Bianca moved forward with deliberate grace, her grip on the spear unwavering, a poised predator ready to strike. At every of her step, crackling thunder struck the ground and propagated. Her eyes, a mesmerizing shade of violet, radiated beauty that sent shivers down my spine as she declared with chilling determination,

"Let's finish this, Blood Witch."

A sudden gust of wind tore through the abandoned factory, swirling dust and debris into a chaotic frenzy. Before I could react, Bianca shot forward with astonishing speed, her spear glinting in the harsh light. Her energy etched three deep claw marks into the ground, each crackling with electrical energy before blasting away a radiant light.

"Ravenous Blast!!” Bianca shouted.

Stumbling backward, I managed to avoid her attack by an hair, but the sheer force cracked my bones and left shallow cuts on my skin. As I regained my balance, cold sweat dripped down my face. Strangely, though, I found myself grinning.

“Why are you smiling?” Bianca pointed her spear at me, “Is my power a joke to you?”

I shook my head, still grinning, "Not at all. Your power is beautiful and elegant, yet deadly. Truth be told, you're the strongest enemy I've faced on this planet. It makes me want to get a little bit serious," I taunted her while summoning my blood sword,

"So, with weapons in our hand, shall we continue our dance, Lady Bianca?"

Wait... my sword felt weaker. Damn, guess my body was still anemic from being malnourished for days, causing my blood manipulation to weaken. However, I couldn't show any signs of weakness; That lioness would devour me alive.

The power surged within Bianca, her mana pulsating like living thunder. Her eyes narrowed, and she tightened her grip on her spear. With a burst of energy, she lunged forward, aiming for my heart. I reacted swiftly, dodging to the side and attempting to strike back with my sword. But Bianca's speed was unmatched, and she evaded my attack effortlessly, retaliating with a lightning-fast thrust.

Finally, Her spear broke my sword and landed a solid hit on my right hand, completely disabling it. Panic surged within me as I pulled back, trying to regain my composure. But it was foolish. The moment I pulled back, Bianca kneeled and chanted,

"Come divine spear! Seal my enemy's fate in your palm. Void-“

Gotcha!

Before she could finish her incantation, I seized the moment, vanishing my sword and laughing as I blasted toward her. "You think I would run away? Think again!" I shouted, striking her with a blurred punch and ending with a somersault that sent her soaring into the sky.

“Raven Style 02: Dancing Marionette!” I smiled, pulling the blood threads I clawed on her body, pulling her towards me, and landed a powerful punch to her stomach, launching her far away. “Again!" I smiled cynically, once again manipulating the threads to control her body, pummeling her magic barrier in quick succession.

Finally, her barrier broke, a chance that I couldn't pass!

"Awaken!" I whispered, focusing my power on my left hand. My hair quickly turned white when air swirled around my left hand.

[https://img.wattpad.com/story_parts/1371357539/images/1779a9077411eb78527171524937.jpg]

"Release your wrath, Orpheus!!" I shouted, unleashing a tremendous punch that crushed the air, forming a skeletal dragon to overwhelm my enemy.

Bianca, still recovering from the barrage of attacks, struggled to her feet. Her once-confident demeanor had waned, replaced by a mixture of fear and determination. She gritted her teeth and clenched her fists, her violet eyes fixed on the skeletal monstrosity before her.

I stood there, panting heavily, my body trembling from the immense exertion of summoning Orpheus. This was one of my trump card, a forbidden contract between me and many Animas living inside my shadow. However it immense power came with a great cost which I had to pay soon.

"Sister, please lend me your strength."

Bianca's voice quivered as she summoned her last bit of mana, creating hovering thunder sword around her battered form. She pulled a strange device, shaped like a mechanized reaction tube. With haste, the witch threw the strange device and shot it with the thunder sword,

"Hollow Ataraxia, activate!"

Pillars of ice burst forth from the ground, blocking my Orpheus. However, to my surprise, the ice not only absorbed my power but also completely dissipated Orpheus. My trump card had been nullified, leaving me vulnerable and exposed. How the hell it could happen?

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Left with no choice but to pull back, I dodged the incoming ice spears. But then a sudden ache stabbed my chest, forcing me to kneel. Dark roots snaked their way up to my neck, the excruciating agony robbing me of my strength.

"Oh my... I suppose I got a bit carried away this time," I chuckled weakly, surrounded by the looming ice pillars. As I examined the ice more closely, I realized it emanated a divine light. A familiar presence of the past.

“This is... Astral Ice,” I murmured in realization.

Astral Ice, unlike regular ice, was infused with divine power. It created an everlasting cold around it, penetrating the skin and cooling the core, robbing even beings as formidable as gods and Animas of their powers. It was the pinnacle of alchemy, crafted by humans in the ancient past to challenge the very gods themselves. But I believed that I had sealed away the knowledge of Astral Ice long ago.. How the hell someone uncovered it?

“You lost this time, Blood Witch. One wrong move and you’ll turn into crystal,” Bianca said.

I sighed and reluctantly took a seat. “I never thought I'd see the day when someone used Astral Ice against one of its creators."

"Don't make outrageous claims! This is the legacy of my best friend," Bianca retorted, her expression filled with frustration. “You... If not for my mission, I would kill you without hesitation.”

I brushed off the tension awkwardly, "S-Scary. Please don't kill me now. I'm more useful alive than dead... Probably."

Suddenly, The Black Witch finally intervened, “Enough, Bianca. Pater’s order is to secure her, not to harm her.”

Bianca sighed and begrudgingly stepped back, “As you wish, Milady.”

Wait, no way. This can’t be, right? This whole plot could it be they were trying to capture me?

The Black Witch finally opened her shroud, taking me by surprise. “Kiara?” I asked.

But the girl laughed, “Heh, calling me by that thief's name? You've got some nerve, girl." From her shadow, the girl summoned a sinister aura that materialized into menacing hunters, ready to end my life. They were all look exactly like Kiara which made me scared to my roots.

"I am Shadow Edge, the strongest of the 6 Lectors of The Order,” she declared, crossing her arms arrogantly.

... Oh this is real shit. Not only I had to fight for my life three times, now I had to face the strongest Lector, the leader of the lunatic Order? Give me a break!

Adjusting my tone, I humbly inquired, "My apologies, I thought the Leader of the White Order would be... a little taller."

Bianca quickly snapped at my insolence, "You-!!"

Shadow Edge, however, stopped Bianca in her tracks. This time, she locked eyes with me, her gleaming red irises ominous. I forced a wry smile, recognizing the eyes cursed by the Loom of Fate, possessed by those with The Seed of the Hero.

"So, why did the Great Shadow Edge go through all this trouble to capture me, a mere wandering witch?" I asked with feigned humility.

Shadow Edge shrugged and pointed at my chest. "At first, I only wanted to retrieve what that thief stole from us, The Core of our beloved Goddess. However, I became intrigued," she stated, her gaze making me feel like a lab specimen. "To think that a simple Homunculus like you could unleash even a fraction of our Goddess's power. Fascinating."

... Cold sweat dripped from my head. I didn't like how this conversation would go.

"And so, I have an interesting idea," the girl approached me menacingly. But suddenly, Shadow Edge offered her hand to me, "Join us, Blood Witch, and I'll make sure you live well."

I hesitated. Was she genuinely making this offer? No, don't forget, Princess. The Order was full of Lunatics. That was just a roundabout way to say they would dissect and experiment on me.

"No way,” I replied quickly.

"It's not a question; it's an order," Shadow Edge snapped her fingers, and the ice inched dangerously close to my neck. Panic surged within me; Oh my god, I'm going to die! W-Wait, I am a god! So to whom I pray? O-Oh shit!

Should I just accept her condition now and then betrayed her later? Nay, if Bianca was this powerful, imagine how powerful Shadow Edge would be! It was a bad idea. Then what should I do? Surrendering myself into their test subject? Hell no!

Oh shit, that ice was getting too close! Quick, Princess, find the solution!

It was then my eyes caught a glint of a mirror on the roof, a code I recognized from my days as a soldier. It read, "Buy us time." I didn't know who this mysterious ally was, but I had no other option.

"Alright, then suppose I consider your proposal," I said, adopting the most arrogant manner I could muster, "What's in it for me? Do I get a six-figure salary? Or perhaps health insurance? Oh, and don't forget about my pension."

Shadow Edge and Bianca exchanged puzzled glances at my bizarre requests, but the Leader coughed and replied, "You would become our newest Lector. With that, you'd gain access to our extensive network. And, of course, we'd provide you with three meals a day and even two snack times.”

W-Wait, two snack times? T-That’s… actually an interesting offer! If I accepted it,I could live more happily- Waiit, I'm here for my daughter, not for the food! Foolish Princess. B-but, joining The Order could mean I could search for my daughter more easily! Wait a minute, there is no down side of this offer.

Tempted at the offer, I pushed my luck, "Can you make it, um, four snack times?"

Suddenly, chaos erupted. Bombs were thrown through the window, exploding and filling the room with thick smoke. Amidst the confusion, a sweet female voice called out, "Quick, follow me!”

In a split second, I felt someone gripping my hand, urging me to move. "W-Wait! I don't want to go!" I stammered, unsure of the situation.

"You're out of your mind! Let's get out of here!" the mysterious woman shouted.

The mysterious woman led me through the smoke, guiding me with surefooted steps. Many man in shadow carried the unconscious Arthur. However, looking back I could see Kiara still in The Order possession.

"Wait, we should save Kiara at least!"

"And face Shadow Edge to save a conjured illusion? No fucking hell!"

As we ran, I could hear Shadow Edge's furious voice ordering her followers to find us. I gulped, yes she was right. No way I could beat that pretty doll looking monster.

Eventually, the smoke cleared, revealing an exit ahead. The woman pulled me out of the building and into the cool night air. Outside the abandoned factory, lines of soldiers in black uniforms awaited me. The Order, looking at the sheer manpower there, had no choice but to retreat.

Breathing heavily, I finally got a good look at my rescuer. Before me stood a woman with blue hair and piercing green eyes. Her presence was commanding yet comforting.

"Who are you?" I asked, still catching my breath.

“Just call me, Elysia,” she said with a menacing smile, "A friend, for now.”