Time was slipping through my fingers like smoke. I had to begin my second search Herb B.
I journeyed across gardens, forests, even ancient groves whispered to have held magic but still, nothing. Herb B was rare, too rare. That explained the silence of every soil I dug, the emptiness of every stem I examined.
But Violet couldn't wait.
If I wanted to save her, I needed help someone on Earth with the instincts to find what others overlooked. And then, like fate's soft whisper, I saw her, the girl. My brave savior. The same one who had unknowingly found Herb A for me.
I knew she could help again. Her heart was too kind to say no.
But something was wrong. She wasn't alone.
Two men were with her, and not by choice. I could see it in her body language; tense, guarded. They weren't companions. They were trouble.
They wanted her back. Probably an ex, maybe worse, either way, this was my cue. I'd appear, human and heroic, and earn her debt. A perfect excuse to keep her close.
I stepped forward, voice calm but sharp.
"You've had enough drama. Let her go."
One of them snarled.
"We will… after she comes with us."
I tilted my head.
"That won't happen while I'm here."
The second one laughed, pulling out a blade.
"You just signed your death warrant."
"You've got one chance to leave with your bones unbroken," I replied, eyes locked.
Her eyes met mine wide, confused, maybe even terrified. I didn't blame her. She had no idea what I truly was. But one thing was certain; had I not stepped in, they would've dragged her away by now.
The other guy pulled out a gun. I smirked.
Rookie mistake.
A pistol was useless if the bullets didn't obey. And bullets were forged from elements I controlled fire, among them. One of the oldest, most temperamental, and most loyal to its wielder.
The salamanders spirits of fire knew their master.
That weapon? Useless.
That blade? Flammable.
Those thugs? Outmatched.
And if they still wanted a fight?
Then I was ready to remind them why fire is feared.
Even the Earth Immortals the lowest ranked among martial arts were powerful enough to kill him. I wouldn't waste my time on these fools. Let it never be said that a 'Primordial God' paused his journey to Earth to toy with insects.
The thug raised a Desert Eagle, confident in its stopping power. The metal gleamed, heavy with the promise of death. But when he pulled the trigger nothing. No flame, no bulletbonly the silent wrath of a force he couldn't comprehend.
Bang!
The sound exploded through the air. I lunged, shielding the frightened girl. Her eyes were shut, her body trembling. Not that I cared for her life. The only life that mattered to me... was Violet's.
My own? Meaningless. A mortal? Even less. I only saved her because I needed her an asset for my mission. When I was done, I'd cast her aside. If she was lucky, she'd keep the memory. If not, I'd wipe every trace of me from her mind. That's what I planned.
As expected, the bang had no bite. For the first time, their faces twisted in terror. No bullets. No power. Just fear.
"I loaded this Desert Eagle with three full magazines!" the first bandit gasped, panic creeping into his voice.
"Maybe it's the magazine," said the one with the dagger.
"How about pointing the gun at your own head and testing it?" I suggested coldly.
"Why would I do that?" the first sneered.
"You said it's not working, right?"
"I'd rather point it at your f**king brain," he snapped, pulling the trigger again.
Bang! Louder this time. The salamanders within the weapon stirred in fury. And just like that, another magazine wasted.
"It's not the magazine… It's the gun," he muttered, trembling now.
"I told you," the second bandit growled, "we should've brought the Sig Sauer P226 Legion for this hit."
Ah yes... the Sig Sauer P226 Legion. A gun forged for war, not back alley threats. A weapon of elite assassins and seasoned mercenaries. It spoke of bloodshed and battlefields.
But against me? It was just another toy.
"That gun's for robbing banks, not chasing shadows!" the first barked.
"Don't blame me," the second snapped. "Let's just find a way out of this alive."
But there would be no escape. Not from me.
"There's still one bullet left in this gun. Maybe it'll work this time," the second bandit said, voice trembling.
"The problem isn't the bullet. It's the gun," I replied coldly. "You said it yourself your doctrine fails. I'll prove it."
The first bandit smirked, then raised the gun to his own head and pulled the trigger.
Bang.
He dropped instantly dead before his mind could even grasp what happened.
My savior, cracked one eye open to peek, but I gently closed her eyelid again.
The second bandit's eyes widened with terror, but he wasn't a coward. Not yet.
He staggered forward, dagger raised, aiming for my chest.
I sighed in disappointment and caught his hand his dagger wielding hand with just two fingers.
His attack was slow and sloppy, lacking any real strategy. I was wasting my time on this one.
He struggled to break free, but I held firm. Then, with precise control, I twisted his dagger hand, forcing the blade into his shoulder.
He screamed, the cold steel biting into his flesh, digging deeper and deeper.
"Please… stop," Silver lpleaded softly.
I released the bandit and turned to her.
The wounded man took his chance and fled like the coward he was.
Silver trembled beside me, and then I noticed her eyes had been open just long enough to witness the attack and my retaliation.
"Thanks for saving me… but you went too far," she said quietly, extending her hand.
Instead of shaking, I lifted her hand and kissed it.
Her cheeks flushed red, and I scoffed inwardly.
Falling in love is not an option.
"Don't fall in love with me, Silver," I warned, voice low. "Because if you do, you'll regret it for the rest of your life."