Lalia stood before the man with determination mixed with caution.
She watched his movements sharp eyes as she asked in a clam, steady tone.
As if holding a thread of truth she had yet conform.
"Who are you? And why are you doing this?"
He did not answer immediately.
Instead a wide disgusting smile appeared on his face.
He replied in a rough tone laced with amusement.
"Since I'm in a good mood today, and since your end is near…. I don't mind giving you some answers."
Suddenly, the amusement disappeared, and his expression turned into something solem and terrifying.
He continued in a voice filled with reverence.
"We are the 'Radiant of the Dawn'…. worshipping an certain ancient god in the minds of fools like you and we here remind the world of its existence."
*Wait, 'Radiant of the Dawn?' That's the first time I've heard ever of it. What kind of cult is it?*
Lalia wondered to herself.
Then proceeded to ask:
"So, what's our small village have to do with all of this?"
The man tilted his head his head slightly.
Looking at her mockingly.
"Who said you're village was the only one? This chaos you see is nothing but a ritual…. requiring souls and your village was chosen."
Lalia felt her stomach churn.
"You're monsters."
The man chuckled.
"You think so? Well aren't you a feisty one, when I'm done you. Maybe I'll keep you as a souvenir."
Lalia's let out a determined smile.
"What makes you think I'd fall so easily?"
"Yep, that settles it. You're exactly what I like in a woman."
The man taunted.
Lalia, no stranger to combat. Dodged the attack with practiced grace.
"I guess you weren't just bluffing after all!"
He exclaimed.
Then the man lunged forward, his blade pointing straight.
With fluid motion. Lalia side stepped.
-Clang!
Their blades collided, her movements graceful.
She pivoted on her foot, bringing her dagger up in a sharp arc aimed at his side.
The man was quick.
Almost as if anticipating her strike, he twisted away just in time.
Narrowly avoiding the blade.
As it sliced through the air.
Lalia followed through with a spinning kick, aiming for his midsection.
The man ducked low, the kick grazing his shoulder.
A smirk never missing his face.
"Wow, you're agile."
The man taunted.
He aimed for Lalia's neck next.
Wasting no time she ducked.
Rolling along the ground, to gain some distance.
Then sprung back on her feet with a high crouch.
"Is that all you've got?"
She challenged.
With a swift thrust.
She lunged forward, aiming for his legs.
The man sidestepped.
But Lalia was relentless.
She pivoted in one heel springing up.
To deliver a swift uppercut.
With the hilt of the dagger, the man staggered back.
Momentarily caught off guard.
Seizing the opportunity.
She pressed her advantages, then darted in.
Executing a series of rapid strikes.
Her dagger flashing like lightning.
Swing! Swing! Swing!
Each movement was calculated.
She feinted left.
Then stabbed right.
Keeping the man off balance.
"Haar…!"
With a growl of frustration.
The man retaliated.
Then came a powerful slash.
Aimed for her torso.
-Clang!
Lalia blocked the strike.
Sparks showered, as blades collided.
They exchanged blows in quick succession, Lalia capitalised on a brief opening.
Sweeping her leg low.
Knocking the man off his feet.
As he stumbled.
Lalia lunged forward.
Attempting to pin him down, but he rolled to the side.
Just in time.
Scrambling back to his feet.
"Impressive."
He admitted.
Wiping away blood from his lower lip.
"But you'll need more than that to defeat me."
The man took out a small ball.
Then proceeded to throw it Lalia.
She dodged just in time.
-Clink!
It hit the ground.
The man smiled.
Stepping back to assess the situation.
*Why is he—*
The man hid his face behind the cloak.
A strange gase erupted from the ball.
"Oh-no."
Lalia muttered.
Turning her head in alarm.
She stepped back.
But it was too late.
She had already inhaled.
Almost instantly.
Her vision became blurry.
Her steps grew uncoordinated.
"I wasn't sure If I was going to use this. But desperate times calls for desperate measures!"
***
Meanwhile Taylor was running.
Making his way to the fountain.
The slime in his pocket was moving.
"Huh?"
He muttered looking at the slime.
"Prrr…."
Taylor couldn't understand the slime.
"Don't worry, I'll be fine."
Taylor reassured the slime.
***
"Well, well, look who's enjoying himself."
A man with dark eyes and a formal black suit.
Complete with a hair top hat.
He strolled over the cloaked man.
"Yeah, she's tough one, but I managed."
The cloaked man replied.
"So what are you going to do with her?"
The man with top hat asked.
"First I'll have my fun."
The cloaked man replied.
"Seeing you up close, you look familiar."
The man said to Lalia.
"How ridiculous you are!"
The man in a top hat replied.
Leaning closer to Lalia's face.
Holding her by the chin.
Studying her intently.
Then….
-Slap!
"D-Don…to… ouc… h… me…"
She managed to say.
Her conscience slipping.
As the world around her spun.
"That's enough sleep gas to put a lesser Wyvern to sleep."
The cloaked man scoffed.
Gripping Lalia's arms tightly.
"I guess we can take her."
The man in the top hat said nonchalantly.
"You get away from her!"
Garin screamed.
Charging towards them.
"Huh? What's this now—another obstacle?"
The man with a top—hatted sneered.
"I have a bad feeling about him."
The cloaked man warned.
"He seems to be a [Swordmaster] level swordsman."
"I know; I can sense it."
He replied.
The air thickening as Garin approached.