Thursday, August 21, 1:45 AM, 3074 AE
“Nova Slash!” Blaze yelled as he brought down his Inferno Reaver, the blade blazing with searing heat. A fiery crescent erupted from his scythe, slicing through the night. But before it could connect, the panther vanished, its form flickering out of existence as though swallowed by shadows. A moment later, it phased back in—right beside Blaze.
He barely had a second to react as it moved like a specter, a chilling presence pressing through him. Its claws sliced into his side, slipping through his flesh as though he were nothing but mist. Blaze felt an intense, icy pain grip him, and he coughed violently, blood staining his lips.
What... just happened? Blaze staggered, his mind struggling to keep up as pain crashed over him. The creature’s ghostly claws left him breathless, and he realized it could harm him in ways he hadn’t thought possible.
“Are you alright, brother?” Lyria’s voice cut through the haze as she rushed over, her face pale with worry.
He gritted his teeth, waving her off even as his vision blurred. “I’m... fine. Don’t worry about me,” he muttered, wiping the blood from his mouth and forcing himself upright.
Scarlett, grinning as she cracked her knuckles, smirked at him. “Heh, letting your guard down? That’s so unlike you,” she teased, though her gaze sharpened as she took in the panther’s shadowy form. “That thing’s faster than I thought. I can barely even sense its energy... It’s like it’s not even here.”
Blaze frowned, watching as the panther’s ethereal form flickered in and out of view. He couldn’t read its movements, and its energy was like a dark void, completely elusive. “Yeah... It’s not just fast—it’s phasing through the dimensions or something. I can’t get a lock on it.”
Swish!
In an instant, the panther materialized again, its ghostly claws swiping dangerously close to Blaze’s head. He ducked just in time, feeling the chill of its presence linger like an icy claw scraping across his soul. But then he froze. He felt a crushing weight press down on him, as if shadows themselves were tightening around him. The panther’s eyes glowed a deep, unnatural red.
Nightmare Howl.
The world around him felt as if it were collapsing inward, and Blaze’s limbs refused to move. His mind screamed, I can’t... I can’t move... The beast prowled closer, its gaze fierce and unrelenting, its fangs bared in a wicked grin.
Lyria's voice, warm and filled with resolve, cut through his paralysis. "No, you don't!" She extended her hands, summoning a radiant beam of light that shot through the darkness, striking the panther square in the chest.
The creature howled, stumbling back as it phased out of existence momentarily.
Blaze gasped, the pressure lifting from his chest, and managed to breathe again. Scarlett leapt forward, her fists blazing with a fiery aura, a confident smirk on her face. "Damn thing moves like a ghost. But if it’s still solid, then I’m still gonna hit it."
She launched herself into the air, her fist crashing down toward the ground where the panther had just reappeared. The impact sent tremors through the earth, creating cracks and causing the panther to leap back just in time.
“Just missed it,” Scarlett muttered, her eyes narrowed, an almost feral grin spreading across her face. “But don’t worry, I’ll get you next time. You can bet on it!”
Lyria, her brows furrowed, lifted her hands, sending a hail of radiant beams at the panther. Each beam cut through the air with deadly precision, forcing the panther to dodge in rapid succession. Several beams connected, the creature staggering momentarily before vanishing again.
“Is it... gone?” Lyria asked, her voice uncertain as her hands dropped to her sides.
Blaze’s gaze hardened. He could still feel its ominous presence lurking, like a shadow just out of sight. “No. It’s not gone,” he warned, his grip tightening around his scythe. “It’s just playing with us. Don’t let your guard down... it’s still here somewhere.” He scanned the area, his eyes narrowed, each nerve on edge.
Around them, the sounds of their battle echoed into the night, filling the air with an ominous silence that somehow felt worse than the clashing and roaring from before.
Kai’s breath quickened as his group dashed through the city, their mission clear: defeat as many Kōsō as possible. The air was thick with the scent of smoke and the echoing roars of monstrous creatures. Every corner of the city seemed to be under siege, but fortunately, the civilians had been evacuated. His mind, however, was focused on something far more pressing.
“This feeling... It feels the same as in the forest,” Kai murmured, his voice strained with a mix of worry and resolve. His eyes darted around, scanning their surroundings. “Something extremely strong is here.”
Riku, his ever-optimistic comrade, looked up, his expression just as intense as Kai’s. "Yeah, and it's coming from the side of town where Blaze and the others live. We need to go help them, now."
Kai nodded sharply. "We should hurry," he agreed, but as they turned to head towards Blaze’s location, he stopped. Something in him held him back, an unspoken urgency gnawing at his gut.
“What? Why?” Riku asked, his voice sharp with concern as he noticed the hesitation. His eyes followed Kai’s gaze, and the realization hit. He didn't have to ask again. "Got it? Just be careful."
Kai didn’t acknowledge him, his mind already focused on something else—someone else. Cassie and Riku rushed ahead, determined to reach Blaze, while Kai stood frozen for a moment longer.
To think I forgot to check on them... How could I be so stupid? His heart thudded in his chest as he turned and sprinted toward the source of his worry—his little sister.
Kai’s pulse raced as he turned the corner, the familiar sight of the alley near his family’s home coming into view. There, in the midst of a wreckage of fallen Kōsō bodies, stood Li Mei. She was breathing heavily, her hands trembling as she stood alone in the carnage.
“Huff... huff... how many of these bad monsters are here?” Li Mei’s voice was faint, her words strained as she looked around, fatigue evident in every breath she took. “I can’t hold out much longer... If only big brother were here…”
Her words barely finished before all the Kōsō around her were sent flying by a single swing of an unmistakable staff—her brother’s Ruyi Jingu Bang. The force was so great that it shook the very ground beneath them, and the panicked Kōsō were thrown aside, crashing into walls and scattered debris like ragdolls.
Kai’s heart skipped a beat. He rushed forward, pushing past the wreckage, his eyes frantic as he spotted Li Mei. “Are you alright, Li Mei?” His voice cracked with worry. He reached her side in seconds, inspecting her for any injuries. “Are you hurt anywhere?”
Li Mei looked up at him with a sheepish smile, her eyes sparkling with pride despite her exhaustion. “I’m all good, big brother,” she said softly, her voice wavering with exhaustion. “I defeated all the bad monsters... but... I may have used too much Qi... so I’m a little... tired.”
Kai’s heart swelled with relief, but the weight of the situation hadn’t quite settled. His sister, his little sister, had just taken down multiple Class C Kōsōs all by herself—ones that had already caused chaos in the city. His thoughts were a whirlwind of emotions: pride, concern, and confusion.
“That’s good...” Kai said, his voice softening as he wrapped her in a tight hug. He couldn’t hold back his overwhelming concern. “But let's get you back to Mom and Dad. Where are they, Li Mei?”
Li Mei’s face shifted into a look of mild confusion before she lowered her gaze, fiddling with the ends of her sleeve. “Mom went to take care of the civilians who may have gotten injured... And Dad went off to defeat the bad monsters…” she trailed off.
Kai raised an eyebrow, a sense of dread beginning to settle in. “So... they left you out here all alone, or...?”
Li Mei's giggle was light, though there was a noticeable hint of guilt in it. "Umm... I may have snuck out to practice my training when I was told to stay in the house..." She looked up at him sheepishly, her cheeks flushing pink with embarrassment. "I thought I could help... and I didn’t want to disappoint you…”
Kai’s lips twitched upward in an almost resigned smile, but there was no hiding the mix of emotions flashing across his face. Of course… he thought, rubbing his forehead with a sigh. “I should have known...” He shook his head but then glanced down at his sister, his expression softening. “Let’s get you back home. We’ll talk about this later.”
Kai’s strong arms gently scooped Li Mei up, cradling her against him. Despite her protests, he made no move to put her down. She was tired, clearly exhausted from using far too much of her Qi in the fight, and he wasn’t about to let her walk on her own, especially in a city so ravaged by the Kōsō.
As he carried her through the streets, his thoughts whirled, even as he did his best to keep his sister calm and safe in his arms. To think she was able to take down Kōsō at her young age... Those weren’t weak ones either... He couldn’t help but marvel at her potential. "Class C," he muttered to himself, his mind reeling. “She’s stronger than I realized.”
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Kai’s gaze drifted upward as he made his way down the street, a thought flashing across his mind. If Li Mei can grow this strong at her age... He couldn’t deny the immense pride he felt for her. But that same pride was laced with worry. What if she pushed herself too hard? What if she wasn’t ready for what was coming?
As he approached their home, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something far more dangerous was waiting for them just around the corner.
The fight raged on in the heart of the city, the streets a battleground of chaos. Riku and Cassie had finally arrived, the two of them weaving through the streets to meet up with Blaze and his group. They were just in time to witness Blaze narrowly escape a lethal strike from the spectral panther. The creature's claws, sharp as obsidian, had cut through the air with deadly precision, its eyes glowing with an eerie, malevolent light. The panther’s fangs, coated in dark energy, glistened with a sinister gleam.
Scarlett, ever the firebrand, had leaped in at the last moment, intercepting the panther's attack with a well-placed kick that sent it tumbling back.
"Looks like they’re having fun. We should join in," Riku said, his voice alive with the thrill of battle. He slammed his fists together, electricity crackling from his body in anticipation.
Cassie, with her usual calm but distant demeanor, nodded slightly. “Yes, it seems they are struggling. We should help them, veil,” she replied, her eyes glowing faintly with the promise of her own power.
Riku’s lightning surged out in a rapid flash, sending six bolts arcing toward the panther. The electricity formed a cage around the creature, crackling with energy as it locked the panther in place. At the same time, Cassie conjured a sphere of darkness, wrapping it around the panther and slowly closing in to crush it. The darkness pulsed with a sinister force, squeezing tighter and tighter around the beast.
“Are you guys alright?” Riku called out, looking to Blaze, who was struggling to regain his footing.
“Just peachy,” Blaze grunted, his voice raspy as the paralysis wore off. He wiped blood from his lip and quickly readied his scythe. “But watch out—this thing is not normal. I doubt that will hold it for long.”
And Blaze’s words proved true. The panther let out a ferocious snarl, its dark energy-coated fangs glowing with power. With a single swipe, it tore through the cage of lightning and darkness like tissue paper, vanishing into the shadows with unnatural speed.
“Fast...” Riku muttered under his breath, before suddenly being sent flying into a building by a phantom claw strike. The impact shook the structure, debris crashing down around him as he grunted, struggling to push himself out of the rubble. “Ugh, and strong…”
“GROWL...” The spectral panther’s gaze fixed on Scarlett, its eyes glowing with a deathly intent.
Scarlett, ever confident and brash, stood her ground, her fiery eyes locking with the panther’s. “Is it just me, or does it seem like this panther has a grudge against me?” she asked, a playful smirk tugging at the corner of her lips.
Lyria, who had been observing the fight with her usual calm focus, placed a hand on her chin, contemplating. “Hmm... maybe. You did mock it when we first met.”
“If that’s the case, then come get me, you mutt!” Scarlett taunted, her voice laced with defiance. “Or is the kitty too scared?”
The panther’s growl intensified, its body rippling with dark energy as it lunged toward Scarlett, releasing a powerful “Nightmare Howl.” The sound was bone-chilling, a high-pitched scream that seemed to distort reality itself. With its fangs bared and claws extended, the panther aimed to rip Scarlett to shreds.
But Scarlett was not about to be intimidated. “Not so fast,” she snarled. She stomped her foot into the ground, causing the earth to tremble beneath her. Flames erupted from the impact, debris flying through the air. But the panther, undeterred, phased through it all with ease.
“How about this?” Scarlett growled, creating a whip of flame that lashed out at the panther. The whip coiled around its body, tightening like a serpent. At her command, it became tangible, flinging the panther into a nearby building with a powerful crack.
“Wow, she’s so cool!” Riku said, finally digging himself out of the debris, his admiration clear in his voice.
“And stay down!” Scarlett called out, her eyes never leaving the creature she had just sent flying.
Blaze, however, was not convinced. He could see the panther already stirring, its ethereal form beginning to phase back into view. “I’m sure it will,” he said sarcastically, his voice dripping with cynicism. “It’s coming back.”
Blaze swung his scythe, releasing a wave of flames in an arc toward the panther. “Nova Slash!” he yelled, the flames shooting toward the panther at high speed. “Lyria, do it!”
Lyria nodded, her expression serious. She raised her hand, shooting multiple beams of light at the panther. But as the beams passed through it without leaving a mark, she shook her head. “I don’t think that will work, Blaze.”
Blaze narrowed his eyes, frustration building. “Riku, go and attack it head-on,” he ordered, his voice carrying the weight of command.
“What? Why me?” Riku protested, a frown crossing his face.
“Because I said so,” Blaze replied firmly, his eyes already locked onto the panther as it readied itself to charge once more.
Riku rolled his eyes, his usual playful cockiness giving way to determination. “Ugh, fine,” he muttered. His eyes changed to a brilliant blue, lightning crackling around his body as he channeled more energy. In a flash, he burst forward, appearing directly in front of the panther. With a powerful fist cocked back, he aimed for its head, but before he could land the blow, the panther struck, sending him flying once again by a phantom claw.
“That better have worked,” Riku grumbled, picking himself up from the ground. His voice was tinged with irritation, but it quickly shifted to excitement as the flaming crescent arc from Blaze’s attack struck the panther, leaving a massive gash across its spectral form and sending it crashing into the side of a building.
The panther’s roar of frustration echoed through the streets, but as it struggled to rise, a calm voice drifted from high above. “My, my. Some extra players seem to have shown up... This is getting interesting.” The figure in the sky, enigmatic and alluring, observed the chaos below, their tone smooth and measured.
The figure’s gaze shifted toward the injured panther, who was now staggering, clearly weakened by the combined efforts of the group. “And it seems they have power as well as intelligence... but from this demonstration, they hold no real threat to us.”
The words hung in the air, their meaning as ominous as the shadows that gathered around the panther. The battle was far from over, and the true test of their strength was just beginning.
In the ethereal expanse of the Celestial Dimension, Nyra, the Weaver of Destiny, watched intently as her orb flickered with visions of mortal life unfolding below. Her lips curled into a mischievous smile as she observed Blaze and his team facing the panther, an enemy she had subtly stirred up. She couldn’t help but feel a burst of amusement at their struggle. “They’re getting stronger... but not quite there yet,” she mused to herself, her fingers gently caressing the orb. “Maybe a little push will make it more interesting.”
With a flick of her wrist, the orb pulsed with energy, and the winds of destiny began to shift. The ground beneath Blaze and the others trembled, and the very fabric of the world began to warp in response. Nyra felt a sense of satisfaction as the balance tilted ever so slightly in her favor.
"Go on, Blaze... become stronger for me," she whispered, her voice barely audible in the vastness of the dimension, but it carried a dark, knowing undertone.
However, the playful chaos Nyra reveled in was soon interrupted by a serene yet stern voice that echoed across the space like a gentle breeze—yet carrying a weight of authority.
"Ahem," the voice rang out, sweet and sickly with an edge of controlled fury, "What have I told you about meddling with mortal lives?"
Nyra froze, her hand retracting from the orb, and a sheepish smile appeared on her face as she turned to face the one being she couldn’t quite escape: Seraphina. The Halo Guardian stood tall, exuding an air of grace and power. She was the embodiment of discipline and balance, and her presence alone seemed to fill the space with a calming warmth.
Seraphina’s deep green eyes locked onto Nyra’s with a piercing gaze. The way she folded her arms under her chest and tilted her head slightly showed her disapproval, a reminder of the countless times she had tried to rein in Nyra’s reckless ways.
"Oh, umm, Seraphina," Nyra stammered, nervously shifting from one foot to the other. "I wasn’t doing anything, nothing bad, I promise. Just... just having a little fun." Her words lacked conviction, the playful glint in her hazel eyes betraying her true intentions.
Seraphina’s gaze only grew more intense. "Corner. Now." Her voice was calm, but there was no mistaking the firmness behind it. Without another word, she pointed to a corner of the celestial plane, a space that seemed to shimmer with light as though it were a place reserved for contemplation—or punishment.
Nyra pouted, rolling her eyes but following her orders. With a sigh, she shuffled her feet across the glowing expanse, grumbling to herself under her breath. "I don’t get it. What’s the big deal? It’s not like anyone got hurt."
"One month," Seraphina said, her voice cool and unwavering. "An invasion on Aurora, lives disrupted, chaos unleashed—all because of your ‘fun.’"
Nyra slumped into the corner, crossing her arms and sticking out her bottom lip in a pout. "B-but... the Kōsō wanted to start something. I only gave them a little... push." Her voice trailed off as she looked down at the ground, clearly not convinced by her own words.
Seraphina’s eyes narrowed. "And you expect me to believe that?"
Nyra didn’t answer. Instead, she muttered something under her breath, her gaze shifting to the side as if she could avoid the consequences of her actions. Seraphina’s stare softened just a fraction, though the disappointment in her eyes was still palpable. She took a step forward, her voice a little gentler now, but still firm. "You know how delicate the balance of this world is. You are not a child, Nyra. You cannot treat mortal lives as your playthings."
Nyra’s shoulders slumped further. She had heard these lectures countless times before, and yet, each time, they felt like a weight bearing down on her. It wasn’t that she didn’t understand Seraphina’s reasoning—it was simply that Nyra saw things differently. To her, the world was a stage, and mortals were mere actors in a play. Why not have a little fun? But for Seraphina, the consequences were always real. Lives were not to be toyed with, not like this.
"Why are you so mean to me?" Nyra whined, her voice barely audible as she looked up at Seraphina through a veil of lashes, a hint of dramatic flair in her tone. "I only wanted to make things... interesting." She didn’t bother hiding the playful mischief still lurking in her voice. Her eyes sparkled with an energy that suggested she was already scheming her next move, even while "in timeout."
Seraphina crossed her arms and let out a deep sigh, her green eyes softening. "I am not mean, Nyra," she said, her tone calmer now. "I just want you to understand the weight of your power. You can’t keep playing with the lives of mortals without thinking of the consequences. What if things get out of hand? What if one of your 'games' destroys everything?"
Nyra groaned, sinking further into her corner. "Yeah, yeah, I get it. You’re the responsible one, and I’m the reckless one. Happy now?" Her voice was muffled by the sound of her long auburn hair falling over her face as she slumped further, clearly not in the mood for a lecture. Despite the tough words, though, there was a hint of understanding behind her defiance—though she would never admit it.
Seraphina’s lips curled into a faint, approving smile, but she didn’t let her guard down completely. "You’ll be fine," she said softly, though there was no mistaking the authority in her words. "But remember, Nyra, even we have limits. Even we must be accountable for our actions."
Nyra gave a reluctant nod, though it was more out of habit than agreement. She could already feel the pull of her next mischievous thought. No sooner had Seraphina turned her back than Nyra’s fingers twitched again toward the orb, her mind already swirling with possibilities. After all, it was too boring to stay in timeout for long.
Seraphina didn’t need to turn around to know what was going on behind her. With a shake of her head, she murmured, "Don’t even think about it."
Nyra chuckled softly to herself, the sound barely a whisper in the expanse. "You’ll see, Seraphina. I’ll show you what fun really looks like."
And as Seraphina watched over her from a distance, she couldn’t help but wonder if Nyra was truly learning—or if she was about to find herself in even more trouble.