"We have to find somewhere safe to stay," Hazel said, his eyes looking over the ruined city. Twisted metal and broken concrete showed a terrible picture of the end of the world. The air was thick with the smell of smoke and something else... something wild.
"Wherever you think is safe, Master, will be my safe place," Blossom replied, her voice a steady, flat sound. She moved with a strange grace, one step behind him.
Hazel sighed. "I really need to get used to this... this new Ivy," he mumbled, stepping carefully over a pile of broken stuff. Blossom followed his every move, her pink hair standing out against the gray destruction.
A Howling Threat
A sharp howl ripped through the silence, making the hairs on Hazel's neck stand up. His eyes quickly looked around, trying to find where the chilling sound came from. Company, he thought grimly.
The howl got louder, and a strong feeling seemed to fill the air, a deep sense of danger getting closer. Blossom stiffened, her hand moving without thinking to the handle of her sword.
What is this heavy feeling? Hazel's heart pounded against his ribs.
"Blossom, stay ready. Something's close," Hazel warned, tightening his grip on the scythe.
"Understood, my lord," Blossom answered, her voice firm, her body ready to strike.
A blur of white burst from the shadows – a wolf, as big as a small horse, its eyes glowing with a smart, hunting light. The number '25' floated in a scary way above its head.
"Blossom!" Hazel yelled, throwing his scythe in a wide circle towards the giant wolf. The creature moved with surprising speed, easily dodging the attack as if it meant nothing. This left Blossom with a clear path to attack.
Hazel got his scythe back, its weight a familiar comfort in his hand, and stood next to Blossom. "Let's take it down together."
The wolf's high level was a clear warning, showing its greater strength. But Hazel felt a rush of adrenaline, a desperate hope that their combined efforts could win.
"Blossom, go to its left side. I'll make it look at the right," Hazel instructed, his voice sharp with command.
Blossom moved at once, like a silent shadow. As the wolf leaped at Hazel, teeth bared, he raised his scythe to block. The hit shook his arms. At the same time, Blossom struck from the side, her blade a flash of pink energy, cutting through one of the wolf's thick legs.
The creature howled in pain, falling to the ground. Hazel quickly took advantage, his scythe flashing as he cut off another leg. "Blossom, finish it now!"
But with a desperate burst of power, the injured wolf twisted its body, just barely avoiding Blossom's killing blow.
"How the hell did it do that?" Hazel exclaimed, his surprise turning to frustration.
The wolf's angry howl echoed through the ruins, answered by many other howls in the distance. More white wolves, their glowing eyes like evil stars, began to gather around them. "These things don't give up," Hazel growled. "Blossom, I'll cripple them. You focus on killing them. Be fast, and don't give them a chance to call for more help."
"Understood, my lord," Blossom replied, her gaze steady.
Two wolves lunged, a planned attack. Hazel and Blossom moved together, dodging their snapping jaws and fighting back. Hazel's scythe swept low, taking out the front legs of both wolves, while Blossom's sword moved in a blur, leaving clean head cuts behind it.
The remaining two wolves approached more carefully, circling them warily. Hazel pretended to go left, then darted right, his scythe cutting through the legs of one wolf, leaving it helpless. Blossom moved in for the kill.
As the last wolf leaped at Hazel, teeth aimed for his throat, Blossom reacted with lightning speed. "Spiral Blossom Slash!" Her blade spun in a pink energy whirlwind, cutting the wolf in half in mid-air, saving Hazel from a potentially deadly blow.
"Thanks, Blossom," Hazel said, a wave of relief washing over him.
"It is my duty, Master," Blossom replied, her face unchanged.
Hazel walked over to the whimpering, legless wolf and nodded to Blossom. "End it."
Blossom's blade flashed, and the creature fell still.
Experience Gained
[Your subordinate, Blossom Queen, has defeated five wolf monsters.]
[You have gained +75 EXP.]
[Your subordinate, Blossom Queen, has gained +50 EXP.]
Still a lot of the EXP coming to me, Hazel noted, a thoughtful frown on his face.
As they continued their walk through the ruined streets, Hazel focused on the defeated wolves. System, can I absorb their souls? Nothing happened. He tried again, focusing his intention, but there was no response.
"Let's move, Blossom," Hazel said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
A Moment of Hope
After what felt like hours of moving through the ruins, they found a small shop, its windows broken but the inside seemed fine. "I guess it's finally time to get rid of these hospital pajamas," Hazel said, pointing towards the shop. "Blossom, keep watch while I change."
Inside, among the scattered mannequins and overturned clothes racks, Hazel found some practical, dark clothes that fit pretty well. He changed quickly, the silence broken only by the distant growls of unseen creatures.
Stepping out of the makeshift changing area, Hazel saw Blossom standing guard near the entrance. Her usually blank face had a subtle, almost unnoticeable blush. Her gaze moved over his new clothes – a dark jacket, strong pants, and worn boots – and for a brief moment, her lips seemed to slightly open.
Hazel stopped, surprised. It was the first real hint of emotion he had seen since she came back to life. "Blossom? Do you... do you remember something?" he asked, his voice filled with a sudden hope.
But the moment passed as quickly as it came. Blossom's expression returned to its usual blankness. "No, Master," she replied, her voice once again without feeling.
Could it be that her emotions are still hidden, waiting to be brought out? Hazel wondered, a new idea forming in his mind. Maybe by pushing her to feel again, her memories will come back.
"I'll figure it out," he whispered to himself. "Let's go, Blossom." They stepped back out into the ruined world, the question of Ivy's lost memories hanging heavy in the air as they continued their search for a safe place.