Avatar (1)

In the middle of the forest two groups of people were fighting against each other. On one side was four people while the other side only has two. Unfortunately if Tila wasn't too weak she'd have helped Yamato and Black Hand make up the numbers somewhat.

The reality is that Tila could only watch the battle from her hiding place. She wasn't strong enough to get involve in this heavy weight fight and might not make a dent even as a meat shield. Even the simply task of backing off and not being a burden is difficult enough not to talk of anything else. As soon as the fight started she quickly got out of the way and hid behind this tree but there's always a possibility that she'll be dragged into this.

As for the fact that she could actually just run away from here, Tila feared that it might lead to bigger trouble. After all who knows if there are more of these guys' friends out in the woods somewhere. In this situation it is better to stay close to the people that can protect her in case of anything goes wrong. Tila didn't think she should be ashamed of it, after all she knew her limits and accepted that she's currently weak.

'Plus the free entertainment is not bad,' she thought squinting her eyes with a playful smile. 'Anyway this guy is strong!'

Watching Yamato fight the spear wielding mercenary, Luka, Tila's smile froze and she couldn't help but admit with some bitterness. Even though she pretends on the contrary she knows very well why her mother favoured the human so much, it was because he's very talented in martial arts, though it didn't mean that she liked it.

Her mother spend more time with him than her, teaching him stuff instead of her her daughter. Tila saw him as her biggest rival that's why even though he was fighting so competently is a good thing it didn't make her too happy.

The pressure Yamato gave her is immense. Clenching her fist Tila vowed that one day she'd defeat him and get her mother's praise! Though judging by his skill it will take a while to catch up.

In front of her eyes Yamato was going head to head with the spearman, exchanging blows with extreme speed. Oblivious as he's, Tila wasn't afraid that he'd take countermeasures after all he didn't know what she's plotting as far as she trains harder than him she'd cut off the distance between their ability bit by bits. 'When it is time I'll just challenge him and defeat him!' Thinking of that she calmed down and continued watching the fight.

When the fight started the mercenary had looked like he might just overpower Yamato, but after Yamato adapted the fight became well balance and in truth, to Tila's untrained eyes, victory could go either way.

'However that guy is on a different level,' Her gaze turned to the tall heavily bearded man in black robe. Alone he was fighting three experts and actually overwhelming them.

Whenever his halberd swept out it caused problems for his opponents, whenever the giant hand of darkness appeared atleast one person will suffer. The three mercenaries had to desperately coordinate with each other to avoid defeat. However if not because of the silver haired woman the mercenaries would have already been defeated. That's because she's the only one that could deal with the hand of darkness.

On the other hand whenever the three attack Black Hand will casually avoid or block with a terrifying swiftness that hinted he had all the answers to their questions.

Seeing the man fight Tila felt like she's looking at a big venomous snake that moved with irregular speed to attack and defend. She wondered who was stronger between him and her mother. Katrina is a spiritual martial artist who prefers using magical spells than fighting head on. She was very powerful back in Alrers not to talk of a backwards place like the human realm. Tila believed her mother is stronger!

As for between Black Hand and her father, she had no doubt her father will kill him easily. 'Hmph, the only reason that Realm Knight had defeated father was because he threatened father with me and mother's life,' She has seen her father fight more than once, the strongest person in Alrers is not an empty tittle.

Thinking of her father she inevitably felt sad, especially in this situation where she could use his strength. 'Father why did you leave me? Your little girl is being bullied by lowly humans!'

As Tila was engrossed in watching the fight her vision flicked as she suddenly noticed some movement from her left. Feeling a bad premonition she turned and saw a blond man sneaking towards her.

Tila was stunned. How could she have forgotten about him? He was the man that was slapped away by Black Hand favored technique, that giant dark palm, in the beginning, striking him down in one move. Honestly she'd thought he was dead with how quickly he'd collapsed and didn't get up.

Parish noticed Tila's gaze and smiled at her, a chill suddenly ran down the girl's spine.

Parish had woken up just now and after taking a moment to organized his thoughts, he remembered all that happened. How he was knocked away with one strike! Thinking of it he felt anger burning in his chest, he wanted more than anything to tear Black Hand apart. However he's not an impulsive person, he first stood and observe the battle situation for a moment calculating where he should join from.

Both fronts of the battle were well balanced and any side he chose to assist - whether Elizabeth and the others or Luka - his intervention will quickly give his side the advantage. But.. that will be too easy wouldn't it? Where's the fun that?

Parish wanted more fanfare, more cruelty. Thinking of that he turned back to the alien girl. Noticing the evil intent in his gaze Tila calmly drew back making him grin. Parish stepped towards her, she screamed and started running. The man chased.

Yamato and Old Two were in the middle of the battle and heard Tila's scream but they were both pinned by their opponents and couldn't easily move to help. Yamato quickly tried to finish the fight. However that wasn't realistic as even though Luka couldn't defeat him outright he too didn't know how to defeat the legendary Street Fighter turn mercenary.

As for Old Two he just stopped holding back. He grabbed the the axe head of the halberd with his palm and dragged down his palm against the sharp edge; since Astral weapons those not discriminate and also harm their owners, the axe cut hit palm making a lot blood pour on the ground. The man winced in pain then looked at his opponents. "Hmph, you forced me to use this technique. Shadow Avatar!"

A black magic circle immediately appeared on the ground underneath his feet with him in the center and from it smoke of darkness poured out. "You are all finished!" Old two laughed fighting with the halberd in one hand and the other hand that was covered in blood was making finger seals.

The smoke congealed and molded to form a humanoid form. Old Two bit clenched his fist then flicked blood on the humanoid form. Upon contact with the blood the form of darkness started getting details. Blood plus magic circle and guided by his finger seals created something humanlike. A clone.

Its skin got a tan color, hair came out of its head and beard covered its face. It looked exactly like Old Two. This guy is the Old Two's Avatar summoned by using a mystical technique. The Avatar shrugged its shoulders and darkness appeared around him solidifying into an armor.

"Hey old friend, catch that guy," Old Two said pointing at the direction Tila ran off to.

The Avatar nodded obediently and rushed away. With that out of the way Old Two smirked at the three people facing him with grim expressions on their faces. "Shall we continue?" He said.