Ariel held the rear — a quiet position, but one that could decide the battle. She unsheathed a mythril Jian from her waist; its pale, moonlit-blue surface looked as if it could cut through the fabric of reality with a precise strike. Not just anybody could wield a mythril blade; that material went for a pretty penny across Gaia. Even with the Central Sanctuary's favour, Ariel wasn't well funded enough to hold its pure form — her jian was an alloy of several metals, one of which was the elusive Moonlight ore.
Ariel took a deep breath on the back of the last wagon. After the horn had been blown, the air thickened with unease. Her cohort had been thrown into the midst of battle by the herald of chaos, who had already invited the sound of clashing steel. All she could do was stare into the forest's depths in anticipation.
Seconds passed. Five. And then ten. No signs had been apparent. But they had been there. A gentle breeze took sway of a bush, left subtle prints in the ground, and brought those tracks closer. None of them would have been seen if vigilance weren't a priority.
Ariel's jian was long enough for a two-handed grip, though she usually wielded it in one. Now, for a few moments, both hands settled on the hilt. A sharp, thunderous hum pulsed through the double-edged blade. Ariel knew no restraint when the stakes rose this high; the thunder charge was an especially cruel use of the Sigils technique. Jolts of lightning invaded anybody unfortunate enough to come in opposition to it. Perhaps only the flame charge came close in that regard. Yet, it was the only charge Ariel could learn in such a short time. With the amount of work she had last season, theory had to sit on the sidelines while practice reigned supreme.
She let one hand free before grasping a hardwood scabbard.
Her battle had already begun. Pushing herself off the wagon, Ariel stood as an unbreakable wall between the Luvisk and the Caravan.
One had already revealed itself, daring the Sigil Knight to approach. Its jagged teeth were bared in a feral expression. Ariel was not naive; she'd been had in the past and would never allow it again. Luvisk looked taken by bloodlust, but deep within their sick, twisted minds, plans, traps, and formations were at work.
Met by the warrior's foreboding gaze, the Luvisk could tell its ploy had failed. Instantly, it charged forward at an incredible pace, closing the distance in no time. At that moment, two more wretches appeared at her sides. Ariel pivoted, evading the luvisk to her left. In that same motion, her electrostatic blade sliced through another mutt that had approached from the right. Thousands of volts danced along the jian, transferring from its source to its new host.
She was too slow. The original Luvisk widened its maw, unable to dodge, deflect, or strike; her scabbard muzzled two rabid jaws. Noticing the enemy she had evaded was missing, Ariel took a step back, raised her sword into perfect form, ready for a deadly thrust. Pausing in her place, dust kicked up from where she had just stood.
Her flawless stance never wavered, instead being pushed into an attack. An invisible being flickered into reality, its appearance returning to Gaia. Ariel had not been able to aim for a vital — even if she did, the events would have played out the same. No follow-up came; only the sound of kicking feet. Ariel would quickly fall behind the wagons if she stalled too long at the rear. Even so, that was not the reason she ran.
The shocked Luvisk wanted nothing more than to chase its prey and finish the hunt. That desire was dispelled by the current flowing through its blood. Any opponent who came in contact with the thunder charge would be cast into the eternal forest.
Ariel frowned. Her scabbard would forever be lost to the same woods.
Pushing her thoughts aside, she stared at the four Luvisk chasing her. Steeling herself, the Sigil Knight took a different stance, this time a heavily defensive and grounded one.
As soon as her target was in reach, she stepped forward, feinting a cleave and stomping on a paw. Bones crunched under the force. And soon after, a sword followed. The corpse had not fallen yet, because a metal glove grabbed it by the head, using it to block a set of fangs. Her leg rose and sent a kick; in the same motion, a hook, and an electric shock struck her foe.
The two other Luvisks were nowhere to be seen. Ariel had feared a nefarious plan was underway. Looking around, the two luvisk hadn't bothered to conceal themselves so soon. One rushed to the caravan full of non-combatants; the other could be seen on the outskirts of the wagon train, heading towards Valerie.
Only a fraction of a second had passed, yet Ariel had needed none of that time to decide the course of action. Valerie could handle the extra weight; the civilians couldn't.
All the energy she could summon rushed to her. A brief thought crossed her mind; innocents losing their lives. She would not allow it, not in her name, and not under the order's banner.
The vile creature had turned invisible, but it was too late. Ariel's wrath didn't depend on its visibility. Her blade slid through the water-like resistance of the luvisk's fur.
Dark blood covered her armour, but she paid it no attention and took a seat. Exhaustion finally began to creep into her muscles. Still, Ariel couldn't let it bother her. Who knew when the horn would blow next?