Sera walked through the dense market area of the underground arena. The air was filled with the scents of various foods, each stall releasing tendrils of smoke that curled upward through metal grilles in the ceiling. She had lost track of Vega, unfortunately, and wasn't quite sure where to look.
Despite the throngs of people, a sweet aroma suddenly tickled her senses, cutting through the myriad of other smells. The scent was too alluring to resist, drawing her like a moth to a flame. I need whatever that smell is coming from.
Sera immediately followed the scent, weaving through crowds of humans. She dodged a merchant hawking his wares, slipped past a group of animated customers, and finally emerged in front of a small stall. The source of the enticing aroma was a beastkin woman with black hair and fur, evidently very busy at her station.
The stall was selling succulent rings of fried dough, golden and crisp. They were dusted with a glistening layer of sugar that sparkled under the sunlight. Some were adorned with a sticky drizzle of honey, while others were sprinkled with finely chopped nuts.
Sera’s eyes lingered on the tantalizing array of sweets, the sight almost overwhelming her senses. She could practically taste the sugary crunch and feel the warmth of the fresh dough melting in her mouth. I need that.
She tried to push through the crowd of people, her lithe form slipping through narrow gaps where she could. She squeezed past a burly man with a booming laugh and ducked under the outstretched arm of a woman haggling for a better price. Despite her agility, it proved nearly impossible to make any real progress.
Minutes stretched into what felt like an eternity as Sera waited, her patience wearing thin. The warm, sweet scent teased her, making the wait almost unbearable. She kept her eyes on the stall, watching the beastkin woman behind the counter. She expertly maneuvered around the small space, deftly scooping up dough rings and handing them over one by one.
Sera’s mouth watered as she watched the dough rings disappear one by one, the supply dwindling with each passing moment. The beastkin woman’s fur glistened slightly with sweat, her ears twitching occasionally as she focused on her task.
Finally, the crowd thinned enough for Sera to edge her way to the front of the stall. Her excitement, however, quickly turned to disappointment as she reached the counter as it was completely empty, the once bountiful display of confections completely sold out.
The beastkin woman was already packing up, a look of mild annoyance on her face as she glanced at two members of the Black Eagles who were standing nearby. Sera watched as the woman, now carrying an empty basket, was escorted by the two Black Eagle members.
Intrigued, Sera decided to follow them, blending into the remaining crowd and using the market stalls and pillars for cover. She moved silently while tracking their every step.
The group headed towards a more secluded alley. Sera followed closely with light footsteps, ensuring she remained out of sight. She pressed herself against the wall at the entrance to the alley, peering around the corner to watch the unfolding scene.
The two Black Eagles towered over the beastkin woman. One of them, a tall man leaned in close, his voice a low growl. "You know the deal, sweetheart. Time to pay up."
The beastkin woman crossed her arms defiantly over her chest. "I’ve already given you more than enough this week."
The second Black Eagle, a burly figure with a cruel smirk, stepped closer, his breath reeking of stale ale. "Don't play coy with us. We know you’ve been doing well. Hand over our share, or things might get... difficult for you."
Sera could see the woman’s tail bristling with tension, hands clenched into fists at her sides. "This isn’t fair at all."
The scarred man chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing. "It ain't supposed to be, now pay up, or else."
The beastkin woman's defiance wavered slightly. With a reluctant sigh, she reached into the pocket of her apron and pulled out a small pouch of coins before tossing it over to one of the men.
"Fine, take it."
Sera’s curiosity deepened, and a plan formed in her mind. If she could help the beastkin woman, perhaps she could secure some of those delightful treats for herself. She approached the group stealthily, her movements fluid and silent. The Black Eagles, preoccupied with counting their ill-gotten gains, didn’t notice her presence.
Just as they finished counting and pocketed the coins, Sera made her move.
She reached out and touched both men at the back of their necks. The chill spread rapidly from her fingertips, coursing through their bodies and freezing them in place. The Black Eagles stood rigid, their muscles locked in an unnatural stillness as they froze solid.
Immediately after, Sera took off her mask and turned her attention to the beastkin woman. "I believe you have some confections I was hoping to try."
The beastkin woman's brow furrowed in confusion, ears twitching slightly. "I'm sorry, what?"
Sera sighed. "Yes, confections. Those rings of fried dough you were selling, dusted with sugar, drizzled with honey, or perhaps adorned with finely chopped nuts."
The beastkin woman blinked, her confusion melting away into laughter "You mean donuts? After killing those two, you just wanted donuts?"
Sera smiled and nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, I'd like some if you could make them again. Although, I expected a bit more of a reaction from you, given the circumstances."
The beastkin woman shrugged. "I'm never going to be sad seeing one of the Black Eagles die, not after what they did to me and my village. Thanks for dealing with them, by the way. Name's Alpa."
Sera's surprise was evident. Her eyes widened slightly, and her brows lifted. "Alpa, you say? Do you have a husband?"
"I do, why do you ask?"
"Actually, I came here with Aermo, he's been looking for you."
"Really? Can you tell me where he is?"
"He should be—"
Sera stopped abruptly, her senses suddenly on high alert. The subtle shift in the air, the barely audible sound of footsteps weaving through the crowd, set her on edge. She glanced back, her sharp eyes catching sight of more Black Eagles moving purposefully through the market.
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Turning back to Alpa, Sera's voice took on an urgent tone. "Do you know a place to hide?"
"I'll manage just fine. If you need to find me, I'll be around this floor." Alpa said.
"Good, just hide while I deal with those fools."
"Best of luck, stranger."
As Alpa disappeared into the shadows, Sera pivoted on her heel and sprinted in the opposite direction. Each step she took left a trail of glistening ice beneath her feet, the ground freezing instantly and spreading outward. The icy path crackled and groaned, creating a treacherous surface that slowed anyone attempting to follow her.
Sera glanced back, her sharp eyes catching sight of the Black Eagles skidding to a halt as they encountered the unexpected ice. Their faces twisted in frustration and confusion, the slick surface forcing them to move cautiously. They stumbled and slid, their progress significantly slowed. Sera smirked, using the precious seconds gained to increase her lead.
She darted through the narrow alleys, her pace steady and deliberate. The maze-like passages of the underground arena twisted and turned, each corner bringing a new challenge. The ice trail she left behind served as both a deterrent and a guide, forcing the Black Eagles to follow her indirectly.
Emerging back into the bustling market, Sera was met with a cacophony of noise and chaos. Vendors shouted their wares, children ran underfoot, and the scent of freshly baked goods mingled with the earthy aroma of spices. The sudden appearance of Sera, pursued by the Black Eagles, sent people scattering in all directions, and the once-thriving market descended into chaos.
Sera leaped behind a nearby stall. She crouched low, peering through the gaps in the wooden structure. Her keen eyes took in the scene before her, assessing the situation.
Nine Black Eagles were in pursuit, each one clad in their signature red uniform and armor, their eyes scanning the area with predatory intensity. Each carried a rune-enchanted sword, some of which glowed visibly even while sheathed.
Sera's analytical mind quickly calculated the odds. Those swords could prove troublesome, engaging them directly would be unwise without understanding the full extent of their capabilities.
She glanced around and soon noticed a stack of barrels near a narrow alley, an idea forming in her mind. I'll separate them, and remove them one by one.
Sera picked up a heavy basket of fruit and hurled it towards the barrels. The impact caused a loud crash, drawing the attention of the Black Eagles. She bolted in the opposite direction, slipping through the narrow alley. As expected, four of the nine Black Eagles broke off from the group to pursue her, leaving the others to investigate the noise.
The elder dryad sprinted down the alley, the four Black Eagles followed, armor clanking and swords drawn. She led them through a maze of narrow passages, the walls closing in around them until she reached a dead-end, an old storage area filled with crates and debris.
She stopped, panting slightly, and turned to face her pursuers. The first Black Eagle lunged at her, his sword crackling with lightning. Sera sidestepped, causing him to slip on a patch of ice she had subtly created. He crashed into a pile of crates, temporarily stunned.
The second and third Black Eagles approached more cautiously, swords glowing with different runes: one with fire, the other with a sickly green hue that hinted at poison.
Sera backed up, feigning fear, before darting to the side with a sudden burst of speed. Her movement led the pursuing Black Eagles across another ice patch she had conjured. Both men slipped, their legs flying out from under them, landing with heavy thuds on the cold ground.
She moved in swiftly, her hands reaching out to touch their armor. The chill spread instantly from her fingertips, a crystalline frost creeping over their metal plates and seeping into the crevices. The ice expanded rapidly, freezing them solid.
The fourth Black Eagle hesitated for a moment as he raised his sword, its runes flaring with a bright blue light. Sera lunged forward with a fluid motion, her hand connecting with his wrist before he could strike. The ice spread swiftly, a beautiful but deadly frost pattern racing up his arm. The chilling tendrils encased his entire body, locking him in a sheath of glistening ice.
Sera took a moment to catch her breath, looking over the area for any remaining threats. She spotted the first Black Eagle, who had been knocked into a pile of crates, now recovering. He shook off the debris, as he stumbled to his feet.
She was on him in an instant, gripping his head with both hands, her fingers digging into his temples. The chill spread from her hands, creeping into his skull. His eyes widened in terror as the ice formed, first freezing his eyes, then spreading into his brain. His screams were cut short as his entire head turned to solid ice, the rest of his body following suit.
Sera released her grip, the frozen body falling to the ground with a dull thud. She stood over him, her breath visible in the cold air around her. She took a moment to steady herself, her senses on high alert. The immediate threat had been neutralized, but she knew the others would be searching for her.
Moving swiftly and silently, Sera made her way back to another section of the market. She scanned the crowd, her sharp eyes spotting the remaining five Black Eagles spreading out. Not many left, this should be quick.
The first of the five approached, his enchanted sword crackling with energy. Sera used the cover of a nearby stall to her advantage, slipping behind it and waiting for the opportune moment. As he passed, she extended her hand, freezing the ground beneath his feet. He slipped, crashing to the ground, and before he could recover, Sera pressed her palm against his chest, the cold spreading rapidly and encasing him in ice. Four left.
She moved quickly, not giving the others a chance to react. The second Black Eagle noticed her and charged, his blade glowing with a fiery rune. Sera ducked under his swing and slid behind him, her hand reaching out to touch his back. The ice spread swiftly, and he froze mid-motion, his sword clattering to the ground. Three left.
The third and fourth Black Eagles advanced together, trying to use their numbers to their advantage. Sera lured them towards a narrow passage between two stalls, where they had to come at her single file. She created a slick ice patch, and as the first one stepped onto it, he lost his balance. She took the moment to freeze his legs, rendering him immobile, then struck his neck with a precise blow. Two left.
The fourth one hesitated, fear evident in his eyes. Sera used this to her advantage, rushing him before he could regain his composure. She grabbed his wrist, freezing his hand to the hilt of his sword, then twisted sharply. The sword fell, and she delivered a swift kick to his chest, sending him sprawling. Her hand met his neck, and the ice followed. Only one left.
The fifth and final Black Eagle stood at a distance, watching his comrades fall with growing terror. He turned to flee, but Sera wasn't about to let him escape. She grabbed a heavy pot from a nearby stall and hurled it at him. The pot struck his back, and he stumbled forward, losing his balance.
Before he could recover, Sera was upon him. She gripped his hands, her icy touch freezing them in place. He struggled, but her hold was unyielding. She watched as the fear in his eyes turned to desperation, and she felt a cold satisfaction.
Sera moved her grip to his neck, the ice spreading from her fingers. His eyes widened in terror as the frost crept up, encasing his throat and cutting off his breath. The ice spread, and soon his entire body was frozen, his lifeless eyes staring into the void. That's all five.
She stepped back, taking a moment to catch her breath and assess the situation. The market was now eerily quiet, the once bustling crowd having fled or fallen silent in the wake of the brutal confrontation.
"She's over here! Don't let her escape!"
Just my luck. Sera thought to herself.
She turned and sprinted through the maze-like market, weaving between stalls and dodging obstacles with practiced ease. The Black Eagles were hot on her heels, their footsteps pounding on the ground as they pursued her relentlessly.
She spotted a metallic corridor ahead and darted into it, hoping to find a way out. Not the best place, but better than nothing.
But soon, she reached a dead end. The corridor terminated in a solid metal wall, offering no escape. She spun around, her eyes narrowing as she saw the Black Eagles approaching, their swords drawn and their faces twisted with determination and anger.
"There’s nowhere to run, witch," one of them snarled, his sword glowing with a menacing red rune. "Give up now, and we might let you live."
Sera smirked as she readied herself. "Actually, I like my odds."