Chapter 81: Battle with the Silver-Haired Creature
Nari’s blood pounded in her ears as she leapt from her horse, rolling across the damp forest floor and coming up in a defensive stance. The silver-haired creature tilted its head, water still dancing between elongated fingers.
"Seril, wide formation!" she commanded, not taking her eyes off their opponent.
The younger warrior dismounted with fluid grace, circling to the creature’s flank. "What is this thing?" she whispered, her remaining short sword gleaming in the moonlight.
"Whatever it is," Nari replied, pulling her backup blade from its sheath, "it bleeds like anything else."
The creature’s lips pulled back in what might have been a smile or a snarl, revealing teeth too numerous and sharp to be elven. Without warning, it thrust both hands forward. The water around its fingers hardened into jagged spikes that shot toward Nari with a sound like tearing silk.
WHSSSHHH!
Nari dropped to one knee, the water spikes passing over her head and embedding themselves in a tree trunk behind her. The impact sent bark flying in all directions.
CRACK! THUNK!
"Now, Seril!" Nari shouted, slamming her palm against the ground.
The forest floor erupted beneath her touch—roots and vines bursting from the soil in a wave that raced toward the creature. The plants wrapped around its legs, attempting to bind it in place.
Seril didn’t waste the opportunity. Her right hand shot forward, open-palmed, and an invisible wave of concentrated sound blasted from her fingers.