8 An Attack

It was a four-legged beast. Its white body was adorned with gold markings which covered almost all of it. Majestic feathery wings sprouted from its back. Glittering golden eyes scanned their surrounding. It didn't regard Nea as a threat. The beast roared, revealing dangerous sharp white teeth. With a quick wave of its wings, it broke the roof and ascended to the sky. Nea stared at the distancing figure, mouth agape.

Though it was night, many saw the strange being flying in their unchanging sky. Some panicked and ducked into their homes. Others watched in bafflement. Born in eternal spring, they never saw such a ghastly creature. A handful who had experienced the outside world brought out their weapon, preparing to fight.

The guards at the Sanctum trembled as they saw the beast coming toward them. Even from afar, one could feel its terrifying aura. Many of them were assigned this role merely as a long-lasting custom. Their days were spent meandering around the peaceful land.

Brianna barked, "Get a hold of yourself! If you can't even stand straight run away before you get your head bitten off." The guards tried to compose themselves, but some of them still had their hands trembled.

Brianna frowned at the flying beast. It approached the barrier and landed firmly on it. It opened its mouth and a ball of energy began to gather. It got brighter and bigger with each second. Until finally it shot out a blast of light. Cracks emerged on the barrier.

"We're done for!" A guard whimpered.

The barrier broke with a spark. The beast dived past the hole it had created. It scanned the Sanctum, looking for something. Brianna raised her spear as she infused her qi into it. With great momentum, she threw it toward the beast.

Unfortunately, it evaded her attack. It turned toward her, revealing a menacing grin. It flew like a shooting star and tried to hit her with its sharp claws. Brianna called her spear back and blocked it. She was pushed back by the force.

"Not bad," Briana said. She channeled her energy to her foot and kicked the beast. It barely budged. Brianna jumped back to avoid retaliation. "You're a tough one."

Brianna activated her flame. Fire engulfed her spear and her eyes glowed. She dashed toward the beast. Her spear moved so fast that many could only see its shadow. And yet for such an ungainly creature, it could still dodge her attack.

Brianna slammed her spear to the ground, pillars of flame burst out from the earth and surrounding the beast. The flame swallowed it whole. Brianna jumped to the air and threw her spear into the flame, intending to impale the beast.

The beast reared its head and released a deep roar. A circle of ancient runes surrounded and deflected Brianna's attack. Faster than before, it gathered energy and shot a beam of light.

Brianna could only channel her energy to form a shield.

DANG!

She took a sharp breath when she saw a fire bird standing in front of her. Brianna turned her head and saw a woman with eyes deep as the sea. Her long hair swayed by the wind. The panicked guards immediately calmed when they saw her. Ava, the Matriarch, observed the creature. In turn, the beast's attention was completely drawn to her, forgetting Brianna.

Ava said, "Shadow of the past, your presence is not welcomed here." She raised her hand and countless small butterflies made of fire emerged. They trapped the beast in their a blazing wave and rained down upon it. Like shooting stars it shattered the shield the beast had made.

The beast roared once more, releasing its might. It destroyed a wave of butterflies but even more came. In its last throes, it leaped forward to Ava. The butterflies merged into one and impaled the creature.

Ava watched it struggle. Unexpectedly, the beast grinned and exploded. Ava's eyes widened, and she raised her shield to protect the surrounding people. A blinding explosion detonated on the Sanctum's ground. When people could finally see again, only white and gold blood remained on the ground. Ava stood there silently, unharmed.

"Esteemed Elder!" Brianna ran close.

"Don't come any closer!" Ava said.

Brianna stopped in shock. It was the first time she had heard the matriarch raised her voice.

Ava raised her hands which were covered in the strange blood. It was seeping into her skin and invading her.

"Call the other Elders," Ava said.