Spectral Regalia

Ch 45: Long Awaited Encounter

Avrin spoke softly as he looked at the creature. "That looks nearly identical to a damn bear." Avrin sped up to go catch up with Syrana and Ayame with a sigh of frustration as they were meant to keep to themselves. He cared not for the trivial matters of orcs or if there petty offspring perished. It seemed he almost instantly got used to considering orcs as pests.

Avrin made his way into the clearing just in time to see Syrana jump towards the orc child that seemed somewhat bulky. She had perfect timing, as a moment sooner and the creature would have had the child in its grasp for a snack.

The child made weird high pitched grunting sounds that would be considered funny to Avrin had it not been for the situation. Ayame didn't hesitate to counter the bear creature as she jumped up and kicked towards its large bulky forearm.

Ayame's strength was indeed formidable as a large 'Bang!' like sound echoed slightly the moment her kick landed, sending the bear creature back several steps. It even seemed shocked at the sudden turn of events.

Avrin stood his ground as there was no need to get his hands dirty. In fact, he was more interested in the creature rather than rescuing the child. The creature, although resembling a bear, had a larger mouth span and sabre like teeth sticking out of the sides of its jaws.

Almost like an alligator. It had a dark green fur color but also had a sort of mane that ran around its back and downwards. Its size was easily nearly 2 and a half stories tall.

For the average warrior this may seem like a deadly opponent, but he knew Ayame herself could match it equally if not better. But he also knew the creatures attack was no pushover. One hit would definitely give Ayame a run for her money.

Ayame and the creature battled. The creature giving her a barrage of claw slashes knowing its prey had escaped for now and seeking vengeance on Ayame who attacked it. Ayame countered by slashing at its thick fur with her kunai that seemed to give it a somewhat nice cut, but nothing deep.

It was surprising, it shouldn't have cut at all, as Avrin had noticed on the way here, using his augmented eye, that the spears of the orcs trying to save the child couldn't penetrate its thick coat of fur.

Syrana moved the child to the orcs who seemed somewhat skeptical of her intentions but did not hesitate further to look after one of their young. Most stories depict orcs as ruthless savages who care only for their own well being, but it seemed like the variants here seemed to show otherwise.

Syrana turned and spoke to Ayame in a loud voice. "Ayame, stand aside.." Ayame blinked for a moment as she was enjoying the battle but frowned and then did as her teacher asked, stepping aside. All while Syrana had unsheathed Eclipse and pointed it towards the bear.

Syrana then fired an elemental arrow with little power as she did not intend to kill the creature, only show that she was superior. The arrow wielding physical properties as well as the force of the air skimmed faintly across the swamp, emitting a faint screech before plowing into the bears gut, knocking it back several meters as the bear creature rolled around letting a roar of agony as The ground shook with its anger and pain.

But this creature seemed to be smart and knew Syrana was more powerful of a predator and decided to retreat for today, as it left somewhat limping and battered, its tall figure vanishing into the shadows of the swamplands until not even its thunderous footsteps could be heard.

Syrana sighed slightly and Eclipse began to reform back into mana in the form of the sigil before going back into her right hand. Ayame, with a confident smile, approached her. "Teacher, you truly are something to be able to take such a creature out without even trying." This compliment made Syrana smile as she felt satisfied with her student's words.