Into The Unknown (2)

In the past, the city of Vocisklesma was renowned not only for its vibrant sounds and voices but for something far more extraordinary. It was a time when the Oscillating Waves surged with unrelenting power, threatening to unleash destruction upon the kingdom and its neighboring lands. The stakes were dire, and failure to address the imminent threat could lead to an apocalyptic era, pushing humanity to the brink of annihilation.

To combat the looming danger, the courageous warriors of Vocisklesma were dispatched to treacherous locations, their mission to provide crucial support and spearhead operations against the dreaded Everthornian Monsters. These legendary creatures posed a formidable challenge, but it was through the efforts of these valiant warriors that hope flickered amidst the encroaching darkness.

Among the defenders stood the Seven Voices, a group of extraordinary individuals who possessed unconventional powers and exerted an indomitable influence. Each member carried a unique title, shrouded in mystery and never revealed to the public.

As the battle raged on, the old lady, who called me the Whisperer, launched relentless attacks from a distance. Her gnarled claws sliced through the air, emanating an intimidating pressure that sent shivers down my spine. I found myself desperately dodging each strike, but her swipes unleashed a powerful gust of air that shredded everything in its path. Trees were felled, rocks were pulverized, and the environment trembled.

"Whisperer, you possess qualities that would prove to be necessary... for a great sovereign... however, it seems you have been taught incorrectly..." she said as she continued to attack me from a distance.

Since the fight began, I had remained stationary, locked in a tense standoff. With each swipe of her gnarled and twisted claws, the old lady unleashed a palpable sense of intimidation, sending shivers down my spine and warning me to proceed with utmost caution.

Dodging her attacks proved arduous, as the sheer force behind each strike sent pressurized air hurtling through the surroundings. The destructive power of her claw-like hands tore through objects with ease, leaving a trail of devastation. Trees and rocks crumbled under the onslaught, forcing me to constantly evade the onslaught. Each attack closed in with chilling accuracy, leaving me perpetually on the defensive.

As the old lady swung her claws, the tall, dark trees enshrouded in fog toppled one by one, and rocks scattered across the ground became deadly projectiles. Though some trees managed to withstand the assault, they bore deep gashes along their sides, susceptible to collapse with a single forceful push. The environment, which had been my only ally thus far, threatened to betray me.

A counterattack became imminent that I had to make soon, but it had to be impactful, preventing her from punishing me further and allowing me to gain the upper hand. With lightning speed, I darted around the surrounding trees, executing swift and intricate movements to confuse her senses. Every step carried the hope of discovering an opening, a chance to seize the advantage. Yet, despite my efforts, the opportunity I sought eluded me.

As I continued to prance around the area, the cold atmosphere infused a sense of distraught into the battle. Fatigue crept in, but there was no alternative—this was the only strategy available to me at the moment. Despite my heightened agility, her sharp attacks persisted, relentlessly tracking my every move.

"Whisperer... I fear that the current approach will not lead to victory," she stated, her voice tinged with a mix of appreciation and a harsh truth. "The disparity between us is too vast to overcome."

Though her words annoyed me on some level, I couldn't ignore the reality they conveyed. However, I had to keep trying—now or never. With a burst of determination, I dashed out of the deforested forest, leaving behind a chaotic landscape of fallen trees and shattered rocks that adorned the ground like a gaudy artistic design. The fog swirling around her seemed to intertwine with her aura, adding an ethereal quality to the scene.

The shift to the open area near her marked a turning point. Here, amidst the debris, the battle would reach its climax. Fallen trees and shattered rocks formed an intricate backdrop, while the swirling fog created an atmosphere of mystery and danger. The stage was set for the battle that was about to unfold.

I leaped over fallen trunks and boulders, my heart pounding in my chest as I fought to maintain my footing. The very ground seemed to tremble beneath me, adding to the challenge of my escape.

Her relentless pursuit never wavered. She continued to track my movements with unwavering precision, her eyes glinting with a feral determination. The pressure mounted with each passing moment, pushing me to the edge of my physical and mental limits.

But I refused to give in. I knew that my survival depended on finding an opening, an opportunity to strike back and turn the tide. With sweat pouring down my brow, I desperately searched for any weakness in her defenses, my mind racing to formulate a plan.

Yet, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't find that crucial moment of vulnerability. Her movements were fluid, her attacks relentless. I could feel my energy waning, fatigue taking its toll on my reflexes. Doubt began to seep into my thoughts, threatening to consume my resolve.

Just when it seemed that all hope was lost, a surge of determination coursed through my veins. I refused to be defeated. With a burst of adrenaline, I pushed myself to the limits, leaping from tree to tree, using every ounce of agility I possessed to stay one step ahead.

The struggle continued, the clash of forces echoing through the forest. The air crackled with tension, each moment hanging precariously on a knife's edge. Sweat-soaked and panting, I knew that I had to find a way to overcome this seemingly insurmountable challenge.

In the midst of the chaos, a glimmer of opportunity emerged. A split-second opening revealed itself, and without hesitation, I launched myself toward her, summoning every ounce of strength remaining within me.

The clash was intense, the collision of our powers sending shockwaves through the air. Although I seemed to lose in the battle of strength, I tried my best to counter the force that she exerted in this clash of wits. At that moment, time seemed to stand still as our fates hung in the balance.

As we slowly separated, the fight far from over, I knew that the struggle would continue. But in that fleeting moment, I had proven to myself that I could hold my ground. With renewed determination, I braced myself for the battles yet to come, ready to face whatever challenges awaited me in this dangerous and unforgiving world.

Blood trickled down my arm from a shallow cut, evidence of the intense battle that raged on. The old lady, undeterred by my counterattack, continued her assault with renewed vigor. Her movements were relentless, each strike infused with a malevolent energy that threatened to overpower me.

As I evaded her swipes, I assessed the battlefield for any advantage I could seize. Fallen trees and shattered rocks littered the ground, creating a hazardous landscape that could be used to my benefit. I lunged towards a nearby fallen trunk, using it as a shield against her relentless onslaught.

Blocking her strikes with the sturdy wood, I managed to create a momentary barrier between us. The force behind her attacks reverberated through the makeshift shield, causing it to crack under pressure. But it bought me the precious seconds I needed.

Using the distraction, I swiftly maneuvered around her, evading her attacks and closing in on her flank. With a burst of speed, I landed a series of precise strikes, exploiting a moment of vulnerability. She staggered backward, surprise flickering across her aged features.

However, her surprise quickly transformed into a wicked grin. Without warning, she unleashed a devastating wave of energy that rippled through the air, sending me hurtling backward. I crashed into a pile of rocks, pain shooting through my body as the impact reverberated.

As I struggled to regain my footing, the old lady closed in, her eyes gleaming with a mix of amusement and malice. She approached with measured steps, taunting me with every move.

"You're more resilient than I expected, Whisperer," she hissed, her voice a chilling whisper that echoed through the forest. "But this battle ends now."

Summoning my remaining strength, I forced myself to stand, determination burning in my eyes. The old lady's assault intensified, her strikes coming fast and furious. I deflected her blows with calculated precision, retaliating whenever an opening presented itself.

I was waiting for this moment, the time when she felt like she won the fight. It was the only time when I could possibly let her guard down and maximize the damage that I would inflict upon her. This is what I gained from my uncle in all those years of training him, the annoying little trick that he always likes to use on me. I gathered all my wits and strength, forcing my hand forward. It felt heavy and was difficult to maintain position or even control.

With it, I showed the trick that I have been holding onto for a long time since the fight started.

"The very first lesson that my uncle taught me—" I snapped my hand as I spoke, with a grin.

The atmosphere that was cold began to heat up, and the temperature rapidly rose with sparks starting to float around the area. It was deeply condensed energy that I had saved and placed throughout this fight.

"—Always cover the eyes of your opponent and always hit their face."