Rage & denial

Orion's relentless assault on the barrier ceased abruptly, his entire body becoming as still as a statue. It would have seemed born out of fear if only he wouldn't be giving a deadly glare upon his approaching adversary. The atmosphere crackled with tension as his glare seemed to be met with an amused smile.

Approaching him with eerie confidence, the horned woman halted just a breath away from the barrier. She stared at orion, seizing him from head to toe. She licked her lips as of found something of her test as Her claws touched the surface of the barrier, creating a ripple of resistant energy. Orion's grip on his sword tightened, mana coursing through his veins with unbridled intensity. His unwavering gaze locked onto hers, waiting for her to destroy the barrier.

In response, the horned woman raised both of her claws, enveloping them in a swirling abyss of black energy. Ready to d shatter the ilusive barrier. But before she could unleash her destructive strike, a cutting wind surged toward her. Despite her swift reaction, her leg suffered an injury, leaving trail of dark blood behind. Frowning deeply, she turned her attention to the unexpected assailant.

There stood Lisa, her earlier injuries seemingly healed. Wind mana coiled around her sword like a wild tornado, its fury intensifying with her each step forward. Mana waves emanated from her, surpassing the boundaries of a mere silver mage. Before anyone could fathom the reason behind her sudden power surge, Lisa blurred into motion. A shockwave rippled through the surroundings as the horned woman was propelled, crashing into the side wall with a resounding boom. Without even glance at orion, Lisa immediately moved after her, dominating the confrontation.

Even if his eyes can't keep up, lisa was clearly had an upper hand in battle. However, the spectacle brought no joy to Orion; instead, his expression shattered as if foretelling the end. Guided by the blunt and straightforward teaching of his grandfather, he was well aware of the stark reality – there was no such thing as a sudden power-ups. Breaking through into the higher stage in the midst of battle was an implausible feat, and in this world, power always came with a cost.

Attempting to comprehend Lisa's situation proved futile; their movements surpassed the speed his eyes could track. In the midst of this confusion, suddenly a buzzing noise enveloped him, the mana around him began to vibrate and with a flash of light, a blue-smoky portal materialized beside him, radiating the same azure glow as the barrier that imprisoned him. Pulsating with energy, it emitted low waves of shock into the surroundings as if inflated by energy.

Surprised by the sudden appearance of the portal, Orion's attention shifted back to the pendant that hung beneath his shirt. He slowly pulled it out, just to find it had changed. The pendant took the form of a single, intricate snowflake—its silver surface intricately crafted to resemble the delicate symmetry of nature's frozen artistry. Each crystalline edge shimmered in the radiant blue glow, as if capturing the essence of a moonlit winter night. Slowly emanating a furious blue light. And it was then, that a sudden realization struck within him.

Understanding dawned, and anger welled up. This necklace was a birthday gift from Lisa. It had exhibited the same intense glow when he first found himself within the barrier. Lisa's distress had overshadowed the significance at that moment, but now, as the necklace glowed again, and the portal materialized and the pieces fell into place. She had orchestrated this from the beginning, likely instructed by their grandfather.

His anger intensified as a voice resonated in his mind, "Leave through the portal Ori. It will take you to the safe house prepared by Grandpa."

"No, let me help. Together we can beat her; you don't have to stay behind," Orion vehemently replied, refusing to escape alone.

Lisa, however, remained resolute. "No, I have already used my potential as a mage to forcefully break through into radiant silver. My future as a mage is already over. I can't let you risk your life here. You are too precious..."

Her grandfather's warning echoed in her mind. Before leaving three months ago, he had cautioned her about this very situation, instructing her that if he failed in his mission, consider him dead. His final words were clear: "Make sure that Orion survives. He has to survive at all costs. All is up to him now."

She was going to do it anyway; she didn't need a damn prophecy to save her kid brother. He was just too precious to her, and she was determined to do whatever it took to save him.

Before she could finish her sentence though, Orion cut her off, his voice laced with rage. "Don't give me that bullshit again... Grandpa isn't a god; he can't see the future. I'm no one's hope. This is all damn bullshit!!"

He continued, "I don't care if you're not a mage. You can leave normally; let me help. Please, don't do this. Not you too... Let's escape together."

Desperate to convey more, his plea hung in the air, but their mind link was abruptly severed, leaving him alone with the echoing clashes of colliding weapons.

Rage consumed him like a storm, anger bubbling up inside him like molten lava. "Every time, Every! damn! time," he thought, the weight of frustration pressing down on him.

Finally, his rage erupted, and he began to pummel the barrier again, each punch punctuated by a shout that reverberated through the whole surroundings.

"You're all the same, selfish cowards, finding the easy way out... burdening me with your excuses of love, with excuses of protection. You can't decide for me. I refuse... I refuse..." His voice echoed, a defiant proclamation against her selfish act of sacrifice.

In the wake of his outburst, as if thrown from the depths of a dark dream, a severed head rolled forth, halting just before the illusive wall of his confinement.