The snake wrapped itself around Eleonor's entire body.
Every time it tightened its grip a little more, a cracking sound traveled through her bones. She felt like her ribs were about to break. Air could no longer reach her lungs.
No...
I can't breathe...
Every attempt to fill her lungs ended in unbearable pain.
Her vision began to blur.
Her magical power slowly slipped away, like water running through her fingers.
Is this... is this how I'm going to die?
She tried to move an arm.
It didn't respond.
She tried to gather her magic.
There wasn't enough left.
With every passing second, the pressure increased.
Her chest burned.
Her throat felt like it was closing.
The world began to spin.
How... how did I end up like this...?
The voices around her started to fade away.
The only thing she could hear was the desperate beating of her heart.
One.
Another.
Slower and slower.
Noah...
A sad smile briefly crossed her mind.
I hope... you manage to escape...
The memories of her training flashed before her eyes.
The promises she had made.
The day she received the mark.
The oath to protect the Bearer.
And she was failing.
Forgive me...
Forgive me for not being able to fulfill my duty...
All strength completely left her arms.
Her fingers stopped trying to hold onto the snake's body.
Her body stopped fighting.
Darkness slowly began to cover her vision.
I'm sorry... Noah...
This... is... my... end...
...
—Eleonor!... Eleonor, wake up!
A voice pierced through the darkness.
She slowly opened her eyes.
Everything was blurry.
—Sophie...? Is that you...? What... what happened...?
—What a relief... You're still alive. You passed out because the snake was strangling you.
Eleonor tried to sit up, still breathing with difficulty.
—But Noah saved you.
Noah saved me...
Yes! A few moments ago, Noah emerged from the shadows and fired a golden beam at you that destroyed the snake and summoned his guardian beasts, just like he did at your family's mansion. Right now, he's fighting Iara. They left this chamber, so they're probably outside the cavern.
A few minutes earlier!
What do you think you're doing to Eleonor? I hope you're prepared, because I won't forgive you for this.
Well, look who finally decided to come out of hiding. What gave you the courage? Seeing your dear cousin about to die and deciding to die alongside her?
Shut your damn mouth. I'm going to make you pay for all the pain you've caused Eleonor.
And what exactly do you plan to do, when you've been worthless your entire life?
After those words were exchanged, Iara summoned her guardian beasts again and ordered them to attack.
I felt rage spreading throughout my entire body. Without realizing it, a sword materialized in my right hand. Suddenly, I saw the snake lunge toward me at full speed. I can't explain what happened, but my body reacted on its own, as if it could predict every movement the snake made.
I stepped to the right and cut off its head. The jaguar tried to catch me with its claws, but the moment I sensed its presence, I jumped backward and, at the same time, blocked its attack with my sword.
I don't know what happened, but it wasn't just my strength. All of my combat abilities had improved, and I could feel that my magical power had increased as well. The jaguar attacked again, but instead of jumping backward like the first time, I took a couple of steps forward and to the side, creating the perfect angle to cut off its head.
While I fought against Iara's beasts, the bear was fighting the Claimoor, and the wolf was protecting the others.
The expression on Iara's face was one of complete disbelief.
How is this possible? How does that brat have so much power? The last time I saw him was less than two months ago, and he was nothing more than a pathetic kid who couldn't possibly possess this kind of strength. Why is his power so great now?
It doesn't matter what is happening. I don't think he can maintain this pace for long. With the power of the relic, I am practically invincible.
You have impressed me. I never thought you would improve this much. In our last fight, you could barely maintain the power of your relic, but now you control it much better. You were able to deal with my beasts easily and even summoned your own.
But this is only the beginning.
Iara began to radiate magical energy and materialized a massive dagger. She looked at me again with a smile and said:
The time has come to show you what a true battle against a real Guardian is like.
Iara attacked me with her dagger. Her first strike was aimed directly at my neck, moving at a speed I had never seen before. I could see every one of her movements. I blocked the attack with ease and counterattacked. With my left hand, I formed an ice spear and launched it toward her right side. She dodged it, but at the same time, I saw an earth spear heading toward my face. I reacted with my sword and managed to stop it.
Iara attacked again. Her strikes were much faster, attempting to hit my sides, my neck, and my shoulders.
Suddenly, I felt her speed begin to decrease. I realized it was my chance to attack. I grabbed the sword with both hands and swung it diagonally. Iara blocked it, but I could see that her body felt the impact.
She stepped to her right and avoided me, creating distance between us. I could see that her breathing had changed; she looked more exhausted. Suddenly, she said:
This place is too small. Let's make it bigger.
I didn't understand why she said that. Suddenly, she closed her eyes for a brief moment and shouted:
This can't be! Why isn't my earth magic flowing?
It must be this damn chamber. Noah, I'll be waiting for you outside. I can't use my magical power here.
She ran toward the exit. Without thinking, I followed her. I couldn't let her escape after everything she had done to Eleonor and everything she had said. She had to know more about the relics and the past mentioned in the fragment.