Girls fight

Ash touched the ground, corroding the ground in a straight line, forcing the two clashing figures to drift apart. The leaves and snow all rotted away. A deep divide now separated both the figures.

Vanta rushed as fast as he could, gritting his teeth and bearing the cold; he ran to the male figure, hoping to talk some sense into him.

'I hope he's reasonable,' Vanta thought.

Approaching the figure, Vanta's eyes widen. How was surprised at the sight of who it was.

"Raymond?"

"Vanta?. What are you doing here?" he asked; a mixture of happiness and surprise was written on his face.

"I was nearby; besides, I should be the one asking the question."

"Well, I was on my own before this crazy girl came attacking me. Only the colors knows what she's after," Raymond responded. He went silent before adding. "It's great to see you again, my friend."

"Uhm, same. Let's save the pleasantries for later. Can you perhaps undo the weather?

Meanwhile, Ash had just reached where the wounded girl was. She has beautiful with red hair and eyes. She was slender; her dress was glamorous and screamed of nobility.

"And who might this pretty lady be?" She said, looking at Ash with an intriguing gaze.

"I don't know what got you into this fight or why, but continuing it could attract a massive horde of abominations." Ash tried to explain, but her host wasn't listening.

"You're beautiful, really beautiful. I'd like to know you better. They say one's true intent lies within. I'll like to get to know the real you."

She drew out one of her swords and pointed it at Ash. At the very moment, her calm face changed, her lips curled up, turning into a mischievous smile. She added.

"What connects the soul, the mind, and the body? It's the blood." Her smile widens. "Show me what kind of person you are. Show me your blood; bleed for me.".

She dashed at Ash, her movements fluid and a blur. Almost instantly, she appeared beside Ash, her sword cutting a horizontal arc, aiming for her right shoulder.

Ash was able to evade the first attack by jumping out of the way, but before she could land on her feet, the next attack was already closed. She managed to block it, but the impact of the collision sent her spiraling on the cold snow.

"Not bad." She commended Ash, who quickly sprung up.

"I see. Going for a non-lethal strike while clearly having the chance to deal critical damage. Sadistic much?"

"And you're the type who doesn't care about anything. See? Fists has its own language; we're clearly getting to know each other better," she replied.

She charged at Ash one time. Ash thrust her sword forward; the girl could have dodged it but simply allowed it to impale through her ribs. Using this as an opportunity, he grabbed Ash's head and headbutted her.

Streams of blood ran down Ash's nose; her teeth were now painted in red. Not wanting to lose to the mysterious girl, she grabbed her shirt and slammed her to the ground. The impact created a rain of cracks on the earth; Ash immediately kicked her away into the distance.

"Good, very good. More, let's get to know each other more." She said, staggering up on her feet.

"Tsk, I've had enough of this. Playtime is over. SHADOW DARKNESS PAINTING: EROSIVE VEST."

A cloud of black miasma formed from thin air, covering all of Ash's body. This was the ability of hers that Vanta had seen before, which radiates a sinister presence.

On the other side, Vanta and Raymond were watching as the battle unfolded. They were watching with rapt attention how the two ladies fought.

"Shouldn't we stop them?" Vanta asked.

"We'll get involved again. Do you know any of them??"

"Only the girl with black hair. She's from my clan."

Raymond looked at Vanta in utter surprise. After a while, Raymond spoke.

"So where has she been?? Do you know where the rest of your clan are now??"

"No, not yet," Vanta replied, shaking his head. "Currently she has a problem remembering things, but I think she might know something that could help out later."

"I see. Well, good for you," Raymond said and tapped his friend's back. They both turned their heads back to the ongoing fight.

By this time, the battle had intensified. Ignoring Ash's miasmic suit, she still attacked. The girl was in bad shape but fought like it was nothing. Ash staggered as the barrage of blows intensified, but due to the fumes of the miasma, Vanta couldn't really tell how hurt she was.

The earth seemed to have sustained the most damage of them all. It was corroding with every step Ash took, leaving nothing but deep decaying patches. Not only that, but the earth was covered with a frightening amount of blood.

As the fight rose to a dangerous level, a sudden voice vibrated through the battlefield. It was said with absolute authority.

"Fighting between candidates is not strictly forbidden. Continuation of ongoing fight or instigation of one with result in failure."

"Aww, that's too. I guess we'll continue our girl time some other time." With that, she disappeared into the forest with speed impossible for an injured person.

Two things became clear: One was that this was the same girl he had seen outside the hall staring at the sun, the sun; the second nd one was more ominous. This girl had not once used her ability against Ash.

'Who was that girl and what in colors name did she want?'

Although Vanta was curious, these thoughts would have to wait, right now he had some else he had to do, the final step to completing this exam.