Cecillet lunged at Sarahliza, but Sarahliza anticipated the attack, tossing crystals to the ground. As Cecillet entered their range, they imploded, striking her in the abdomen. Mimya followed up with green energy projectiles, landing a hit, but Cecillet countered by extending a tentacle, aiming to crush her.
Before it could land, a larger green projectile struck Cecillet's side, knocking her off course. She barely had time to react before Sarahliza, her fingertip smoking, fired another shot that hit her shoulder. Cecillet dodged the next blast, but Mimya's smaller projectiles forced her on the defensive. Together, the two bombarded Cecillet with a relentless assault.
Mimya was the first to falter, showing signs of exhaustion. Sarahliza, noticing this, ceased fire. Cecillet, now covered in bruises, glared at them.
"Aren't you guys active!" she muttered before gripping two newly sprouted tentacles from her waist. As she squeezed them, they expanded, forming nozzles at their tips.
Sarahliza, wary, prepared to react. In an instant, torrents of water shot from the tentacles at incredible speeds.
Acting swiftly, Sarahliza dropped another crystal and chanted, "Runecraft: Shield." The crystal expanded into a barrier, encasing herself, Mimya, and Oenhi in shimmering crystal.
The water jets crashed into the shield, shaking it violently as fractures formed. So much so the grounds vibrated underneath them.
"Mimya, get ready," Sarahliza commanded.
"Now? Alright." Mimya steadied herself.
As the barrier splintered under the pressure, the two girls formed their fingers into triggers. When the shield finally shattered, they unleashed a massive green energy beam.
"Runecraft: Pulsar."
The green beam cut through the water jets, disrupting them before slamming into Cecillet. She was thrown back into the ruined house, the energy turning pink before erupting into an explosion patterned with glowing crystals.
"I hope that got her," Mimya breathed.
"Let's hope so," Sarahliza replied.
Oenhi, mesmerized, watched the battle unfold. The display of arcane power fascinated her. If her grandfather could wield such abilities, could she?
"Arcane, How awesome!" she exclaimed, being surprised by these actions. Never experiencing such things.
Mimya smiled at her enthusiasm, but Sarahliza frowned, uneasy about Oenhi's growing interest in the mystical arts.
From the distance, Gibbit called out, "So, y'all got her?"
"Yes, coward," Mimya muttered under her breath.
"Hey, I'm not a coward!" Gibbit protested.
"Yeah? Maybe I'll use him then," Cecillet's voice suddenly interjected.
The group turned in shock as Cecillet, despite her wounds and leaking dark green blood, surged forward with startling speed. Before anyone could react, she grabbed Gibbit by the chest.
"What the-" Gibbit stammered, terror and confusion in his eyes.
"You almost had me back there," Cecillet admitted, tightening her grip. "But how about I add another to my squad? It's unfair fighting two of you at once, after all."
"Squad?" Oenhi whispered.
With that, she clutched Gibbit's throat. Sarahliza attempted to throw another crystal, but Cecillet lashed out with a tentacle, forcing her to step back.
"Guys, help!" Gibbit choked out, so much force was applied on him. He couldn't afford to fight back, but to attempt to break free.
Oenhi froze, fear gripping her, not for herself, but for Gibbit. A memory flashed in her mind. The night her home was ruined. The bound woman who had begged for help.
The realization hit her like a punch to the gut. Cecillet looked exactly like that woman. Meaning... that night, the captives in her home had all been possessed by wraiths.
"How about I feed him Ajam and make him just like me?" Cecillet sneered.
"Ajam? What's that?" Oenhi asked, confused.
"You don't need to know," Sarahliza interjected. "Mimya, take her back to the village."
"No," Oenhi refused.
"What?" Sarahliza was caught off guard.
"I'm done running from these guys," Oenhi said firmly. "Even if they're scary and ugly-looking."
The two girls stared at her, confused as to what they're hearing.
"I wanna fight too. And I don't care if I'm young! Everyone keeps saying that, so what? I can help too. If Grandpa can fight, then I can fight too!"
Sarahliza and Mimya were stunned. Solomon had taught her?
"So that kick you gave Haione wasn't just instinct," Cecillet remarked, recalling how Oenhi had kicked the blonde wraith before that night.
Still gripping the struggling Gibbit, Cecillet wiped her fingers over her bleeding wounds and smeared the dark fluid into his mouth.
Gibbit choked violently.
Oenhi hesitated for a moment, her heart racing as she watched Gibbit struggle against Cecillet's grip. A cold wave of fear washed over her, she couldn't let this happen, not again. Her hands trembled, but something inside her snapped.
She couldn't just stand there.
"I won't let this happen," she whispered to herself.
With a surge of adrenaline, she charged forward, her fear driving her to act. Tentacles lashed out, but she dodged and swung herself around them, her instincts taking over. She didn't know what she was doing, but she had to try.
The fear still gnawed at her, but there was no time to back down now. Fight or flight was all she knows.
"Oenhi, come back here!" Sarahliza shouted.
"Ooooh, she's coming!" Cecillet laughed.
She flicked three small tentacles at Oenhi.
The first, Oenhi leapt over. The second, she grabbed and used as leverage, swinging off it to twist her body midair, avoiding the third.
The group watched in shock as Oenhi launched a kick at Cecillet's face. But unfortunately, Cecillet caught her leg with ease.
"Oh carrots...." Oenhi muttered.
"You're a slippery little girl, aren't you?" Cecillet mused.
Gibbit's choked screams intensified as his body convulsed, dark veins spreading across his skin. Cecillet's infection was taking hold.
Then, something unexpected happened.
Oenhi's captured leg began to glow with green energy.
Mimya's eyes widened. "Arcane?"
From Oenhi's leg, thick roots erupted, striking Cecillet and fracturing her mask. She was flung backward, taking Gibbit with her.
Sarahliza rushed to Oenhi, staring at the roots extending from her leg.
"Is this woodcraft?" Mimya spoke out asked.
"Wood-what?" Oenhi yelped, stunned.
"You'll know in due time," Mimya replied with a smile. But this response didn't sit well with Sarahliza, who shot her a sharp look, but Mimya remained firm. Looking back at her mentor.
"We need to save the coward," she added.
Cecillet groaned, gripping her cracked mask. With a powerful leap, she landed on a nearby branch.
"Golly, that kid's got arcane? Yah know what- screw this. If Ravanti wants the body, he can come get it himself." With that, she retreated.
The roots on Oenhi's leg dissolved into green particles.
There she was, witnessing it occur. With only one thing in her mind. She muttered in awe, "Cool?" .
Sarahliza wasted no time, rushing to Gibbit's side. He groaned in pain, the dark veins still spreading.
"We need to get him back. Now," she ordered.