Esther vs Arthur ll

Arthur inhaled deeply, the sound sharp and deliberate, and his crimson aura flared around him like a raging storm. The wind circled in response, kicking up dust and debris in violent spirals around us. 

The faint pressure of his power pressed against me, and I couldn't help but express my surprise with a low "Hooo." 

"This?" Arthur said, his voice brimming with mockery as his lips curled into a smirk. "This is just a tiny fraction of what my elder brother gave me. You have no idea what you're up against." 

The arrogance in his tone was palpable, his confidence radiating as much as his blood-red aura. 

"Show me, then," I replied coolly, my grip tightening around the hilt of my black dagger. 

His smirk widened before, with a sudden burst of energy, he launched himself at me. The clash was immediate and violent—his overwhelming red aura against the faint, steady pulse of my black one. The air around us crackled with energy as we exchanged blows, the sound of metal clashing against metal echoing out in the desolate space. 

I sidestepped his initial strike, countering with a swift slash that narrowly missed his side. Arthur retaliated with a downward strike from his knife, forcing me to duck and roll to avoid the blade. The force of his attack shattered the ground where I had stood. 

"You're strong," I admitted, my tone neutral as I deflected another one of his rapid strikes with my dagger. 

"Ohh Thank you now Die!" He groaned. 

I spun on my heel and delivered a sharp kick to his midsection, sending him stumbling back. But he recovered almost immediately, his stance steady as he rushed me again. 

The battle raged on as we moved across the area, our fierce exchange left destruction behind us. Small huts crumbled as Arthur's strikes grew more forceful, his attacks wild but calculated. 

He's strong… for someone with his usual demeanor, I thought, my eyes narrowing as I observed the unrelenting power behind his strikes. Where is he getting this kind of energy? This isn't the result of training or anything...It's like he was suddenly given all of it at once. 

But even as I considered this, a calm certainty settled over me. 

~It's still nothing for me. 

Taking advantage of an opening, I grabbed his wrist mid-swing. His eyes widened in brief surprise as I jumped, using the momentum to twist myself midair and land behind him. Before he could react, I threw him with all my strength, sending him hurtling into the trees. 

The impact was devastating. He crashed through one trunk, then another, each one splintering under the force of his body. 

Without wasting a moment, I leaped after him, closing the distance in an instant. As he tried to regain his footing, I grabbed his face, slamming him into the ground and dragging him across it with brutal force. The earth tore apart beneath us, the sound of grinding stone and dirt filling the air. 

I didn't let up. My dagger slashed repeatedly, the sharp edge carving into his body as blood began to seep through his torn clothes. 

"Arghhh..!!!" He yelled in pain but retaliated with wild swings of his knives, forcing me to backstep. 

We circled each other like predators, the glow of our opposing auras mixing in chaotic swirls of black and red. Neither of us spoke now—the only sounds were our labored breaths and the crash of our blows. 

Then, with a burst of energy, we reached the same spot where the fight had begun. Arthur, his frustration evident, swung a powerful slash behind him, believing I was there. The strike was so strong it split the ground, but there was no impact. 

I wasn't there. 

*GUSH* 

Arthur's movements froze, his body trembling. His eyes widened in shock as he felt the cold steel piercing his chest from behind. 

Blood bubbled up at the corners of his mouth, and he coughed, the crimson liquid staining his lips. 

"Wha…" he choked, his voice faltering. He looked down slowly, his gaze locking onto the black dagger now protruding from his chest. 

*Gwak.* 

Another cough, another spray of blood. Arthur's knees buckled slightly, but he didn't fall, his trembling hands clutching at the blade weakly. His glowing red eyes flickered as he struggled to stay upright, his body quaking under the weight of the pain and disbelief. 

"H-How…?" Arthur's voice came out weak, barely above a whisper, as his trembling lips formed the words. 

"God knows..." I replied calmly, my tone devoid of sympathy as I pulled my dagger from his chest. The faint *schlick* of the blade leaving his body echoed briefly in the stillness. 

Arthur's knees buckled, and his body crumpled to the ground. Blood pooled rapidly beneath him, dark and ominous against the dirt. He coughed violently, the crimson liquid spilling from his mouth as the glowing red hue in his eyes began to fade. 

I sighed heavily, watching the life drain from him. With a flick of my wrist, the black dagger in my hand vanished into thin air, leaving nothing but the faint shimmer of dissipating aura in its place. 

I glanced down at Arthur's lifeless form, frustration simmering beneath my calm exterior. I still don't know anything about those travelers… The thought gnawed at me, but I pushed it aside. There was no use in dwelling on what I couldn't change. 

Just as I turned to leave, the soft rustling of leaves caught my attention. My ears caught up, and my gaze turned toward the sound. 

Standing a short distance away, partially hidden behind a tree, was a small elf child. His wide eyes were locked on me, trembling with fear. 

The realization hit me immediately—he'd seen everything. 

"Hey—" I started, lifting a hand in an attempt to calm him, but it was too late. His expression twisted into one of sheer terror, and without another moment's hesitation, he ran away. 

"Oi! It's not like that!" I called after him, my voice firm but useless. He didn't stop. His small figure disappeared into the trees. 

I groaned, running a hand through my hair in exasperation. "Great. Now I have to explain everything to everyone…" I muttered under my breath, already thinking over the emotional baggage on its way. 

I let out a long, weary sigh, brushing the dirt off my clothes when a familiar voice pierced the air. 

"Serina!" 

The name came as a sharp cry, and my entire body froze. My eyes widened in alarm. 

"Hina…" I muttered, barely audible, the name escaping my lips as I turned toward the sound.