Indra stood frozen for a second, before speaking in her usual calm voice.
"Do you want to go back?"
Val nodded indifferently.
Her mind resounded.
Did he…
Change again?
Val walked together with her, towards the scene, reaching the ground once again. The surroundings felt more quiet and eerie. The whispers of the wind flew in both Indra and his ear. Traces of the broken carriage below. The smoke completely dissipated from the scene. Thorn was further away from them, gathering evidence.
Kyle was sitting next to a body. He was looking at it closely with a book in his hand, taking notes. Carefully analyzing it. He was holding the hand of a man that now seemed old, his skin wrinkly and body malnourished. Kyle puzzled.
This body…
It's almost like they took everything but his bones out.
Phes approached slowly, holding a rabbit in her left hand. The rabbit was dead, wrinkly, and thin. She placed it right next to Kyle. She spoke with her hands on her waist.
"All of it is like this."
Kyle nodded, speaking while staring at the dead rabbit.
"It seems our culprit is nearby."
Kyle analyzed the bunny for a second, then raising one eyebrow, he turned towards the blond-haired woman who was pierced in the middle of the scene.
"But why would our culprit leave her untouc—"
Val and Indra reached them. Kyle shifted his gaze towards them.
"Oh… Val?"
Kyle let out a warm smile, with a hint of nervousness.
"Are you any better?"
Val nodded and approached the woman pierced with the spear.
Kyle spoke behind, hesitantly.
"So… how do you know her really?"
Val ignored Kyle completely, taking a step towards the blond woman. Kyle stepped up and approached him with Phes and Indra. Val lightly brushed her blond hair with a frown on his face and spoke coldly.
"I don't. Not anymore."
Kyle stared, confused.
"Then what hap—"
Val suddenly raised his foot, pressing it against her body, pushing her to the ground, making her to the side. The spear fell with her, still embedded in her chest. Her hair now spread through the ground, her eyes still blue and hollow. Her hands on the floor, dead and unmoving. Kyle's face paled, along with Phes and Indra. Their eyes wide. Phes spoke, her eyes shaking slightly.
"What are you—?!"
Val took out his knife from his back pocket, pointing it towards the blond-haired woman. His voice lifeless and cold.
"Get up, bastard."
Everyone around him shivered. Silence filled their surroundings. The atmosphere turned darker. The light of the sun hit Val's blue eyes, which seemed sharper than ever.
Indra behind him spoke hesitantly, breaking the silence.
"Val… she is dea—"
Suddenly the lifeless body began shaking, making Kyle take a step back. Everyone watched bewilderedly as her hands moved. Suddenly a cough came out of her mouth, still covered in blood.
Jack stood in front with his knife, aiming at her, his eyes slightly twitching.
A voice, rough and soft, came from her mouth.
"I got caught!"
Her hand grabbed the spear splattered with blood and pulled it out roughly, tainting the floor with red. Phes's hand shook slightly. Indra now held strongly to her wand, her gray eyes shaking. Val looked directly at the woman's eyes with a hint of defiance.
The blond woman's gaze, now lively and frenetic. She pushed herself up as if nothing had happened. The hole left by the spear began closing slowly, her body coming back to life, her skin regaining color. Her hands placed together in front of her legs, that would almost seem innocent if not for the splash of blood that came from her mouth. She stood a bit shorter than Val, meeting his gaze with a smile. Her features were young, just like his. She calmly shook dirt away from her thin leather armor. She let out a sigh, seemingly speaking to herself in a low voice.
"Dammit, after I prepared it all…"
She raised her head straight, clearing her throat. She bowed as if pulling an imaginary dress from below, casually.
"Did you miss me?"
"Val?"
Val gritted his teeth strongly.
Kyle's eyes now fierce. He spoke in a commanding tone.
"Val… Explain."
"Or we attack."
Phes's eyes glowing in red.
Val raised his hand, speaking once again.
"This woman is Izanami."
"I used to know her… Not anymore."
Izanami giggled lightly, her laugh sending a shiver down the group's spines. She spoke once again, this time her voice not so innocent, her eyes wide. She tilted her head slightly to the right.
"You didn't tell them how you abandoned me?"
Kyle stared at Val with one eyebrow raised high.
Val spoke, his knife trembling.
He didn't answer.
She stared at the knife blankly. A smirk found its way on her face.
"You know that won't do…"
Suddenly heavy steps approached from behind Val. Boots hitting the ground heavily.
Thorn approached, right from behind, his vision covered by Val's back, making him unable to see the woman who just rose from the dead. Thorn spoke, not seeing what was happening.
"I think they left from Hentan with u—"
Thorn turned to the right, his view clearing. He caught a glimpse of Val's knife and the woman who rose from the dead. Her hair being pushed by the wind. Thorn's eyes widened at the sight. Instantly he pressed his feet against the ground, the muscles in his leg tightened.
Val noticed Thorn at the corner of his eye.
"No! Thorn, wai—!"
Thorn dashed, taking his wooden shield off of his back, pushing it forward with great speed, aiming at the woman.
Val took a step back, Phes igniting her fists, ready to follow Thorn.
Val shouted to the top of his lungs, sweat rolling down his face.
"NO!"
Thorn's shield collided with Izanami. A smile formed on her face. She was sent back two meters, her feet strongly clinging to the floor. Thorn's mind resounded.
Strong…
Right after, Phes was ready to strike her, flinging her fists at her, ignited with flames. She swung with all of her might. Izanami dodged easily, her torso bent back while her feet still strongly attached to the ground. She spoke, staring above in a low voice.
"Is this what I get after so long?"
Phes screamed at her.
"Shut it! You dead woman!"
Val screamed.
"Phes, don't!"
She raised her fist, set ablaze, attempting to strike her torso downward. In the blink of an eye, she traversed right behind Val.
Phes's mind puzzled.
What the…
Val froze. Izanami was right behind her, her gaze still locked on Phes. Val's breath becoming heavy. She whispered in his ear. Thorn stood frozen at her speed. Indra left without words. Kyle was staring, gritting his teeth, with his fists lowered, closed tightly.
"So you are worried about her?"
She slowly placed her hand on his shoulder, nearing her face with his.
"Hmm"
"I missed you a lot."
"But…"
Her voice now sounding bitter.
"You… didn't even look back when you left me."
"Curious."
She stepped back, approaching Phes once again. Val frozen, words unable to come out of his mouth. His knife now lowered.
"It's sad I don't have much time…"
"But this will give you a taste."
The next second, she was back in front of Phes, grabbing her by the arm in a blink. Phes screamed.
"Let go, wench!"
Izanami tightened her grip, making Phes's flames dim. She groaned.
Val mumbled.
"No…"
He raised his voice, now stronger.
"DON'T."
The next second, Izanami snapped Phes's arm, making her scream, her face twisting in pain, making her eyes water. Maintaining her grip on her now broken hand.
Kyle's eyes widened. His mind crumbled.
She's… Too fast.
Val screamed once again.
"Leave her!"
Indra, right behind, quickly raised her wand. Suddenly, the surroundings turned dark. Heavy rain falling in the surroundings. Indra screamed to the top of her lungs.
"LEAVE HER ALONE!"
Suddenly, a thunder struck Izanami, lighting their surroundings, followed by a loud bang. Izanami was lying on the floor, her body burned and unmoving. Phes, finally away from her grip, caught her breath, grabbing her broken hand with the other, her eyes filled with desperation. Silence followed. Val shook once again.
Kyle spoke.
"Good job, Indra."
Indra lowered her wand as water fell on her face, her still shaken. The rain dissipated, the clouds still lingering above.
Val hurriedly screamed, trying to muster words.
"Leave! It's not over!"
Izanami raised back up. Indra's eyes opening wide. She grabbed Phes by the broken arm, tearing it apart from her body. Phes's scream echoed.
"AGH!"
Blood splattered on the floor. Her arm gone from her elbow below. Izanami grabbed the arm and sucked its life quickly, leaving it wrinkly and without muscle. The scar left by the strike suddenly healing. Kyle and Thorn dashed forward in an attempt to help Phes. Thorn hit his shield into the ground, shining in green light. Underneath Izanami, roots rose. Right before grabbing her, she disappeared as if she never was there in the first place. Thorn groaned, falling to his knees.
Izanami's voice echoed.
"Until later… Winter."
Kyle's gaze quickly went towards Phes, speeding up. He tore a piece of cloth and wrapped it on her arm, spilling blood. Phes now on the floor. Kyle wrapped his hands around her and stared at Val, who was behind. A frown formed on his face, his eyes fiercer than he had ever seen before. His eyes filled with disdain. His face still dripping with water from before.
"You better explain yourself after, Val."