II

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Arc II Chapter 16

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The wolf growled and Aurora grumbled. Her dissatisfaction written on her face.

Aurora exchanged looks with her doll. No weapon. No armour. A doll. A group of fluffballs as support. This was going to be troublesome.

Iris was right. Avoid the ruins. They were dangerous, but it was too late. The benefit of hindsight didn't improve her current situation.

Aurora rebuked her aetherial companions with a trained glare. They were responsible for this unmitigated disaster. They were at fault. Her playful friends poked the sleeping dragon.

Aurora narrowed her eyes. “What did you do? I hope you didn't do what I think you did. You poked him, didn't you?“

The purple sphere melted under her judgemental gaze. Aurora knew, and her friends knew she knew. They knew she knew they knew she knew.

The sprites trembled. They sensed the danger and took cover behind her figure. They didn't answer. Their silence proved their guilt.

The beast raged and attacked with brute force. Aether accumulated. Ripples of lightning coated his demonic body, polarising the very air. The calamitous forces of thunder aided the wolf.

A pulsating orb of electricity gathered inside his jaw, feeding on the surrounding aether. The orb expanded and the aetherial density rose. The beast's intent was clear, grilling her alive, a suboptimal prospect.

Aurora snapped her finger. A quick spell. A simple spell. Fire was her element, her loyal friend and servant, ideal to delay the enemy.

A controlled explosion covered her retreat by creating a smokescreen, a wise decision ...

Aurora rolled sideways. Her instincts proved their worth, allowing her to dodge her rendezvous with death.

A concentrated beam of lightning cut through her cloud of dust. The stray shot missed. His aim was off, but the speed of his target acquisition caught her by surprise. Quick reaction. No hesitation. Little time wasted.

Aurora bit her lip. The puppy wasn't green behind the ears. The puppy knew how to fight. Annoying.

Aurora disappeared among the rubble. Every second counted before the dust settled.

Her figure vanished from sight and the beast raged. Fury and ire guided his emotions. His rightful prey escaped. Such insolence from a mere mortal human!

The wolf roared and lightning expanded outwards. Gleaming lightning saturated the air, electrocuting anything in his path.

Little Aurora observed the enemy from the safety of her cover, peeking. A sturdy stone wall provided protection.

Rubble and stone masked her position. Camouflage discipline was an essential skill. Be illusive. Stay hidden. Keep your head down. Camouflage saves lives.

Aurora disappeared behind her friendly wall, consulting her doll. The wolf was an issue. “Problematic.“

A plan was needed.

Direct attacks were a foolhardy endeavour. Physical melee would be ... undesirable. Not recommendable for an unarmed and unarmoured girl. Better keep your distance.

Her magic was the weapon of choice, but it was too early to play her hand. Her magic would arouse suspicion. They would question her, and Aurora wasn't eager to answer.

Lambert and friends gave the benefit of doubt and bought her amnesia story, but they weren't complete idiots. They already suspected her. Her cover was far from perfect. Quite the contrary.

Not to mention her Elven companions, Arwing and Nelaeryn. The duo was the very definition of troublesome. They were Elves. They were scholars. They were versed in the field of magic. They would catch her magic signature if she resorted to potent magic. No doubt. Especially Nelaeryn.

Arwing supplied her with cookies, but Nelaeryn kept an eye on her. The guy monitored her movements. His glances didn't escape her. That asshole distrusted her.

Aurora reassessed her options. They were indeed limited. No melee. No magic. Retreat was the smartest choice.

The wolf still rampaged in a state of frenzy, lashing out in all directions with his lightning. In the end, her enemy was nothing but a beast driven by instincts.

Aurora made her decision. Time to disengage. Lambert and company were more suited to deal with the puppy. They were experts by their own admission. They were gold rank something. No need to intervene ...

Aurora aborted her retreat. Her eyes. They identified an interesting find, a possible solution to her problem.

Aurora grinned. “Crystals.“

The mischievous glee in her eyes was apparent. Her mind calculated. An idea formed, a plan.

Numerous crystals lay scattered on the ground. Predominantly lightning, with faint traces of earth. The purple glow of crystallised aether shimmered beneath the sun.

Countless shards and fragments covered the ground, shattered by the beast in his violent rage.

Aurora smirked. The crystals, they were waiting for her. They presented her with an opportunity.

The wolf had erupted from below the earth, likely from a subterranean complex. The dimensions of the hole testified such.

The beast had broken through the ceiling and hit a rich crystal vein hidden beneath the surface, scattering the deposit in the process. The remaining crystals lingered below the earth.

Aurora rubbed her hands. This was going to be fun. Her explosive fetish trembled with anticipation.

Aurora wasn't familiar with their aetherochemical properties, but the crystals appeared ... promising. The crystals emitted sparks, discharging electricity.

The crystals provided her with the critical mass needed. Their state was unstable. Their aether reactive. The beast's attacks supercharged the air with spades of additional energy.

Aurora exchanged knowing looks with her doll. “Are you thinking what I am thinking?“

Her partners in crime agreed. Aurora doll seconded her idea.

“Thought so.“ Aurora flashed a joyous grin. Bound by duty, her doll stood at her side.

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