Two hazy figures drifted across the clearing at Arelion Mountain's far side, their forms indistinct, humanoid silhouettes wrapped in swirling violet aura. They moved as if conversing—until one was shoved aside, narrowly avoiding Rune's silver blade. Her strike split the earth, soil and grass torn apart, though no flesh was touched.
Rune pivoted, blade flashing upward in a silver arc. The ghast leapt back, movements fluid, unnatural. "For monsters, they react fast," Rune muttered, eyes sharp. "Judging by their mana, that's expected."
"We don't even know what they are," Crimson replied, cloak stirring in the wind. "My bet? Some new breed of high-level undead."
Rune lunged again. Steel met steel—a scythe, black pole gleaming, curved blade shimmering violet. The clash shrieked, sparks scattering into the night. Rune staggered back, boots carving furrows in the grass.
The ghast's aura pulsed, silent, unreadable. Crimson hurled fire, but the haze devoured it, flames dissolving into motes. "Fire doesn't even scratch it," Crimson growled.
"And it's protecting the other," Rune said, tightening her grip. She surged forward, blade flashing in relentless arcs. Each strike met with fluid counters, the scythe flowing like water, heavy as stone. Silver light clashed with violet crescents, the clearing trembling under their duel.
Weapons locked—silver against violet, mana humming like thunder. Rune pressed harder, sweat beading, heartbeat syncing with steel's rhythm. The ghast's aura flared, movements eerily human, silence suffocating. Crimson watched, unsettled by the second ghast's stillness.
Both fighters unleashed power. Rune's blade blazed silver, the scythe shimmered violet. Their strikes collided—shockwave ripping through the clearing, grass bending, embers scattering skyward. Rune skidded back, earth torn beneath her boots.
"Looks like you're struggling," Crimson smirked.
"Shut up. He's forcing me to get serious," Rune snapped, irritation sharp.
Crimson grinned, hands crushing invisible blocks. Earth slabs rose, crushing the ghast. They shattered—revealing it unscathed. Earth lances fired, parried in blinding speed. Rune struck between volleys, steel flashing. Crimson extended his arm—harpoon thick enough to pierce a dragon. It shot forward, Rune sidestepping, the weapon slamming the ghast into the trees.
The second ghast moved to aid its companion, but Rune's aura flared, silver glow violent. "I never want to do this on holiday," she muttered, unleashing a flash that engulfed the clearing. The land split, a gulley carved deep. Silence followed.
"Think that did it?" Rune asked, sheathing her blade.
"Do I need to spell it out? No mana remains," Crimson sighed.
"You can repair this, right?" Rune asked, surveying the devastation.
"I'm the infernal mage. Landscaping is child's play." Green pentagrams shimmered above, earth trembling as the terrain restored.
Rune sat, exhaling. "You've improved. That pushback sent it flying."
Crimson frowned. "That wasn't pushback. It should have torn through. That was a true monster." His grin returned. "So… Abyssal's close. Want to take a peek?"
Rune glared. "Did that thing hit your head? Forget it. We're done. The strange signs can be blamed on those ghasts." She walked off, Crimson pouting behind her.
On the mountain's far side, one ghast sat upon a boulder in the stream, the other at the bank, staring into clear waters. "Can I take this off now?" the one at the bank complained.
The boulder figure removed its mask. The aura dissolved, revealing Darkness—horns arching from his head. Emmy followed, her young face gleaming in sunlight, sighing with exhaustion.
"Why didn't you kill them? Stronger than me, sure, but you were too nice." Emmy frowned.
Darkness's thoughts stirred. She sees no problem in killing. Perhaps I've pushed her too far. A caster and swordswoman both. The man lacked adaptability, yet surprised me. The girl too, as expected. Killing them would have been simple—but that uniform…
"Hey! You're ignoring me!" Emmy pouted, hand trailing in the stream.
"I'm not ignoring you. I'm surprised you'd suggest killing them. You know you're human."
"I'm not! I'm a small dragon," Emmy grinned.
"That you are. But they may be vital to this nation's survival. I care little if humans vanish—but I won't be provoked. If they do, the story changes." Darkness's voice was calm, ancient.
His thoughts lingered. Her memories remain blank. No ties to her kind. A settlement might accustom her—but left alone, she'd see no problem in killing. That would bring trouble. Perhaps I've taken this too far.
"Emmy… what do you think of going to a human settlement?"