Visarion

Blaid's gaze locked with Zeus, the thunderbird, a creature born of crackling Essentia and raw lightning. The intensity of its energy rippled through the air, distorting it with heat and power. The storm of feathers and light bore down on him with terrifying speed, its piercing eyes reflecting his calm, unwavering stance. Zeus collided with Blaid in an explosion of sound, CRACKLE!, lightning cascading from the bird's form as it enveloped him in a storm of electricity. His body shuddered under the immense power, the force stunning him for a brief second.

But Erenyx had been waiting for this moment. She followed behind Zeus, her movements fluid, almost predatory. Using the jagged pieces of shattered earth as stepping stones, she launched herself forward, her body moving with precision honed by years of rigorous training. With a burst of Essentia coursing through her limbs, she landed a devastating punch to Blaid's chest, her knuckles connecting with a solid thud. Spinning gracefully, she followed up with a swift kick that whipped through the air, followed by a perfectly executed palm strike aimed at his midsection. For a heartbeat, it seemed like the tide had turned in her favor.

But that was when overconfidence slipped in.

Her next strike, though powerful, was telegraphed. With a single fluid movement, Blaid countered, effortlessly diverting her momentum. His eyes narrowed, glowing crimson with Essentia. He raised his hand, and with a simple gesture, the world around Erenyx shifted. The very air seemed to thicken and compress, locking her in place as if invisible chains had wrapped around her body.

"Nihil," Blaid's voice cut through the night, deep and commanding. The word itself seemed to carry weight, pressing down on Erenyx's spirit as much as her body. The ground beneath her buckled, and she was driven to her knees, gasping for breath under the overwhelming force. Blaid, his voice now more pointed, spoke again, his words filled with the calm, but sharp reprimand of a seasoned warrior. 

"You got cocky, child."

The words stung, cutting deeper than any wound she had endured in training. Erenyx clenched her fists, refusing to let the weight of his words break her resolve. She had come too far, fought too hard to let this trial slip through her fingers. Her Essentia surged within her, a defiant roar as she fought against the invisible pressure. She would not be defeated so easily.

THUD!

Blaid's boot connected with her midsection, sending her sprawling across the ground. The breath left her lungs in a rush, pain exploding through her ribs. Yet, before she could even register the pain, her body reacted. In a heartbeat, she rolled to her feet, ignoring the throb in her chest. Her eyes burned with determination as she clasped her hands together, forming a new handsign. She focused her energy and roared, "Strike! Shiki!"

From the shadows, a massive serpent head materialized. Its scales shimmered with ethereal energy, its fangs bared as it lunged forward, jaws wide. The snake, a manifestation of her power, was swift, its strike deadly. But Blaid barely blinked. With a single exhale, he released a pulse of Essentia so powerful that it formed a protective shield around him, the energy shimmering like a translucent barrier. The snake's maw slammed into the shield, its force dissipating on impact, and with a soft hiss, the creature was banished back to Erenyx's inner realm.

Erenyx bit her lip in frustration, but her resolve only hardened. She was not finished. Charging once more, she dove toward one of her fallen axes, her fingers wrapping around its handle as she imbued it with Essentia. The blade hummed with energy as she swung it in a powerful downward arc, aiming to break through Blaid's defenses.

But Blaid was already moving.

With an almost effortless motion, he diverted the axe's path, his hand guiding the blade to the side where it crashed into the ground, sending a spray of dirt and stone into the air. Erenyx used the momentary distraction to her advantage, pivoting into a low kick aimed at his legs. But Blaid, as always, was one step ahead. He leaped into the air, avoiding her strike with ease, and as he ascended, he inhaled deeply, his chest expanding with the gathering power of Essentia.

A split second later, he exhaled, releasing a barrage of fireballs that streaked toward her like falling stars.

Erenyx's instincts kicked in. She slammed both of her fists into the ground, pulling the surrounding earth upward with her Essentia to form a thick, protective wall. The fireballs hit the barrier with deafening crashes, one after another, sending shockwaves through the air. Erenyx smiled to herself as the last fireball hit, confident that she had weathered the storm.

But Blaid was not finished.

While her attention had been on the fireballs, Blaid had moved. In a blur of speed, he appeared beside her, moving faster than her eyes could track. His leg swung around, and before she could react, his kick connected with her side. She was sent crashing through her own earth wall, the force of the impact leaving her winded.

Yet even as she tumbled, she saw her other axe lying nearby. Without missing a beat, she grabbed it, pulling Essentia into the blade as she rose to her feet, her eyes blazing with renewed determination.

"Fall," Blaid's voice echoed in the air, and with it came an irresistible force. Erenyx's body froze, her muscles locking in place as the weight of his command bore down on her. She collapsed to the ground, unable to move, her chest heaving as she fought against the invisible shackles.

Blaid stood over her, his voice calm but carrying the authority of one who had mastered power far beyond her reach. "That is enough, my child. You have proven yourself sufficient."

The force holding her in place dissipated, and Erenyx staggered to her feet, confusion swirling in her mind. "Sufficient?" she echoed, her voice tinged with disbelief.

Blaid's eyes drifted to the glowing scythe he had laid beside him earlier, its blade pulsing faintly in the moonlight. He reached out, and the weapon flew into his grasp with a whisper of energy. "This is a weapon greater than any I have ever lent you," he said, his voice solemn. "But you must prove to be more than sufficient to wield it. You must be worthy."

Erenyx steadied her breath, her mind racing. "And how do I prove that?" she asked earnestly.

Blaid smiled faintly, a rare expression from the stoic blacksmith. "Venture out into the world. Only return to me when you feel worthy to wield such a weapon."

Erenyx's face shifted, her confidence faltering for a moment. "But how will I know when I'm ready?"

Blaid chuckled, a sound like gravel rolling down a mountainside. "If you don't know, child, I'll let you know." He patted her shoulder gently. "Leave when you feel ready. There's no rush."

Erenyx smiled, her doubts replaced by determination. She reached up, untying the cord that held her platinum silver locs in place, letting them fall loose to her waist. "First thing tomorrow."