The winds rustled through her ears. Sinephilim gripped the thick fur around Fenrus' neck as the spirit wolf burst through the forest, faster than any beast Sinephilim had rode. The world blurred past them, trees melting into streaks.
She could feel it.
Something was wrong. She had seen the flames.
Willow…
Fenrus growled beneath her.
"Faster," she shouted. "He's in danger."
Then an explosion.
A blast of fire erupted in the clearing ahead. Searing orange light lit the sky, followed by the cold blue flash of something wrong. Something not magical.
They burst through the tree line like a meteor.
Sinephilim saw it all at once:
Willow on the ground, panting, clutching his neck. His red cloak, his long golden hair soaked in sweat and ash.
Across from him, a man, no, something else.
Clad in gleaming blue armor, shining with cold white lines. No face, just a glass visor reflecting fire. Its arm was raised, and something metallic was around Willow's neck.
Magic-nullifying artifact?
Willow was gasping; the fire in his hands snuffed out like candles. His face looked withered.
Sinephilim's heart stopped.
He definitely lost his magic... this is bad.
"FENRUS!"
The wolf roared. With a single leap, they were airborne.
The armored man raised his arm.
Too late.
The full force of the Alpha Wolf of the spirit world slammed into him, sending him flying through a tree with a thunderous BOOM.
Sinephilim and Fenrus landed hard beside Willow, in one swift move she dismounted. She knelt at his side instantly.
"Willow! Willow, look at me-"
He blinked. His ruby red eyes were glassy, but alive. Sinephilim felt no magic.
"Sin…?" He whispered. "I… I didn't want to fight him. He called me a Worldeater, he's dangerous."
"I know," she said, voice tight with fury. "Let me try to take this off."
Sinephilim attempted to break the collar.
Dammit. How is this thing so strong?
Behind them, the armored figure emerged from the shattered tree, dragging itself to its feet. Not a scratch on its armor. The cold voice crackled from his helmet.
"Athena, new combatant detected. Divine signature confirmed. She's not the other Worldeater. Recommend action."
Sinephilim stood slowly. Her violet eyes blazing.
"I don't know who or what you are," she said. "But that's my teammate you attacked."
"Your teammate is classified as a high-level threat. A Worldeater. My mission eliminate or contain. Step aside Fallen."
"Hmp."
Fenrus prowling at her side, low and growling, eyes glowing.
"I can't let you take him." She said coldly. "We need him."
"My mission is top priority."
Wasting no time Sinephilim ran to her left.
"Fenrus go right!" She commanded.
Fenrus dashed. The wolf already on the armored enemy. Sinking his jaws on its arm.
The armored enemy shot a wave of silver sending Fenrus into the shadows of the moonlit trees.
"Fenrus!" Sinephilim shouted as she rushed him.
It was quick. Far quicker than anything she ever fought. The warrior raised its arm. A bolt flashed from it.
Sinephilim dodged under the attack grabbing its arm. Turning with the arm on her shoulder, attempting to thrown it down.
The armored warrior would not budge.
It's fist hit her face. Yet she stood. Even in pain she grabbed it.
The two grappled.
Dammit, this warrior is strong. If only I had my powers.
Sinephilim was easily overpowered. It slammed her into the ground face first.
"Stand down Divine being, I'm not here for you."
Sinephilim grit her teeth trying her best to find the strength to get back to her feet.
The thing picked her up as if she were a sack of weeds.
She kicked it in the face. But it only looked back and threw her away.
Fenrus' fur was the comfort she felt when she landed.
The thing knelt beside Willow.
"Let him go!" She roared pushing off Fenrus.
It did not even flinch. It glanced at her like she was a checklist item.
"Divine signature identified, facial scan saved." Then it pressed a button on its arm.
A thin column of blue electricity ignited behind it. The air vibrated.
"No!" Sinephilim lunged forward.
Too late.
Apex turned his back to her and stepped into the portal, dragging Willow with him.
Willow met her eyes, just once, wide, frightened, apologetic.
The portal snapped shut like a blade.
Gone.
Silence fell.
Fenrus growled low beside her.
Sinephilim's fists trembled, her veins bulging from her skin.
"What in father's name was that?" she whispered.
And now… Willow was gone.