Apocalyse: Marked by Chaos-Chapter 38 - Flames and Shadows

With a swift move, a sword appeared on her hand, its lustre steel engulfed in flames, its edge was designed with a white golden metal.

She took to the sky, momentarily flying before landing on the border, her sword tearing a Bloodfang monster in halves.

The monsters hesitated, fear flickering in their eyes, but a low growl from their leader forced them forward, their movements reluctant yet obedient.

A smirk formed on Eritrea's lips as she slowly wiped the stain of black blood from her face. She strode forward, her hand effortlessly swirling the sword before she gripped it tight.

A Bloodfang let out a guttural snarl, sensing her movement. It was waiting for her to make the first move.

But she didn't. Instead, she vanished.

A split second later, she reappeared above the monster, fire bursting from her palms. The explosion sent shockwaves rippling through the wasteland, throwing dirt and ash into the air. The beast let out a deafening howl as its fur ignited, writhing in agony before collapsing into the dust.

The rest of the pack hesitated. Fear. Eritrea smirked. "Who's next?"

The answer came faster than expected.

Three Bloodfangs lunged at once. Eritrea twisted mid-air, landing gracefully between them. Claws slashed towards her, but she was faster. She ducked, spinning low, her heel connecting with the jaw of one beast, sending it sprawling. Another swiped at her from behind, but she twisted, her fist colliding with its chest. Fire erupted from the impact, sending it skidding backward.

She cut through the monsters with ease, but her grip on the sword tightened. She could feel it—something pulling at her, a whisper of Olivia's presence flickering in the distance. She didn't have time for this distraction. She shook her head slightly to clear it up.

One of the monsters didn't hesitate. It went for Little White. Eritrea's eyes darkened. She clicked her tongue in annoyance.

That was a mistake.

She flicked her wrist, and the flames around her condensed into a spear of molten gold. With one sharp movement, she hurled it. The projectile pierced straight through the Bloodfang's skull, pinning it to the ground. It let out a final, gurgled snarl before falling limp.

The last creature standing whimpered, taking slow steps back. Eritrea let it.

She wasn't here to slaughter for sport. Her eyes locked with that of the leader's, a knowing agreement crossing their face. They both know engaging in a fight will favour none of them.

The air around her cooled, the golden flames fading from her skin. She turned on her heel, heading back to Little White. Time was running out. If Olivia didn't wake up soon, she wasn't sure how much of her soul would be left.

She knelt beside him, pressing a hand against his forehead. "You're burning up," she murmured. Then, she felt it again. A pull.

It was faint but unmistakable; it was coming from within her. Her heartbeat quickened as realisation dawned on her 'Olivia.' She murmured under her breath.

Eritrea didn't waste another second. She lifted Little White effortlessly, fire surging beneath her feet. With a single step, she disappeared into the wind.

...

A voice, soft as a breath yet vast as a storm, slithered through the void.

"You're waking up too soon."

Olivia's fingers twitched. She could barely move, her body sluggish as if bound by unseen chains. "What... is this place?" Her voice barely came out as a whisper. Her thoughts disoriented, her eyes sluggishly opened. She saw herself cocooned by dark energy, she saw a dim light from afar, pulsing faintly.

The darkness chuckled. "It's where you were always meant to be."

Her heart pounded. No. That wasn't true. She wasn't meant to be here. She wasn't meant to be anywhere but alive. 'Little White.' She groaned as she tried to move, only to be restricted by the energy.

She needed to know if he is fine, she had to make sure he is okay. She cannot stay here anymore. Her thoughts crashed like waves against the walls of her mind.

Her chest heaved, her breaths shallow. She thrashed, every movement sluggish, as if chains wrapped around her limbs. 'I have to move... I have to get back.' The abyss fought to keep her, whispering temptations, but she gritted her teeth. 'No.' It was like a lucid dream, her mind disoriented.

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Instincts told her that there was something waiting for her beyond this abyss.

Her body moved again, this time with conviction. She reached for the flickering light, her eyes locked on it, ignoring every other thing as she struggled against the weight pulling her down. The whispers around her grew frantic, the darkness clinging to her, trying to hold her back.

The voice turned sharp."You can't survive out there. Stay, rest for a while longer. Let the pain fade... there is nothing waiting for you but suffering." It tried to urge her.

'Lies.' She knew it was lying, 'Little White is waiting for me.' She forced herself forward, the golden ember glowing brighter.

The abyss shrieked. The darkness clawed at her, tendrils wrapping around her limbs, trying to drag her back. 'You belong here!' it hissed, but Olivia clenched her fists, pushing forward.

Pain tore through her, a searing sensation unlike anything she had ever felt, as if thousands of needles were piercing through her skull to down her soul.

Yet, she did not stop. She reached for the light. And then...

A blinding flash.

.....

Eritrea landed with a hard thud, dust kicking up around her. They were close.. she could feel it. The pull was stronger now, tugging at the very core of her being.

She had an inkling of what was happening, it was the sea of consciousness. But she can't afford to lose consciousness right now. She had to bring Little White to safety.

Finally, after hours of fleeing, fresh air invaded their nostrils, as the dried leaves crunched under their feet. They arrived in a green damp area, tall scattered trees encamped around them, filters of the moonlight passing through them to the earth.

After finding a safe place. Eritrea put Little white down, her hand gently caressing his face. Her once fierce eyes softened—something unfamiliar, dangerous, stirring in her chest. Longing? Admiration? No... this wasn't what she was meant to feel. And yet, she didn't pull away.