Miles crashed through the dense canopy of trees, branches clawing at his arms and tearing at his clothes as he plummeted toward the ground. Shielding his face with one arm, he braced for impact. But before he could reach the forest floor, a swirling mass of dark smoke erupted from the moonlit shadows, striking him with the force of a cannonball.
The blow sent him hurtling sideways, his body crashing into the cold embrace of a nearby pond. The icy water swallowed him whole before he splashed to the surface, coughing and sputtering. "Ow…" Miles groaned, forcing himself to his feet. Water dripped from his soaked clothes as he steadied himself, his breath coming in heavy gasps.
Before he could catch his breath, the swirling smoke slammed into the ground nearby, shaking the earth with its impact. The dark mass writhed and coiled, twisting unnaturally before solidifying into Vondak's form.
Vondak stood tall, his grin as menacing as ever. He licked his upper lip, his eyes gleaming with a predatory hunger. "You really aren't giving me what I expected, Miles," he said, his voice dripping with mock disappointment. "I thought you'd at least make this fun."
Miles squared his shoulders, he held his sword tightly as he glared at Vondak. "Yeah? Well, I didn't sign up to entertain you."
Vondak chuckled, his laugh low and dark, like the rumble of an oncoming storm.
Miles drew his katana from its sheath with a sharp, resonant hiss, gripping the hilt tightly. The blade gleamed under the moonlight, casting faint reflections onto the rippling surface of the pond. He steadied his breathing, his jaw tightening as determination ignited in his eyes. "If I ever want to see Laurel again, I have to get away from this lunatic," he muttered under his breath, his voice firm.
Vondak's grin widened, his sharp teeth catching the light. "Oh? Finally getting serious, are we?" he mocked, his tone laced with amusement.
Miles kept his gaze locked on Vondak, his stance steady. "Serious?" he shot back, his voice laced with defiance. "I don't know how this sword works, or what it's capable of… but if it means finding Laurel, I'll figure it out. I'll do whatever it takes to see her again."
Vondak chuckled darkly, the sound echoing eerily through the forest. "Now that's the spirit," he said, his voice dripping with sinister glee. "Let's see how excited you can make me."
Before Miles could react, Vondak's form blurred, dissolving into the shadows like smoke caught in the wind. He vanished as quickly as he had appeared, leaving the forest unnervingly silent.
Miles spun in place, his katana held ready, his eyes darting to every flickering shadow. His heart pounded, but he refused to let fear take hold. "Show yourself!" he shouted, his voice steady despite the tension coiling in his chest.
The shadows around Miles seemed to writhe with malevolent intent, mocking him as if Vondak's presence was embedded in every corner of the forest. The oppressive silence only heightened his senses, his grip on the katana tightening.
Then, a sudden rush of movement—Vondak's shadowy form shot out from behind, an inky blur of darkness.
Miles' ears twitched at the faintest shift in the air. Instinct took over. He turned sharply, swinging his katana in a wide arc. The blade skimmed the surface of the pond, sending a ripple of water cascading outward before slicing upward in a ferocious swing. The force of the strike cleaved through the trees beyond, leaves raining down like shattered fragments of glass.
But Vondak was faster. His form twisted unnaturally, slipping to the right with inhuman speed. Before Miles could recover, Vondak lunged, his shadowy hand gripping the hood of Miles' cloak.
"Got you," Vondak purred, his voice a sinister whisper.
Miles stumbled as Vondak's shadowy form expanded. The shadow engulfed the pond, turning its shimmering surface into an abyssal void. The world around them vanished, consumed by the inky blackness.
Miles struggled against the pull, but it was futile. The shadows wrapped around him, dragging him downward.
The words struck like venom, seeping into Miles' resolve. His grip tightened on the hilt of his katana as he raised it defensively.
Then, his attention was caught by a shift—his katana. The blade began to shimmer and ripple, its steel melting into liquid form. Miles stared in disbelief as the solid edge transformed, droplets of water dangling from it before floating upward, defying gravity.
"What the…?" he murmured, mesmerized. The once-gleaming blade was now a flowing current, cascading in an endless cycle yet retaining the sword's shape. Each droplet that broke away drifted upward like stars being born in the dark.
Crimson perched confidently atop the bird, the wind rushing past as they soared toward the towering mountains. His sharp eyes caught a faint glow flickering from a cave nestled high in the rocky peaks. A sly smile tugged at his lips as he leaned forward, rubbing the bird's side gently. "Looks like we've found them, buddy," he murmured.
With a screech, the bird responded, its speed increasing as it dove straight for the cave. The cave's entrance loomed closer, but instead of slowing, the bird charged in at full force. The resounding crash echoed through the cave as it slammed into the stone walls, the impact shaking dust and pebbles loose from above.
"Whoa! Easy there!" Crimson exclaimed, dismounting quickly as the bird shook itself off, feathers ruffling in agitation. He raised a calming hand, speaking soothingly. "Alright, big guy, stay here. I'll handle the rest."
The bird hesitated but eventually stilled, its sharp gaze watching Crimson as he turned to venture deeper into the cave. The faint light flickered in the distance, drawing him onward. The cave's walls narrowed, the damp air pressing in around him as his footsteps echoed softly.
Suddenly, a blur of movement flashed behind him. Before he could react, a force slammed into his back, sending him sprawling onto the cold, rocky floor. He grunted, dazed, as massive talons pressed down on him, pinning him with an iron grip.
Crimson craned his neck to look up and froze. The giant bird loomed over him, its eyes glowing like molten gold and its beak gleaming with a predatory edge. Its claws tightened, the weight of it rendering him completely immobile.
"Well, this is new," Crimson muttered under his breath, his mind racing for options. A faint grin tugged at his lips despite the dire situation. "Guess I should've been more specific about who was supposed to stay put."
To his shock, the massive bird leaned its head down, its molten gold eyes narrowing as it let out a sharp squawk. Then, in a voice dripping with annoyance, it snapped, "Are you seriously talking to a bird?"
Crimson's eyes widened. "What the—?!" He struggled against the talons pinning him. "Wait… you can talk?"
The bird cocked its head, its beak inches from his face. "Oh, I should be asking why you're talking. I mean, really, what kind of idiot banters with a bird while he's pinned to the ground?"
Before Crimson could retort, the bird's voice shifted, more familiar now. It leaned its head closer, its glowing eyes narrowing. "It's me, you piece of trash. It's Nox."