SOUL-SEEKER || (On Hiatus)

(Chapter 22) Actions & Motives.

Towards the southern expanse of the dense woodland, Team C has maintained a notably restrained approach in comparison to their counterparts. Their efforts have thus far culminated in the vanquishing of only a scant few of the malevolent devils that inhabit these woods. Presently, they find themselves steadily advancing, with an ultimate destination in mind, as they make their way towards the southwestern precincts of this sprawling forest.

VCT: Miss Violet, shouldn't we start being a bit more aggressive?
VLT: No need. Once the others are exhausted, that's when we'll strike. For now we'll just scout the area and avoid unnecessary fights.
ETH: This is so boring! I want to fight someone so bad!
VLT: Silence, brat. My words are your command.
ETH: Tsk, so annoying.

Violet moves in close to Ethans' face, her eyes shooting him a piercing glare that could cut glass. In response, Ethan counters with an even nastier expression, and the two of them engage in a heated exchange of words. As the verbal battle rages between them, Victor, who has been observing the confrontation, suddenly detects a subtle movement among the trees nearby. His attention shifts from the argument to the surrounding woods, and in an instant, a chilling sensation runs down his spine, causing his body to shudder involuntarily.

VCT: (A devils' aura?! No, something more sinister!)

Suddenly, out of the dense woods, a dark, shadowy figure hurtles forward at incredible speed. It lunges at Victor, its fingers clutching his throat with a vice-like grip, slamming him forcefully against the sturdy trunk of a towering tree. The impact is jarring, and Victor's gasps for breath are choked by the relentless hold on his windpipe. Meanwhile, Violet and Ethan, their expressions filled with a mixture of shock and dread, slowly turn their heads to see what ominous presence lurks behind them, their hearts pounding with fear and anticipation.

KDN: It's about time I've found my prey!
VLT: (Shit! This is the worst case scenario!)
ETH: Oh, you think you're the predator?! How about a taste of real pain?!

Ethan, with an air of determination, swiftly darts past Violet's outstretched hand, her attempt to halt him falling short. He launches himself skyward, soaring gracefully above Kaden's menacing figure. With a focused intensity, he begins to channel a formidable surge of electrical energy, gathering it into a potent, crackling current that crackles and arcs with power. Then, without hesitation, he unleashes this electrifying force upon Kaden, directing it with precision and unwavering resolve. As the electrical onslaught surges forth, it engulfs Kaden, shrouding him in a swirling haze of smoke and sizzling sparks. Amid the dissipating smog, Ethan can't help but wear an audacious smirk, a testament to his bold and calculated move, but his arrogance was shut down once Kaden walked out unscathed, carrying Victor by the collar.

KDN: Is that all you've got, so-called predator?
ETH: You sure know how to get on someone's nerves!

As Ethans' body continues to crackle with the surging, overflowing electric current, it's evident that he's tapped into a wellspring of energy that promises to unleash a storm of power. The air hums with electrifying tension around him. In close proximity, Violet is no less prepared for the imminent clash, her senses attuned and honed for the challenges that lie ahead. The two of them stand poised, a palpable aura of readiness enveloping them, as they brace for a battle that's bound to be nothing short of intense. Meanwhile, in a different corner of the forest, a world away from Ethans' and Violet's charged encounter, Lucas and Ezra make for a formidable team, a relentless duo determined to make their mark. With ruthless efficiency, they sweep through the area, dispatching devils with swift precision. Devil after devil falls before them, their combined efforts resulting in a growing tally of points, each kill contributing to their ever-increasing score. But even the most formidable hunters need a moment of respite, and after an unrelenting onslaught against the devils, Lucas and Ezra pause to catch their breath.

LCS: *pant* Which one was that?
EZR: That last one- *pant* -was our 50th devil.
LCS: We make a pretty good team, don't we?
EZR: Copy that.

Lucas leans back, propping himself up on his elbows as he gazes skyward. His eyes follow the graceful arcs of birds as they soar through the boundless expanse of the heavens. There's a serene stillness in the air, a profound sense of tranquility settling in around him, as if nature itself is taking a moment to catch its breath. The world seems to slow down, each passing moment stretching out into an eternity, allowing Lucas to savor the simple pleasure of watching those feathered creatures in their effortless flight. The sky above is a canvas of endless blue, a perfect backdrop for the avian ballet that unfolds before him.

LCS: There's been something I've been meaning to ask you, Ezra.
EZR: Hmm, what is it?
LCS: On the last day of school, when I met you on the rooftop...
EZR: You were going to ask me out.
LCS: Yeah, but seeing your reaction now makes your answer obvious.
EZR: I apologize for that, Lucas, because it's not that my decision is coming from my own feelings, but rather my duty as a hunter.
LCS: It's alright, I understand what you mean.
EZR: And another thing, sorry for this.
LCS: What are you talk-

Lucas was utterly taken aback, his eyes widening in shock as he bore witness to an astonishing and deeply unsettling sight. Standing right before him was not just a teammate but someone he had always considered a close friend. And yet, in a shocking turn of events, this supposed ally of his had drawn a blade and ruthlessly slashed it across his own chest. The abruptness of the act left Lucas bewildered and disoriented, unable to make sense of the situation. Ezra, seemingly unperturbed by her own violent actions, swiftly positioned themselves to launch another attack on the now-tense and thoroughly perplexed Lucas.

LCS: *cough* What are you doing, Ezra?!
EZR: Switch with him before I'm forced to kill you!

Ezra swiftly advanced, her nimble movements carrying her towards her target like a gust of wind through the forest. As she closed in on the massive tree trunks, her deft fingers brushed against the bark, coaxing it to transform into a formidable wooden blade. This makeshift weapon, surprisingly keen despite its organic origins, possessed an edge sharp enough to slice through flesh and bone. With a resolute determination in her eyes, she commenced a series of calculated swings, each aimed at inflicting fatal wounds upon her opponent. Lucas, on the other hand, had undergone a subtle shift in his approach. In the face of Ezra's relentless assault, he had chosen a more cautious strategy. Instead of launching counterattacks, he focused on evading her deadly strikes, his every move calculated to ensure he remained unscathed.

LCS: (Switch with him?! Don't tell me she means the devil!)

Ezra, driven by a potent determination, initiated a decisive move aimed at delivering a potentially lethal blow. Her target was Lucas's neck, and with swift precision, she executed a forceful strike. However, in a display of agility and quick thinking, Lucas managed to evade the impending danger. Lowering his stance, he deftly ducked beneath the oncoming attack, simultaneously employing a strategic maneuver. With a well-timed sweep of his leg, he targeted Ezra's feet, disrupting her balance and causing her to lose her footing.

LCS: (I'll tire her out until she listens to reason!)
EZR: (I'll force to him to switch before the others catch on!)

Both individuals found themselves entrenched in an intense and unyielding stalemate, where neither was willing to concede ground or make the first move. The atmosphere crackled with tension as they faced each other, their gazes locked and unwavering, each acutely aware of the other's presence. It was a standoff that seemed to stretch on endlessly, a test of patience and nerves, with neither side showing any sign of backing down or relenting in their resolve.

End of Chapter 22
"Actions & Motives"

[ Ezra has betrayed Lucas. ]