Three figures stood before them ..
three silhouettes that looked as though they had been waiting for them for a very long time.
Slowly, the three shapes began walking toward Rosielle and the others from the distant road…
And at the center of their path walked a red haired woman, striding forward as if she herself had brought the other two.
Rosielle's eyes widened the moment she saw her.
"...Ignara," she breathed, stunned.
Before Rosielle could say anything more, Ignara stepped close so close her lips nearly brushed Rosielle's cheek and with a chillingly beautiful smile she whispered:
"How's the surprise, Miss Pretty?
Did you think you could slip in and steal from me?
Now watch what I do to you."
Ignara's gaze swept around them, assessing each person, then she clicked her tongue and laughed softly.
"Hmm. You even brought company.
How disappointing…
None of you will leave alive."
As she spoke, two figures arrived at her sides
A woman with long, emerald-green hair: Sylvara Eryndis,
And a breathtakingly handsome blue haired man: Azerion Marethys.
The moment Rosielle saw Azerion, her breath caught.
She could tell instantly these two were extraordinarily powerful.
Knowing this, Rosielle turned to Ignara sharply.
"Ignara, you're mistaken. You misunderstood everything.
I only sent my creature to deliver a message.
We only came because we need your help "
Ignara's expression shifted instantly, her voice rising like a whip.
"Help?
Do you think I'm a fool?
You walked into my territory without permission, dragging people along
and now you claim you want help?
Whatever scheme you planned ends here."
Ignara paused, her smile twisting into something deadly.
"And now… you will go where we want you to go. Upwards."
The insult was too much. Varen stepped forward, placing himself between Rosielle and Ignara.
"Is that so?
Then let's start… and see who stops who."
Ignara froze.
Varen's towering, muscular body and sharp, beastlike eyes radiated real, primal strength
a true, dominant presence.
She instantly walked right up to him, her fingers sliding against his chest as she murmured:
"Ignara… and you?
Very well. I've changed my mind.
Not everyone has to die."
She tapped his chest lightly. "Except him. He can live."
Just as she was about to continue, Varen brushed her hand aside
and glanced at Rosielle. But Rosielle wasn't even looking at him. Her gaze was locked on Sylvara, burning with anger, and Sylvara glared back with the same intensity.
Her eyes were locked on Sylvara filled with a fury that promised a deadly battle.
Ignara realized she was being ignored and snapped, voice rising:
"You insolent man!
How dare you ignore me , someone like me?"
But Varen wasn't even looking at her.
Ignara sneered. "Fine then. I take it back.
Everyone here dies."
As soon as she said it, Azerion began moving toward Lyanna.
Lyanna felt her chest tighten.
Not because she was weak
but because this situation forced her to appear weak…
and she hated it.
Before Azerion could reach her, Vaelith stepped in front of her, blocking his path silently.
Ignara looked back at Varen.
"Don't think I'll spare you just because you're a 'hot guy.'"
Before she could continue rambling
Varen punched her.
A brutal, explosive strike straight to her stomach.
Ignara flew backward, skidding across the ground.
She stood again, coughing blood, eyes blazing with fury.
"You uncivilized brute! No manners?!
You attack people mid-sentence?!"
Before she could finish, Varen rushed forward again, fist drawn back.
Ignara smirked bitterly.
"Fine. Let me show you what I am capable of…"
Fire erupted around Varen
massive blazing orbs swirling around him, closing in.
Varen paused only a moment, then drove his fist into the earth.
The ground split violently, chunks of stone shooting upward and smashing into the fire orbs, destroying them.
Ignara stared, stunned.
He was strong
far stronger than she anticipated.
For the first time…
she looked shaken.
And maybe even a little impressed.
Varen smirked.
"Just as I thought.
All bark.
In reality, you're just a tiny little bird weak and noisy."
Ignara shook with rage. "You insolent
Fine! Watch how 'weak' I am!"
Symbols flared around her hand.
The ground beneath Varen cracked open, forming a deep pit as flames rose like a miniature volcano.
Ignara laughed softly. "Try surviving this.
Your stone hard body won't save you when the air itself burns you alive."
Before she could finish gloating
Varen punched the ground again, launching himself upward.
Ignara grinned.
"Caught right in my trap…"
Varen didn't understand. As he leapt to another spot, molten fire poured from above, glowing like lava ready to swallow him whole. Survival seemed impossible.
Ignara's mind raced. I know… you are powerful. Solid as stone. Crushing you won't be easy. I must use your own strength against you… but mere power won't save you. To survive, you'll need speed… but even that might not suffice…
Before she could finish her thought,
Varen descended straight down into the exact spot where he had been just moments ago,
as if he had intentionally chosen it.
There, he drove his full weight into the ground
, plunging like a spear into the earth .
The impact rippled through the soil, shattering it, throwing chunks into the air. The molten fire collided with the rising earth, fusing in a violent, explosive burst. The eruption obliterated both the flames and the ground, leaving a momentary void of silence.
The flaming pit erupted, but Varen was gone.
The explosion shook the entire area.
Dust and wind blew everywhere.
Everyone froze. The sheer strength radiating from him shook the land.
For a moment silence.
Ignara stared at the broken ground, shocked.
"…Did he choose to die on his own?
He hated me that much…?"
She stood there, almost disappointed
Until the earth beneath her began trembling.
Cracks spread around her feet.
A deep rumble tore through the ground
And then ...
Varen Thorne erupted upward, breaking through the earth directly beneath her, fist drawn back
A monstrous punch flying straight for her.
Ignara stared wide-eyed
her despair vanishing, replaced by a wild grin.
Fear.
Excitement.
Admiration.
Ignara's heart raced fear mixed with exhilaration. This… this is the strength of a real man.
She laughed softly, a dangerous, awed sound
"So this… is the strength of a real man."
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