Aeryn tightened her grip on the crimson rapier that pulsed faintly with her heartbeat. Her breath thick in the humid air as she faced the satyr, a hulking creature with twisted horns and feral eyes. Its great axe gleamed under the midday sun, its edge nicked and worn from countless battles. The satyr bellowed, charging with the ferocity of a storm. Aeryn narrowed her eyes, her blade humming with latent power.
She sidestepped the creature’s first swing, the axe cleaving through the air with a force that sent a gust of wind rushing past her. Aeryn retaliated with a quick slash, her rapier drawing a thin line of blood across the satyr’s arm. The wound began to bleed profusely, the first of many. Yet the creature barely flinched, pivoting with alarming speed to deliver another crushing blow. Aeryn ducked, feeling the axe’s edge pass mere inches from her head.
“Too close,” she muttered, darting back to create some distance. The satyr pursued relentlessly, each swing of its axe forcing her to rely on her agility to evade. Aeryn knew she couldn’t keep this up forever—one wrong step, and the battle would be over.
The satyr stomped the ground, unleashing a burst of magic that caused vines and roots to erupt from the earth. They snaked toward Aeryn, attempting to ensnare her. She slashed at the roots with her rapier, the blood-forged blade slicing through them like paper, but the satyr used the distraction to close the distance.
Aeryn barely managed to deflect the next strike, her blade clashing against the axe with a metallic screech. The force of the blow sent her skidding backward, her arm trembling from the impact. The satyr pressed its advantage, swinging its axe in wide arcs that left no room for error. Aeryn darted and weaved, her agility keeping her just out of reach, but she could feel her stamina waning.
The creature’s eyes glowed with an unnatural light as it raised its free hand, chanting in a guttural language. A burst of energy radiated outward, forming spectral wolves that charged at Aeryn. She gritted her teeth, summoning her blood chains to intercept them. The crimson tendrils coiled around the wolves, tearing them apart, but the effort left her vulnerable. The satyr’s axe came down in a devastating overhead swing, and Aeryn barely rolled aside in time. The ground where she had stood exploded, dirt and debris showering the battlefield.
“Enough,” Aeryn hissed, wiping a streak of blood from her cheek. She extended her hand, summoning multiple chains that lashed out, binding the satyr’s arms and legs. The creature strained against them, its raw strength causing the chains to groan, but each movement deepened its wounds, causing more blood to flow. The bleeding debuff was working, slowly sapping its vitality.
The satyr roared, a mix of frustration and pain, and unleashed another burst of magic. The chains shattered, and the creature charged again, its movements slightly sluggish but no less dangerous. Aeryn sidestepped another swing and retaliated with a series of quick slashes, each one precise and calculated. Her blade opened new wounds, and with each cut, she injected her dark magic, setting the stage for Hemorrhage.
She slashed again, this time aiming for the satyr’s legs. Her blade connected, opening another wound that bled freely. The creature roared, more in frustration than pain, and brought its axe down in a devastating overhead swing. Aeryn leapt to the side, using her momentum to whip a chain of blood toward the satyr’s arm. The crimson tendrils wrapped tightly around its wrist, pulling taut and forcing it to drop the axe.
The satyr roared in rage, ripping the chain apart with sheer brute strength. Before it could recover, Aeryn lunged forward, her rapier piercing its side. She twisted the blade and pulled back, leaving another gushing wound. The satyr staggered but managed to swipe at her with its claws, grazing her shoulder and sending her stumbling backward.
Aeryn’s breathing was ragged, her energy flagging. She could feel the strain of maintaining her abilities, but she refused to give in. She steadied herself and extended her hand, summoning multiple chains that lashed out, binding the satyr’s arms and legs. The creature strained against them, but each movement only deepened its wounds, causing more blood to flow.
The satyr staggered, its breaths coming in ragged gasps, but it was undetered. It raised its fist high, channeling all its remaining energy into a final, devastating blow. The weapon glowed with a fiery light, and the air around it crackled with raw power. Aeryn steadied herself, focusing every ounce of her remaining strength.
As the fist came down, she surged forward, her rapier glowing with dark energy. She dodged the blow at the last second, her blade piercing the satyr’s chest. The creature howled, thrashing violently as she activated Hemorrhage. Blood erupted violently like a volcano from various areas throughout the satyr's body, twisting and writhing beneath its skin. Aeryn’s eyes narrowed as the magic reached its peak. There was now a pool of blood large enough for her to create a condensed sword out of it. The floating blood sword hummed with energy.
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Tthe satyr tried to shamble forward closer to Aeryn, but it's body convulsed, dropping it to a knee. Aeryn took a few steps forward, the satyr looked up at her glowing crimson eyes, "This is where you belong, kneeling." Aeryn said before raising her hand, the blood sword mimicking her motion. Putting her palm forward, the blood sword flew towards the satyr at an amazing speed, removing its head without being slowed. Aeryn staggered back, her legs threatening to give out, but she forced herself to remain standing. She had to invest more into END for drawn out fights she realized.
She approached the fallen satyr and placed her hand over its body. Her crimson eyes glowed, the remaining blood from the creature’s body started to move and snake as if alive. It flew into her mouth as she drank it greedily, crimson energy flowed into her, and a new sensation coursed through her veins. An ability she hadn’t possessed before; Bloody Drill. It coalesced blood around her unweaponed and into a sharp point that would spin at great speeds helping her penetration power. If she had had this ability during the golem dungeon excursion, she would've felt more useful. She closed her eyes, acknowledging the newfound power settle within her.
When she opened them again, her resolve was stronger than ever. The satyr was defeated, and though she bore the marks of the battle, she had emerged victorious; stronger, faster, and had a good idea of how to build upon her foundation for the future.
With a final glance at the fallen beast, Aeryn disappeared into the mountains, she needed to reunite with her teammates.
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Lorelai’s voice rang out sharp and commanding, but her words faded into silence as she stepped forward. The clearing seemed to shift unnaturally, and an eerie stillness enveloped her. She looked around, her brows furrowing. “Aeryn?” she called, her voice unnaturally muted. “Thrax?”
No response.
The sound of battle was gone, muffled as though it were happening in another world. Lorelai tightened her grip on her dagger, her instincts screaming a warning. “What is this?” she muttered, scanning her surroundings.
From the shadows, Daven stepped forward, his expression predatory. “Welcome to my little domain: Wind World. A little barrier I have set up,” he said, his voice smooth and dripping with smug satisfaction. “You’ve been so busy playing hero with your little friends, you didn’t even notice me weaving this trap.”
Lorelai’s eyes narrowed, her stance shifting into a defensive posture. “What have you done?”
“Separated you,” Daven said casually, his gaze lingering over her in a way that made her skin crawl. “You can’t hear them, and they can’t hear you. It’s just you and me; we can finally be alone.”
Lorelai’s grip on her spear tightened, her mana pathways primed to release magic. “Why?”
Daven’s smile widened, his eyes glinting with twisted desire. “Isn’t it obvious? You’re exquisite, Lorelai. So strong, so fierce. That little strut, those smug looks. Don’t think I didn’t notice the way you ‘accidentally’ walked naked through the academy when everyone knows of the Floral Cat boss. You wanted me to notice, didn’t you. Your plan worked, I want to make you mine.” He stepped closer, his tone darkening. “But you never even looked at me. Always Aeryn this, Thrax that. So loyal, tt’s disgusting.”
Lorelai’s stomach churned, but she held her ground. “You did all this because I didn't notice you?” she said, her voice low and steady. “Pathetic.”
Daven’s face twisted, a flicker of anger breaking through his facade. “Careful, Lorelai. You’re not in a position to insult me.” He gestured around them, the air shimmering faintly with his enchantment. “You’re trapped here with me. No one’s coming to save you.”
Lorelai’s lips pressed into a thin line. “I'm not some damsel that needs saving” Her hair started to wave wildly around while her mana flared, crimson lightning began to coat her body from her legs upward. “I’ve faced worse than you.”
Daven’s smirk returned, though his eyes betrayed a hint of wariness. “Oh, I’m sure you have." He moved closer, his tone softening into something almost coaxing. “You’ve been trying to project this strong woman, but I know you're really just scared. That's ok I can protect you, let me be your protector.”
“Don’t touch me,” Lorelai snapped, taking a step back. Her lightning increasing in intensity, the crackling energy lashing out forcing Daven to step back slightly. “Whatever twisted fantasy you have, it ends here.”
Daven’s expression darkened, and he drew his blade, the air around him crackling with dark energy. “You’re making this difficult, Lorelai. I was hoping you’d come willingly. If I have to break you first… so be it. Ill make sure you're still able to service me, fret not.”
Lorelai’s heart pounded, but her resolve hardened. “You won’t break me.” She raised her spear, its entirety cloaked in crimson lightning. “You’ve already lost.”
The two clashed, their blades meeting in a shower of sparks. Daven fought with a vicious intensity, his strikes unrelenting as he tried to overpower her. Lorelai countered with precision and speed, her movements practiced and methodical. The enchanted air around them seemed to close in, amplifying the sound of their battle.