The storm above the Storm Shrine raged without mercy.
Thunder cracked through the sky while lightning lit the ruins again and again, turning the broken pillars and ancient bridges into flickering silhouettes.
On the central bridge, battle erupted like a storm within the storm.
Preye moved through the Tide Reapers like lightning itself.
Every movement felt sharper now.
Clearer.
Her Ori power no longer lashed wildly around her body. Instead, it obeyed her like a living weapon.
One Reaper lunged forward with twin blades aimed at her ribs.
Preye twisted sideways, her body flowing with the motion of the strike.
Lightning sparked along her arm.
She grabbed the warrior's wrist.
"Wrong move," she muttered.
Electricity surged through him.
CRACK!
The blast sent the man flying backward into two of his comrades.
They crashed against the stone railing and collapsed in a tangled heap of armor.
Behind her, Timi ducked as another Reaper swung wildly toward him.
"I am officially not trained for this!" he shouted.
The blade nearly clipped his shoulder.
Timi yelped and stumbled backward, slipping on the wet stone.
Kuro appeared beside him instantly.
His spear flashed.
CLANG!
The attacking Reaper staggered as Kuro's weapon knocked his sword aside.
"You should stay behind me," Kuro said calmly.
Timi scrambled up.
"I've been trying!"
Another Reaper rushed them.
Kuro moved like a shadow.
Two precise strikes from his spear disarmed the attacker before knocking him unconscious with the blunt end of the weapon.
Timi blinked, you make that look easy.
Kuro glanced toward Preye.
She is the one we must watch.
Preye stood at the center of the bridge, lightning swirling around her like a living storm.
Three Reapers surrounded her.
They attacked together.
Blades flashed through the rain.
Preye stepped forward.
Her feet moved faster than before.
Her body felt light.
Like wind guiding her steps.
One attacker slashed downward.
Preye caught the blade with her lightning-covered palm.
The electricity surged through the metal.
The Reaper screamed as the shock forced him to drop the weapon.
Before he could recover, Preye spun and struck his chest with a lightning-powered kick.
He flew off the bridge.
The remaining two charged again.
Preye raised her hand.
THUNDER STEP
Lightning exploded from beneath her feet as she dashed forward.
The burst of speed left a glowing trail across the bridge.
Her fist struck the first warrior.
Her elbow caught the second.
Both Reapers crashed to the ground.
Timi whistled loudly, I like this version of you.
But the battle suddenly stopped, because Commander Barator had stepped forward.
Rain slid across his dark armor as he walked calmly toward the center of the bridge.
The remaining Reapers backed away.
None of them interfered.
Barator rested his curved blade across his shoulder.
His eyes studied Preye carefully.
You improved.
Preye rolled her shoulders.
Thanks, I've been practicing for at least ten minutes.
Timi snorted.
Barator's gaze shifted briefly to Kuro, you trained her well.
Kuro's voice remained steady.
She trained herself.
Barator's eyes returned to Preye.
Storm wielders always believe they are special.
The river behind him began to stir again.
Water rose slowly around the ruins.
But storms fade.
He lowered his blade.
Tides endure.
Preye smirked.
That speech sounded better in your head, didn't it?
Barator moved instantly.
His blade flashed.
Preye barely raised her arm in time.
Lightning clashed against steel.
The impact sent sparks flying through the rain.
Barator pushed forward with surprising strength.
His eyes remained calm.
You are strong, his blade twisted suddenly, but inexperienced.
Water erupted from the lagoon beside them.
A jet of river water shot toward Preye's side.
She jumped backward just in time as the attack smashed into the bridge and shattered part of the stone railing.
Preye frowned.
You control the river itself?
Barator stepped forward slowly, the river obeys those who understand it.
He swung his blade again.
Water followed the motion.
A wave surged toward her.
Preye thrust her hand forward.
Lightning burst outward.
BOOM!
Electricity tore through the wave, turning the water into a cloud of steam.
For a moment both forces collided violently.
Then the energy faded.
Rain continued falling.
Timi peeked from behind a pillar.
This fight feels way above my pay grade.
Kuro kept his eyes on Barator.
We must leave.
Preye shook her head.
"Not yet."
She stepped forward again.
Lightning crackled across her arms.
Barator's eyes narrowed slightly, you believe you can defeat me?
Preye smiled.
No, I believe I can survive you.
Before Barator could respond.
A loud horn echoed across the mangrove forest.
Everyone froze.
Barator's head turned toward the river.
Another boat was approaching the shrine.
But this one was different.
The vessel moved silently through the mist.
Its hull was painted dark crimson.
Standing at the front was a tall woman wearing a long black cloak.
Her posture was relaxed.
Almost bored.
Barator frowned slightly, "River Shadows".
The boat docked beside the ruined bridge.
The woman stepped onto the stone.
Her boots made almost no sound.
She pushed back her hood.
Long dark hair fell across her shoulders.
Her eyes gleamed with quiet amusement.
She is "Lady Seimie".
Leader of the River Shadows.
She looked around at the damaged shrine, the fallen Reapers, and the lightning still flickering around Preye.
"Well," she said lightly, this looks entertaining.
Timi blinked.
"Oh good."
More enemies.
Seimie tilted her head slightly.
Enemies?
Her smile widened.
That depends.
Barator's voice hardened.
You were not summoned.
Seimie shrugged.
I rarely wait for invitations.
She walked slowly toward the center of the bridge.
Her gaze settled on Preye.
Lightning reflected in her eyes.
"So," Seimie said softly, you're the girl everyone's talking about.
Preye folded her arms.
And you are?
Seimie gave a small bow.
"Lady Seimie."
Professional problem solver.
Timi whispered to Kuro, that sounds like assassin language.
Kuro nodded slightly.
Barator's grip tightened on his blade.
This matter belongs to the Order of the Silent Tide.
Seimie laughed quietly,
"Oh relax."
She looked at Preye again.
"I'm not here to steal your prize."
Her smile grew sharper.
I'm here because I wanted to see the storm for myself.
Preye raised an eyebrow.
"And?"
Seimie studied her carefully.
Then she smiled.
I'm impressed.
Barator stepped forward.
This conversation is finished.
Seimie sighed dramatically.
You Order people are always so serious.
She turned away casually.
"I'll leave you to your little war."
Before stepping back toward her boat, she glanced over her shoulder at Preye.
Our paths will cross again.
Her voice dropped slightly.
And next time…
Her smile became dangerous.
we might not be on the same side.
She stepped onto the boat.
Moments later, the vessel vanished into the mist.
Silence returned to the shrine.
Rain continued falling.
Barator slowly turned back toward Preye.
"So."
His voice was colder now.
Where were we?
Preye raised her glowing fists.
Lightning burst across the stormy sky.
Right, the part where I ruin your day.
And the battle resumed.