"Holy Light Slash." The Dark Knight exclaimed as he swung his greatsword in a horizontal arc, directing a slash of light towards Sapphire.
The slash landed a perfect hit on Sapphire's chest, taking out all her HP in one hit and drawing a decent amount of blood, though she didn't even move from the impact. He smiled at his clear victory, the smile turning giving away to confusion as Sapphire's HP quickly regenerated back to max.
"Seems like you also have Appraisal, not like it matters much without a functioning brain." Sapphire mocked as she raised her katana.
"Holy Light Slash." The Dark Knight exclaimed again, swinging his greatsword in a vertical arc.
"Only an idiot would use an attack again that didn't work twice, moreover say the name of what attack they are using." Sapphire spat as she swung her katana in an upwards arc.
The Shadow Slash destroyed the Holy Light Slash in an instant, knocking the Dark Knight backwards as it hit him with the remaining power, though he was quick enough to block the brunt of the hit with his shield. Sapphire continuously performed Shadow Slashes one after the other, overwhelming the Dark Knight with her attack speed as he hid behind his shield and greatsword.
"Guess having a sword that big gives you attack power and defense at the expense of attack speed, granted you don't have much of either to begin with." Sapphire mocked as she reached right in front of him with Shadow Movement.
Raising his claymore into the air he slammed it right where she stood, far too slow to land a hit on Sapphire. Sapphire took a quick sidestep and dodged the attack, kicking the Dark Knight in the face with an Energy Attack right after. He staggered a few steps backwards before regaining control of his movement, grunting in frustration.
"Can't even walk properly can you?" Sapphire mocked as she lowered her leg.
"Holy Light Field." The Dark Knight exclaimed as he pointed his sword to the ground.
An area of effect skill? Sapphire wondered as she raised her hand in front of her. "Shadow Magic: Shadow Spear." Sapphire mumbled, shadows erupting from where she stood, moving like a wave in every direction around her. The shadows collided into the Holy Light Field and dissipated it, moving a bit further away before receding into the ground, not travelling far behind her to begin with so to not reach Kesshō.
"That is no Shadow Spear," the Dark Knight complained.
"It isn't, that is Shadow Field." Sapphire agreed as she lowered her hand. "I already told you, didn't I? Only a fool says the name of the attack they are about to perform."
"You!" The Dark Knight exclaimed as he tightened his grip on his claymore, dropping his shield and holding it with both hands.
"Are you done? Because I am just about done with this." Sapphire sighed, focusing Intimidation on the knight with a glare.
"Behold this, the pinnacle of Light Magic: Heaven's Judgement!" The Dark Knight exclaimed as he raised his sword to the sky. Bright White light gathered on the blade of the sword as the knight lowered it, stabbing it in the air towards Sapphire. A beam of light shot right towards Sapphire at a very high speed, destroying the ground in its path.
"Energy Transfer and Concentration, 1% to Shadow Pulse," Appraisal confirmed
Sapphire opened her jaws as a black-blue glow traveled up her neck to her mouth, unleashing the Shadow Pulse just as the light attack was about to reach, easily tearing through the it and everything in the path. Nullifying the Heaven's Judgement, it destroyed the Dark Knight in its path before uprooting a large part of the forest behind him, along with any other knights fighting in the area.
"That was... a bit excessive." Sapphire observed with a nervous smile.
Just as she turned to check on Kesshō she was embraced by her. Kesshō rubbed her head on Sapphire's chest as Sapphire gently patted her on the head. The height difference between the two wasn't much as Kesshō's forehead reached Sapphire's mouth, but as Sapphire saw it Kesshō much more immature than her.
For someone this strong to be this scared, they must have done some horrible things to her. Sapphire wondered as she looked at Kesshō.
"Experience Threshold reached, Midnight Wolf (Ambusher) has advanced from level 38 to level 40. All core stats have been increased. Proficiency-based skills level up bonus:
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Midnight wolf (Ambusher) (female), name: Sapphire, level 40. HP: 3155/3155, MP: 3535/3535, Stamina: 4410/4410, Strength: 1539, Defense: 1965, Speed: 2392, Energy: 100% (1766321/1766321 units).
Midnight Wolf (Ambusher) can now evolve."
So many things every time I level up, and I am still so weak, Sapphire sighed. And just why is she so soft? She exclaimed in her mind.
"Info: The softness of Spirit Wolf and Blood Wolf fur and skin is based on their nature. A kind and gentle one will have soft fur and skin, while a cruel one would have rough fur and skin. Additional Info: The fur of the kindest Spirit Wolves is the softest substance to ever exist, the skin being the second, said to be the equivalent of experiencing heaven's touch."
What you are implying is that she is not a bad person, in the slightest, and that I should keep her with me, a very good idea if you ask me. As much as Kurai helped me, I still don't fully trust him with her, even less after hearing what that guy said. He was also looking for her, and I can't say for sure it was for a good reason anymore, regardless of how much he helped me. Sapphire pondered as she pulled Kesshō closer.
"So, what do you think of tagging along with me?" Sapphire offered with a smile.
Kesshō raised her head as she gave Sapphire a quizzical look.
"I will keep you safe, but I can only do that when you are with me." Sapphire pointed out.
Kesshō puffed her chest, an expression implying she could take care of herself, one Sapphire was all too familiar with due to using it very often.
"You weren't able to fight that knight, what if someone like him shows up?" Sapphire pointed out.
Kesshō repeated her action, trying to look intimidating but failing miserably due to her appearance.
"You don't want to come along?" Sapphire inquired with a sad expression.
Kesshō gave a confused expression and looked around. Her ears drooped down as she shook her head with an even sadder expression, seemingly on the verge of crying.
"It's completely fine." Sapphire reassured pulling her close and patting her head. "No need to worry about anything, you can travel as you wish, just have fun and try your best to be safe."
Kesshō smiled brightly, her ears standing upright. She tightly hugged Sapphire before pulling away and walking away, turning around and waving to her from a few steps away. Sapphire waved back as Kesshō launched herself into the air with the help of four wings that sprung forth from her back, two outer wings covered in feathers like a bird, and two inner membranous ones like a dragon. Sapphire looked at the trail of blue-pink flames as she disappeared off into the distance.
Appraisal, do you think the Dark Knight would have been able to hurt her? Sapphire inquired, still gazing at the sky.
"No." Appraisal replied, showing no desire to elaborate.
Might I ask the reason behind your verdict?
"Mutated Phoenix Tails: Having evolved from Phoenix Tails due to genetic mutations, and having gained sentience, they work towards the mutual purpose of protecting the main body they belong to. Known Wielders: Chīsana Kesshō."
I don't believe I fully understand but okay, and I didn't know she has a family name, who are her parents? Sapphire inquired.
"Requested information is restricted." Appraisal replied, the monotone voice having a stern undertone.
"I believe you now have an understanding of my situation, or our situation more like." Winter mumbled with a smirk, coming up from behind, interrupting Sapphire.
"What are you trying to say?" Sapphire questioned, still gazing at the stars.
"I see you the same way you see her." Winter replied as she extended her hand towards Sapphire's head.
"Are you implying that... You see me as cute and someone who needs to be protected?" Sapphire questioned, finding it hard to believe.
"Correct." Winter replied with a nod.
"How do you even know I saw her in that way?" Sapphire inquired in a low mumble as she turned around.
"I know because it's the very same with me. The fact that you didn't mind her being close to you further solidified it, because you shove me away the second I get close." Winter explained as she patted Sapphire on the head.
"Whatever, just stay at a distance of five steps at the least, on second thought, ten steps." Sapphire sighed as she swatted Winter's hand away.
"Would have been better if you were as cooperative as her," Winter sighed.
"In your dreams." Sapphire replied as she walked down the path towards the forest.
"So, what now?" Winter inquired, following behind Sapphire.
"Nothing, just sleep through the night and wait for the morning. What I will do at the least. You are still a bit far from evolving so it would be nice if you will be cooperative and hunt something for me while I sleep." Sapphire suggested as she perched herself on a low hanging branch, lying down on it with one leg hanging.
"Sure, if that is what it will take for you to one day be like her, then I will certainly do it." Winter replied with a bow.
Sapphire sighed as Winter walked away into the forest laughing. "Shadow Play, go hunt." Sapphire ordered as five shadows emerged from the ground near her.
At once four of the shadows dispersed into the forest, one staying behind by Sapphire, ascertaining her safety while she evolved.
Evolve to Midnight Wolf, Warrior. Sapphire sighed as she closed her eyes, the veil of peaceful darkness and silence drawing over her eyes and mind.