Over in a flash

Heedless of the others, it launches itself at you, leading with the blades of purple light. It’s fast, and you barely have time to sway aside and block one of them, stumbling as you do. It’s a fortunate stumble, as the humming blade slices through the air just over your head. Internally, you’re thankful that it seems to be using blades of magic, allowing your talent to protect you.

Ferra lunges in, swinging her bladed arms and connecting with a solid strike. However, instead of slicing through like you’ve seen before, she only manages a shallow cut, with a sound like an axe against a solid oak. A swipe of the glowing blade drives her back, just as a searing blast of fire roars in, catching it in the chest.

It stumbles, but only for a moment. You take advantage, trying an attack of your own. Caliburn is far more effective, slicing a deep cut along an overlong arm, and drawing a howl of pain. It steps back, filthy smoke rising from the char mark on its chest. It eyes you again, clearly wary of your potent blade, but you see it tense up, preparing to lunge again.

Just then, Amara steps in front of you, and speaks in a language you don’t understand. “Ulura kura marr, kess laruna nokoru! Ushkul ral, Samus!”

It stares at her, seemingly confused. At the same time, something strange happens behind it. Whips of blue lightning begin to appear in the air, growing in intensity. The creature seems unaware, and from the look on Amara’s face, this isn’t her doing either. Suddenly, in a burst of light, a metallic sphere appears, wreathed in blue arcs of lightning. Before anyone can react, a beam of light bursts forth from the sphere, striking the creature in the back.

The effects are immediate and dramatic. The creature drops to its knees, clutching and clawing at its head. With a roar, it tears away the hood, revealing a surprisingly human looking face, with matted black hair and a filthy beard. Its eyes flare open, and as you watch, the light in them fades from red to a clear blue. Behind it, the orb drops to the ground, seemingly inert now.

Nobody moves, and the only sounds for a moment are the creature’s ragged breaths. Then, it speaks, still haltingly, but in a clearer, more human sounding voice.

“Silver one…gone. Still, the voice. Hunt over. Key. The key. Needed, for purity. Must find the key.”

Before anyone can react, it springs to its feet and bolts into the forest. The only trace that it was ever here is the metal orb, which sits, smoking, on the ground nearby. Sheathing your sword, you shake your head, and look around. Everyone else looks as bewildered as you are, although Amara is staring into the forest, a thoughtful look on her face.

As everyone relaxes, you sigh, shaking your head.