Her breath came in ragged gasps. Her arms trembled, the searing pain in her stomach almost overwhelming, yet her will remained unbroken. The blood that had spilled from her lips dripped down her chin, but she clenched her stomach, fighting to stay upright. Every instinct screamed for her to collapse, but she forced herself to rise, her determination burning hotter than the pain.
"Still able to stand?" Solace's voice sliced through the air, cold and mocking. His footsteps were slow, deliberate, each one echoing in her chest like a drumbeat, each one bringing him closer. The flames swirling around him seemed to pulse with hunger, as though eager to devour whatever remained of her.
But Celestia's eyes stayed locked on him, unwavering despite the fear gnawing at the edges of her mind.
Suddenly, the familiar interface of the System appeared before her. Her heart skipped a beat as the message flashed across her vision. Her eyes darted to the Task, and she froze, her breath catching in her throat.
A timer appeared, ticking down to zero.
━━━『 Villainous System 』━━━
Quest Completed
Title: A Sibling's Fight
Task: Survive against your older brother by any means necessary / Win the fight.
Timer: 0:00
Rewards:
EXP: 440
x1 Melody Branch
A second window popped up in her vision:
Would you like to attempt an unsealing?
[Yes / No]
Without hesitation, she clicked Yes.
The moment her decision was made, her body erupted with energy. It was as if the very air around her ignited in response. A wild, untamed surge of green energy spiraled from her. The skies above her darkened as the energy shot into the skies, splitting the clouds apart.
Solace, startled by the sheer magnitude of it, skidded to a halt. His eyes narrowed, his instincts kicking in. "Shit, I don't know what this is... but it looks like this fight is about to get a lot more interesting," he muttered to himself, a wicked grin playing on his lips. Without hesitation, he jumped back, his body flowing into a stance.
The wind picked up suddenly, howling like a storm. It spiraled around her, coiling into a massive tornado, its force ripping through the air with a deafening roar. The wind dissipated, leaving only a heavy silence in its wake.
Celestia opened her eyes, and immediately, she felt a strange, unfamiliar sensation coursing through her. It was like her very soul had been reawakened, as if an ancient power long dormant had stirred inside her. A hum of energy resonated deep within her body, unsettling and yet... exhilarating. She opened the system.
━━━『 Villainous System 』━━━
Name: Celestia Solara
Age: 18
Elements: Dragon-Tempest
Level: 2
Information Available: Second Seal of ???
Skills: Manipulation – Level 4
Tempest Arts – Level 5
Dragon's Gaze – Level 4
She closed the system with a swift motion, her mind sharpening as she stood tall. A sly smirk curled on her lips, and with a fluid movement, she dropped into her fighting stance, her body poised and ready for the next battle.
Solace's eyes flickered with excitement, his own smirk matching hers before he lunged forward, charging at her In an instant, Celestia's [Tempest Arts] activated. The air around her seemed to warp, and a deafening howl was heard as wind whipped violently around her, spiraling like a living storm. The ground beneath her feet trembled, the power of the tempest gathering as she launched herself forward.
Her fist, now encased in a swirling vortex of wind, shot toward Solace. Their collision was explosive—a violent crack of energy—as their fists collided, sending shockwaves through the air. The force of their impact sent a gust of wind spiraling outward, whipping through the surrounding area.
Their bodies moved like a blur, each strike a calculated burst of power. Punches and kicks flew from both sides in rapid succession, their movements synchronized with deadly precision. The ground cracked beneath their feet with each exchange, a battleground where only one would emerge victorious.
Celestia's smirk deepened, a spark of something dangerous igniting within her. Unconsciously, she began to draw on the tempest swirling around them, using the wind to her advantage. With a fierce punch forward, she released a concentrated wave of wind that slammed into Solace's chest with unrelenting force. He staggered back, his expression momentarily faltering as the wind ripped through his stance, forcing him to take a few defensive steps.
Solace leaped back, his body crackling with energy as he called upon his spirit-flames. A torrent of ghostly apparitions surged toward Celestia, each one howling with the fury of the flames that consumed them. The spirits burned bright before they were swallowed by a gust of violent wind, dissipating into nothingness in an instant. The tempest howled, the wind growing fiercer as if obeying Celestia's command.
Without hesitation, Celestia charged forward, combining the fluid grace of Blossom's Whirlwind Strike with the skill [Tempest Arts]. Her movements were a seamless blend of mastery and elemental fury. Her elbow shot forward like a blade, surrounded by a whirl of powerful wind, aimed precisely for Solace's ribs. The strike was deadly, fast, and unyielding.
Before Solace could react, she shifted her weight, lifting her leg high and launching a crushing kick. A burst of wind followed, slamming into him with the force of a storm, sending him skidding backwards. He managed to catch himself just in time, eyes flashing with recognition.
"I've seen enough," Solace muttered, his voice low, the tone thick with a sense of finality.
Suddenly, a surge of Dragon-Lightning crackled around him. The air around him hummed with power as the sky above darkened, and bolts of lightning erupted violently, striking the ground in chaotic fury. Light pulsed through his veins, and Spirit-flames raged like a firestorm across his body. The energy radiating from him was enough to make the very air tremble.
In a single, explosive step, Solace closed the distance between them, bypassing the winds that swirled around Celestia. With blinding speed, he slammed his fist into her chest. Celestia barely had time to react, raising her arms to block, but the impact was overwhelming. She was sent hurtling through the air, crashing into a nearby tree with a sickening thud. Her body crumpled to the ground, gasping for breath as the world around her spun.
Before she could recover, a bolt of lightning struck from above, followed by another and another. Each strike hit with the intensity of a thunderclap, and Celestia's body spasmed violently as the energy coursed through her. Her senses dulled, and before she could summon any strength to fight back, her vision blurred into darkness as the shock left her unconscious.
Solace stepped forward, his expression unreadable, as he looked down at Celestia's unconscious form. With a sigh, he carefully lifted her in his arms and carried her to a small, modest hut tucked away from the chaos of the battle. The faint scent of wood and herbs filled the air as he gently laid her down on a simple bed, her body still and quiet, a stark contrast to the fiery tempest she'd unleashed just moments ago.
He sank into a wooden chair beside her, his eyes lingering on her slumbering form as his mind raced. Through the small window, he gazed out into the darkening sky, the storm still echoing in his thoughts.
"What the hell was that?" he muttered, his brow furrowing in disbelief. "I know they announced her without any elements when she was younger... but that power—" His voice trailed off, a flicker of realization crossing his features. "That power felt as strong as my Dragon-Lightning... no, It felt more powerful."
He shifted uncomfortably in his seat and turned his gaze back to her, the question hanging heavy in his mind.
"Maybe... it was Dragon-Wind?" He spoke to himself, his voice barely above a whisper, but doubt seeped into his words as he reached for a nearby book, its pages worn from years of use. He flipped through it rapidly, scanning for any mention of the elusive elements he had only heard rumors of. "But... I've never read anything about Dragon-Wind being a thing. It could be Dragon-Tempest, but there's no way. Every report I've seen about that element comes from the Drakathar lands... and only the current King of Dragons has access to that kind of power." He paused, letting the silence fill the room, the pieces of the puzzle refusing to align.
He closed the book with a snap, a wry smile tugging at his lips as he leaned back in his chair, resting his feet up on the wooden table with a casual shrug. "Well, whatever. Doesn't matter much right now. It'll certainly help her on that path to world domination she's so determined to follow." He chuckled softly to himself, the sound almost bitter. His gaze softened as he watched her peaceful form, an odd sense of curiosity mingling with his ever-present wariness.
Raven stepped into the lavish carriage, the weight of the day's events pressing down on her as she sank into the soft velvet seat. Her tall slick purple heels clicked faintly against the polished floor before she let out a tired sigh, her gaze drifting out the window to the bustling streets of Urshorn. One of the most popular cities in Blossom's Bloom, was always alive with energy—festivals, markets, and events drawing crowds from across the region. Today, however, it felt like the city's vibrant pulse couldn't reach her.
She leaned back, closing her eyes for a brief moment. "The festivities, the noise... I just don't want to deal with that," she thought. Though Urshorn had its charm, Raven found herself tired of its endless distractions. There was something more pressing, something calling to her in the distance.
"Take us south," she commanded, her voice steady and authoritative, leaving no room for argument. "To Thalora."
The guard nodded without a word, his expression unreadable, and with a swift gesture, the carriage began its journey. The horses' hooves echoed against the cobblestone road as they headed toward the towering peaks of the Mountains of Blossom.
A knowing smile spread across her lips as she gazed ahead. "It's only a matter of time... Celestia. If I remember correctly, she used to talk about this place all the time... she'll be there," she murmured, her eyes narrowing slightly as she settled into her thoughts, a sense of anticipation growing within her.