tales of perdolia

chapter 52

Chapter

Roses in the Ashes
52

Angel: "Now I understand why you were the weakest warrior in the empire. Tell me, in this pitiful state, how do you plan to entertain me at this moment my troops are about to attack your lovely valley?"

Ashely smile response you are fool it's your troops that we'll be destroyed.

Far in the valley below, Selvara, Crowned Lioness of Leo, strode forward with her golden mane aflame, solar spear radiating molten fire. Beside her, Draven, Dark Centaur of Sagittarius, pulled back his void-soaked bowstring, the arrow trembling with black essence.

Draven: "Once this valley is reduced to ash, we move on. The emperor demands the slaughter of every civilian in this city block."

But as Selvara raised her spear, her stride faltered. Her nose twitched-something fragrant, sweet, and wrong drifted through the air.

Selvara: "...Do I smell... roses?"

She froze, confusion flashing in her golden eyes, then a sharp gasp escaped her throat. A pristine white rose erupted through her chest, piercing her heart before she could even swing her weapon. She staggered, her burning mane flickering dimly.

Selvara: "No... what is this? Is that-"

Her body convulsed as the white petals deepened, staining crimson as her life drained a

way.

Back on the battlefield, Ashley's bloody smile widened. She spat out blood before finishing the sentence for her foe.

Ashley: "-a bloody rose."

Angel's eyes widened, his expression shifting for the first time from arrogance to unease.

Ashley: "Did you truly believe this garden was the only place I grew them? You fool... my Demon Roses bloom eveywhere."

The sky seemed to darken as distant screams echoed from the valley. Draven howled in disbelief as roses sprouted along his legs, rooting him in place. The void dripping from his bow sizzled as thorned vines wrapped around him, white blooms piercing into his flesh

Ashley's voice grew stronger despite her wounds, every word heavy with vengeance.

Ashley: "Your scouts have already stepped into their graves. Each rose finds a heart... and drinks it dry. They will turn crimson, one by one, until nothing remains but corpses feeding my garden."

Angel narrowed his eyes, fury flickering like lightning in his gaze.

Angel: "...So, you've turned the battlefield itself into a trap. Clever... for a dying woman."

Ashley forced herself to stand, blood dripping down her ruined arm as petals began to swirl around her like a storm.

Ashley: "I may be broken... but you'll soon see why the weakest warrior was never the easiest to kill."

The battlefield shuddered as Angel's cosmic threads whipped outward, gowing like constellations come to life. They wrapped around Ashley's arms, legs, and throat, pulling her body into a cruel marionette dance. Each thread burned like fire against her skin, draining her strength, bending her will.

Angel (snarling):
"Struggle all you want. You were born to be nothing more than my puppet."

Ashley grit her teeth, her voice rising above the crackling threads.

Ashley (screaming):
"No! I will never bow to you!"

Her body ignited with radiant power, roses blooming in scarlet flame around her. She raised her broken arm and unleashed it-her ultimate attack.