Embers of Sun and Flame (Fuegoleon Vermillion x OC)

Chapter 1 New encounter

Rain. A cold wind blew from what must have been west, flowing amidst the trees of the forest Solara was passing. Luckily it wasn't pouring down, but this dark and dreary weather was hardly pleasant either. Her feet splashed on the soft ground as she made her way forward, the chill seeping down to her muscles. She was fortunate to not be one to get cold too easily, but this had continued for a good while already and soon it's be more sensible to just camp for the night.

More sensible, she thought to herself. Many wouldn't deem passing through a strong magic reason on one's own as sensible by any means, especially as she wasn't exactly in her element at the moment. But she was confident that the mana that surrounded her, would give her all the aid she needed. After all, it was inscribed into her veins with the blood of her ancestors. Mana will pass you, flow through your fingertips as you command, people would say. As if it was that simple. Nothing is simple. And yet, everything is simple.

She smirked as she stopped and looked up to the grey sky, pulling her hood from her face. Droplets beat against her complexion, as she pondered about it. Just one more paradox to consider, huh? There was so much to see, so much to consider before returning home for good and taking on her position. All the options, customs, practises, and endless amount of them. Would they really work in Thea? It was all just so... different. And yet, when you look it deep down, to the very basics of it, everything was the same. Is that what they want us to understand? Is that what they want us to see beforehand? That behind every banner, every border, there are people with hopes and dreams and ideals, much like our own. Isn't that given? She sighed and turned to face back down, continuing forward. But it doesn't mean that their loyalty is with you... The thought weighed on her as she walked, deep in thought and mana swirling around her.

She stopped. Her posture straightened as something pierced through the steady fluttering of energy around her. Not exactly hostility, but there was an intention in the making. She looked around for the source, until she noticed a pair of ferocious blue eyes staring at her, and she felt the untamed roar of the fiery mana. She stared back, waiting for whatever would follow. Had they wanted to attack her, it would have made more sense to do so when she wasn't paying attention. Or was this the brief moment during which a predator zeroes in on their target before lunging in, having only just noticed their prey? Regardless, she stared back, turning to face the eyes and removed her hood, the last act appearing to serve as an invitation.

A red-haired figure lunged at her, eyes gleaming with bloodlust and a sound barrier piercing yell erupting, breaking air between them. Solara dodged only to find the attacker follow her movements seamlessly.

Fists... How straightforward of her... Hm. She's also fast and she can use mana zone as well. But she is yet to strike at my vitals, she thought as she stared her attacker, eye to eye, testing which of them would blink first.

They bounced around, using mana zone to its full potential as Solara continued to evade the punches coming her way. She frowned as she saw how lazily those strikes were thrown her way, simultaneously wondering about what possible motivations the woman might have. This was hardly a proper fight, yet at least, but still she kept her mana skin up and opened her mouth to speak; only to close it as the space between them abruptly grew. The woman stood still; gaze still fixed on her.

That gaze. Solara knew it. She was being evaluated. All those attacks hadn't been careless, they had been for the sole purpose of testing her. Her eyes opened wider at the revelation. I see... she thought as she grinned. A little brawl might be fun. I wonder if you can push me past wanting to open the seals...

The woman grinned in turn before shouting out: "Glad you finally figured it out! Now, come at me!"

Solara chuckled to herself internally as she thought: Who is this woman?