While explosions echoed faintly from deep within the rift, other areas were witnessing the rise of competitors no less dangerous than Nyx or Leander.
A young woman walked calmly between the trees, as if the forest itself parted to make way for her.
Oriana Lumière—her glossy black hair draping over her shoulders like a living shadow, and her emerald-green eyes glowing with quiet intensity. Her features were serene, beautiful even… yet the aura around her hinted at something deeper—balanced strength, unwavering confidence.
She stopped abruptly.
A faint rustle.
Two small creatures hopped across the branches above her—F-rank Thorn Rodents.
Their dark bodies were covered in rigid spikes, their eyes darting warily… watching her like prey far too easy to catch.
Oriana smiled lightly.
"Alright then… let's begin."
The first beast lunged, firing a spray of sharp quills.
She lifted her hand, and a thin layer of radiant light formed before her, shattering the incoming needles with ease.
With a sweep of her other hand, compressed wind blasted forward, pushing both creatures back.
One regained its footing and leapt high toward her.
Oriana moved effortlessly. A short blade of light shimmered to life beside her palm—she slashed through the creature mid-air.
It hit the ground without moving again.
The second tried to flee into the bushes… but the air itself swirled around it, forming a small vortex.
The wind solidified into thin, whip-like currents, trapping it completely.
She raised a single finger.
A concentrated spark of light shot forward, ending the fight instantly.
Dusting her white cloak, she murmured calmly,
"…Well, that was nice."
---
Across the rift, blue mist drifted through the trees, and cold wind curled unnaturally around a lone figure.
A young woman stood in the center of that eerie space—her crimson eyes reflecting the faint glow of the rift, and her golden hair flowing like frozen strands of sunlight.
Naira Vallis—sharp, regal beauty paired with a quiet severity that felt cold enough to freeze the air itself.
She didn't wait long before her opponent appeared.
From between the trees emerged a Hellhound—E-rank. Its body was pitch-black like coal, its claws glowing with burning red cracks. Smoke puffed from its mouth with each breath, and its eyes burned like sparks torn from the heart of a furnace.
It snarled and darted toward her at blistering speed.
Naira raised her hand without hesitation.
"Freeze."
Cold mist burst outward, instantly forming icy shards that streaked toward the beast.
But the Hellhound was fast—faster than she expected. It weaved through the shards and closed the distance in a heartbeat.
It lunged, jaws wide—
But a solid arm of ice formed in front of her, meeting the bite with a crackle of frost and flame.
The impact forced Naira one step back.
"Faster than I thought…"
It attacked again, sweeping low toward her legs.
Naira slid her hand across the ground.
The earth split open, releasing jagged frost spikes that halted the Hellhound just long enough.
She lifted her right hand, and a pure spear of ice condensed from the surrounding air—so cold that mist thickened around it.
She dashed forward. Her strike was clean and precise—piercing the creature's shoulder and forcing it to the ground.
It tried to rise, but frost spread outward from the spear, crawling across its entire body like an icy web.
Naira tightened her grip slowly.
"Stay frozen."
The Hellhound crystallized into a glassy statue… then shattered gently under the pressure of the spear.
She let out a quiet breath and continued through the mist, her glowing red eyes scanning the surroundings.
"E-rank, huh… I need more points."