Mikhailis, Vyrelda, Cerys, and Lira all stared at the massive bear that had stepped onto the road, blocking their path. It wasn't just any bear—the sheer size and the shimr of its bristling fur gave away that it was no ordinary animal. It was a Bristlewood Bear, an endemic species of the Silvarion Thalor forests. Its bulk lood almost three ters high, and the eerie, almost supernatural glow that pulsed along its shaggy fur indicated its [Duke] rank magical properties. There was a faint crackle of energy in the air around it, and Mikhailis couldn't help but arch an eyebrow.
Oh, this is going to be fun.
The bear let out a deep, rumbling growl, the air vibrating with its power. The tension in the carriage was palpable. Vyrelda's eyes narrowed as she looked at the beast, her expression hardening. She stepped forward without hesitation, her hand moving to the hilt of her sword.
"Stay back," she ordered, her tone brooking no argunt. Her eyes locked on the bear, and her lips curved in what could almost be called a smile—the kind of smile that ca from eting a worthy opponent.
"Vy, be careful," Mikhailis called out, but his voice was casual, as if he were rely cautioning soone about a puddle on the street.
Vyrelda didn't answer, her eyes focused on the bear as she shifted into a stance, her weight balanced perfectly, her body ready to spring. The bear let out a roar, shaking the very ground they stood on, but Vyrelda was unfazed. Her movents were swift, almost elegant, her blade flashing as she charged forward.
With a graceful leap, Vyrelda closed the distance between herself and the Bristlewood Bear, her sword slicing through the air with pinpoint accuracy. The bear reared back, its massive claws crackling with energy as it swung them toward her. Vyrelda twisted her body, avoiding the strike by a hair's breadth, her agility almost inhuman.
"You've got this, Vyrelda," Mikhailis murmured, leaning against the carriage door, his lips curling into a smile.
The bear opened its mouth, letting out a deafening roar, a wave of elental energy surging forth—the Elental Roar. The force of it whipped through the air, the sheer power of it enough to make even the trees sway. Vyrelda remained calm, her footwork light, dodging the shockwave with an almost effortless ease. She darted to the side, her blade gleaming as it caught the light, and in one fluid motion, she swung at the bear's side, the tal biting into its thick fur.
The Bristlewood Bear snarled, its eyes burning with an almost intelligent rage. It swung its massive paw, and Mikhailis could see the crackling arcane energy that danced along its claws—Arcane Lightning, another signature of the species. But Vyrelda was ready. She ducked beneath the swing, her body a blur as she moved around the bear, her blade a silver streak.
"Alright, Vyrelda, don't overdo it," Lira muttered, her voice carrying a hint of exasperation.
She leaned back in the carriage, her eyes never leaving the fight.
"It's not a competition."
Vyrelda's lips twitched, her focus unbroken. With a final burst of speed, she shifted her weight forward, her body a blur as she lunged. The Bristlewood Bear's eyes widened, sensing the imminent danger, but it was too late. Vyrelda's blade arced downward with ferocity, her muscles straining as she delivered the decisive blow. The bear tried to twist away, its massive fra moving surprisingly fast, but Vyrelda was faster. She adjusted mid-strike, her blade finding the gap in its defenses, slicing cleanly through its bristling fur and cutting deep.
The Bristlewood Bear let out a deafening roar, a last desperate attempt to intimidate, its voice echoing through the clearing. The ground beneath them seed to tremble, but Vyrelda stood firm, her eyes locked onto her target. The glow in the bear's fur flickered, the arcane energy dissipating as the creature's strength failed. With a guttural snarl, it collapsed, its legs buckling under its own weight, the life fading from its eyes as it slumped to the ground in a heap.
Vyrelda stepped back slowly, her breathing steady despite the intense exertion. She flicked her wrist, shaking off the blood from her blade, her gaze never leaving the fallen bear. Her expression remained calm, but there was a fire in her eyes—a spark of triumph that spoke of her satisfaction in the fight. She looked over her shoulder, her eyes eting Mikhailis's, and for a brief mont, her lips curled into a faint smile, her gaze almost daring him to say sothing.
Of course, she made it look easy, and this guy supposed to be a powerful [Duke] rank, Mikhailis thought, shaking his head with a smile.
But before Vyrelda could say anything, the trees rustled, and another bear stepped out from the forest. This one was slightly smaller but just as nacing, its eyes locked onto Vyrelda, its growl echoing through the clearing.
"Another one," Vyrelda said, her eyes lighting up, her grip tightening on her sword. She took a step forward, but Cerys's voice cut through the mont.
"I'll handle this one."
Vyrelda paused, glancing at Cerys, her expression a mix of surprise and curiosity. Cerys stepped forward, her sword drawn, her red hair swaying as she moved, her stance mirroring Vyrelda's earlier position.
"Are you sure?" Vyrelda asked, her eyes narrowing slightly.
Cerys nodded, her gaze fixed on the bear.
"Positive."
The Bristlewood Bear let out a roar, its paws slamming into the ground as thorny vines erupted from the earth—a Bramble Surge, another of its abilities. The vines twisted and coiled, sharp thorns glinting in the light as they surged toward Cerys. She moved swiftly, her sword flashing as she cut through the vines, her movents precise and controlled.
She's not as flashy as Vyrelda, Mikhailis thought, watching closely.
But she's tactical—more about precision than power.
Cerys sidestepped the bear's next attack, her eyes narrowing with focus. Her sword moved in swift, controlled arcs, each strike finding its intended mark. The bear roared again, its paw swinging towards her with a force that could crush bones. Cerys ducked low, her body twisting gracefully as she avoided the attack, her blade slicing into the bear's side in a precise counter.
The beast roared in fury, its massive fra rearing up, attempting to intimidate her. Cerys was undeterred. She moved swiftly, her feet gliding over the uneven ground, her red ponytail swaying with each calculated step. She lunged forward, her blade cutting through the air, the tal glinting as it found its target once more. The Bristlewood Bear swung again, this ti its claws crackling with energy, but Cerys danced around it, her movents fluid and deliberate, her focus absolute.
She could feel the power of the beast, the ground trembling under its weight, but she was relentless. Her attacks ca in quick succession, her strikes deliberate, wearing down the bear bit by bit. She feinted left, drawing the bear's attention, then shifted her weight, her body flowing like water as she drove her sword into its side. The bear let out a roar, its eyes blazing with rage, but Cerys was already moving, her body spinning gracefully as she avoided its desperate swipe.
With each attack, she chipped away at the creature's strength, her sword finding its mark with precision. Unlike Vyrelda's raw aggression, Cerys fought with a quiet determination, her every movent planned, every strike efficient. The Bristlewood Bear let out another roar, its fury mounting, but Cerys sidestepped its lunge, her sword flashing as she brought it down in a final, decisive strike.
The blade found its mark, driving deep into the bear's neck. The beast stumbled, its massive fra shaking as its roar turned into a strangled whimper. Slowly, it crumpled, its legs giving out beneath it as it collapsed to the ground, defeated.
Cerys straightened, her breathing steady despite the exertion. She flicked her sword to the side, the blood splattering onto the grass as she looked back at Vyrelda. There was no need for words—the look they exchanged said enough. A silent acknowledgnt of each other's strength, respect born from shared battle.
They're strong, Mikhailis thought, watching them. But there's room for improvent.
User Comments
0 comments from readers