The sun was beginning to dip over the ruins of Varis, casting long golden streaks over broken rooftops and soot-streaked walls. Gabriella hovered a few feet above the ground, watching the horizon in thought.
"This place…" Indra muttered beside her, his gaze sharp. "Who could've done this?"
Gabriella's eyes flicked toward him. "Yeah… this is either a strong demon's work—or a Zehirah."
"They have to be around here, right?"
"I don't think so. I didn't see anyone on the way over here."
"I should go check," Indra said suddenly, stepping forward.
"Wait! What if a Zehirah is around?" Gabriella asked, alarm in her voice.
"It's okay. This is what I trained for. And what if another village is being attacked right now? I could help them."
"But…"
"It'll be fine. When you're done, come to my location."
Gabriella hesitated but finally nodded. "I see there's no talking you out of this. Okay… but please be careful."
"Will do! I'll see you in a minute," Indra said with a grin as he shot off into the distance.
Gabriella turned back to Lumina and the others. "Let's find some more people."
"Yes ma'am," Lumina responded.
Flying low through the nearby terrain, Indra scanned the surroundings carefully.
No destruction here… he thought. I guess they already escaped.
Then, just ahead—he spotted a small village nestled in the trees. He started toward it, but—
WHAM!
A translucent purple axe slammed into his side, knocking him from the sky and sending him crashing into the earth below.
Dust billowed up as his body carved a small crater into the dirt.
"Haha! That was easier than I thought," a voice giggled through the dust.
"You sure this is the guy?" another voice asked. "He seems weak."
"Who's there?!" Indra grunted, climbing to his feet.
"It has to be. He's the only one here."
"Get rid of this dust—it's getting in my eyes!"
"Fine. Whirlwind!"
A sudden cyclone of wind ripped through the air, scattering the dust. Two figures stepped into view, their dark energy pulsing off them like heatwaves.
Layla smiled wide. "That's better. Don't tell me they warned us about a child?"
"You said this Velari was gonna be strong. I thought we were gonna have some fun," Kayla said, yawning.
"This sucks," Layla added.
"You must be the ones responsible for Varis!" Indra growled, tightening his grip on his swords.
"Varis? The hell is that?" Layla blinked.
"Ohhh… must be the village we destroyed," Kayla said, casually.
"Oh, that place? Yeah, we were bored," Layla shrugged.
"You talk about it like it was nothing. Do you know how many people you killed?!"
"Who cares?" Kayla said, bored. "You plan on doing something about it?"
"Those people deserve better! You will pay for that!"
"You?!" Kayla laughed. "Don't make me laugh."
"You dare challenge The Zehirah? As weak as you are?" Layla smirked. "Then let's go, kid. You better make it entertaining."
"This is gonna be boring," Kayla sighed. "Layla, you handle this."
"Fine. More fun for me!" Layla said gleefully.
A purple aura flared around her, and translucent swords and axes floated into the air.
Indra rushed in, blades drawn. He slashed in a flurry—but Layla dodged easily.
"Man… I don't even have to use these," she said as her summoned weapons faded.
"Big mistake!" Indra snapped. "Duel type! Axe blade!"
He slashed in an X across Layla's chest, then shot behind her.
"Arch Light Blades!" he shouted, swinging both blades upward. A burst of brilliant energy shot into the sky.
Layla's body hit the ground hard. Indra turned toward Kayla. "That's one down."
"That's a stupid name," a voice groaned behind him.
"What the?!" Indra spun back.
Layla's body exploded in a flash, engulfing him in smoke and flame. When the smoke cleared, Indra lay in a crater, bloodied and stunned.
"Do you Velari always have stupid names for your attacks?" Layla asked, now standing beside him. "I hope that wasn't the best you could do."
Indra gasped, trying to move. "What… just happened?"
"Well, that was disappointing. If this is what the Velari have to offer, then this'll be easier than I thought," she said, brushing dust off her shoulders.
"If you're done, let's head back. This is boring me to death," Kayla said.
"Yeah, let's go. Killing you would be a waste of my time," Layla added, walking away. "I guess being pathetic worked out for you."
"You should resign," Kayla laughed. "You're an embarrassment to your group."
They vanished into a swirling portal.
Back at Varis, Gabriella had just finished healing a small girl when she froze. A deep boom echoed in the distance.
"Did you hear that?" she asked, turning toward the noise.
"Yeah… he must've found the demon," Garrik said.
"You're still worried about him?" Lumina asked.
Gabriella nodded. "I just want him to be safe."
"Go check on him, then," Garrik urged. "You've done enough, Madam Gabriella. We can take it from here."
"Okay. Thank you," she said, taking off into the sky.
As she flew, she spotted a massive crater in the distance. Her eyes widened.
"That must be where Indra is!"
She landed fast and hard.
"Oh my god—Indra!" she screamed, rushing to his side.
He lay motionless in the center, battered and unconscious. She dropped beside him, her hands glowing as she started to heal.
"Please be okay…" she whispered.
His body stirred. Slowly, he blinked and sat up, wincing.
"Take it easy. What happened?" Gabriella asked gently.
"I… I found them," Indra said, breath ragged.
"Found who?"
"The demons that destroyed Varis. Two women."
"Two women?"
"They looked like regular people."
Gabriella's face darkened. "Did one of them wear purple and the other red?"
"Yeah… how'd you know that?"
"Demons don't normally work together," she explained. "And when you said two women, I knew who you were talking about."
"Who are they?"
"Kayla and Layla. Two upper Zehirah. They don't look like it, but they're very dangerous."
"Damn it…" Indra muttered, clenching his fists. "All that training… I only fought one of them. And she wasn't even trying."
"That's why you shouldn't rush it," Gabriella said softly. "Come on. Let's regroup with the others."
She helped him to his feet, and together, they flew back toward Varis.