I keep moving, from spot to spot, throwing her off by cutting through the tree roots from far and from near. I can see her standing in the middle, her power like an armour around her. She’s still, though her power is anything but.
I just need to yank her onto her ass and call it a win.
But even as I try to get close, her power surges like a wall stronger than steel all around her, sensing even the tiniest of movements. I send several blasts in all directions. My mist tries to wrap around her, but her aura is impenetrable, deflecting the tendrils of power that I’m trying to wrap around her.
I block her attacks, trying to target the roots far from me, hoping for her to buy it even for a second. She suddenly turns her head, her eyes looking directly at me even though I’m masked, and I cluck my tongue.
Tch, she’s good.
I raise my aura, letting it swirl around her barrier, spinning it faster and harder, forcing it to close around her. Her dark green aura bleeds into my pale one, each fighting todominate the other.
Come on, there’s got to be a weakness in your barriers somewhere…
None, every single inch of it is strong.
She’s good.
Too good.
Fine.
She’s a powerful witch. I knew that, but right now she’s standing here, and not once have I seen her having to focus on casting a spell; her mouth is moving at times, but she’s not struggling. Almost as if this is child’s play…
Let’s take it up a notch then, init.
My aura rises around me as I increase the power, our two forces grinding and sparking where they touch.
The air crackles between us.
I launch forward, stretching out my hand as I call my scythe to me. I swing the blade down, calling back my power, and bring it down, cutting through her barrier. The power jars through us both, but I succeed as her barrier shatters.
I see a flash of dazzling gold, and the Tongue of Dawn wraps around my scythe, yanking it backwards.
But physical strength is my forte, Blondie.
Smirking, I yank my scythe back towards me with full force. She’s yanked from her spot and pulled towards me, her body colliding with mine.
Blondie’s on fucking fire, I suck in a breath as pain sears through me. I can smell leather and flesh burning.
Damn…
For a moment, her eyes widen, horrified at what she’s doing, before she tries to pull away, but I don’t release her.
“What’s wrong?” My voice comes out lower, rougher than I intend. “We’re not done.”
She narrows her eyes that are mixed with a hint of doubt.
You’re burning.
“I’m always this hot, remember?”
She rolls her eyes, twisting sharply, breaking free. A vine coils around my ankle, but I slice it to shreds, letting the mist grow thicker, but she tears through it effortlessly. Roots spear up, ripping at the shadows, dragging them apart.
I feign attacks through the real ones, cutting myself a path through the chaos, and land behind her as she deflects one of my false attacks. One move that has brought me the chance I need. Perfect.
I lean in, my lips almost brushing her ear.
“You’re good,” I whisper, “but I’m better.”
