As the last sounds of the war disappeared into a void, my heart was hammering fiercely in my chest. The diligent work burned my muscles, my eyes hurt, and sweat ran down my forehead. The dagger's cool handle calmed my trembling hand as I tightened my hold.
Every breath came with difficulty now, each lungful of air feeling sharp and cold, like tiny blades filling my lungs.
This wasn't over yet.
My body trembled uncontrollably from the aftermath of releasing my essence. The power that had surged through me moments earlier now felt like hot needles tearing through my veins. Every muscle was tense, every nerve raw with exhaustion. Yet, as much pain as I was in, the hunger to fight—to survive—was stronger than the agony that wracked my body.
The Dracus snarled and hissed around me. One had fallen, but the others were angrier, their movements cautious now, wary of my unpredictability. Their cold, brilliant eyes locked on mine, they circled slowly, examining every twitch I produced.
I didn't dare blink; sweat poured down my forehead and burned my eyes as it drized into them. My fingers tightly encircled my dagger, my knuckles pale from the effort.Motivated by the intentional approach of a predator, they moved forward, every action precise and synchronized.
They then leaped.
I drove myself forward, body screaming in opposition. My first step seemed slow, heavy, pulled down by tiredness. But instinct seized once more as they closed the distance, allowing me to avoid their assaults. My body moved on its own, every parry and dodge happening just on instinct.
Each time, their claws sliced the air inches from my skin, missing me by a narrow margin. In response, I cautiously moved between them, striking when gaps opened. Now, the dagger in my hand felt more familiar, as if it were an extension of my anger and willpower, a part of who I was. Each blow was precise and powerful, leaving deep wounds that sprayed hot, viscous blood against my flesh and striking a chord with the spirit that was pulsing through my body.
I started to feel more confident. I started to move less frantically and more deliberately. As I adapted to the cadence of battle, my breathing became purposeful, steady, and controlled. I felt a rush of satisfaction after each hit.
The essence allowed me to anticipate their movements somewhat ahead of time, giving me crucial time to dodge or counterattack.
But there was a price for each blow I delivered.
A sharp pain pierced my side again, reminding me that I had been injured before, and my essence was rapidly consuming my reserves of strength. My breath became labored, uneven, my vision blurring around the edges.I felt as though the ground was dragging me down; my arms were heavy, and my legs were slow.
When he noticed my hesitation, one Dracus launched a vicious attack, slamming a huge blow into my ribs. My body erupted in pain as I slammed into a nearby pillar, shattering the stone as I hit it.
Agony exploded along my back, momentarily paralyzing me.
I felt blood trickle from my lip and tasted iron as I coughed violently. But I made myself get back up. I was aware that I would never be able to get back up if I remained in this position. The creature moved forward, its red eyes glimmering with anticipation as it sensed my weakness.
Then, my essence surged once more.
The burning pain in my veins subsided briefly as raw energy surged outward again, coating my skin with an invisible armor. With this new strength, I ducked low beneath a vicious swipe, driving my dagger upward into the creature's chest. I twisted it violently, hearing bones snap and flesh tear. It let out a guttural shriek as black blood poured down its chest.It fell heavily to the ground and I kicked it away.
There were still two Dracus around me, their snarls resonating in my ears. My vision was blurred by dizziness, and my breath came in short, ragged bursts. The agony was relentlessly and cruelly catching up. I was consumed from the inside out by my essence, which was like fire in my veins—powerful but flammable. It would destroy me just as surely as the Dracus would if I didn't find balance quickly.
I caught a glimpse of movement as they closed in again.
The cloaked girl.
She staggered toward us, clutching her wounded side, clearly weakened from earlier. Her hood had fallen back, her eyes fierce despite her injuries. She didn't speak—just watched intently, her gaze locked onto me, assessing my every move.
Why wasn't she helping me?
I clenched my jaw and refocused, pushing the thought away.I had to rely on myself at the moment.
I grounded myself, calmed my breathing, and looked inside to bring the tumultuous spirit under control. Raw power surged and burned beneath my skin, making me feel as though I were clinging to a live wire. However, I was unable to let go just yet.
The rest of the Dracus came cautiously closer. I kept a close eye on them, counting each tiny muscle flex and shift, timing their steps, and anticipating their movements. My senses were heightened; sounds were louder, colors were sharper. I could clearly hear even the faint scrape of their claws against the stone.
They lunged simultaneously, thinking to overwhelm me.
I met their charge head-on, letting my instinct guide every strike. My dagger flashed in the dim light, slicing flesh and bone. The first Dracus stumbled back, wounded but not dead, while the second caught my wrist and twisted painfully, forcing the dagger from my grasp.
Weaponless, my mind scrambled to react. It swung viciously, its claws raking deeply across my chest. White-hot agony burst through me, stealing my breath away. Blood spilled down my torso, warm and thick. But I refused to fall. Summoning the essence in desperation, I drove my fist directly into its snarling face, channeling every ounce of willpower I had left.
The impact cracked something, staggering the Dracus and giving me the split-second needed to retrieve my dagger. I lunged forward, plunging the blade deeply into its throat. Its lifeless body slumped heavily onto me, forcing me to shove it aside roughly.
I collapsed to one knee, gasping, barely able to keep my head up.
The cloaked girl limped closer, stopping a short distance away. Our eyes locked briefly, a silent moment filled with mutual uncertainty. She opened her mouth as if to speak, then froze suddenly, her gaze darting beyond me in alarm.
More footsteps echoed from the distance.
Dread knotted my stomach.
We weren't alone. The commotion had drawn more of them—stronger, better armed. And they were approaching quickly.
She fixed me with an intense stare, urgency in her voice, "If you have anything left, use it now."
I gritted my teeth, muscles burning, limbs heavy, lungs screaming for air. But I knew she was right.
They were coming.
I staggered to my feet, essence pulsing wildly inside my chest, both my salvation and my curse.
But I wasn't ready to die yet.
The fight was far from over.