"Iron Tempest? Nice name, I like it. Call me Tempest from now on," the man declared with a theatrical bow, his voice dripping with arrogance. As he straightened, the air around him shimmered, and suddenly, a swarm of gleaming steel projectiles materialized, hovering menacingly around his form like a deadly metallic halo.
His eyes, cold and calculating, bore into Noarin as he spoke, his villainous tone sending chills down my spine. "I'm pretty sure I left you with some pretty bad wounds. Tell me, how did you survive?" The question hung in the air, laced with both curiosity and disappointment. Man, I hate this guy already
Noarin, ever defiant, smirked sarcastically. Her voice was steady, betraying no fear as she retorted, "None of your business. I'm a tough girl, you know?" The bravado in her tone was admirable, but I could see the slight tension in her shoulders, a reminder of the pain she must have endured.
Tempest's laughter echoed through the air, a sound devoid of any real mirth. His gaze shifted, landing on me with predatory interest. "Oooh, I see. You have friends now," he grinned, his eyes glinting with malice.
A shiver ran down my spine, and I felt my heart rate quicken. The way he looked at us, it was as if we were nothing more than prey to him.
Without warning, his demeanor shifted. "Well, I'll just have to make sure I killed you this time!" he snarled, his face contorting with rage. The steel projectiles around him vibrated with deadly intent before hurtling towards us at breakneck speed.
Just as I braced for impact, the impossible happened. The projectiles froze mid-air, hanging suspended for a moment before clattering harmlessly to the ground. I turned to see Kai, his hand outstretched, a look of concentration on his face as he manipulated gravity itself.
A grin spread across Kai's face, a mix of surprise and satisfaction. "Oooh, I learn something new again," he quipped, his confidence growing with each successful use of his power.
Tempest's reaction was unexpected. Instead of anger, his face lit up with twisted glee. "Hahahaha! Great! Another Holder to kill and take their ornament!" he exclaimed, his laughter echoing with malicious intent.
As if summoned by his dark thoughts, a wicked-looking scythe materialized in Tempest's hands. Great, he's in full Grim Reaper mode now.
Pushing past my apprehension, I summoned my bow, the familiar weight materializing in my hands, bringing a small measure of comfort. I quickly took up a defensive stance, my muscles tense and ready for action.
"Hey, how do you do that?" Kai whispered, his eyes wide with curiosity as he pointed at my bow. *Really? At this timing?* I thought incredulously, fighting the urge to roll my eyes.
Before I could respond, Tempest lunged at Kai with inhuman speed. Noarin, ever vigilant, intercepted the attack, her blade meeting Tempest's scythe with a resounding clang that sent sparks flying.
Seizing the opportunity, I nocked an ethereal arrow, its energy humming through my fingers as I took aim. I released, the projectile streaking towards Tempest with deadly accuracy. But he was too quick, twisting out of the way at the last second.
Undeterred, Tempest retaliated, steel projectiles materializing and hurtling towards me. Once again, Kai's newfound mastery over gravity came to our aid, the deadly missiles freezing in mid-air before dropping harmlessly to the ground.
Noarin pressed her attack, her sword a blur of motion as she engaged Tempest in close combat. The air crackled with the intensity of their exchange, each blow parried and countered with inhuman speed. Suddenly, Tempest disengaged, performing an acrobatic backflip to put some distance between them.
"I guess fighting you three at once is pretty tedious, huh?" Tempest complained, though the glint in his eye suggested he was enjoying the challenge more than he let on. Despite our numerical advantage, his agility was proving frustratingly effective, making it nearly impossible for us to land a solid hit.
Noarin's voice cut through the tension, filled with a mix of anger and desperation. "What are your targets this time?" she shouted, her question hanging in the air between them.
Tempest's grin widened, his gaze fixating on Kai with predatory interest. "I heard there's someone who holds a gravitation attribute ornament. Of course I want it and come to kill this holder," he replied, his casual tone belying the deadly intent behind his words.
Kai, to his credit, didn't flinch under Tempest's scrutiny. Instead, he shot back with unexpected bravado, "No thanks, Grim Reaper. I'm pretty sure 'died' is not on my calendar today." As he spoke, he extended his hand, and to my amazement, a crimson chain whip materialized, its links glowing with an otherworldly energy. *Man, this guy learns really fast,* I thought, impressed despite the dire situation.
Suddenly, Saria's voice cut through the tension, her usually calm demeanor tinged with urgency. "Answer me, are you working with someone who is creating a breach between my world and yours?"
Tempest's response was infuriatingly vague, his grin never wavering. "No comment," he said, but the glint in his eye told us all we needed to know. Yeah, he's definitely working with the mastermind.
"As long as I can have some fun, I don't care who I'm working with," Tempest added, his body tensing as he prepared to attack once more. The casual way he treated the potential destruction of two worlds sent a chill down my spine.
"Round two!" he yelled, his voice filled with twisted excitement as he launched himself at Noarin.
The force of his attack was staggering. Though Noarin managed to block it, she was knocked back several feet, her boots leaving furrows in the ground as she struggled to maintain her footing.
Tempest pressed his advantage, a barrage of steel projectiles materializing and hurtling towards Noarin's vulnerable form. Kai reacted instantly, his face contorted with effort as he used his gravity manipulation to halt the deadly missiles in their tracks.
But Tempest was counting on this. In the split second Kai was distracted, Tempest changed direction, his form blurring as he closed the distance to Kai with terrifying speed. He's even faster than before.
"KAI!" The scream tore from my throat before I could even think. Time seemed to slow as adrenaline flooded my system. I felt a surge of power coursing through my legs, my entire being focused on a single thought: I have to reach him.
In a move that surprised even me, I blinked from my position to Kai's side, my bow materializing just in time to block Tempest's scythe. The impact reverberated through my arms, but I held firm, my eyes meeting Tempest's shocked gaze.
Tempest flinched, clearly not expecting my intervention. In that moment of hesitation, Noarin seized her chance. She charged forward, her sword wreathed in flames, her eye glowing with an otherworldly light. The air around her shimmered with heat as she closed the distance.
image [https://i.imgur.com/5c0zd2C.jpeg]
With a battle cry that seemed to shake the very air, Noarin struck. Her flaming blade carved a devastating path from Tempest's left chest down to his right stomach. Blood hissed and steamed where it met the superheated metal, and Tempest's agonized scream split the air as he crumpled to the ground.
"Shit...!" Tempest gasped, clutching at his chest as blood seeped between his fingers. Noarin stood over him, her sword point unwavering as she held it to his throat. The fire had died from her blade, but the intensity in her eyes remained.
"You've lost," Noarin stated, her voice cold and unyielding. "Tell us who you're working with."
A tense silence fell over the battlefield, broken only by Tempest's labored breathing. Then, to our collective disbelief, a grin spread across his face.
"Hehehe..." Tempest's laughter was weak but filled with dark amusement. His gaze shifted to me, and I felt a chill run down my spine at the look in his eyes. "Man, you're a surprise. I'll definitely take your ornament later," he promised, his voice a raspy whisper.
Noarin's patience snapped. "ANSWER MY QUESTION!" she shouted, her blade pressing closer to Tempest's throat. A bead of blood welled up where the point met his skin.
Tempest turned his head slightly, meeting Noarin's furious gaze with defiance. "Ask me over my dead body."
Before any of us could react, a shimmering portal opened beneath Tempest's prone form. In an instant, he was gone, the portal snapping shut behind him with a sound like thunder.
Noarin's sword struck the ground where Tempest had lain, sending up a shower of sparks. "Damn it!" she cursed, her fist pounding the earth in frustration. The weight of our failure settled over us like a shroud. We had let him escape, squandering our chance to uncover the mastermind's identity.
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The park bench creaked slightly as I settled onto it, my legs screaming in protest at even this small movement. The adrenaline from the fight had long since faded, leaving behind a bone-deep exhaustion and a pain that felt like my muscles were being torn apart with each step. I lay back, trying to find a position that didn't send jolts of agony through my body.
Noarin's voice broke the heavy silence, tinged with regret. "Sorry, I let him go," she apologized, her shoulders slumped with the weight of perceived failure.
Saria shook her head, her expression thoughtful. "There is nothing we could have done this time. If we had followed him when the portal opened, it would have been foolhardy. It could have been a trap," she reasoned, her calm logic a balm to our frayed nerves. Noarin nodded silently, though the tension in her jaw suggested she wasn't entirely convinced.
Kai's voice came from somewhere near my feet. I tilted my head to see him sprawled on the ground, looking as exhausted as I felt. "I have to say, that was pretty exhausting even for me," he admitted, his usual bravado absent.
Noarin's attention shifted to me, concern evident in her eyes as she gently stroked my knee. "How are your legs?" she asked softly.
I attempted to sit up, wincing at the movement. "They still hurt like hell, but I think I could walk a little," I said, trying to sound more confident than I felt. Noarin's hand on my shoulder stopped me before I could attempt to stand.
"Don't push yourself," she admonished gently. "You blasted an enormous amount of magic to your legs back then." With careful hands, she helped me lie back down, and I couldn't help but feel grateful for her attentiveness.
Kai stood up, brushing dirt from his clothes before giving me a slight bow. "That was really cool, you know. You moved so fast it looked like you were teleporting. Thanks for saving me," he said, genuine appreciation in his voice.
I managed a weak smile, trying to lighten the mood. "Don't mention it. Rishia might kill me if you die," I joked, earning a chuckle from Kai.
Saria's voice took on a teacherly tone as she explained, "Your body needs to adjust to the magical energy flowing into it. If you put too much energy into your body at once, it'll exhaust and burn your muscles."
"So we should use our power regularly to let our bodies adapt?" I asked, my mind already considering the implications.
Saria nodded, a small smile on her face at my quick understanding.
Kai grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Well, then I guess I'll just float wherever I go," he joked, earning an eye-roll from Noarin.
I glanced at the darkening sky, realizing how late it had gotten. "Anyway, we should go home now, Noarin. So please let me get up," I said, attempting once more to rise.
Noarin's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Your legs don't hurt?" she asked, skepticism clear in her tone.
"No," I lied, hoping my face didn't betray the pain I was feeling.
Noarin frowned, then lightly smacked my knee. I couldn't suppress the yelp of pain that escaped me.
"Lies," she said flatly. "We're not going anywhere until your legs are healed. If you insist on moving, I'll give you a piggyback ride." She squatted down beside the bench, clearly prepared to make good on her offer.
I sighed in defeat. "Then I guess we'll camp here," I conceded, settling back onto the bench.
Kai, who had been watching our exchange with amusement, finally spoke up. "I can float you both home," he offered, demonstrating by lifting himself a few inches off the ground.
I turned to him, concern creasing my brow. "Are you sure? Aren't you pretty exhausted?"
Kai shrugged, seeming more at ease in the air than on the ground. "No problem. Floating doesn't really put a strain on me. Though manipulating gravity in certain areas is pretty exhausting," he explained. Without waiting for further discussion, he extended his power, and I felt myself gently lifted into the air.
The sensation of weightlessness was disconcerting at first, but as we began to move towards my apartment, I found myself relaxing into it. The cool night air brushed against my face, and the city lights twinkled below us like earthbound stars. Despite the pain and exhaustion, there was something magical about this moment, floating through the night sky with my friends.
We landed softly in front of my apartment door, the journey having taken far less time than I expected. "Thanks for flying me home," I said to Kai, genuine gratitude in my voice.
"You're welcome," Kai replied with a grin. He turned to Noarin, "Shall I float you home as well?"
Noarin shook her head, pointing to the next door. Kai's eyebrows rose in surprise, and he turned to me with a knowing grin. "Oooh, I see," he said, his tone suggestive. I shot him an annoyed look, feeling a blush creep up my neck.
"Then I'll take Aruta to his bed. See you tomorrow," Kai said, opening my apartment door with a flourish. I managed a wave to Noarin, which she returned with a small smile before disappearing into her own apartment.
As Kai helped me inside, I couldn't help but reflect on the events of the day. We had faced a powerful enemy and survived, but the lingering questions about Tempest and the mysterious breach between worlds weighed heavily on my mind. As exhaustion finally overtook me, I drifted off to sleep, my dreams filled with swirling portals and the echo of Tempest's laughter.
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"Damn, that's messed up," Rishia declared, her arms crossed as she absorbed the details of our encounter with Tempest. Her reaction mirrored Kai's from the previous day, and I couldn't help but notice how in sync the couple seemed, even in their responses.
We had gathered in my apartment to bring Rishia up to speed on recent events, including our harrowing fight with Tempest. The decision to meet here wasn't by choice; my legs, still tender from yesterday's magical exertion, protested at the mere thought of standing for long periods. Noarin, ever protective, had insisted I rest, so we'd called the others over instead.
I shifted slightly on the couch, trying to find a comfortable position. The pain had subsided somewhat overnight, but standing still sent dull aches through my muscles. It was a constant reminder of the power I'd channeled and the toll it had taken on my body.
"So this Tempest guy is still alive?" Rishia asked, her brow furrowed with concern.
Noarin took a sip of her tea before answering, her voice calm but tinged with a hint of frustration. "It's safe to assume he's alive. I didn't cut him deep enough to kill him, but it's a mortal wound." Her fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around the delicate teacup as she added, "I doubt he'll be coming out anytime soon."
A mix of emotions flashed across her face—regret at not finishing the job, concern for our safety, and a steely determination that sent a shiver down my spine. I found myself wondering, not for the first time, about the experiences that had shaped Noarin into the formidable fighter she was today.
"Wow, I wish I was there to see it," Rishia said, her voice filled with a mixture of awe and disappointment as she leaned against Kai. The casual intimacy of their body language was a stark reminder of their relationship. These two would really flirt whenever they like.
Rishia's expression sobered as she continued, "Thanks for telling me. I would hate for you to hide it and make me find out on my own." Her gaze swept over our group, relief evident in her voice as she added, "Glad everyone's okay."
I couldn't help myself. "Um, here. I'm not okay," I said, raising my hand with exaggerated slowness, wincing slightly at the movement. The room fell silent for a moment, and I feared I'd misjudged the mood.
"Ahh right, thanks for saving Kai," Rishia said, bowing slightly in my direction. The genuine gratitude in her voice made me feel a bit guilty for my dramatics.
"Don't worry, I'm just kidding," I backpedaled, offering a small smile to lighten the mood.
Rishia's brow furrowed as she turned to Saria, her voice taking on a more serious tone. "So what do we do now? Since this Tempest guy isn't going to show up anytime soon, we'd have a hard time looking for clues about the breach, wouldn't we?"
Saria's response was measured, her eyes distant as if seeing beyond the confines of the room. "We should start looking for a space attribute holder. It's pretty hard to look for a specific Holder, but it's the only thing we can do at the moment," she explained, her voice carrying the weight of someone who had faced similar challenges before.
As the others discussed strategy, my mind wandered, grappling with the larger implications of our situation. I found myself staring at the ceiling, lost in thought. Who was this person opening breaches in our world? What were their goals? The questions tumbled through my mind like a relentless tide.
Did they want this world to fall into chaos? But for what purpose? Was it some sick form of entertainment, finding amusement in watching humanity tear itself apart? Or was there something bigger at play, something we couldn't yet see?
A chilling thought struck me: Did they know something about Ornaments that we didn't? The possibility sent a shiver down my spine, making me acutely aware of the power that lay dormant within me.
The silence that had fallen over the room was broken by the sound of Noarin standing up. "Have you had lunch already? Let's eat together, I'll cook," she said, her invitation catching me off guard.
I turned to her, surprise evident in my voice. "Are you really cooking for all of us?"
She nodded, a small smile playing at the corners of her mouth. It was a rare expression, one that softened her usually stern features and made her seem more... human.
Rishia perked up at the mention of food. "I'll help, can I? I can cook," she said, standing up as well, eager enthusiasm radiating from her.
"Sure," Noarin replied, her tone neutral but not unwelcoming. The two girls headed to the kitchen, leaving a strange silence in their wake.
As the sounds of pots and pans being moved around drifted from the kitchen, Kai's voice cut through my thoughts. "I'm really wondering what your relationship with Noarin is," he said, his tone casual but his eyes sharp with curiosity.
I turned to him, eyebrow raised. "And why is that?" I asked, trying to keep my voice level despite the sudden increase in my heart rate.
Kai shrugged, but his gaze remained intent. "She casually walks around in your apartment, and she cooks in your kitchen like it's natural. It almost looked like you two were newlyweds," he said, a hint of amusement in his voice.
I felt heat rising to my cheeks and quickly looked away. "She just cooks for me every day," I explained, fighting to keep my voice steady. "You know I can't cook and I have a bad eating habit," I added with a sigh, hoping the explanation would satisfy his curiosity.
"Fair enough," Kai conceded, but the knowing look in his eyes told me he wasn't entirely convinced. He leaned back on the couch, his posture relaxed but his words deliberate. "But from my point of view, she really cares about you more than a normal friend would."
Before I could formulate a response, Kai flashed me a grin and a thumbs up. "Well, I'm still supporting you both," he said, his tone light but carrying a weight of implication that made my stomach do a flip.
"What are you supporting us for..." I muttered, feeling the heat in my cheeks intensify.
Kai's grin widened as he turned his attention to his phone. "I'll leave that to you," he said cryptically, effectively ending the conversation.
I sighed, turning my gaze towards the kitchen. The sounds of chopping and sizzling mixed with the soft murmur of Noarin and Rishia's voices, creating a strangely comforting atmosphere.
As I watched Noarin move around the kitchen with practiced ease, a realization struck me. For all the time we'd spent together, for all the battles we'd fought side by side, there was still so much I didn't know about her. Noarin rarely talked about her past, and I'd never really asked.
The only glimpse into her history I'd ever received was a casual mention of accidentally burning down her house when she was 10. The memory must be painful, I thought, a mixture of curiosity and concern welling up inside me.
Maybe I should ask her about herself sometime, I mused. The thought both excited and terrified me. What other secrets lay behind Noarin's stoic exterior? And was I ready to hear them?