But here she stood before a dragon and his avatar. She had no idea what powers the ancient Kana might have bestowed upon Isabelle. She only knew she might not be prepared to face it.
“Is there still a path to peace?” Onora choked out between held breaths. Isabelle shook her head. “For you, perhaps. My master has an interest in your ability with the sword.” What the what, now? “As for this village. I ask that you stand aside, protectors.” Isabelle closed her eyes momentarily, bowing her head as if in prayer. The scales of her armor began to glow with an ethereal blue light. Onora grasped her sword’s hilt and watched in amazement as a gleaming blue blade seemed to appear from a ripple in the air in front of Isabelle. Onora and Max lunged forward, each striking at Isabelle. With a flash of light from her armor, she seemed to materialize to the side, parried Max’s blade into Onora’s and punched Max in the face. Isabelle shoved Max into Onora, and the two of them fell in a heap. Max leaped to his feet, thrusting his sword. Isabelle slapped the thrust away with a gauntleted hand, and grabbed Max by the throat. Isabelle’s eyes seemed to darken several shades, becoming a much more saturated and vibrant red. Max gurgled, trying to scream as sapphire light poured from his body, and became part of the sword in Isabelle’s hand. If she didn’t know any better, the sword seemed to glow just a shade brighter. Isabelle scoffed, “As I said before child. I offer you peace, if you stand aside.” “I,” Onora stammered, “can’t stand aside. I am forbidden by the code of the protectors.” Isabelle shook her head again. “Then just like your friend, you are choosing death. His end was unfortunate. Yours is simply wasteful.” Onora took a shaky step forward, steeling her body, because her nerves and emotions would not still. Max had been her best friend. More like a younger brother. She’d taught him the sword. It hadn’t been enough against Kana’s powerful avatar. Isabelle had killed the plucky young hero without the slightest effort. Isabelle sighed. “Very well,” she said. “I will allow you to fall on my blade for your village. My master wished to grant you power, and yet you refused. In the end, little girl, your village will burn. It will burn as bright as your defiance.” Onora stood, brandishing her blade. She had been chosen as a protector of the village, because of her defiant tendencies. Kana roared. Despite being outdoors, the sound was like a deafening crash of stones and steel in a dark cavern. Onora felt something stir within. A strange, unfamiliar energy. Blue light streamed from Isabelle’s sword, covering Onora, forming into scales. Isabelle’s eyes widened, and she turned to face Kana. Kana settled, watching with steely, glittering azure eyes. Isabelle turned back, her face scrunched. Her ruby eyes narrowed at the blue scaled armor settling on Onora. “For now,” said Isabelle, “it appears we share the power. The master wishes for an even battle. I will serve Kana in this.” Onora swallowed a lump. This would be the hardest fight of her life.
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AuthorLawrence Henry is an aspiring author with more caffeine than time. BTW, here's some of my thoughts on a few varied subjects. Archives
July 2023
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