"You talk a big game and with such confidence." A husky voice slices through the silence, and the cloaked figure steps forward from the shadows. The hood is down this time, revealing a face hardened by years of struggle and battle. Her eyes sharp and unyielding, stare directly at Trinity.
"Seleyna," Symone says, her voice carrying a hint of amusement. "So, you've finally decided to make your long-awaited debut. Though you've already met our dear Trinity here multiple times. I'm sure you can match the voice to the face, can't you Trinity?" Shiori floats up in preparation.
Trinity looks at Seleyna, her eyes drawn to the woman's imposing physique. She's tall and muscular, with a natural bronze complexion that gleams in the flickering candlelight. Her toned arms are a testament to years of rigorous training, and Trinity feels a strange mix of respect and curiosity. This is the woman whose voice has haunted her from the shadows, whose strength has saved her in moments of peril. Now, they finally stand face to face, but with a sense of scorn.
"It's nice to meet you face to face, Seleyna," Trinity says, her voice steady. "Thank you for saving me…twice. I'd have been a goner at the hands of that minotaur or mush on the ground."
Seleyna's expression doesn't soften. If anything, her eyes harden, and her tone is bitter. "Don't thank me. I didn't do it out of kindness," she replies, her voice like steel. "I simply couldn't allow you to die before you've paid the hefty price you owe. We met long ago, but you don't remember. You didn't care for anyone but yourself back then, and I doubt you've changed."
Trinity frowns, her brow furrowing as she searches her memory. "We've met before? I don't recall ever seeing you. Are you sure? I mean, you're not exactly the easiest image to forget."
"It doesn't matter now," Seleyna snaps, waving off the question. "What matters is that you're making all these grand declarations, but I don't believe you have the resolve, the nerve, or the power to back them up. I plan to kill you myself, but I want it to be in a fair fight. As you are now, you could never defeat me, let alone other sinners seasoned in battle. Don't even dream of taking on Heaven or Hell. Symone could cut you down herself and lock you away for eternity."
"Come now Seleyn, don't make me out to be such an evil lady. I'd never do something so cruel. Eternal suffering is Amlith's kink, not mine. I prefer to take care of my prisoners very tenderly."
Trinity opens her mouth to respond, but before she can, Seleyna raises her hand. In an instant, a massive greatsword materializes, seemingly out of thin air. The sword is nearly as tall as Seleyna herself, its blade gleaming ominously in the dim light of the cathedral. Without another word, Seleyna raises the sword aiming it directly at Trinity. " Your claim's bold. Let's test that theory."
In the blink of an eye, Seleyna charges. The speed with which she swings her massive weapon is shocking, and for a moment, Trinity's body freezes in place, her instincts grappling with the imminent danger. The sword cuts through the air with deadly precision, aimed squarely at her chest. However, she has her trusted partner. "Shi!" Trinity shouts, her voice sharp with urgency.
Before Seleyna's blade can reach her, a burst of dark energy erupts from Trinity's side. Shiori manifests in an instant, her form shifting as she becomes the gleaming golden scythe in Trinity's hands. Trinity feels the familiar pulse of power flow through her, a surge of strength that steadies her as she meets Seleyna's strike.
Metal clashes against metal, the sound echoing through the vast cathedral as the greatsword meets Shiori's scythe. The force of the blow nearly knocks Trinity back, but she digs her heels into the stone floor, refusing to give ground.
Seleyna smirks, her eyes gleaming with mild satisfaction. "You've improved. But not enough."
She pulls back, swinging her sword again with relentless force. Trinity blocks the attack, her muscles straining under the weight of Seleyna's strikes. The blows come fast and hard, each one more powerful than the last. Trinity knows she can't keep up for long. Seleyna is too strong, too experienced. But she refuses to back down.
With a grunt, Trinity swings Shiori's scythe, aiming for Seleyna's midsection. Seleyna easily parries the attack, her greatsword sweeping the scythe aside with ease. She follows up with a vicious overhead strike, and Trinity barely manages to dodge, the blade grazing her shoulder.
"You're holding back," Seleyna growls, her voice filled with disdain. "Do you think I'm playing a game with you? Fight me like you mean it! Prove you're more than a naïve, scaredy bitch!"
Trinity clenches her teeth, the sting of Seleyna's words hitting deeper than the wound on her shoulder. She adjusts her grip on the scythe and lunges forward, channeling all her energy into a swift decisive strike aimed at Seleyna's exposed side. "Let me show you just how scaredy I am!"
But Seleyna is too fast. She sidesteps the attack and slams the hilt of her sword into Trinity's back, sending her stumbling forward. Pain shoots up Trinity's spine, but she manages to regain her balance, turning just in time to block another brutal swing from Seleyna's sword.
Shiori's voice whispers in her mind, calm and steady. We can't beat her like this, Trinity. You need to focus. Trust me. Allow me to guide you and follow up with what feels natural to you.
Trinity nods inwardly, adjusting her stance. She feels the weight of Shiori's power flowing through her, the connection between them strengthening. She swings the scythe in a wide arc, forcing Seleyna to take a step back, then follows up with a flurry of rapid strikes. Each blow is faster, more precise, and for the first time, Trinity sees Seleyna's expression shift…just slightly.
But Seleyna is far from done. With a roar, she brings her greatsword down in a devastating strike, aimed directly at Trinity's head. Trinity raises the scythe to block, but the force of the blow is too much. The impact sends her crashing to the floor, her scythe clattering from her grip as she struggles to catch her breath.
Seleyna stands over her, her greatsword poised for the final strike. "This is your limit, Trinity," she says coldly. "You don't have what it takes. You never will. Perhaps I'll just end you now."
"Enough!" Symone's voice cuts through the air like a whip. "I'm calling an end to this duel."
Seleyna hesitates, her sword still raised, but she doesn't strike. Her eyes narrow as she turns toward Symone, irritation flashing across her face. "What are you saying? You can't be serious?"
"I said enough," Symone repeats, her tone firm. "Yield. I'm not going to ask you nicely again."
For a moment, Seleyna's jaw tightens, her grip on the sword tense. Trinity lies on the ground, panting, her body aching from the onslaught. But Seleyna's not finished, not by a long shot.
"You can't be serious?" Seleyna says again, her voice low and dangerous. "She's nowhere near ready. I could end her right now, and we'd be rid of this farce. We'd be doing Amlith a favor."
"You could," Symone says coolly, her eyes locked on Seleyna's. "But that's not your decision to make. Not yet. Amlith would see no satisfaction in that either. She'd probably seal you herself."
Seleyna's eyes flash with fury, but she lowers her sword, letting it disappear into the air once again. She steps back, but the fire in her eyes remains, burning bright with contempt.
"This is a mistake," Seleyna mutters, her voice dripping with disdain. "She'll never be the villain she claims she wants to be. No resolve, no strength. She's just playing at it and hoping it sticks."
Trinity pushes herself to her knees, her body trembling with exhaustion and pain, but her voice remains steady. "You're wrong, Seleyna. I'll prove you wrong. I'm going to push past my limit."
Seleyna scoffs, turning her back on Trinity. "I doubt that. You're nothing more than a pretender. And when the time comes, I'll be the one to end you. I don't give a damn if Amlith wants you."
Without another word, Seleyna strides toward the cathedral doors, her presence as imposing as ever. The heavy wooden doors creak open, and Seleyna disappears into the night, leaving a tense silence in her wake.
Trinity watches her go, her chest heaving with labored breaths, but her resolve solidifies. She can still feel the sting of Seleyna's words, but they fuel the fire inside her. She won't let Seleyna's doubts define her.
"Trinity!" Sinae had resisted her urge to jump into the fight, but now she reaches out desperately to Trinity, fearing she's badly hurt. "Are you ok? Does it hurt? Do we need to find a medic?"
Trinity smiles warmly, appreciative of Sinae's genuine worry. "I'm ok Sinae, but thank you." Trinity turns her attention to Shi, who's reverted to her ethereal form and looks rather tired. "Shi, you did really well. Thank you for defending me, as always. You should rest now. Come here."
Trinity taps the amulet, and Shi floats her way towards it. "I'm sorry I couldn't perform better Trinity. I'll do my best next time, I promise." She enters the amulet and settles in with a glow.
Symone walks over; her expression unreadable as she looks down at Trinity. "You handled yourself well, all things considered. However, she's right. You're still embarrassingly weak."
Trinity doesn't respond at first, her hands tightening into fists. "I'll get stronger," she says, her voice quiet but filled with determination. "I'll become the villain she thinks I can't be. I'll prove her wrong. When I can fight her equally matched to her strength and win, I'll be ready to fight."
Symone nods, a flicker of approval in her eyes. "Good. Because you'll need to become as powerful as you can. To take on Hell is a feat in of itself. To take on Heaven is just as tough. "
"I know, but I won't stop trying. I'm going to change this realm for the better. I swear it on fate."