Blooming threat

Unknown-

Within a place full of snow and ash, tall hills blanketed the place as the tall trees with black wood and pale ash-like leaves swayed by the wind. Star beasts roamed the place. Battle cries, screams, clashing sounds filled the area as two beasts fought each other.

One of them had a body similar to a lion but it was double in size, its skin was black like onyx, its eyes were ruby-like red, its mane was made up of smoke, and its fangs and claws had purple sheen to them. It had a natural aura of dread.— A Darkmaw lion—

The other one was a serpent as big as the lion, its skin white as marble, its slitted eyes were dark green and had an ominous glint to it which made one feel fear from just looking on them, black cracks covered its body, its two jade like fangs made it much more predatory. — A jade serpent—

Both of these star beasts were of Ignited ranks, they clashed together seemingly ready to either kill or die.

The darkmaw lion roared and a purple smoke left its mouth.

"ROOOOARRR"

The jade serpent slithered as it dodged the purple smoke and wrapped itself around the darkmaw lion as it bit its fangs into the back of the darkmaw lion. The darkmaw lion roared in fury as it thrashed around, causing the jade serpent to lose its grip. The darkmaw lion grabbed the jade serpent's tail and tore it apart with its crystal-like claws.

"Hisss…" the jade serpent hissed in agony and fury as it moved away from the darkmaw lion.

The darkmaw lion dashed towards the jade serpent as its claws glowed brighter. Seeing that, the jade serpent opened its mouth and a green smoke started to cover its fangs then it jumped at the lion. The two beasts clashed once again, tearing and ripping each other apart.

After a few minutes, the darkmaw lion was able to defeat the serpent and started to rip apart its dead body. That was until…

*shhhh*

A sabre blade passed through its head, claiming its life.

A man with a lean, trained body, seemingly six feet tall, short black hair and striking yellow eyes, His face was painted white, with a big red circle on his left eye, and a big yellow circle on his right eye and a small white tear drop beneath both of them. A wide, painted grin adorned his lips. He wore a black noble-like jacket over a white shirt and black tie, paired with black pants and a brown sheath for his sabre. Solid black shoes completed his look. He had an elegant and unnerving aura. He stood atop the darkmaw lion's back as his sabre claimed its life.

"Eliot." a heavy and annoyed voice called out to him.

Eliot turned toward the voice with a wide grin. He jumped from the dead darkmaw lion's head and landed in a dramatic bow.

"My bad, gentlemen." Eliot said as he lifted his head and looked at the six figures standing before him. Five of which had hoods covering their faces.

The one who had called to him was a man with a lean muscular body, seemingly six feet two inch tall, shoulder-length light grey and yellow hair, fierce black eyes. A scar ran through his left cheek, He wore a dark green shirt with its upper two buttons open wide and rolled up sleeves. Coloured tattoos covered his forearms giving him a wild aura. Paired with cream pants and black boots. He walked forward and spoke with furrowed brows.

"Eliot, you remember we are here for work don't you."

"I do, I do. Arthur." Eliot said as he raised both of his arms in defeat.

Arthur sighed deeply upon seeing that as he spoke.

"When are you going to stop doing this?" Arthur said as he shook his head.

Offended by his words, Eliot narrowed his eyes as he spoke.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Nothing, nothing." Arthur said as he shook his head.

"Hmm, I thought so." Eliot said as he nodded to himself.

"Let's continue." Arthur said as he gestured to the five hooded figures to follow.

The five hooded figures nodded as they started to follow both of them as they walked through the rough area.

They soon reached a clearing where something unusual was taking place.

Black sand was spinning in the shape of a sphere in a rhythmic way. A black dot glowed at the centre of the sphere which looked like a hole in reality itself.

Arthur moved forward, his hands started to glow as a solid red layer covered his arms and he punched.

*Boom*

The sphere crumbled and so did the boulders and hills in the direction of his punch.

"Show off." Eliot called out with a teasing tone.

"Hmph." Arthur just snorted at him.

As the dust settled, a tiny, nail-length hole in space itself could be seen. The sound of sparks came out from time to time.

*pss* *pss*

"Another rift huh…" Eliot spoke as he looked at the black hole in front of him.

"It's still far from opening." Arthur replied as he continued to look at the rift with a solemn look.

"Yeah." Eliot agreed with a nod of his head.