Lilith looked at the fox, her gaze steady and curious. The fox stood upright, arms crossed, studying her in return.
“What’s your name, little girl?” the fox asked, her voice sharp and almost condescending.
“Lilith,” she replied calmly, eyeing the fox with slight suspicion. “And you, old lady?”
The fox's eyes widened in disbelief, her expression twisting into outrage. “Old lady!? YOU SON OF A BITC—" She caught herself, growling, "I’m only 30, you snot-nosed brat! The name’s Willow.”
Lilith’s lips curled into a smirk, unfazed by the outburst. “Could’ve fooled me.”
Willow snarled, clearly unamused. The air between them crackled with tension. Then, without warning, Lilith activated her aura, her fists and forearms glowing bright and concentrated. The energy pulsed with raw power, a chaotic mix of dark purple and red, swirling and intensifying with every passing second. It radiated off her in waves, pressing against the very air between them.
Willow sneered, her own aura flaring to life. A brilliant violet glow surrounded her body, sharp and controlled. She didn’t need to say another word. She rushed at Lilith, swift and precise, her movements almost too fast to track. The ground beneath her cracked as she surged forward, aiming straight for Lilith.
Lilith didn't flinch. Instead, she pivoted just as Willow’s strike came in, sidestepping the attack with almost unnatural fluidity. Their eyes met for the briefest of moments before Lilith countered, twisting her body to send an open palm strike toward Willow’s chest. But Willow anticipated it, redirecting Lilith’s strike with a graceful, circular movement of her own, stepping to the side with a fierce expression.
"You're quick," Willow muttered, her voice low but impressed. "But don’t think for a second that means anything."
"Why?" Lilith quipped, her eyes burning with intensity as she shifted her stance. "Afraid you can’t keep up?"
Without missing a beat, Willow attacked again, her hands flowing like water, each movement smooth yet brimming with force. Lilith responded in kind, matching her with equal precision. Their movements were almost a dance, fluid yet brimming with intent. Lilith spun to avoid a sharp strike, her body weaving through Willow's attacks as she countered with rapid jabs, aimed at disabling her opponent.
But Willow was no easy mark. She parried each of Lilith’s strikes with grace, using the younger girl’s momentum to twist and redirect her away, keeping her balance and focus intact. The violet aura around her flared brighter as she threw Lilith off balance with a sudden push, but Lilith landed smoothly, crouching low to the ground before springing back up, a smirk tugging at her lips.
“Not bad for an ‘old lady,’” Lilith teased, her breathing steady, though her eyes never wavered from Willow.
Willow’s grin was sharp and dangerous. “I’ll make you eat those words.”
They clashed again, this time with more intensity. Lilith aimed a low strike toward Willow’s legs, but Willow evaded it effortlessly, spinning on her heel and sending a sharp elbow toward Lilith’s side. Lilith blocked it, using the force of the blow to spin Willow off her axis. Before Lilith could capitalize on the opening, Willow caught her wrist and used Lilith's momentum to pull her forward. In an instant, Willow shifted her weight and threw Lilith over her shoulder, but Lilith twisted in mid-air, landing on her feet like a cat.
Willow’s eyes narrowed. “You’re better than I thought.”
“And you’re not as washed up as you look,” Lilith retorted, her voice playful, but her body poised, ready for the next move.
The fight continued, neither giving an inch. Willow moved with a grace that belied her sharp attitude, her every strike controlled and efficient. Lilith’s movements were raw and powerful, her aura flaring brighter with each exchange, yet she moved with an instinctual precision, adapting to each of Willow's attacks. The ground beneath them shook as their auras clashed, the air thick with the energy they were emitting.
Willow rushed forward again, feinting with her right before delivering a quick jab to Lilith's ribs. Lilith blocked, redirecting the blow and twisting her body in one fluid motion to send Willow stumbling slightly. But Willow quickly regained her balance, using the momentum to turn and deliver a spinning kick aimed at Lilith’s shoulder. Lilith ducked, narrowly avoiding the strike, and countered with a sweep aimed at Willow’s legs.
Willow leaped back just in time, but as she landed, Lilith was already closing in. She thrust her glowing fist toward Willow’s chest, but Willow caught her wrist at the last second, twisting it in a controlled motion. The violet energy around Willow flared, and Lilith felt the pressure mounting, but she gritted her teeth and forced her body to twist with the motion, slipping out of Willow’s grip.
“You’re holding back,” Lilith said, her eyes sharp, almost accusing. She wiped the sweat from her brow, her aura still flaring.
“Maybe I am,” Willow replied, breathing a little heavier but still smirking. “Or maybe I’m just getting started.”
Lilith narrowed her eyes but didn’t respond. Instead, she raised her fists again, her aura glowing brighter than ever. "Then stop talking and show me."
Willow’s smirk faded, her expression growing serious. “You asked for it.”
They charged at each other again, the force of their auras sending shockwaves through the air. Their movements became even faster, more intense, as they matched each other strike for strike, counter for counter. Each attack was met with a swift defense, each move fluid yet deliberate, neither willing to give the other any ground.
The sound of their clashing filled the air, a blur of violet and red-purple light as their auras flared, mingling in the space between them. Neither of them was giving an inch, their skill and strength perfectly matched.
For what felt like an eternity, they fought, neither gaining the upper hand. But as the dust settled, both stood still, breathing hard, their auras still glowing but slightly dimmed from exertion.
Willow chuckled, wiping a trickle of sweat from her brow. “Alright, kid. I’ll admit it. You’re tougher than I thought.”
Lilith smirked, though her breathing was ragged. “You’re not so bad yourself… for someone who's ‘only 30.’”
Willow grinned, the tension between them easing slightly. “Watch your mouth, or next time, I won't hold back."
Lilithl aughed, shaking out her sore wrists. "I’m counting on it.". Without skipping a beat, Willow and Lilith launched themselves at each other again, the intensity of their fight ramping up. This time, they moved with renewed vigor, their auras blazing as their bodies collided in mid-air, fists crashing against each other with the sound of thunder. The ground beneath them trembled, cracks forming as they fought.
Lilith aimed a rapid series of punches toward Willow’s midsection, each one fast and precise. Willow blocked the first few, her forearms glowing with her violet energy, but Lilith’s strikes were relentless, her fists coming at different angles, forcing Willow to retreat a step. Just as Willow raised her arm to block another blow, Lilith feinted, dipping low before driving an elbow toward Willow’s ribs.
Willow twisted her body at the last second, grabbing Lilith’s arm and using her momentum to flip her. Lilith spun in the air, but landed on her feet, her knees bending into a crouch. Without giving Willow a chance to recover, she kicked off the ground, her fist glowing a deep crimson as she swung it toward Willow’s face.
Willow sidestepped the blow, her eyes sharp with focus, and in one fluid motion, she hooked her leg around Lilith’s, trying to sweep her off her feet. But Lilith reacted just in time, twisting her body to evade the sweep and countering with a spinning back kick that whistled through the air, aimed at Willow’s head.
Willow ducked under the kick and lashed out with her own fist, aiming for Lilith’s torso, but Lilith caught her wrist in mid-strike. With a grunt of effort, Lilith pulled Willow toward her, twisting her body in an attempt to throw her to the ground.
But Willow wasn’t done. As Lilith tried to throw her, she shifted her weight, planting her foot firmly and using the leverage to pull Lilith forward instead. With a quick, practiced movement, Willow threw Lilith over her shoulder again, but Lilith flipped in the air and landed on her feet, sliding back from the force but immediately pushing off the ground again to re-engage.
"You're persistent," Willow muttered, her voice laced with both frustration and a hint of admiration.
"You're not the only one who's stubborn," Lilith shot back, charging at Willow with renewed ferocity.
They met in a flurry of blows, fists flying with blinding speed. Willow's violet aura crackled around her, her strikes sharp and calculated, while Lilith’s dark purple and red aura pulsed with raw intensity, each of her blows powerful and unpredictable. Their fists clashed in the air, creating shockwaves that rippled through the space around them. Every strike was met with a counter, every movement fluid yet forceful.
Willow ducked under one of Lilith’s punches, her hands moving with lightning speed as she aimed a vicious uppercut at Lilith’s chin. Lilith twisted her head just in time, the blow grazing her jaw, but Willow followed up with a knee to Lilith’s stomach, driving the air from her lungs.
Lilith gritted her teeth, ignoring the pain, and grabbed Willow's knee, using the momentum to flip Willow backward. But Willow recovered mid-air, twisting like a cat and landing in a crouch before darting forward again, closing the gap between them. She spun, her leg whipping out in a roundhouse kick aimed at Lilith’s head.
Lilith blocked the kick with her forearm, but the force sent her skidding back several feet. Before she could fully regain her footing, Willow was already on her, throwing a barrage of punches aimed at her face and chest. Lilith dodged and blocked as best as she could, but Willow’s speed was overwhelming. A fist grazed her cheek, and another slammed into her side, knocking the wind out of her.
But Lilith wasn’t done yet. With a fierce yell, she gathered her aura, her fists glowing even brighter, and delivered a powerful punch to Willow’s midsection. The impact sent Willow flying backward, crashing into a nearby rock formation. Dust and debris exploded into the air, but through the cloud of dust, Lilith could see Willow slowly standing back up, wiping blood from the corner of her mouth.
"That all you got?" Willow asked, her voice raspy but defiant.
Lilith’s chest heaved with exertion, but she smirked, wiping sweat from her brow. “Not even close.”
Willow’s eyes narrowed, and without warning, she launched herself at Lilith again, moving faster than before. Their auras flared to life once more as they clashed in the center of the battlefield, their fists and feet moving in a deadly dance of hand-to-hand combat.
Willow spun low, sweeping her leg at Lilith’s knees, but Lilith jumped, dodging the attack, and in mid-air, she twisted her body to deliver a powerful kick aimed at Willow’s head. Willow ducked under it and grabbed Lilith’s leg, yanking her down toward the ground. But Lilith countered by flipping her body, kicking Willow in the chest with her other leg. The blow sent Willow stumbling back, but she quickly recovered and charged forward, swinging her fists in rapid succession.
Lilith parried and blocked, her eyes sharp and focused, but Willow’s strikes were relentless. A punch slipped through her defenses, slamming into her shoulder, and she winced in pain. But she didn’t back down. She stepped forward, grabbing Willow’s arm and twisting it behind her back in one smooth motion, forcing Willow to her knees.
Willow growled, her aura flaring as she twisted out of Lilith’s grip and countered with a swift elbow strike to Lilith’s side. Lilith gasped in pain, but before Willow could follow up, Lilith’s fist was already flying toward her face. Willow barely had time to block it, the impact sending her sliding back across the ground.
Both fighters were breathing heavily now, sweat dripping from their brows, but neither was willing to give up. The air around them crackled with energy, their auras glowing brighter as they prepared for the next exchange.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
“I have to admit,” Willow said, wiping the blood from her lip again, “you’re tougher than you look.”
“You’re not so bad yourself,” Lilith replied, her voice steady but strained. "But I'm not done yet."
They rushed at each other one more time, their auras blazing brighter than ever before. Their fists collided in mid-air, creating a shockwave that rippled through the battlefield. Neither of them was willing to back down, their movements becoming more intense, more desperate, as they fought for dominance.
But as they continued to trade blows, it became clear that neither would be the victor today. They were too evenly matched, their skills and power equal. The fight continued, each of them pushing themselves to their limits, but neither one willing to give an inch.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, they stopped, both of them breathing heavily, their auras dimming as exhaustion began to set in.
“Not bad, kid,” Willow said, panting as she leaned on her knees. “Not bad at all.”
Lilith, equally exhausted, gave a tired grin. “Same to you… old lady.” Willow caught her breath after the intense exchange, her violet aura still flickering around her like a faint echo of the battle. She eyed Lilith warily, taking a step back and adjusting her stance. “Why are you even fighting me, huh? What are you really fighting for?” Her voice was low, almost curious, as if this question had been lingering since their clash began.
Lilith, still flushed from the fight, suddenly tensed at the question. She stumbled over her words, her tough demeanor faltering. "O-oh, well, uh..." Her face turned red—not from the exertion, but something else entirely. A slight blush crept across her cheeks, delicate red lines just under her eyes, with a deeper flush spreading across her nose. She fumbled with her hands before admitting, "It’s because I... I’m in love with Eleo, okay? You were blocking his way... so that’s why I’m fighting you."
Willow blinked, momentarily caught off guard by the unexpected confession. Her eyes narrowed in confusion. “You? A demon? In love with someone?” There was a sharpness to her voice, but it was tinged with genuine surprise. “A demon like you, fighting for love? Is that even possible?”
Lilith scowled at the remark, her blush deepening. “What’s that supposed to mean?” She crossed her arms, but her embarrassment was obvious. “Demons can have feelings, too! Just because I come from the Abyss doesn’t mean I can’t—” She cut herself off, her frustration evident. Her aura, dark and intense, flared briefly around her. "I'm not just some... heartless creature!"
Willow tilted her head slightly, sizing up Lilith. "A demon who's in love," she mused, her voice soft but laced with skepticism. “You really expect me to believe that? Demons—ancient, primal forces of darkness—caring about something as fragile as love? You’re creatures of chaos and destruction. That’s what you’re born from. The Abyss doesn’t nurture affection—it devours it.”
Lilith's expression darkened, her aura pulsing in response to the fox's words. “You don’t know anything about me, or demons for that matter.” She took a step forward, her gaze fierce, but there was a flicker of vulnerability behind her eyes. "We’re not all the same. Sure, the Abyss is chaos, madness, and darkness—but we’re not just monsters. We’ve lived for millennia. We’ve seen things you can’t even imagine. Some of us are searching for something beyond destruction... something more.”
Willow crossed her arms, her violet eyes sharp. “And you think love is that ‘something more’?” She sounded skeptical but intrigued.
"Maybe." Lilith's voice softened. “It’s not something I understand completely. But Eleo... he makes me feel like I could be more than just a demon. Like there's something else out there for me.” Her blush returned, but her tone was resolute. “And that’s why I’m fighting. I won’t let anyone stand in my way, even if it’s someone as strong as you.”
Willow stared at her for a long moment, the wind rustling through her silver fur. “You really believe that, don’t you? That you can be something more.”
“I do,” Lilith replied, her voice firm. “You think because I’m a demon, I’m bound by some... cosmic rule to be evil? To destroy? That’s not true. Not all demons are the same. Some of us want to change, to grow. To choose something different.”
The Arctic fox snorted softly, but there was no malice in it. “Well, aren’t you a little contradiction.” She shook her head, brushing a hand through her silver hair. “A demon with a heart. And here I thought all you lot cared about was tearing things apart.”
Lilith sighed, her shoulders relaxing slightly. “That’s the problem with people like you. You think you have us all figured out. But demons aren’t simple. We’re more than just creatures of the Abyss. We’re... complicated.”
"Complicated, huh?" Willow gave a wry smile, her sharp eyes softening ever so slightly. “Maybe you’re right. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to just let you walk past me because you’ve got some love-struck confession.” Her aura flared back to life, violet tendrils of energy wrapping around her hands. “If you want to fight for love, then show me how far you’re willing to go. But don’t expect me to go easy on you just because you’re trying to change.”
Lilith smirked, her fists igniting once more with that mix of dark purple and red. “I wasn’t expecting anything else.”
They circled each other, tension crackling in the air, as if the space around them was caught between two storms. Lilith’s demonic nature, born from the Abyss, clashed against Willow’s ancient, primal aura. They were both beings tied to forces beyond the mortal world—Lilith a product of chaos and darkness, Willow connected to the primal wilds, ancient as the snow-covered forests she hailed from.
Willow’s eyes flickered, watching Lilith with a cautious respect. “So, Lilith, demon of the Abyss... What makes him so special, anyway? This Eleo you’re willing to fight for.”
Lilith’s expression softened, her aura still blazing but her voice quieter. “He’s the only one who’s ever seen me as more than a monster. He doesn’t see just the darkness in me. He sees the person I could be.”
Willow stared at her for a moment longer, then nodded slowly. “Well... I can respect that. But if you’re going to fight for him, you’d better fight with everything you’ve got.” She dropped into a stance, her aura surging around her like a whirlwind of power. "Because I’m not stopping until I know you’re serious."
Lilith grinned, the fire in her eyes matching her glowing aura. “Bring it.”
And with that, they clashed once more—no longer just two beings of power, but two forces of nature fighting with everything they had. Each punch, each block, each movement spoke of their conviction.
Willow was relentless, her violet aura weaving around her as she continued to strike at Lilith. Each blow was countered or redirected with fluid precision, neither of them willing to give an inch. But despite the fierce exchange of fists and energy, there was something different in the air now—a kind of unspoken tension that went beyond the battle itself.
Lilith ducked a high kick from Willow, her eyes narrowing, focused, and intense. She was determined, but there was a softness that flashed across her face whenever her mind drifted to Eleo, the one person who made her feel human in a way she could barely understand. Her mind was split between the fight and her feelings, and it showed in her movements—each one powerful but not fully committed.
Willow, however, noticed the hesitation. With a wry smile, she stepped back, breathing heavily but still full of energy. “You know, I’ve been trying to place that name—Eleo. And now I remember.” She chuckled under her breath, eyes gleaming with a hint of mischief. “Isn’t he that ugly bunny kid? The one who got beaten by Agharna without even putting up a fight?”
The words hung in the air like a curse. Lilith froze, her fists still glowing, but her eyes... her eyes darkened instantly, and her expression shifted from confusion to something far more dangerous. Her aura, which had been pulsing steadily, now flared uncontrollably, radiating a fierce, almost tangible bloodlust. The air around her thickened as the dark purple and red energy intensified.
Willow's grin faltered when she noticed the shift, but it was too late.
“You...” Lilith's voice was low, almost trembling with fury. Her eyes glowed a deep crimson as she stared daggers at Willow. “You have chosen death for speaking that way about Eleo.”
Willow blinked, her smile dropping. “Whoa, wait a second—”
But Lilith wasn’t hearing any of it. Her face was flushed with rage, and the demonic aura around her was no longer just a display of power—it was raw, unchecked fury. “Ugly bunny?” Lilith repeated in disbelief, her fists trembling. “How dare you insult him like that?! Eleo is everything! He’s perfect, kind, and he doesn’t care about looks!” Her voice was rising, shaking with emotion. “He’s strong—he’s just... misunderstood! He doesn’t need to prove himself to people like you!”
Willow raised her hands defensively, stepping back as Lilith advanced. “Okay, okay, calm down—”
“Calm down?” Lilith's tone was venomous. “You insult the person I love, and you think I’ll just calm down? I fight for Eleo because he’s worth it. He’s everything to me! And you... you don’t get to talk about him like that.”
Willow's usual confidence wavered slightly. The fierce, almost playful energy from before was gone, replaced by genuine concern. “Hey, it was just a joke—”
“It’s not a joke to me!” Lilith shouted, her voice echoing with the weight of her words. She clenched her fists tighter, her knuckles glowing brighter. “Eleo is the reason I fight, the reason I try to be better. He’s the only one who’s ever seen me for more than just a demon.”
Willow’s eyes flickered with understanding, but she didn’t back down. “You’re really serious about this, aren’t you? This isn’t just some... crush.”
Lilith took a step closer, her voice softening but still filled with fury. “I’m in love with him. Not just some passing feeling—real love. I’d do anything for him. Fight anyone. Even someone like you.”
Willow sighed, her aura dimming slightly. “Okay, fine. I get it. You’re serious about this guy. I just didn’t think a demon could—”
“Stop calling me ‘just a demon,’” Lilith interrupted, her tone ice-cold. “I’m more than that. Eleo makes me feel more than that.”
There was a long silence between them, the tension thick, almost suffocating. Willow stared at Lilith, her usual playful nature replaced with a kind of cautious respect. She could see it now—the depth of Lilith’s loyalty, the way her love for Eleo shaped everything about her. It wasn’t just a fangirl crush. It was something real, something intense, something that burned with the same fury as the demon’s aura.
“You really do love him,” Willow finally said, more as a statement than a question.
Lilith nodded, her rage still simmering but her voice soft. “More than anything.”
Willow sighed again, rubbing the back of her neck. “Alright, alright. Maybe I crossed a line. I didn’t know you felt that way about him.”
Lilith’s aura slowly began to calm, though the bloodlust hadn’t completely disappeared. “Just... don’t insult him again,” she muttered, glancing away as the blush crept back across her cheeks. “Eleo... he’s important to me. He’s the reason I’m even here.”
Willow raised an eyebrow. “The reason you’re here? You mean... the reason you’re fighting? All this for love?”
Lilith nodded, still flushed but her voice firm. “Yes. I fight because I love him. Because he’s worth fighting for.”
Willow stared at her for a long moment, then shook her head with a small smile. “You’re something else, Lilith. A demon fighting for love... who would’ve thought?”
Lilith didn’t respond, her eyes still focused ahead, her thoughts swirling around Eleo. She knew she’d protect him no matter what, even if it meant facing down an entire army of enemies. He was worth it. He was always worth it.
And anyone who insulted him... well, they’d have to deal with her.
Willow chuckled softly under her breath, her violet aura finally fading. “Alright, alright. I’ll watch my mouth next time. For now, though, let’s just finish this fight. Fair and square. No hard feelings.”
Lilith glanced at her, the tension easing just a little. “Fine. But don’t expect me to hold back.”
Willow grinned, her playful energy returning. “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”
And just like that, they resumed their battle—two forces of nature clashing again, but now with a newfound understanding. Lilith’s love for Eleo burned brightly in her heart, fueling every strike, every movement. She’d fight for him, no matter what.
And Willow, despite her earlier teasing, respected that.
The fight between Lilith and Willow had escalated beyond a mere clash of ideologies or skills. It had turned into something darker, more personal. Lilith’s once playful demeanor had vanished, replaced by an icy, unrelenting bloodlust. Her eyes gleamed with the cold fire of a predator cornering its prey, and every move she made was sharper, more lethal, as though the very act of fighting was stripping away her restraint.
Willow, sensing the change, shifted on her feet, her fox-like agility keeping her just out of Lilith’s reach. “You’re really something else, demon. I thought we were having fun, but now… now you’re just out for blood, huh?”
Lilith didn’t respond. She lunged forward with such speed that Willow barely had time to raise her arms in defense. Lilith’s fist connected with Willow’s forearm, sending a shockwave of pain through her body. It wasn’t just the physical force of the blow—it was the raw intent behind it. Lilith wasn’t fighting to win anymore. She was fighting to destroy.
The fight raged on, each blow exchanged between them echoing with the sound of thunder in the air. Willow, though quick and agile, was beginning to wear down, her movements becoming sloppier as Lilith pressed the attack. There was no mercy in the demon princess’s strikes, no hesitation in her cold, calculated movements.
Lilith’s killer eyes glowed, her face a mask of cold determination. Every time Willow dodged, Lilith was right there, closing the distance with frightening precision. “I’m done playing with you,” Lilith said, her voice low and dripping with malice. “You’ve wasted enough of my time.”
Willow panted, backing up slightly, trying to create space. “Oh yeah?” she shot back, her voice strained. “Looks like someone’s getting cranky.”
Lilith didn’t laugh. Instead, she swiped forward with her claws, nearly catching Willow across the face. “It’s not about being cranky. You insulted Eleo. That’s unforgivable.” Her eyes burned with cold fury as she advanced, step by step. “And now... you and your little guards will pay.”
Willow, in a desperate attempt to regain control, signaled to the gorilla guards nearby. “Get her! Don’t just stand there! Help me beat this psycho!”
The hulking gorilla guards, towering beasts of muscle and brute strength, rushed forward. Their heavy footsteps thundered on the ground as they encircled Lilith, their presence adding an air of menace to the already tense battlefield.
Lilith stood her ground, barely sparing them a glance. Her smile twisted into something dark and menacing. “Oh, so this is what you’ve become, Willow? Calling in your lackeys to do your dirty work for you?”
The gorillas moved closer, their fists clenched, ready to strike at any moment.
Willow, now emboldened by the reinforcements, smirked. “Yeah, well, let’s see how tough you are when it’s not just me. You’re a demon princess, huh? Even better. We can capture you, force your parents to pay a ransom. Imagine the price for their little demon princess.”
Lilith’s smile never wavered. Instead, it widened, her fangs gleaming in the dim light. “That won’t be happening,” she said coldly.
Willow raised an eyebrow, the bravado slipping from her face. “Oh? And why’s that?”
Lilith took a slow, deliberate step forward, her eyes narrowing as she tilted her head slightly. “Because,” she began, her voice soft but filled with menace, “none of you will be awake.”
The confusion on Willow’s face barely had time to register before Lilith’s aura began to pulse violently. A deep, resonant hum filled the air as the very ground beneath her feet started to tremble. Willow, sensing something terrible, took a step back. “What are you even talking abou—”
Lilith’s body blurred, a faint shimmer outlining her form as she tapped into her true power. **Shockwave.** The air around her seemed to ripple and distort as the energy within her built to a dangerous crescendo. And then, with an almost casual flick of her wrist, she unleashed it.
A massive, invisible shockwave exploded outward from Lilith’s body, emanating not just from her hands or feet but from her mind itself. The ground cracked beneath her feet, the air itself seeming to fracture as the sheer force of the shockwave tore through the surroundings. The gorilla guards, massive as they were, were thrown backward as if they weighed nothing, their bodies crashing into the stone walls of nearby buildings with bone-shattering force.
Willow, caught in the periphery of the blast, was flung several feet into the air, her body spinning uncontrollably before she slammed into the ground. She struggled to stand, her ears ringing, her entire body aching from the impact. But as she looked up, her vision blurred, she saw the devastation Lilith had caused.
The town around them... was gone.
Every building, every structure within a hundred-meter radius had been leveled by the shockwave. Dust and debris filled the air, and the once sturdy walls now lay in ruins. The ground was scorched in places, and deep cracks ran through the streets, as though the very earth had been torn apart by the sheer force of Lilith’s power.
Willow coughed, staggering to her feet. “You... you destroyed everything...”
Lilith stood at the center of the destruction, her eyes glowing with a cold, dangerous light. Her body was still blurred slightly, the aftereffects of her shockwave making her seem like a ghost, an untouchable being of pure power. “I warned you,” she said calmly, her voice carrying over the destruction. “You should never have insulted Eleo.”
Willow, barely able to stand, gritted her teeth, her mind racing. This wasn’t just a demon—this was a monster. And she had vastly underestimated her. “You... you’re insane...”
Lilith took a step forward, her eyes fixed on Willow with cold, unyielding intensity. “I am many things, Willow. But I am not someone you want to cross.” She paused, her smile returning, more menacing than ever. “And now, you’ll sleep.”
With a casual flick of her wrist, Lilith sent another, smaller shockwave toward Willow, who barely had time to react before the force hit her square in the chest. Her body was launched backward, crashing into what little remained of the ruined buildings. She lay there, still, unconscious, her body limp in the wreckage.
Lilith sighed, her bloodlust finally beginning to fade as she surveyed the destruction she had caused. The town was in ruins, but she felt no guilt. The animals had been gone before the fight, and no one she cared about had been hurt. And as for Willow...
Lilith turned her gaze to the unconscious Arctic fox. “Consider yourself lucky,” she muttered. “If Eleo hadn’t been on my mind, you wouldn’t have survived.”
Lilith, feeling the weight of her own power, fell to her knees. The adrenaline was wearing off, and her body, now exhausted from unleashing such immense energy, trembled as she gasped for air. Her vision blurred as she collapsed onto the ground, her fingers digging into the dirt. With each ragged breath, the world around her seemed to fade, the ruins and destruction left in her wake almost forgotten.
“At least… my Eleo made it…” she whispered weakly, her voice barely audible, a small, soft smile forming on her lips. She closed her eyes, letting the darkness take her, comforted by the thought that Eleo was safe.
---
In the dense, shadowy woods, Eleo and Olorun moved swiftly through the underbrush, branches snapping underfoot as they weaved between towering trees. The air was thick with tension, but Eleo’s expression remained focused, his thoughts heavy. He could feel the distant pull of Lilith’s power, the faint remnants of her battle lingering in the atmosphere, but he pushed it aside. There was no turning back now.
As they reached a clearing, a massive rotunda came into view—an ancient, weathered structure that loomed over the forest like a forgotten monument. Its stone walls were cracked and worn, vines crawling up its sides, but it radiated a quiet, ominous power. The entrance stood wide open, beckoning them inside.
Olorun, who had been running at Eleo’s side, paused for a moment and looked at the structure. “You ready, Eleo?” he asked, his voice calm but filled with unspoken concern.
Eleo, his eyes locked on the entrance, nodded. “Yeah.”
Olorun gave him a firm nod in return, the bond of trust between them clear. “Alright,” Olorun said quietly, his hand resting briefly on Eleo’s shoulder. “Let’s head in.”
They took their first steps into the darkened rotunda, the ancient stone swallowing them as they disappeared into the unknown.