Chapter 34 - Burning Blades and Broken Trust
This was worse than an Emergency Rift.
Losing a single squad member inside a Rift was bad enough. Painful? Yes, but still within the realm of control.
But this? A full-blown clash erupting within the team itself, between the two most powerful fighters in the group? This wasn't just a setback. This was a disaster waiting to unfold.
And to make matters worse, this Rift expedition had somehow spiraled into a murder case. Someone was dead, and now everyone was scrambling to figure out who the killer was.
Orion and Elias clashed again, streaks of movement too fast for the eye to follow. The next impact hit with terrifying force, the blaze of fire colliding violently with the surging might of water magic. The air cracked and shuddered. Everyone nearby instinctively raised their arms to shield their faces from the explosive backlash.
"Stop it! You idiots. Stop it!" Oriana's voice thundered across the battlefield. "Someone stop these two damn fools!"
Two of the team's defenders quickly raised their shields, stepping forward, but hesitation clung to their movements. The fury erupting between Orion and Elias was overwhelming, their blades moving with lethal speed, every strike laced with deadly intent. A few of the crew even stepped back, retreating to avoid being caught in the battle.
"Orion! Elias! Stop it or we'll all be killed because of your stupidity!" Oriana shouted again, her voice raw with fury and desperation.
Without waiting, she drew her sword, ready to charge in, ready to force them apart herself.
But just as she was about to move, two other crew members surged forward. Both were defenders, and both threw themselves between the combatants, slamming their shields hard against the incoming blades.
The clash sent shockwaves through the air as Orion and Elias were both knocked back, forced to retreat a few steps, still glaring at each other with blades raised, tension crackling like lightning between them.