Kristen's and Asher's POV
"They did it," Kristen exclaimed, watching from afar as the nameless one collapsed, its body crumbling to the ground.
"They fought well," Asher added, "They have great potential".
They both made their way towards them, and suddenly, a strange mist enveloped the entire area.
"What's happening?" Asher said, drawing his katana in a swift motion.
Kristen's expression grew tense. "We need to hurry," he dashed forward towards Rayne and Zei.
However, no matter how fast or slow they traversed, the mist didn't seem to dissipate. As if they were running in circles.
"It's warping space," Asher murmured. "The mist is preventing us from reaching the other side."
Out of nowhere, a dagger whistles through the fog, and Asher deflected it with his blade. "Who goes there?" He asked, raising his weapon, "Show yourself".
A silhouette emerged from the mist. Clad in black attire, a crimson mask concealed his face. A cane rested in one hand. A singular white wing unfolded from his back.
"Who the fuck are you"
"Aerith," Kristen's eyes narrowed. "An Exiled One"
"This could be troublesome," Asher muttered.
"...leave this place," the masked figure finally spoke.
"Leave those specimens here and walk away."
"What makes you think we will comply?" Runes flared to life on Kristen's wrist, his eyes illuminated with a golden brilliance. He slammed his staff into the earth, and the ground shuddered, creating an enormous crater around them as the entire place trembled.
"This is your only warning," Krisen uttered. "Retreat and we won't harm you."
The stranger remained silent.
Then, suddenly, he darted forward at blinding speed, swinging his cane in a half-moon arc as it collided against Asher's katana, creating a shockwave which sent debris falling. The ground beneath their feet cracked as the two clashed.
Kristen lunged forward, aiming to attack from behind, but the man simply vaulted upward into the sky. A dagger appeared in his hand, its blade dripping with his own blood.
A wave of concentrated blood energy erupted from the dagger. He raised the dagger up in the sky, and dozens of spheres of Aether materialised above him, shimmering unanimously.
"Not good," Kristen's eyes narrowed.
The spheres shot towards Asher in rapid succession; however, before they could hit, a runic barrier flared to life. The moment the spheres crashed against the barrier, it created an explosion, sending shockwaves across the entire battlefield.
After the explosion subsided, the masked figure stood there unfazed, gazing at the broken barrier in front of him. Only Kristen stood there, his body bloodied and bruised.
"Pathetic," he man uttered
Kristen smirked, "Now!"
The stranger turned around, however, it was too late as a sharp blade pierced his right arm, severing it cleanly. The man tried to retreat, but Kristen's mace followed through with a bone-shattering strike, sending him flying through the air.
"You thought that was enough to stop us?" Kristen said with a grin.
Even after having his limb severed, the figure remained expressionless. However, something strange happened. His body started to crack, breaking apart into countless fragments.
Asher lowered his blade. "A marionette"
"It seemed to be after them' Kristen replied, his tone grim. "We need to get them to safety as soon as possible."
The mist finally started to dissipate. As they rushed forward, they stumbled upon a horrific scene.
A horrifying creature's corpse was lying dead amidst a bed of beautiful, pristine white flowers, their gaze focused on Rayne and Zei, who were barely clinging onto life. Countless wounds and burns covered them as they lay on the ground..
He started forward, but something strange happened.
The creature's corpse began to pulse, and a vast crimson flower bloomed from it, illuminating in an ominous crimson glow.
"No, No, No. I don't have a good feeling about this."
"Rayne, Zei!!!" He shouted
"Get out of there now!!"
It was too late, I thought. Just then.
A pair of radiant white and, unveiled from Zei's back, curled around them protectively as she embraced Rayne's unconscious body. The creature's body exploded, enveloping the entire area in a sea of blazing flames.
Kristen rushed there, but it was too late as the place was already surrounded by flames.
"Where are they?"
He searched around desperately, hoping that they would be alive, but couldn't locate their bodies amidst all the fallen debris and fire.
Suddenly feeling a cold sensation standing there surrounded by the scorching flames, he found them. They were in critical condition, her wings seemed to have taken most of the impact as they were completely burned, which seemed to have reduced the impact largely however, there were still countless burn marks on both of their bodies. Both of them seemed to be unconscious and were in dire need of help.
Kristen fell to his knees beside them, "You're going to be okay' he whispered.
"We'll get you both out of here."9