Burning spirit

Emerging from her back, dark tentacles with sharp points appeared and attacked Esmond. He narrowly evaded the attacks as he ran up to her, preparing to throw a punch.

Astris had a simpered smile on her face. The ground cracked in a straight line, and black water gushed out.

Esmond was near enough to hit her, but if he had done so, his arm would have been cut off.

The black water cuts through anything that passes it; Esmond had already noticed this—a hazy feeling that made his body move on its own.

A few tentacles passed through the dark water without being cut, and with their sharp points and speed, they penetrated his left shoulder in a matter of seconds.

Esmond was caught off guard, and more tentacles followed. This time, he managed to evade them while holding his bleeding shoulder.

The dark water disappeared.

Esmond held his breath, and he vanished from sight; even Astris couldn't locate him.