Aphele POV

Once I get the chance, I need to tell my mom about her experience with this cooldown period. Because it seems at every turn, we've been hit with nothing but obstacles. I hoped Eridani would've been the last opponent ever to get the drop on us. Still, it's been two weeks since Alihain proved that we needed to be more careful than ever, which is probably why we're heading to the capital of the Darkness Province through the Ever Autumn forest, a one of a kind location that suited our needs perfectly. Like many locations in the province, no one has a good answer for why this place is the way it is. Some say this is where the first portal to the Forbidden Realm was opened or that the broken dreams of every person in the province had accumulated into the forest itself. Either way, this place was known for its strong persisting decay that came together to form a dense and persistent forest of colorful leaves that peppered the ground.

If an attack were to come, the forest was far too dense for most speeders, and if we were to get attacked, Lunaire's pre-planned shadow stigma could get us to regroup eventually. And yet, despite my new resolve, I felt more uncertain than ever. Ever since my fight with Alihain, my elements have felt fiercer than ever, like they were preparing for the next battle to come. Thanks to Zero, Deon's injuries were given the best care, with him saying is that he was bruised but "lighter." However, despite the rather dower tone of the hike Brandon as usual, livened it up in the only way he knew how.

"Man, this takes me back to the good old days."

"You call trudging through miles of dead leaves and twigs good?" Lunaire said, more talkative than usual.

"No, but Basa and I used to take trips like this with the entire class for days on end. Some of the best days I've had were doing pushups under the stars."

"Minus the pushups, that sounds like an elegant experience, especially if they had Mai's excellent cooking," Deon said earnestly.

"I didn't join, Brandon was adamant about that, so I let his little club be," Mai said jokingly.

"Hey, don't say it like that; makes me sound like the bad guy," Brandon said in a childish tone.

"I'm not saying you are Brandon, just stating facts," Mai said teasingly.

"You know what-."

I was about to get in the middle of the milelong argument until I felt what may be the strangest sensation of my life. Like before, I felt the familiar pulse of metal, but this time it was so very different. This time the pulse came from the ground, up to my bones and even to the pendant that Mom gave me last Christmas. It started with the same resonant vibration only to abruptly cascade into a violent quake that shook my very soul. And in the presence of such a menacing aura, my body acted on its own.

"Get Down, all of you," I said, jumping away as a silver dart grazed my hair!

Fortunately for us, we were all fast enough to take a step back, but it was all too late. Before we could even get our bearings, this unseen foe had already drawn first blood. For what felt like a silent eternity, we all scouted out our unknown adversary. We didn't even notice who got hit until Deon fell to the ground as quickly as he had just moved. Mai, in panic, tried calling out to him but got cut short as she grasped her throat as she ran out of air. In her eyes, I could see her struggle, but all that amounted to was a series of tight convulsions that ended in a limp seizure. Lunaire was the best fighter out of all us, phasing her body in the midst of it. And from there, I saw the terrifying fate I had missed. Through her wispy body, I saw the dart melt into her body like a venom with a sense of vengeance so perpetual that Lunaire was also forced to ground. I almost feared I was alone until I saw that by a miracle, Brandon had managed to escape his fate, that well-earned speed of his finally earning its weight. But I couldn't even adjust to all the shock as once again that jagged pulse from the ground transformed my utter astonishment to bitter fear at the presence of this vengeful aura.

This aura grew greater with each oncoming step as soon enough, both of us turned our heads to see the source of it all. Despite the gray camo and hood, I could tell it was a female as before I knew it; I saw piercing gray eyes with her left one being completely blank. Whatever humanity those haunting eyes had been long gone as soon enough, the figure's hardy look was replaced with sadistic excitement.

"You really should've taken the easy way out when you 2 had the chance. because thanks to you from here on out, this business just became my pleasure."

Again I had nothing to say as in accordance beneath me started to pulse beneath me like an aching heart. It grew so loud that for once, I was paralyzed in fear and bewilderment! I didn't even know why until one beautifully simple stroke answered all my questions. The mysterious woman proceeded to hold her hand up to the sky with the pulsating ground answering her call in the form of a metal kunai that radiated wrathful excitement!

"Let's see how long you last!" the woman said as she threw the dagger in deadly precision.

Unfortunately, it almost didn't register because I was far too hung up on what this all meant. Because in an ironic twist of fate, I finally found another survivor of the metal Clan Massacre, and they wanted to kill me so badly I can taste it. But while I remained still as a statue, Brandon had already moved, saving my life with a punch to the face! Ironically the punch was just enough to jumpstart my senses once again. Once that happened, my shock turned into shame as I saw the small cut on Brandon's arm. However, before I could get absorbed in my emotions once again, Brandon spoke out.

"Tis only a muscle wound, Aphele, I'm good to go. I'll worry about it later," he said casually.

And those words were all I needed to get back in the fray. This isn't the time for questions, like it or not; this enemy wants nothing but death; hesitation isn't an option. A long time ago, I chose that I would rather die to protect than live on the sidelines, and that choice will be something I stand by! Shame turns into anger and anger into flame as my hands start to go alight. At that moment, I walked side by side with Brandon and taking command.

"You're right, Brandon, sorry about that, I promise that she'll pay two-fold."

"Don't promise, do!" Brandon said as he ran first!

"Ah, I love it when you fight. It makes things so much more fun!" the woman said as she summoned a sword as big as her!

As soon as it was formed, the woman swung a violent horizontal slash! However, without even thinking, Brandon managed to flip over and leaned in with a ramming knee! Despite the big sword, she somehow managed to parry the block with unatural dexterity! With Brandon being thrown back, I decided not to take any chances, firing off a barrage of firey jabs! That didn't do much either, though, as every blast was deflected as she ran her mana through the sword, causing small fires to start sprouting up the field! Still, this gave Brandon the chance to disarm her through a twin constrictor scissor hold! The assassin didn't even give an inch though, turning the detached hilt of her blade into a series of kunai all aimed right at my friends. Panic seized me up like mad as through quick thinking, I used the nearest fires to them and aimed them just right to blast each projectile away!

This decision proved almost fatal as the assassin jumped over with iron claws in hand! Again though, Brandon jumped in with a Joey dropkick that separates them both!

"You should have just let me finish the job. My darts work fast, but they're painful. I bet the blonde one already has a foot in the grave by now," she said tauntingly.

The quote was about to send me over the edge until once again, Brandon stood in front of me.

"You go save the others, Aphele. This is my fight from here on out."

At the thought, I could feel the ground pulse from the assassin, as if he could hardly contain herself from the turning of events.

"I'm not leaving you, Brandon! We can beat her together and still have time."

"And you want to take that risk?! Only you can do it; I know you can, so put a little faith in me just this once," he said with solace.

At that moment, the assassin lunged with predatory anticipation! But this time, it was I who intervened. In one fell swoop, I took it all, my distress, resolve, and anger into one pulse into the earth. And it all responded with a resounding shrapnel storm for the ages! Thousands of violent shards came together in a torrential tempest that consumed both Brandon and the assassin. In response, the assassins' aura became all the greater as she tried to block it with her hands! My prior bewilderment echoed all across her face. But I didn't stop for a second, instead pouring even more of my power, my very soul into my attack! From there, our clash became more than physical, to the point where it felt like our very souls collided! Without speaking a word, I felt like we had spoken paragraphs worth of truth, but despite her experience, surprise was still on my side! At that moment, the storm matched my metallic resolve, focusing drill of metal that sends her banshes into the forest! But I didn't bother looking back as I had already started carrying my tired body towards my friends while giving Brandon parting words.

"I've never doubted you for even a moment, Brandon, and I don't expect this fight to prove me wrong. Still, that doesn't mean you have to fight alone. It may be a rush job, but at least this way I'll still be with you. I hope my Metallic Style: Steel Samurai suits you well."

Brandon then looked at his new form, realizing I had taken the metal from the shrapnel storm into the fastest and most complex creation I could muster. It was relatively light, knight-like armor, but it might just be enough to turn the tide.

"Thanks, Aphele. I'll put it to good use!" Brandon said as he charged his way towards his next oncoming battle.

And all I could say was a simple response as I hoped to Terra that I didn't just send him marching to his death. Because after that reunion, I can say with full certainty say that this may be the most frightening opponent of them all.