My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself in Zei's embrace. The pain was blinding. I raised my hand, brushing her bloodied face. She looked perplexed, and a faint smile touched her lips.
"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice filled with regret as blood dripped from her face.
My gaze shifted to the creature, now mere steps away. Its grotesque blade glinting in the dim light. Blood streamed down its hollow eyes, and its movements were slow but deliberate. It was coming for us.
"When the time comes…call forth my name," the words echoed in my mind. I glanced at Zei, who held me close.
"Azier…" I whispered, as the name left my mouth, the world around me started to change.
White flowers bloomed beneath our feet, their petals glowing faintly in the dim light. A surge of energy enveloped me, cold and numbing. Silver Runes flared to life on my body.
Then, a blade cut through the air, crashing to the ground in front of me. The runes carved onto the sword pulsed in golden radiance.
"What is happening?" Zei asked, her voice hoarse and trembling. Her eyes were wide with shock, locked onto the sword in my hand.
Unfortunately, I couldn't explain what was happening either.
I shifted my gaze at the creature, who seemed to be unfazed as it continued its relentless march towards us.
It roared, lunging forward with its blade raised high. However, the attack never reached us.
I glanced towards the creature, which froze in its tracks. Its lower body had stepped onto the frozen white flowers and was completely encased in ice. It struggled to retreat, however, it was already too late.
I stood up, wielding Azier in my hand. Every step I took, more flowers bloomed beneath me.
It roared in agony, swinging its blade around madly, however, it was all in vain. Countless thorns were hurled at me, but they never reached me. Each one disintegrating into shards of ice.
"This is our chance," I said, turning towards Zei.
"Can you fight?" I asked her, and she glanced at me, her gaze filled with worry
"I can," she nodded, getting up on her feet, wielding her dagger.
"I will distract it," Zei said, her voice steady despite the injuries. "Aim for its neck, we have to kill it at any cost."
I didn't want to put her in danger, however, with my right limb missing, I wasn't in optimal condition to face the creature head-on. So I reluctantly agreed to her plan.
"Don't do anything reckless," I said. The last thing I wanted was to lose her..
"I won't," she reassured, despite the countless wounds and burns on her face.
I focused on the enemy, which still seemed to be struggling against the frost encasing its lower body. Zei lunged forward, her movement swift and deliberate. The creature, sensing her coming towards her, launches a barrage of countless thorns at her like spears, however, instead of dodging them, she simply moves forward
"Zei, dodge!!!" I cried out
A second later, the thorns that struck her all burst into flames, disintegrating into ashes. Zei continued marching forward towards the creature swiftly, it seemed to be completely focused on her.
This was my chance. I dashed forward with the sword clutched in my hand, the creature, who was preoccupied with Zei, noticed me at the last second, however, it was already too late.
I leaped forward, driving the blade into its right eye with all my strength. The moment it struck, blood gushed out in a torrent.
Letting out a piercing shriek, thrashing wildly as it swung its skeletal arm towards me, sending me flying backwards, I let out a pained cry as my body collided against the ground.
"Rayne!!" Zei cried, and our eyes met for a moment.
Despite the agonizing pain, I forced myself to focus. "Finish it!!" I shouted, my voice strained. "It's weakened now, this is our chance."
She hesitated for a moment, but then, gritting her teeth, turned her attention back towards the creature who was still wailing in pain.
The creature raised its sword in desperation, just as I hurled Azier towards it with all my might. The sword tore apart its right limb, and the blade fell to the ground.
"Now, Zei!!"
She leaped forward, driving her dagger deep into its neck, and a fountain of blood sprayed out, and the creature was set ablaze.
Without wasting any time, Zei grabbed its grotesque blade with both hands and drove it into its heart.
The creature let out its final ear-splitting scream before falling silent. Its massive body crumpled to the ground, lifeless at last.
The world around me starts to revert to normal, and the mist around us starts to lift. All that was left was the lifeless corpse of that creature.
"We survived." My gaze shifts towards Zei, who was rushing towards me, her face etched with worry.
"Rayne," she called me softly. I felt the warmth of her arms, but just then, the agonizing pain caught up to me. I coughed violently, blood spilling from my lips, and my vision began to dim.
She lifts me up from the ground and holds me up in her embrace," I am here," She whispered, trembling. "Don't worry, everything is going to be alright." She held me up closely.
I reached out towards her face, wiping away her tears, "..I am fine," I whispered with a weak smile, "It's just pain".
Before she could respond, I heard a familiar voice.
"Rayne, Zei." It was Kristen's voice.
"....out ... .her…..Now," I couldn't hear what he was saying.
My vision darkened, and the last thing I saw was a pair of pristine white wings embracing me and the blinding light of an explosion consuming the world.