Em was reading a book in the library. Ever since that day when Ri told her about the man, she'd been in the library all day, trying to read up on phantoms. All she figured out as that "thing" that Ri saw was a Vow-soul. Apparently, a Vow-Soul was a sentient phantom anchored to reality by a singular, unfulfilled purpose. Often, it appeared as a shimmering, leopard-like Eidolon, spirits that retain their intelligence and noble personality. Unlike common phantoms, they cannot fade into the afterlife until their ancient mission—protecting a bloodline or guarding sacred ruins—is finally complete. Em had a theory that the Vow- soul had been guarding the sword, and if Ri's story was true, she was the owner. Other than that, she had absolutely no idea what or who the soul was, and it was driving her nuts.
"Well, I guess I should study now that I'm here." Em sighed.
"I guess we meet again, Emily Maris." Said a voice behind her. Em whirled around: "You." She said with so much hatred in the world it could have killed someone. James was standing behind her with that make-you- want-to-kill-him smirk. Em cringed, this guy really was the worst.
"I think you'd be smart enough by now to realize that I hate you. Or is your brain in a garbage can." Em said, putting her hands on her hips. "And I'm going now." As Em was stepping out of the library, a scream came from the end of the hall and a stampede of people ran towards her, all of the students looking scared. Curiosity won over her fear. Em stepped around the crowd and walked towards the direction everyone had come from. Suddenly, she stopped in her tracks. In front of her was a monster, she was sure of that. It had the sleek, muscular build of a snow leopard, but its fur wasn't hair—it was made of shimmering, metallic needles that lay flat against its skin. Instead of spots, its body was covered in "void-eyes"—patches of fur that were so black they seemed to absorb all light, while the rest of its coat was a polished, bronze-like copper. Em racked her brain-what type of monster was it. The information popped into her head. The Glint-Stalked Pard. It doesn't walk on the ground; it walks on the edges of shadows. It can flatten its body into a two-dimensional silhouette to slide under doors or through the tiniest cracks in armor. So there's no hiding, Em thought. Seriously, if you knew what it was you couldn't have hid, silly peers. Em sighed internally: Now what are its weaknesses? Em drew out her dagger, which she kept in a pouch hanging by a belt by her side. She tapped the dagger and it elongated into Lunaris. She remembered that when it roared, it exhales a fine mist of liquid mercury that poisons the air and turns its prey's lungs to metal. It could also mimic the voice of the person you trust most. If you were hunting it in a forest, you might hear your best friend calling for help—but it's just the Pard lure. Its "fur" generates a massive amount of kinetic energy. When it pounces, it strikes with the force of a lightning bolt, shattering normal steel weapons on contact.
It's lucky I have Lunaris otherwise I wouldn't be able to fight it. Em thought, just looking at the beast gave her the creeps. She knew that Lunestia Silver would be the thing that "stabilized" a beast. Em gulped. Then she charged. The pard immediately opened its mouth and sprayed liquid mercury at her but Em agilely ducked. She turned and stabbed. Instantly, Lunaris sliced across the pard's body leaving a deep and nasty gash causing turning the pard's metallic fur into brittle, ordinary glass that shatters with the next blow. The beast roared before it turned into a shimmering, pearlescent ash that looks like crushed diamonds mixed with dark grey soot. Em touched it-the texture of it was like cold, heavy goo or liquid sand for a few seconds before it dried into a fine, weightless dust. After a few moments, the wind carried the silt away, leaving nothing behind but the faint scent of ozone.
Em breathing was rapid, she couldn't believe what she'd just done. Sure, she'd fought with a sword multiple times but this was the first time she actually killed a monster. Just then, she heard the sound of running feet as all of the staff arrived at the hall.