Lillian stomped on the ground as a long black spear with curved golden flowers came out from her shadow. Lillian grabbed the spear, taking a battle stance. As she held the spear with two hands, her feet grinding against the sand.
Slice! Splattered!
Lillian's spear sliced J's cheek, blood trickling down. J jumped back, whipping away the blood from his cheek.
"Owh! You dodge that? How?" Lillian, asked. "Well, try dodging this okay? And don't get stuck defending."
Lillian lunged forward her each attack calculated. But somehow, someway J blocked every single strike without fail. Metal rang with each strike and dust flew with each dash, each step.
J's eyes ran wild as he observed the surroundings desperately searching for opening— than it clicked. J quickly deflected Lillian's attack and ducked down swiping his leg. Lillian lost balance as she fell with a light thud.
"Ouch!"
But before she could get up, Eclipse got on top of her pinning her down.
"Welp! That's that I guess. I won. So, give me the cure already." J said with an accomplished smile.
Lillian with a smirk, replied, "Do you really think you've already won?
J tilted his head, narrowing his eyes. "I mean yeah. Just look at yourself, you're pinned to the ground unable to move."
Lillian tapped the ground, conjuring a pillar of fire from the ground as it compressed into a ball of blue flame— before J could react it launched at Eclipse setting him up ablaze. Eclipse jumped off Lillian rolling onto the ground, howling in pain as his body started turning into smoke. But unlike every other time he didn't, even though he was scorched in flame he didn't disappear.
On the other hand Lillian got up on her feet stepping back as she steadied herself.
"You're quite strong?" Lillian said.
J gripped his sword tight. "Eclipse I know I put you through a lot, but can you please keep her busy?"
Even though smoke was coming out from Eclipse's body he nodded. Eclipse lunged at Lillian, but Lillian spun her spear thrusting it into Eclipse's mouth with great force sending him crashing into the ground. Despite the unbearable pain Eclipse stood up his body trembling.
Why he stood up? Why did he not just fade into smoke like every time?
Because today his master needed him the most. He was the summon who J was counting on. Thoughts like this filled Eclipse's head. His blood red eyes burned like inferno.
Awakening Eclipse first stage.
Eclipse grew bigger in size, his fangs and claws sharper than ever, and more blue stripes covered his body.
Howl!!!
Eclipse howled summoning two other smaller wolves. Their eyes sharpened at Lillian as they moved into unison, forming a triangle with Eclipse up front and the other wolves behind him.
Lillian's grip tightened, her breath steady and her eyes sharp, as she stood in place. Eclipse lunged at her. She raised her spear just in time, barely holding him off. Then the smaller wolves rushed at her from both sides, their jaws opened wide ready to tear her a part.
A sweat drop trickled down her face, she smiled nervously, then stomped the ground with her heel. Two pillars of bright golden fire erupted from the ground as it burned the wolves into ash. But Eclipse didn't falter, despite the loss of the wolves. He pressed against Lillian's spear as her feet began to tremble.
"This is bad!" Lillian murmured.
In swift motion she dropped low, her feet against Eclipse's stomach and rolled him over with a twist. Eclipse tumbled to the ground groaning. But before Lillian could relax, J snuck up on her— his sword inches away from her throat.
"This is over," He said.
Lillian didn't respond— she drove her elbow into J' chest, but the sudden moment almost caused her throat to be slit.
Lillian grabbed her throat. "Y-you almost got me there, didn't you?" she said with a smirk. "Let's up the difficulty, shall we?"
Lillian lunged at J, her gaze predatory. J tossed one of the scrolls. Lillian's spear pierced through it—triggering a stone wall that rose between them.
J swiped the sweat from his face. "Damn! That was close. I have to thank Lina when I get back."
Lillian's eyes widened slightly. "Wow! That's amazing. But too bad—it won't help you much."
Eclipse lunged at her from behind, his jaw inches away from her face. Lillian twisted her wrist and smashed Eclipse into the ground. She struck his head, and he faded into smoke.
Then she turned around the wall, engaging with J. Her spear strikes came faster and stronger than before; each blow forced J to step back. J's breath was ragged—the fatigue from using his magic and scroll wore him down, and his vision became blurry.
Then suddenly… he stumbled on his feet, falling to the ground. Lillian, with a sly smile, lunged at him. He covered his face, closing his eyes.
"Am I gonna die? But if I do, what will happen to Nita? I… I don't wanna die. I don't."
But oddly enough, the spear never reached him. The impact never came.
J peeked to see—a man with black hair, pale skin, a black coat, and a grey undershirt. The man stopped Lillian's spear with his two fingers. His whole body was surrounded by an ominous aura.
The man placed his hand on Lillian's shoulder and spoke, his voice soft but cold: "Lillian, what do you think you're doing? I thought my orders were clear."
Lillian quickly retracted her spear and looked down. "Sorry, Noctis. I didn't mean to."
Noctis didn't respond as he stared at J. J's body trembled. It felt as if he were being crushed by heavy boulders—breathing itself became a challenge.
Noctis smiled and tilted his head, his crimson eyes burning like a predator. "Greetings, silver-haired hero. And I apologize for my subordinate's behavior."
But Noctis's words didn't reach his ears. J brought out yet another scroll. Noctis's smile widened as he clapped his hands, opening a portal beneath J, dropping him into the unknown.
After J fell through the portal, Noctis turned and looked at Lillian. She had teary eyes. "Lillian, why are you crying?"
Lillian sniffled. "I… I really didn't mean to do that. I lost control, and… and I almost killed him."
Noctis turned, a sly smile forming on his face. "Don't worry. Let's wait for him to… break."