6 - Clash against the primordial vampire
A clawed hand hovers in the air, ready to strike Ponygirl-08's face.
But before it can inflict any damage, a long sword materializes in her fist.
Its blade shines with a blinding halo of solid white flames.
The same flames spread across her body, wrapping her.
This special fire feels lukewarm to the touch of a human, but burns anything else.
It is called the Sacred Flame, the manifestation of energy found within the bodies of certain gifted humans.
The sudden blaze forces the creature to retreat.
It hides quickly among the thick shadows around them.
A tense but focused look appears on Ponygirl's face.
She realizes she can no longer hear its soft steps.
The only sound left is the wild barking of the creature.
It echoes all around her, as if the darkness itself were howling.
Behind her, its bloodstained claws emerge from the veil of shadows.
They slash the arm holding her weapon, then retreat and vanish again.
The strike was aimed at Ponygirl's neck, but at the last moment, she dodges, suffering only a close-range wound.
Ponygirl presses her hand against the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.
But once again, its claws strike her.
They tear through her right thigh and the calf below it.
Blood gushes from the wounds, staining the floor beneath her feet red.
The Monster Reaper points her sword upward.
From the blade, an overwhelming wave of light bursts out.
It spreads in all directions at almost instantaneous speed.
The light is so dense it feels tangible.
The blast slams the vampire into the parking lot wall with brutal force.
Its silhouette is burned into the surface.
It collapses to the ground on its knees, covered in blood and burns.
A heart-wrenching, furious whimper escapes from its bloodied jaws.
She doesn't hesitate.
Taking advantage of its moment of weakness, she throws herself at it, aiming to deliver the finishing blow.
But in a desperate surge of fury, the primordial vampire rises to its feet.
Both are ready for the final act of their bloody and fierce clash.
Just a few meters apart, a fraction of a second before impact, it raises its paw.
A raw and primitive blood-red aura wraps around it.
Concentrating magical energy into a part of the body to boost strength is the highest form of magical mastery for a primordial vampire.
The violent claw strike, strong enough to shatter a reinforced concrete wall, is about to reach Ponygirl.
But she shows far superior speed and reflexes.
She anticipates it and delivers a powerful, lightning-fast horizontal slash.
Her blade pierces its right side, tears through its belly, and exits from the left.
A wave of blood, so dark it looks black, gushes from its flesh.
It stains the Monster Reaper's skin and clothes.
Its two body halves are thrown backward behind the girl by inertia.
«The vampire has been eliminated. I'm heading back.»
Ponygirl's voice is gasping and weak, drained by the energy used and the blood lost.
She rips pieces of cloth from her cloak and ties them around her wounds.
Then, limping, she heads toward the shopping mall's exit.
«Excellent. Are you alright?» the elder asks, who stayed in contact with her during the fight.
«All in all, yes. I only got a few scratches,» she replies.
«I expected nothing less from a Monster Reaper of your caliber,» the elder says. «Rather, any news about our main target?»
«Principal Arcara kept her part of the deal. Actually, she even did more. Not only did she place the target in my class, but she also made the target my desk mate. I haven't achieved much yet, but I'm confident. He's really a fool.»
«Your confidence gives me hope, but please, avoid acting impulsively and stick to the plan. A single misjudgment could be fatal, both for the mission's success and, more importantly, for your own safety.»
«I think you're overestimating him a little too much. I can guarantee that the energy I sensed in him is nowhere near comparable to mine.»
«Don't limit yourself to what you see. With the extermination of the Volkom, Ren became the bearer of the Scarlet Crown, and we still don't know how much he can control that power. As if that weren't enough, the Crimson Fury is with him. Against her, not even you would stand a chance.»
«Yes, I've heard of her. If I'm not mistaken, she's considered the strongest of this era. Yet, her name wasn't even mentioned in the mission file... Damn it. This operation is way more dangerous than expected.»
«I won't lie to you. The chances of you completing the mission are close to zero. It's even less likely that you'll come out of it alive.»
«You really know how to reassure someone...» Ponygirl mutters sarcastically.
«I did everything in my power to have this mission assigned to more experienced Monstet Reapers, nut the higher-ups wouldn't listen. Forgive me.»
The elder seems sincerely sorry.
Ponygirl snorts and shrugs.
«It just means I'll try not to die.»