The transformation Selphira experienced while fusion completed wasn't simply integration of beast characteristics with human form.
Genbu wasn't an ordinary creature even among those of high Gold rank. It was the manifestation of a concept that transcended simple power. A guardian beast… A protector. The symbol of absolute defense, the creature itself beca the living embodint of an ideal.
And when the power of such a being fused with a tar of Selphira's experience, the result was a transformation carrying an air that couldn't be described as simply "powerful".
It entered the category of those presences inspiring instinctive reverence even in those who didn't completely understand what they were witnessing.
Light began emanating from Selphira's body as Genbu's characteristics fully integrated.
Not harsh glare but radiance that seed to co from within rather than reflecting from the surface. Like she'd swallowed a star and it now burned in her chest.
And the ice she'd been manifesting began transforming in response to that light.
Ordinary crystalline structures elevated toward sothing closer to physical manifestation of the concept of absolute protection than any mundane frozen material.
The ice changed. What had been simple frozen water beca sothing approaching the essence of cold itself.
Crystals ford around her limbs like armor. Plates that reflected light in ways creating patterns of infinite depth. Defensive layers that seed to exist slightly outside normal space.
Not simply a defense but also a declaration. Statent that whoever wore this form had reached power levels separating extraordinary from legendary.
And more critical: her senses sharpened dramatically.
Perception expanded to a point where she could detect details that had been invisible monts before. Not just seeing more clearly but perceiving on levels that normal human consciousness couldn't access.
She felt the flow of mana in the air around her. Tasted the signatures of every tar in range. Sensed the pulse of energy in the soil beneath her feet.
And with that enhanced senses her fusion provided, Selphira realized sothing transforming blind fury into determination that was more dangerous because it had a specific direction.
Victor was alive.
Barely. By a margin almost imperceptible even with sharpened perception. But alive by a miracle defying logic of how much damage the human body could absorb before vital functions crumbled irreversibly.
Only a whisper remained in him. Mana signature reduced to a flicker that could extinguish with next gust of wind or next heartbeat that failed to co.
But still fighting... Still holding on despite everything that had been done to him.
Victor lived. Barely, desperately… But lived.
It was enough. Enough to communicate there was still an opportunity to save him if they acted fast.
And that changed everything. Because death couldn't be saved, but live ant possibility. ant there was still sothing to fight for beyond simple revenge.
ant she had to reach him. Had to get him away from Orion. She had to heal him now.
Orion remained there holding Victor's broken body. Smiling. Like he'd already won. Like the trap was complete and she'd fallen into it exactly as planned.
And maybe she had. Maybe this was exactly what he wanted. For her to commit everything in emotional response rather than tactical calculation.
But she didn't care anymore. Not about strategy. Not about anything except reaching that naughty boy and making Orion pay for what he'd done.
The ice around her intensified. The temperature dropped further.
Ti to end this.
One way or another.
Fortunately, contrary to the fear that had motivated her previous caution, Orion didn't retreat when seeing her fusion activate.
He remained in position with an expression difficult to read at distance but that didn't communicate panic or preparation for imdiate withdrawal. It was confidence suggesting he had reasons not to fear a confrontation even when facing Selphira operating in her most amplified state.
Confidence that made her want to tear him apart even more... Because it ant he thought he could win. Thought he'd accounted for everything. Thought Victor's suffering and Sirius's mory were just tools he could exploit without consequence.
But she only wanted to heal Victor first.
Getting him away from Orion. Stopping whatever process was making those crystals grow from his flesh. Stabilizing his foundation before it crumbled completely into the void that would leave nothing to save.
And if Orion interposed himself in that objective, if he tried using Victor as shield or any other manipulation delaying the treatnt desperately needed...
Then Orion was going to regret being born.
Not death. Too quick and rciful. He was going to suffer considerably more than what he already deserved for the cris committed.
The ice around her intensified.
Temperature falling to levels making enemy soldiers retreat instinctively even those not directly in effect range. So started shivering uncontrollably. Others experienced skin burning from a cold so intense that moisture in their breath froze before leaving their mouths.
It was a manifestation of fury, a liberation of emotions that discipline had suppressed but now exploded in elental power display communicating exactly how dangerous Selphira was when personal motivation surpassed prudent considerations.
This wasn't a soldier fighting for duty. This was a grandmother fighting for family.
In her right hand manifested an ice spear with a long blade at the tip.
Not a simple projectile like those she'd launched during the mutant battle or army approach. This was a considerably more elaborate construction. A weapon that had been reinforced with mana at levels converting its apparently fragile structure into sothing outstanding in durability.
The spear had perfect balance between weight and length achievable only with sothing precisely custom made like this. Shaft thick enough to not break under stress but thin enough to not slow its wielder. Blade sharp enough to pierce Platinum-rank defenses and broad enough to deliver devastating wounds.
Selphira was using this spear with hands trained during years in close-range combat art. Experience coming from the wise knowledge that even tars with elental techniques at distance needed competence in close approach when situations collapsed toward physical confrontation.
It was a weapon she'd employed in previous wars. A tool feeling like a natural extension of her will to the point where the line between thought and action blurred. The spear rembered. Carried imprint of those battles in its crystalline structure. Responded to her intent almost like a trained beast rather than an inanimate object.
And it seed to want Orion's blood.
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