The forest stood still. Celeste could feel every moment pressing against her, the rush of adrenaline already fading. Her eyes narrowed as she tracked the faintest shimmer of silver in the trees.
The figure appeared again, this time stepping out from the shadows with swift. Cloaked in dark, flowing fabric, their movements were fluid.
"You've crossed a line, Unbound One," the figure spoke again, their voice calm. "This place is off-limits."
Celeste clenched her fists She had no idea who this was, but the way they spoke—the arrogance—they knew who she was.
"I don't have time for this" Celeste said, her voice steady. "Who are you?"
The figure tilted their head slightly, as if amused by her question. "A mere shadow of the old world, nothing more. A servant. But one that has seen the truth and understands its place." Their voice grew darker. "I am Kaelen, a blade of the Pantheon."
Celeste's pulse quickened. The Enclave was one thing, but the Blades of the Pantheon were something else entirely.
Kaelen flicked their wrist, and the silver blade hummed to life with a faint glow. "You are the Unbound One, but you have yet to understand what that truly means. You've awakened something the gods should have left buried."
Celeste shifted her weight. The Aether pulsed around her, forming a barrier .
Kaelen darted forward faster than Celeste could track, the blade cutting through the air with a deadly precision. She managed to deflect the blow but the force still pushed her back.
She felt the pain, but it wasn't enough to stop her.the Aether responding to her emotions, twisting and spiraling around her in a storm of raw energy.
Kaelen's eyes gleamed "You have no idea what you're dealing with."
Celeste gritted her teeth. She didn't have the time to waste . She had to end this quickly
With a sharp motion, she threw her hands forward. A blast of silver-blue Aether shot from her palms, colliding with Kaelen. The figure twisted and weaved in the air, dodging the attack with unnatural agility.
Celeste's eyes flashed. The Aether wasn't enough to slow them down.
Think, Celeste. Think!
She focused, narrowing her senses. The Aether began to hum in her body, a perfect synchronization of mind and power. She had felt this before.
Kaelen lunged again Celeste didn't move. She stood still, the Aether forming around her, forming a thin thread between her and the oncoming blade. As Kaelen struck, she twisted to the side, letting the blade pass dangerously close to her skin—but then she snapped her hand forward, channeling the Aether through her fingers like a weapon itself.
Aether Lash.
Energy shot forward in the shape of a knife, slicing through the air .Kaelen barely had time to react. The lash caught the side of their cloak, ripping it open.
Kaelen's expression faltered. They blinked, surprise flashing across their face. "You... You're more dangerous than I thought."
Celeste took a step forward, her gaze steady.
The Aether around her flared. A swirl of energy beneath her feet and propelled herself into the air.
Aether Eruption.
A shockwave of force beneath her, throwing Kaelen off balance. She moved swiftly.
With a sudden, decisive motion, Celeste formed a single, concentrated blast in her hands—pushing every ounce of energy she had into it.
"This ends now."
She hurled the blast at Kaelen, but instead of dodging, they met it head-on. The blade glowed absorbing the energy of her attack. Celeste watched, eyes narrowing.
"That's… new." Celeste muttered to herself.
Kaelen was using the power of her own Aether against her. But that didn't stop Celeste. She could feel her energy, building again in response to her intent.
Before Kaelen could do anything, Celeste surged forward, slamming into them with the full force.