The twilight, which had been tinged with a dark red as if it were an omen, gave way to a moonless night. Aetheria emerged from the shadows like a hungry crow, her sharp eyes kept watching that town and her red cloak, which waved in a sinister manner, changed color to a darker one that completely envelops Aetheria, her subordinates tore apart everything that stood in their way, while the clouds devoured any trace of celestial light, as if the heavens themselves approved of their massacre.
Alenya felt danger lurking
Alenya (While feeling chills run through her body):
— What is this unpleasant sensation —
But before alerting his father, the attack had already begun from Aetheria towards the defensive formation protecting the village, Elion, with white knuckles gripping his sword, understood that there was no time for doubt.
Elion (Exclaims impatiently):
—To the shelter, now! —
He screamed, but not before his daughter noticed the twitch in his jaw: the same expression he made when he lied about the fairy tales from his childhood. This time, however, there would be no happy ending.
Alenya (With a melancholy expression she thinks):
- Dad... -
Elion would be in charge of stopping the attackers along with the village chief and the village youth, and Alenya would be in charge of protecting the women, children, and the elderly in the underground shelter located beneath the village chief's mansion.
But in the absolute darkness of the night where they could not even trust the light projected by the moon everyone fell into confusion, in turn due to the gloom of the night the smell of blood and iron being burned could be perceived even more, so Elion who takes the leadership channels the Rei in his hands until they shone with a golden glow, tearing through the darkness like a small sun thus illuminating the entire battlefield, but at the cost of losing a great amount of resistance stumbling clumsily trying to avoid an attack.
Elion (While panting due to exhaustion):
— Hahh—haa—haa... Attack them!... —
Elion roared, the light in his palms flickering, revealing the sweat running down his forehead.
Still, things were not going in their favor since the level of these opponents was unusual, their screams drowned in the roar, like leaves carried by a river of metal and fire.
Alenya could do nothing but be a spectator of all the massacre that was committed in her beloved town but she could not show a face with fear and doubt to those who need her so she begins the elaboration of a formation which would be based on poison being a defensive formation, said formation emanated a thick greenish smoke which did not have a great range of reach, but if an enemy moved carelessly reaching this formation he would die quickly since this poison seeped through the pores of the skin reaching damage the blood vessels, Although it is a great formation, the consumption of Rei that is needed to use it is overwhelming leaving Alenya extremely tired which remembers the crystal with runes that Tomas left her, thus breaking the crystal while in her mind she dedicates a prayer to her beloved hoping that he does not arrive too late
Alenya (While thinking about Tomas):
— Please help us —
On the other hand, Tomas noticed the danger Alenya was in as the runes inscribed on her wrist, linked to the crystal left for her, lit up. The runes on Tomas's wrist suddenly burned, like blades of fire slicing through his skin. He stopped in the middle of the forest, the Order's mission forgotten. The crystal he had given Alenya had shattered. She was in danger. The air thickened. The trees whispered warnings in ancient tongues, but he was already running, leaping over roots and rocks, his hammer thumping the ground with each step. The smell of burning guided him, mingled with the sweet iron of blood.
Tomas (Nervous):
—Alenya! —
He roared, even though he knew I couldn't hear him.
The King in his chest beat like a second heart, golden and furious. The runes on his wrist didn't just alert him: they pulled him, as if an invisible thread were dragging him toward the village.
Tomas simply envelops his body in a layer of Rei energy to optimize his physical capabilities by focusing on his legs, thus taking great leaps, leaving destruction in his path towards Alenya.
— Please... Hold on... —
These are the thoughts of a desperate Tomas who hopes not to witness the horrible images that appear in his mind.
In turn, Lyrion observes the entire situation through his abilities and knowing that Tomas is heading towards his beloved and will inevitably face Aetheria, he wants to observe the situation closely and thus be able to take the most advantage possible.
As Tomas sped toward the village, Virendale continued to descend into chaos.
The ominous night whose moon lies hidden behind the moons is now illuminated by the energy of Elion and the burning houses, the silence of the night is forgotten with the screams of the dying and the clashing of weapons, the beautiful landscape that was seen around the town is now replaced by the ashes of the homes and the blood of those who have already died.
Elion, who is still exhausted after using his Rei to illuminate the town, remains with his hands still shining, although now with a duller tone, he continues struggling against several assassins who, with the force of their blows, throw him through the air, passing through several buildings. Even so, he gets up, weakly holding his sword, which is notched and dull, which crumbles before the incessant attacks of his opponents.
Elion: (Exhausted, but with his will still intact):
— Cough... Ahhh...! —
Elion lets out a scream to show that he can still fight.
With his sword already destroyed, he continues using his fists until he reaches his limits. His companions see Elion's condition and when they go to help him, they become careless and are seriously attacked by Aetheria, who is already bored by the situation.
Aetheria (With an indifferent look at the death of her subordinates):
—And to think they couldn't quickly finish off people like them, I guess I expected too much from some simple worms who barely survived in the test tower. —
Elion lunges at Aetheria, but his exhausted state made him easy prey for Aetheria's subordinates, and so Elion's body is pierced by multiple swords, extinguishing the glow that remained in his hands. Aetheria approaches him with a cold gaze.
Alenya feels a strong oppression in her chest having a bad feeling, but she can't get out because she is protecting those who don't have the power to fight and must maintain the formation she had already placed.
Alenya (Thinks with worry and fear):
-Dad... -
Aetheria (Looking at the fallen Elion):
— It seems that, if there was anyone interesting in this miserable village, you are much stronger than any of my subordinates, however, to support the worms that are already dead, you spent a large part of your Rei illuminating the battlefield. —
Aetheria shows a slight smile in which she expresses her arrogance and mockery towards Elion's actions.
— If you hadn't made such a stupid move, you would have been able to escape from here, however, you spent your energy and now you're going to die. —
Elion, who is lying on the ground awaiting his death, spits the blood that has accumulated in his mouth towards Aetheria's face, who easily dodges it, but shows a face of annoyance at such a vulgar act.
Elion (Agitated, dying):
— Cough... Ah... Fuck you... Bitch... —
Elion expresses that he understands the situation he is in and simply expresses in his last words his dislike for Aetheria.
Aetheria is shown angry at Elion's actions, appearing from her hands a spear which is made of a dark purple metal, it was a metal that Elion had not seen before.
Aetheria (With an arrogant look):
—Beautiful truth, I'm sure you've never seen this metal before since it is a metal that only exists on the southern continent of Umbrasil, making it only possible to handle vampires and necromancers. —
While holding his spear he pierces Elion's body.
Elion:
— Ah...! —
Elion screams in intense pain as he reaches Alenya, who can only resist the desire to help her father since the responsibility she has is something she cannot abandon.
Aetheria (With a mocking smile at Elion's shouts):
— Lamentis is the metal my spear is made of, and although it's not as good as Cryotum, it has a peculiarity that makes me prefer it. —
As Aetheria speaks she twists her weapon into Elion's body.
— That is the fact that it directly affects the psyche of the one who is damaged by it and also his soul. —
He expresses while watching Elion writhe in the deep pain that affects not only his flesh but also his soul.
— Don't you think they're wonderful properties? Come on, answer me. Hahaha... —
Elion, powerless in the face of his situation, tries to gather what remains of his energy to use one last attack, but he is unable to direct his Rei as he wishes due to the intense pain he feels.
Watching his final moments, he remembers the happiest moments of his life, which are having met his late wife and being present at the birth of his daughter.
But he also remembers his worst moments, like the death of his wife and the helplessness he felt at not being able to do anything.
Elion (In his thoughts remembering his wife):
— My dear, it seems that we will soon meet again... I only regret not being able to stay by our daughter's side any longer... But she also has someone... I only wish for her to be happy... —
Alenya's heart is filled with an inexplicable melancholic feeling because, although she was not able to observe the battle, the sensation of Elion's death was felt in her soul.
Aetheria had already finished off all those who opposed her, but she still hadn't found Tomas's wife, so she was about to send her subordinates who survived the fight to search for any trace of her since they thought she had fled.
But just before starting his order, Tomas arrives on the scene, clearly showing tiredness due to his rush to arrive, his dark boots sink into the reddish mud which is stained by the blood of all those who died before his arrival, his sight could only see how the entire town was lit up due to the houses which were burning and the ashes spreading throughout the environment, the inert bodies of the townspeople who received him with warmth every time he returned to the town to visit his beloved Alenya, now lying inert in the mud.
Aetheria (In her thoughts):
— It came much faster than I had anticipated, perhaps it has already broken its first limit? —
Aetheria thinks, but noticing the clear tiredness she shows due to the sweat she exudes, Tomas understands that she simply overexerted herself by making a stupid decision to come to this place in a hurry so she would have no countermeasures for the situation.
Even so, for Tomas, the worst only continued when he observed how a small opaque glow was reflected in the mud, which was the sphere of light that Elion had initially thrown, and which was now disappearing, but beneath its light was his body.
Tomas dragged his clothes through the mud as he headed towards Elion's body, he did so slowly as he wanted to believe that what he was seeing was nothing more than a simple illusion, but when he reached him he knelt in the mud and held his hand in turn, he could not hide the fear that welled up in him, Alenya, Tomas feared for her safety.
While this whole scene was taking place, the assassins in Aetheria's service were unable to move; a deep instinctive fear warned them that they should not get in her way, and Aetheria simply watched because she was amused to see the expression of emotional pain that Tomas showed.
Tomas finishes observing Elion's inert body and turns towards Aetheria.
Tomas (Still confused and full of melancholy):
- Because? -
Tomas's words echoed in the silence of a bloody night. Aetheria tilted her gaze, her eyes, which had turned crimson at the reflection of the blood, showing a look that shone with a mixture of amusement and disdain. The spear made of Lamentis dripped with Elion's blood and emitted a sinister hum as if it were the wails of the victims who had died in pain.
One of the assassins heads towards Tomas, since he knew him because like Tomas he was also one of the survivors of the tower.
Killer 1 (Approaching cautiously):
— Tomas, I know the scene before you seems terrible, but all of this is for your own good. —
After finishing her words, Aetheria begins to laugh as if mocking the will of her subordinates and Tomas's situation.
Aetheria (While mocking):
— Hahaha... You ask why? … —
She speaks while watching Tomas kneeling next to her.
— This is obviously because I dislike you, and this situation is only your fault. —
He says as he walks away after removing his spear from Elion's body and walks over the corpses while displaying a sinister elegance.
Tomas (Recovers his senses):
— I see... So it was my fault. —
He says as he stands up and holds his Cryotum dagger firmly.
— Since it's my fault, I'll take care of eliminating all these damn parasites. —
Aetheria (With a tone of annoyance):
— For a mere toy, you dare to express such defiant and arrogant words. —
Aetheria quickly changes her annoyed expression to her mocking face again.
— Still, a toy should behave as such, your existence is only for the plans of the Order, those of Luminis. —
Aetheria looks at her subordinates and orders them.
— You capture him, his fatigue is evident so even for you it will be easy to subdue him. —
Although they were the orders of a Moon, the assassins were not able to get any closer to Tomas, but Aetheria, noticing that fear, instills her aura, forcing them to attack Tomas.
And Tomas, who emanated a cold air around him, simply waited for all of them to enter his attack range and in a sudden explosion of his Rei, he pierced all the remaining assassins with powerful and reinforced ice spikes which protruded from the ground.
Turning the colorless ice into a reddish hue, this left Tomas even more exhausted, who simply took a potion that would allow him to recover some of his energy, although the action of the potion was not immediate.
Aetheria thrusts her Lance of Lamentis into the ground, from which a whirlwind of purple energy emerged, turning the atmosphere into a gloomy air, and in her eyes one could glimpse the Sadism she displayed when the mysterious mist enveloped Tomas, who seemed to become intoxicated while his expression was dismayed.
Tomas, who was firmly holding his Cryotum dagger, began to vibrate and the black ice that coated it began to crackle. The intense noise generated by his dagger was able to wake him from his trance and he immediately noticed how Aetheria showed a face with which she mocked his situation, being nothing more than mere entertainment for her.
Tomas (Tired but Attentive):
— What was this? —
Aetheria delights in Tomas's confusion and while mockingly explains.
Aetheria (In a mocking tone):
— Hahaha... Although I would like to kill you little wolf, you are still useful for Mr. Luminis's plans. —
Aetheria's mocking expression changes to a more serious expression.
— Still… You killed my subordinates. So at the very least, I'll amputate your limbs. But don't worry, we'll still be able to reconnect them, since a broken toy won't be of any use to us. —
Aetheria begins to play with a tired Tomas by throwing several daggers at him, which Tomas manages to deflect with some difficulty, resulting in injury.
After observing that the mist generated by her spear lost its effectiveness due to the sounds produced by Cryotum's dagger, Aetheria removes it from the ground and proceeds to attack Tomas with her spear and as if mocking him showed slow movements as if telling him to dodge them but the moment Tomas dodged them Aetheria changes the rhythm of her attack barely touching Tomas who was full of minor wounds from continuous superficial cuts and although the physical damage was not that serious the effects of each cut from Aetheria were more to damage Tomas's psyche since the Lamentis was capable of showing him illusions which seemed real and although he could resist it thanks to his Cryotum dagger even if it was minor damage accumulating so quickly affected Tomas's reaction speed.
Tomas (Between teeth, with bloodshot eyes):
- Curse …! -
Aetheria (Laughing):
— Hahaha... Keep running, Wolf! Only then will you be able to keep entertaining me. —
Tomas simply continued to evade each attack as best he could, avoiding fatal damage. The potion was beginning to take effect: his muscles were regaining strength, and the Rei was once again flowing with force, like an unstoppable, rushing river.
AlenyaIn the underground shelter, she is able to recognize the energy emitted by her beloved Tomas, so even though her hands were still shaking, she takes out a jar which was sealed in a completely hermetic manner and which had simple runes carved into it, her objective was to communicate to Tomas that she was still well.
When she uncovered it, it released a scent of moonflowers, the same fragrance she'd collected with Tomás on their evening walks. The smell spread like a breeze, seeping through the cracks in the earth.
Thomas (whispering):
—Alenya… —
The scent enveloped him, dissipating his anger for a moment, and recovering from all the damage to his psyche as he realized her message. She was alive. But his relieved smile was his mistake, as his expression was easily read by Aetheria.
Aetheria (sniffing the air):
—Ah…! So the little mouse hadn't run away —
His eyes fell on the village chief's mansion, which still stood despite all the commotion of the fight. Tomas, understanding Aetheria's intentions, stands in her way without a shred of hesitation, but Aetheria, who was already tired of playing with him, throws her Lamentis Spear at him, which, due to his quick reaction, he manages to block, but still receives damage from the impact, being thrown against the great mountains, which are destroyed by the impact of the shockwave of Aetheria's attack.
Aetheria approaches to destroy the mansion of the village chief, but she realizes the mansion was protected by a peculiar formation and although subtle she managed to perceive a hint of danger.
Aetheria raises her hand and with a simple gesture her spear which was next to Tomas returns towards her like a meteor, crossing the distance until she holds it and positions herself to throw it, crashing it against the mansion.
This is how the underground shelter is exposed and also the type of formation that protected them, seeing that it was a formation based on poisons and although its range did not seem to be that wide, he raises his hand again directing his spear towards it again preparing for a second attack. At this Alenya seeing that they were already discovered plans to attack Aetheria directly so the formation that was previously in defensive mode now with a few movements of her hands concentrates all the poison in a single point directing it towards Aetheria which, noticing Tomas's approach, is distracted so the attack manages to affect her, being able to immobilize her left arm by the poison, immobilizing it.
At this Aetheria is furious and expels a large part of her energy and seeing that the formation had been weakened too much by that attack she plans to finish it all directly with her hands attacking with a blow which was infused with a concentration of Rei, this attack pierces the weak defense of the formation generating an explosion due to the clash of energies being affected all those who were within the formation.
Tomas who was still injured had already recovered some of his energy due to the effect of the potion he had already taken and although he had saved a potion to recover from his wounds he did not risk taking it because there was a possibility that Alenya would be injured thinking that would be the worst possibility even so he did not want to risk Alenya's safety. But being about to arrive he manages to see the clash of Aetheria's fist against a weak formation which had lost much of its power, that is how after the explosion he manages to observe Alenya who flies through the air due to the shock wave of the explosion falling defenselessly to the ground.
Thomas (shouting):
-NO! -
He ran toward her, ignoring the pain, as he retrieved the last of his stored potion.
— Alenya... take this, it's a regeneration potion—
He poured it on Alenya's lips while watching her reaction in hopes that she might recover.
Aetheria (While mocking the situation):
— Hahaha... that's what that insolent bitch deserves, although it seems it was too much for the little mouse. —
Tomas gently holds Alenya's body and, filled with frustration, lets a few tears fall, but when Aetheria mocks him, his face expresses an anger he had never experienced before.
Tomas (with great anger he raises his voice):
— How dare you... You damn bitch! —
In his great anger, a great amount of energy springs forth from him, these being the signs of his first breaking through a boundary.
The air temperature suddenly dropped around Tomas, the tears that fell down his cheeks crystallized, turning into precious pearls before hitting the ground. His anger was not like a burning flame but more like a powerful blizzard that would engulf everything. Tomas's first limit, which he had previously only managed to graze, was now broken, and a clear example is how his imposing aura enveloped the entire village and how his Rei generated a snowfall of dark snowflakes that fell slowly, but possessed a ferocity that cut the air like blades.
Faced with such a scene, Aetheria was surprised because, although she knew of Tomas's potential, she had no idea that he would be able to break his limit in the condition he was in.
Aetheria knew that the best time to attack was now since she had not yet fully adapted to her new power, but she instinctively knew that a hasty movement would mean very high danger if she took a few steps back unconsciously.
Lyrion, who was observing the whole situation from afar, was surprised because, although the possibility of breaking a limit during their fight was still in his plans, it was a situation that had a very low probability of happening.
Lyrion (Expectantly, he is amazed at what happened)
— This is exciting... How funny is the expression of confusion on that arrogant bitch's face. —
The Rei is in itself the energy of the soul which can manifest itself physically due to specific circumstances, over time due to the great Holy War the use of this energy evolved through training and thus they discovered that this energy also has certain restrictions and benefits which are the limits.
After passing each limit, energy levels grow at an abnormal rate, although the consequences of such growth will also be present.
Aetheria realizes that she has taken a few steps back from the strong wave of energy emanating from Tomas, this infuriates her since having taken a step back meant that she felt intimidated by the presence of the person she saw as a mere toy in the Order's plans.
Aetheria (Anxious in her thoughts):
— This situation is becoming increasingly complicated —
Aetheria regains her composure and even with her arm injured by the poison, she imposes her presence by manifesting her Rei as if it were a tornado, colliding with the blizzard generated by Tomas.
—Even though you've broken a limit, you seem unstable? Pathetic! You don't even know how to control that power! —
Although a tone of arrogance was still noticeable in his voice, hints of caution could be discerned in his gaze.
Tomas doesn't respond to Aetheria's words, he simply holds his Cryotum Dagger firmly and advances on her in a frontal attack, which Aetheria blocks with her Lamentis Spear and after a few clashes of their weapons, both rise to the skies to fight in a wider space.
— Hahaha... Little wolf, it seems that even breaking a limit you are still not my opponent. —
Aetheria exclaims arrogantly.
Tomas simply stays on the defensive waiting for the perfect moment to counterattack, but now he's fighting an Aetheria who is giving it her all, but due to the great increase in his power Tomas became confident and arrogant underestimating Aetheria so he takes damage from attacks that seem simple and when attacked with the Lamentis spear his mind was filled with various illusions which gave him a small delay in his reaction time taking even more damage.
Tomas (In a mocking tone):
— Hahaha... Who would have thought that one of the Moons would have so much trouble fighting against me, who am a simple toy. —
Tomas's mind game worked as after his words Aetheria showed an opening due to her anger, Tomas goes to give her a critical attack, but his Cryotum dagger collides again with Aetheria's spear, this clash of power creates a huge shock wave that sends the entire village that was already destroyed flying.
Tomas put away his Cryotum dagger and decided to shape its energy by forming several swords made of ice which he throws in the direction of Aetheria which generates a vortex of air that surrounds her moving at great speeds thus blocking Tomas's attack, this constant attack and defense continues waiting for one of them to give in.
While Aetheria remained on the defensive, she also infused a large amount of Rei into her Lamentis Spear as she planned for that to be her final attack due to its rapid energy drain since maintaining a vortex powerful enough to continue withstanding Tomas's incessant attack was very complicated in addition to the damage to her arm due to the poisoning of the formation with which she was attacked by Alenya.
On the other hand, Tomas continued with his incessant attack, but at the same time he infused even more energy into the falling snow, turning it into a rain of infinite needles. Tomas was just waiting for the right moment when his amount of energy would decrease.
And so it is, the vortex shows an opening to which Tomas without delay throws all the snowflakes he has been able to control, this takes Aetheria by surprise, but she manages to resist the attack. Even so, she suffers several cuts which although superficial carried Tomas' cold energy so the cut parts began to freeze and Aetheria expels her energy wrapping her body to stop the freezing which leaves her exhausted descending to the ground to be able to recover.
Aetheria (While freezing):
— Damn worm... How dare you... —
In Tomas' case, he observes the Lamentis spear which contained a great amount of Rei and that spear was heading towards him, Tomas takes out his Cryotum dagger with which he blocks the impact of the spear avoiding a fatal blow but the shock wave sends him forcefully to the ground.
Tomas (Blocking the attack):
— Damn... This attack... is too powerful. —
With both on the ground, Tomas manages to recover faster and goes to attack Aetheria again, who was already exhausted and without much energy after having wrapped a large part of her Rei in her spear. On the other hand, Tomas was only tired from the damage accumulated before his limit break and also added the damage from Aetheria's last attack, but his energy was greater than Aetheria's so the fight had already ended.
Aetheria, who is exhausted, only watches as Tomas approaches her and being in such a vulnerable state brings back unpleasant memories.
These memories are from his childhood and how his people were destroyed by a kingdom of humans who saw the people of Aetheria as pagans and the human kingdom, being blinded by a sick fanaticism towards their God, attacked any people who did not share their faith.
Aetheria had managed to flee her village as the only survivor, but she continued to be persecuted by them, leading a life of seclusion, living in the shadows, hiding from the world, and this is also how her resentment against humans is generated.
Even so, she couldn't run away all the time and she was finally found, but at the same time she managed to see the one who was now at the highest point of her admiration, a vampire just like her, but the difference between them was abysmal since he finished off Aetheria's pursuers in a few seconds and then disappeared from her sight.
Aetheria decided to become as powerful as that vampire until she found him again and deciding not to miss that opportunity, she decided to talk to him.
Aetheria (In her memories):
— I don't know if you remember me, but I'm that little girl you saved a long time ago. —
Luminis (Observing the young woman who was speaking to him):
— I'm sorry, I can't remember. —
These words were like a bucket of cold water that calmed her emotion, but Aetheria was sure it was him and after knowing that his name was Luminis she decided to follow him in his ambitions.
Aetheria did not deny any decision made by Luminis and that was the case until the appearance of Tomas, a young human who in her eyes was insignificant, but when Luminis informed the eight moons that Tomas was indispensable to her plan, hostility and jealousy towards that human began to show.
And now Aetheria lies defeated on the ground at the mercy of that human who saw her as something insignificant.
Aetheria (Growling, while struggling on the ground):
—Don't come any closer! You're just a dog of the Order! —
It expressed an Aetheria in which her previously arrogant gaze was now shown with desperation.
Tomas (Reaches Aetheria):
— A Moon, such a glorious position in such a pathetic state. —
Aetheria (Coughing blood, voice cracking)
— Don't you dare make fun of me, you damn worm. —
Alenya regains consciousness and sees all the destruction caused by the battle as she crawls through the rubble, but she also sees the large number of bodies piled up. She can't stand such a situation and vomits after contemplating that horrific scene.
Alenya (Shocked at what she sees):
—How could all this happen?—
But she also notices that Tomas's fight is still going on and, tired of all this, she thinks it's time to stop, so she goes to Tomas to stop once and for all this fight that never made sense from the beginning.
Tomas asks Aetheria what the reason was for her attacking this village and Aetheria simply answers.
Aetheria (Tired):
— You didn't hear what I said before, this is all for you —
Tomas (With a serious expression):
— Put aside your stupid arrogance, right now your loyalty to Luminis means nothing. —
Aetheria simply remains silent at Tomas's words, but she also manages to notice the young mouse hurrying towards her location.
Alenya manages to arrive completely exhausted, as although she has recovered from her serious injuries, she is still suffering from energy loss.
Alenya (Spontaneously hugs Tomas trying to stop him):
—Thomas, stop! There's no point in continuing this and staining your hands with blood!
Tomas hesitates at Alenya's words and it is in this moment of doubt that Aetheria takes advantage of to attack with a blade that she had hidden from Alenya.
Aetheria (desperately):
—If I can't win, at least you'll die with me, little mouse! —
Tomas reacted too late. The dagger he used to attack Alenya was poisoned and pierced her abdomen, and a piercing scream echoed in the night.
Tomas lets out a scream that echoes in the bloody night. Alenya's jade pendant erupted in an emerald flash, enveloping Alenya in a blanket of greenish light, containing the poison from Aetheria's dagger. But the damage was done: the blade had pierced her abdomen, and blood stained her dress like a slowly opening crimson flower.
Thomas (shouting):
—No...! Hold on, Alenya! Don't close your eyes! —
Aetheria, taking advantage of the chaos, vanished in a swirl of shadows, leaving behind a mocking laugh.
Aetheria (from the shadows):
—This isn't over, Silver Wolf! The Order will hunt you down until the end of your days! —
Tomas understood that he couldn't let Aetheria escape, but given Alenya's situation, he understood that she was more important than someone he had already defeated and was fleeing.
Alenya tried to smile, but pain clouded her vision. Her trembling fingers clutched Tomas's wrist, where the runes connecting them still glowed faintly.
Alenya (whispering):
—The pendant... showed me the way... There's an elven shrine nearby... Sylvara…—
Alenya's voice faded, but Tomas needed no more. The name Sylvara Elyndra echoed in his mind like an ancient tale. He remembered the stories Elion had told him: the High Elves, the guardians of Eryndor, and the legacy of blood Alenya carried.
With a swift movement, Tomas wrapped Alenya in his cloak and lifted her into his arms.
But the pain in his body, which had been building up, exploded, becoming unbearable. He also suffered the consequences of using the power of a broken limit without first adjusting his body.
The pain was like an infinite number of icy needles piercing every fiber of his being, but he ignored it. All that mattered was her.
Thomas (in his thoughts, while running):
—If the sanctuary was created by your ancestors... then it's our only hope. —
The shadows of the forest closed around them, but Alenya's broken pendant emitted a faint glow, illuminating the path like a guiding star. Between the trees, ancient runes carved into forgotten stones began to glow in response to the jade, revealing a hidden entrance at the base of a nearby mountain.
As Tomas delved deeper into the forest, Aetheria crept through the bushes, hiding as much as she could, cursing under her breath. Her left arm, poisoned by Alenya's formation, was paralyzed, and her Lamentis spear lay fractured from its final clash with the Cryotum.
Aetheria (spitting blood):
—Damn it...! That human... that worm...! —
She forced herself to her feet, but a figure emerged from the shadows in front of her: Lyrion, with his predatory grin and eyes glowing like waning moons.
Lyrion (in a melodious voice):
—How disappointing, Aetheria. The First Quarter, defeated by a toy that has barely broken its first limit. —
Aetheria growled and with a look of anger tried to attack, but Lyrion avoided the movement with a casual turn.
Aetheria (furious):
—Don't you dare mock me, Lyrion! You too are just a simple worm that I can crush at any moment! —
Lyrion (laughing):
— Hahaha... I'm surprised you can still say something like that considering the state you're in. Maybe you're capable of killing me whenever you want, but right now that's something that won't happen. —
Aetheria:
— Damn worm, don't get arrogant just because I'm hurt. —
Lyrion:
— Arrogant... maybe I am, but I was never so arrogant as to underestimate Tomas. Unlike you, I saw his potential from the beginning. —
Before Aetheria could reply, Lyrion drew a small dagger wrapped in spirit wind and stabbed her into the ground at her feet. A gust of wind rose up, enveloping Aetheria's body.
Aetheria (howling):
-What the devil...?!-
The wind that enveloped Aetheria suffocates her until she becomes unconscious.
Lyrion (whispering):
— Even if you're an arrogant bitch, I still need you for my future plans. I just hope that the next time you challenge a wolf, you don't become its prey. —
Lyrion carries the wounded Aetheria on his shoulders and they fade into the darkness.
Tomas reached the entrance to the shrine: a stone door carved with runes that spelled Eryndor, the roots of the trees surrounding the shrine intertwined with runes that now glowed when touched with Alenya's jade. As he crossed the threshold, the air changed—the scent of ancient herbs and pure energy filled him, and the walls lit up with a blue light.
In the center of the sanctuary, a spring of crystal-clear water bubbled beneath the roots of a silver-carved tree. It was a fragment of Eryndor, brought there centuries ago by Alenya's ancestors.
Thomas (shouting into the darkness):
—Help her! Please! —
The shrine responded. Silver roots extended toward Alenya, enveloping her in a golden aura. A soft yet powerful female voice echoed in the air:
Mysterious Voice (whispering):
—Blood of my blood... poison cannot corrupt what Eryndor protects. —
The spring waters surged, surrounding Alenya in a healing vortex. The wounds on her abdomen began to heal, but the price was clear: the jade fragment in her necklace disintegrated completely, and her connection to her elven heritage weakened.
Thomas (relieved but exhausted):
—Alenya... —
She opened her eyes, still weak, but alive.
Alenya (smiling weakly):
—I knew it... you'd save me again...—
Tomas couldn't respond. The pain in his body brought him to his knees, and the black snow of his Rei faded. He had broken a boundary too soon, and now his soul was paying the price.
Alenya (alarmed):
—Thomas! —
But before she could reach it, the floor of the sanctuary shook. The runes on the walls flickered red, and Sylvara's image loomed alongside Alenya's ancestors. Sylvara's voice echoed again, this time urgently:
—Young descendants of Eryndor, demons and angels search for the fragments of Eryndor in search of its location.—
Sylvara's voice becomes louder.
Sylvara:
— Protect him! —
This whole situation was not only observed by Lyrion, but a very dangerous figure, even more dangerous than Luminis, was watching everything from the shadows: Malrik Vezharn, the dissident demon, with his eyes fixed on the fragment of Eryndor.
Malrik (whispering):
—Interesting... very interesting...—
And so, with the village of Virendale in ruins, Aetheria humiliated but alive, and Lyrion pulling the strings in the shadows, the chapter closed with a promise:
The blood shed tonight was just the beginning.