City of Blue Silence
From above, the dark city came into view—tall buildings.
It almost resembled a delicate flower.
Clematis City.
It was completely dark as if no one was living in it.
Except for the blue shimmers that filled the air. What was those about?
I didn't pay much attention to the question. Not something I should worry about.
Skarvek sat in the seat, fiddling with his sword while Reaver stood by with her arms crossed, thinking.
Goddess, how much should one think?
I rolled my eyes, hands landing on my hips.
This stupid city and this stupid mission. This was the first and last time we were helping them. If it weren't for the First Elder manipulating Solare, I would have refused.
That man really thinks he is all that.
Old hag in a robe.
Suddenly, while in midair, the craft stopped. It hovered over the city.
My eyes narrowed.
The comms crackled in my ear. The static voice of the hazel-brown-haired man buzzed.
"This is where you leave," he said.
Reaver glanced at me, equally confused.
So only humans get the special treatment of being landed on the ground?
Pathetic.
"Go on, jump."
I snickered, gesturing to the ramp of the craft that was slowly opening. Reaver stood up straight, arms dropping to her sides. She took a step forward, and jumped out.
Skarvek stood up and walked over, following right behind Reaver.
I rolled my neck.
"Stay here. We will be done in five minutes," I said to the human flying the craft.
"Sorry, but I'm required by protocol to head back to the arena."
I bared my teeth slightly.
Humans and their insufferable need to follow orders.
Disgust crept across my face.
I stared down at the city before taking a leap out.
Harsh wind blew against me, tearing at my hair. My body cut through the wind as I dropped like a storm.
My arms stretched, fully embracing the ground as it grew closer. A wicked grin playing on my lips.
THUD!
The concrete cracked outward beneath my feet.
I stood up straight and shook my head—my hair falling back into place and looking flawless as ever.
Reaver and Skarvek were already on the ground, ready to finish this useless job.
A glass tower loomed nearby, its surface catching the blue shimmer and fracturing it into jagged reflections.
Then—
A sharp crack split the air.
The creature lunged.
Skarvek moved.
He launched upward—twisting midair, his leg snapping out—
The creature launched backward—
It smashed through the glass tower in an eruption of shattered light.
He landed swiftly back on his feet.
"Hold your strength," I said flatly. "We're not here to level the city. Solare's already irritated enough."
He clicked his tongue and grumbled something under his breath. I chose to ignore his petty insult.
"It's not my fault everything here breaks."
"Then control yourself."
His eyes darkened, but I'd already looked away.
Reaver stood by, facing away, looking into the distance, again lost in her thoughts of home.
Thud.
A heavy crash snapped my attention back.
Another creature slammed into a light pole behind Skarvek, metal screeching as it bent and collapsed.
My temple twitched.
Was he messing with me?
"Reaver," I shouted. Her attention snapped to me. "You take the lead. Show him how it's done."
I stared directly at Skarvek and into his pathetic eyes.
She turned towards me, staring with a blank expression.
She didn't hesitate.
She vanished and reappeared directly in front of the nearest creature.
A slow-moving thing, dragging itself forward—its body flickering with that same blue shimmer.
Her blade slid free from her side in one smooth, whispering motion—metal gliding like it was alive.
She stepped in—
And cut.
My eyes narrowed as she stood still, staring down at something. After a while, she looked back.
"It didn't cut through," she said, deadpanned.
It didn't.
I stilled. How could that be?
A cruel smirk formed on my lips. Finally, a worthy opponent in this miserable La La land.
I stepped forward—
Sshh‑ip!
Vanished, reappearing beside her in a flicker of distortion.
"Again," I said.
She didn't respond.
She just moved.
This time, she planted her foot—
The ground cracked beneath her. Both hands gripped the weapon before she brought it down.
The strike tore through the air with a low, violent hum—
And split it clean in two.
The creature.
The ground beneath it.
Bodies scattered. Blue liquid spilling out. Unmoving.
The blue shimmer drifted through them like they had never existed.
I exhaled softly.
"… Finally."
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