SERA

“Magic. Aura. Such things have faded from the minds of the common people. But I can tell you -- they existed. In the previous era they were used as the weapons of kings. In the clash of a great war, one that embroiled the entire continent, it is written that these experts of such power tore the world asunder and destroyed our connection with the source [sic]. No more were people born with the talent to explore such profundities. And in turn, those empires who used such power to stand strong quickly faced their collapse. The many races had grown too reliant on these gifts, and with them gone the world faced an unending dark age. Until the Tesserux was found.”

A Journey to Era’s Past : Chapter 2.1

Sera spent a week studying and training her aura. Her skill had given her some shallow understanding toward it, but Sera wished to see what aura can do for her. What it is. In turn she learned a lot for her patience. Aura is a manifestation of her strength of self. The concept is a little vague but Sera was able to grasp a little of the truth. Rather than the aura pointing to a specific part of her strength, it encompasses all of it. Her physical and mental strength. Everything that speaks to Sera of who she is - that is aura. A physical manifestation of Sera herself.

It also why when Sera visualises her aura it immediately takes her shape. And when she injures her aura it is as if she’s simultaneously injured all of herself. The pain is unbelievable. And the recovery rate is long. It has been a week and Sera is still recovering from her injury. In that week Sera has been testing what aura is capable of and has made a few conclusions. It is able to directly strengthen herself, or parts of herself. It can also be directed into anything attached to her and strengthens them. For example, weapons. However if the object can’t handle her aura it’ll collapse from the strain.

Outside of that aura can also be used to attack directly. It doesn’t matter what shape the aura is in, blunt or otherwise, it always boasts the same powerful penetrative strength. Sera speculates that it could eventually be able to be sent outside of her body as a ranged attack, but her aura is far too weak for that. In truth, these are all the capabilities of the aura that Sera possesses. It’s a rather simple strength. The more powerful it is, the more despair her enemies will face.

It suits her. Having faced a life of scheming, struggling to stay afloat in the deep waters of political machinations, Sera has found herself drawn to a more direct approach. A simpler way of looking a things. In truth, from an outside perspective, Sera is pitiful. Her people have lost their identity as a once noble race. To ally themselves with the growing power of the humans, a race that once committed sacrilege and slaughter against their kind, the council condemned Sera and isolated the elders of their race. The elders are the foundation of their race, the people who pass down the tales of their history and of their past.

The council’s greed eroded the pride of her fellow Elterians and drew them into depravity. Sera was cast aside and sentenced to a life of endless suffering. She is the blessed by the deity of the Eltera people, Telfera, a position of worship by her people. But when she gained that position what awaited her was not prestige, but condemnation. Her love for Raze was just an excuse. In truth they wanted to abuse her position to create an alliance with the humans. It is ironic. Her value as a commodity is what placed Raze in his position, and also what protected him. It is really very ironic. Only, Sera couldn’t find the heart to laugh.

It didn’t matter. Her aura had recovered enough. The food was also starting to run low. Having sorted her feelings out Sera picks herself up and gives her body a stretch. It’d been a little stifling being stuck in one place and Sera was looking forward to moving again. She had spent the majority of her time sitting in one place and training her aura. Sera had discovered that by compressing and expanding it over and over she could cause its colour to slowly deepen which in turn gave her greater strength when she used it. Though she didn’t gain more aura, it is definitely more powerful then when she first started.

Casting one last gaze over the tranquil home she’d made here she turns away and heads back down the roughly-made pathway. It doesn’t take long for the path to open up and for her to enter the large room in front of her where Sera faced the first powerful leopard. To her surprise, she discovered people resting inside. Three Ferrakin to be exact. The two girls in front quickly stood up and took a defensive stance, their still black wings a contrast to the white wings of the boy cowering behind them.

“Who are you?” The girl on the left asks. Her voice is fierce, a match for her oppressive brown eyes, but her hands gripping the metal bat are stark white.

“Are you Sera?” The second girl is more inquisitive, and while the girl takes a cautious approach her face maintains itself in a composed state. I give her a terse nod as I assess them. “I am Alice,” she speaks as she places her hand gently on her partner, causing her to calm down. “This is Grace.” Grace returns Sera’s nod with one of her own, her posture relaxing a little. Though she continues to maintain the distance. “And this boy is Parte,” Alice says as she guides the cowering boy behind her to the front.

He looks a little less terrified as she stares up at Sera, but she can still see the shivering of his body. Her hard eyes soften a little as she realises his state. He holds no malice. He’s just afraid. “I am Sera,” she directly speaks out. “Did Vaun send you?”

“Yes.” Alice answers. “He guided us here. However he said we needed to seek your permission to go beyond.” She gestures to where Sera came out of.

“…I see.” Sera pieces the timeline together and looks at the three of them. No matter how strong a front the two girls attempted to make it is obvious they are tired and vulnerable. Whatever they’ve been through, it must’ve been a lot. “He was right to do so. I may have taken you as enemies otherwise.” She studies them for a moment, picking out their tattered school clothes and mix of small injuries. Only Grace carried a weapon while the other two were bare-handed. “Do you have food?”

“A little.” Alice nods her head, pointing toward a small leopard that was laid down nearby. Some of its meat had been sliced off but there was enough there to last a few days.

Sera looks at them for a moment before opening her mouth. It is a question she cannot escape, not if they wish to use her resting place. “And you will be okay with a sympathiser?”

“Sympathiser?” Grace thoughtlessly answered with another question. Sera just waits for a moment, looking at them pointedly. Alice is the first one to realise as she finally gets a proper look at her.

“Your eyes changed.” Alice subconsciously says. Startled Alice tries to cover her embarrassment. “Sorry. That’s not what I meant. Not everyone believes the words they’ve spread.” As she answers it dawns on the other two, causing Grace to look at her with mistrust and the younger guy to stare with a mixture of conflict and confusion.

“But I am.” Sera forcefully says, driving her point home. “A sympathiser. Can you be okay with that?” Her eyes stare into theirs, searching for any falsehood. Alice looks at her, and then in turn looks at Grace and Parte. The silence fills the room for a moment as they reconcile Sera’s words. With a sigh she reaches down and takes hold of their hands, causing them to look at her. Closing her eyes Alice lets out a strained laugh.

“It’s silly in the first place, isn’t it?” Alice answers, her hands tightening as they send warmth to the other two. “Grace. Parte. Don’t overthink it. I’ve never felt good at the way they taught us.” Alice’s eyes open and she looks at Sera. Her clear eyes stir unfamiliar emotions in Sera. “Sympathiser is a terrible term. I do not know why we hate their race so much. But I do know that I’ve never witnessed them hurt us. I’ve only seen what we’ve done to them. So…yes, I can accept it.” Although the other two are a little more hesitant, Sera can see the clarity in Alice’s words. Alice then continues bluntly. “The world’s gone to shit. This place is insane and the things I’ve seen…well, I’ve lost a lot of faith in people. My perspective’s changed. I feel like a bunch of jackasses don’t have the right to determine who’s good and evil. I’d rather see it with my own eyes.”

“Thank you,” Sera says, her expression sincere. “I hope you can see it with your own eyes. The false prejudice.”

“…I will.” Alice answers, shaken at Sera’s sincerity. “I promise.”

Then come,” Sera says, turning back around. The smile threatening to escape is hidden from view. “Maintain a distance and follow me.” The group of three nod their heads as they pick up their burdens and carefully follow behind Sera. It doesn’t take long for the few of them to reach the little haven and it came as a surprise for all of them, particularly Grace who let out a gasp. The other two were too enraptured to notice as the three wander in, feeling the strange contrast of the grass growing along the moat to the hard wood and uncoordinated vines they had traveled through.

“You’ll be safe here.” Sera says.

“It feels like a luxury after all we’ve been through…” Grace mutters, the other two nodding in assent. “Thank you.” She says sincerely, any extra thoughts washed away after seeing this enclosed space. “We’re extremely grateful.”

“Is Vaun okay?” Sera asks after a moment.

“He is.” Grace answers as her eyes light up with a slightly dreamy look. “He’s very strong.”

“And handsome.” Alice adds.

“And handsome.” Grace repeats subconsciously. After registering what she said her eyes go wide and she covers her burning face, much to Alice’s amusement. “Don’t tease me,” Grace whispers, but it only makes Alice laugh louder.

“I see. That’s good,” Sera says, pushing past the ambiguous atmosphere. “You can rest here. This place is safe, but keep your guard up. The situation can become unpredictable. Your food should last you for a while. Then, I’ll be going.”

“Wait!” Alice calls out as Sera turns to leave. “Where are you going?”

“To hunt.” Sera answers as she turns back to look at Alice. “I will fight my way to the end of this place and find a way to escape. That’s my goal.” Alice looks at her with shock.

“An unexpected answer.” Alice mutters, finding it a little inconceivable. They were just focusing on surviving. Making it through the next day. Compared to Sera, they were truly lacking. “I can help.” Alice says. Before Sera interrupts her she continues, quickly getting the words out. “I didn’t say fight with you. I know we’re too weak. But I can help.” Sera goes silent, and waits for Alice to continue.

“I have an ability that can give a boost,” Alice says. She hesitates for a moment before adding. “It’s completely random, but it’s guaranteed to be positive. I just need to be in physical contact to initiate it.”

“Hmm…” Sera murmurs as she gazes at Alice. “Come over here then. ” Sera motions for Alice to move toward her. Alice moves toward her and places her hand on Sera’s shoulder. After a moment a box appears.

“Oh my god.” Alice blurts out, a little bewildered.

“Pff.” Sera immediately lets out a laugh. “You were right when you said it’s completely random.” She focuses her eyes on Alice with a slight grin. “How do I look?” When Alice looks at her Sera’s eyes appear as if they have dark make-up on them. It feels like a trance as they draw her in. Alice could feel strange feelings stir inside her.

“No!” Alice forcefully looks down, covering her face. “I…I’m sure the next one will be better.”

Sera cracks up again at them, this time unable to stop until a few minutes pass. After gathering herself back together she nods her head and turns away, making sure not to make eye contact. “It was worth a shot anyway. Take care of yourselves.” The goodbye was short. Collecting herself Alice moves back over to where Grace and Parte was, their gazes a little strange when they look at her. The group turn to see Sera’s back fading into the distance.

“Let’s rest.” Grace says. “We’re all tired.”

“…Yes.” Parte says softly. Alice simply stares at where Sera left before nodding and turning herself away.

In the meantime Sera continues onward, entering the room once again. She climbs up into the roof and follows its trail, going even further up again back to that gigantic room. Soon enough she reaches it. Her feet carry her to the small open field, and in turn the two pathways. Knowing the left is closed to her for now Sera turns to the right.

She studies the place for a bit. The right path is a little different. The vines start at the front of the path but they quickly snake into wider roots before devolving into proper tree branches. It’s a strange sight. Approaching cautiously Sera keeps her eyes searching, studying the path around her. She felt there was something wrong with this one.

As Sera steps into the path she notices another thing different. It was definitely long. Her eyes couldn’t see its end compared to the previous path. Sera takes another step forward. As she does something flickers across the edges of her eyes, causing her to whirl around to catch it. But she finds nothing. Her movement slows down even further.

Then the sounds start. The pitter patter of soft footsteps resound around her. Distorted laughs follow her, the type of metallic hollow sound that grates at a person. Sera’s eyes firm as she stops completely, her eyes watching around her. The cacophony continues to increase as Sera remains tense, slowly drowning out her own hearing. As the sound nears its peak something pounces behind her, directly in Sera’s blind-spot.

However Sera is prepared. She immediately feels the change in the air as something quickly approaches her, causing Sera to twist her body to the side as she turns to face the enemy. Coming face to face to the creature makes her pause for a moment. It’s a grotesque monster. Its head is like the closed bud of a rose, a glowing red light filling its very tip. Its head edges out into a group of stem leaves that cover its neck.

Its green body is short and narrow with thin arms and legs that extend out into thick claws. Sera’s hesitation causes her to miss the creature as it passes by her and lands on the ground, settling onto its haunches much like a monkey would. As it does Sera notices a thin vine trail from its back around its body, the vine full of sharp spikes.

Corrupted Gaavani

[ Monster ]

Sera fails to observe it for long as the monster doesn’t wait, instead immediately launching its next attack. The vine coiled around itself whips itself toward her at a blinding speed. Sera moves her head to the side as her hand reaches upward, A deep purple aura condensing around her hand. The vine passes harmlessly to her side as her hand reaches up and pierces through it, its defense giving away immediately as the vine is cut in two.

A distorted scream echoes out of the creatures mouth as it pounces toward her. Sera steps to the side as her other hand is covered with aura and moves downward, punching through its side. The monster continues to scream as it claws up toward Sera. At the same time she catches a new flicker of motion heading toward her. Side-stepping the strike Sera leans down and strikes through its neck, cutting the rose bud from the body. The scream si cut short as thick green fluids spurt out from the cut, covering her hands in the thick substance.

The fluid hisses as its acidic nature tries to eat away at her hands, but the aura covering it stops them. Instead the blood slowly burns away. At the same time another one is pouncing towards her, another disturbing scream echoing out of it. Unable to dodge in time Sera places her hands at the forefront and covers them completely with dense aura. The creature slams into her.

Sera widens her eyes at its strength as it sends her flying, her body crashing into the branches behind her and becoming tangled. Realising the precarious situation Sera condense her aura back into her hands and rips away at the wood binding her. Falling away Sera collapses onto the ground. At the same time the monster is running toward her, its tinny screams painfully warbling in her eardrums. As it nears her Sera moves her aura to her right foot.

Gathering her momentum on her hands she pushes herself upward and twists her body around, sending her foot slamming directly into the running creature. There is no resistance as the reinforced foot crashes into the creature’s stomach and takes away a larger part of its upper body, sending the dismembered body careening into the mess of vines and branches.

Sera takes deep gasping breaths as she confirms its death. Her breath quickly lightens as she gathers herself back together. The fight was short but intense. As Sera watches the two bodies she feels energy gather in one of them. As the energy transfers over toward Sera something surprising happens. The energy, which originally looked very small, freezes and then suddenly billows in size. At the same time Sera feels it. Her ability trigger. And after checking her information Sera can confirm it. She gained three essence, not one.

“A cheat ability.” That is all Sera can say about it. Its value is immense. Humming to herself Sera advances forward, leaving the two dead bodies behind her. A few minutes pass. Suddenly the bodies twitch and then lie still. They twitch again and again, building up a rhythm like a heart kick-starting itself. And then suddenly they sit up, the glowing red light at the tip of the rosebud turning black. The two heads turn and stare in the direction Sera went.

Undead Gaavani

[ Horror ]