couldn’t be her. She shouldn’t even be in An’Larion right now!

A young woman, only five years older he was, walked past him. She wore tight leather trousers, knee-high boots, and a white blouse with laced sleeves. Her blonde hair was tied in a simple, tight bun. “Now,” she clenched her right fist, lightly punched her left palm and walked right up to the creature. “Get the hell out of here!”

Golden light enveloped her hand as she punched the creature’s chin with an inhuman force. A loud, disgusting crack sounded as her fist connected, then a fiery explosion sent the creature flying towards the woods. It hit its back against a tree, then fell down, its neck bent at a weird angle.

“Il-“ He began to speak but stopped as he met her gaze.

She smirked, winked, then… vanished. “Give me a minute!” She called out from the other side of the opening.

Midhir’s gaze found her just as she raised her dagger, coated it in crimson flames, and struck the creature’s chest. An animalistic scream echoed as it tried to claw her, but she masterfully evaded it, stepping back. “Stop faking it.” Her voice was cold now. “I know that didn’t hurt you – not really.”

The creature’s screams stopped. Almost as if it understood her, it stood up, fixed its head and neck, then parted its lips, showcasing its sharp fangs. Words he couldn’t understand once again echoed.

The woman’s fingers visibly twitched as they stared each other down, each waiting for the other to make the first move. The charged silence began to stretch as the creature licked its lips, then raised its bloody hand to its face.

The woman clenched her fist. Something glimmered beneath her long sleeve for a split second before she leapt forward. A blade, simple and elegant, materialised in the air. She caught it, brandishing it with flames. As she raised the blade mid-air, the creature bent its knees. It’s crimson eyes glimmered with intelligence and enjoyment. It knew what she was about to do.

She twisted her body, winds blowing from all sides to change her leap. Her left heel struck the creature’s chest, and her right heel hit its nose, breaking it with a disturbing sound. With an elegant backflip, she landed on her feet, then lunged forward with her blade wreathed in flames, striking the creature’s shoulder, once again drawing blood.

The creature stumbled back, growled as the blade cut through its flesh, then lunged at her in retaliation.

She easily evaded its attack, dancing around it as it tried to hit her in vain. It seemed so clumsy and slow compared to her speed and elegance. She made a mockery of it. Their duel continued on for a while. The wounds on the creature began to mount while she remained unharmed, and her speed never waned.

Something was wrong though. Despite all of those wounds she inflicted on it, the creature was still alive, and it was just as fast as it was when it first came through the tear in the veil. She made it seem like a weak, pitiful creature, but Midhir knew that wasn’t the case – it was powerful, and no matter how many wounds she inflicted on it, and how many bones she broke, it didn’t slow down.

She could fight it, but he didn’t think she could kill it. He didn’t know if there was anything that could kill it.