CHAPTER 45: BLOOMING THREAT

Unknown-

Within a place full of snow and ash, tall hills blanketed the place as the tall trees with black wood and pale ash-like leaves swayed by the wind. Star beasts roamed the place. Battle cries, screams, and clashing sounds filled the area as two beasts fought each other.

One of them had a body similar to a lion, but it was double in size, its skin was black like onyx, its eyes were ruby-like red, its mane was like that of smoke, and its fangs and claws had a purple sheen to them. It had a natural aura of dread.— A Darkmaw lion—

The other one was a serpent as big as the lion, its skin white as marble, its slitted eyes were dark green and had an ominous glint to them, which made one feel fear from just looking at them, black cracks covered its body, and its two jade-like fangs made it much more predatory. — A jade serpent—

Both of these star beasts were of Ignited ranks; they clashed together, seemingly ready to either kill or die.

The darkmaw lion roared, and a purple smoke left its mouth.

"ROOOOARRR"

The jade serpent slithered as it dodged the purple smoke and wrapped itself around the darkmaw lion as it bit its fangs into the back of the darkmaw lion. The darkmaw lion roared in fury as it thrashed around, causing the jade serpent to lose its grip. The darkmaw lion grabbed the jade serpent’s tail and tore it apart with its crystal-like claws.

"Hisss..." the jade serpent hissed in agony and fury as it moved away from the darkmaw lion.

The darkmaw lion dashed towards the jade serpent as its claws glowed brighter. Seeing that, the jade serpent opened its mouth and a green smoke began to cover its fangs, then it jumped at the lion. The two beasts clashed once again, tearing and ripping each other apart.

After a few minutes, the darkmaw lion was able to defeat the serpent and began to rip apart its dead body. That was until...

*shhhh*

A sabre blade passed through its head, claiming its life.

A short black haired man with striking yellow eyes, His face was painted white, with a big red circle on his left eye, and a big yellow circle on his right eye and a small white teardrop beneath both of them. A wide, painted grin adorned his lips. He wore a black, noble-like jacket over a white shirt and black tie, paired with black pants and a brown sheath for his sabre. Solid black shoes completed his look. His figure was that of a trained swordsman; he had an elegant and tranquil aura. He stood atop the darkmaw lion’s back as his sabre claimed its life.

"Eliot," a heavy, annoyed voice called out to him.

Eliot turned toward the voice with a wide grin. He jumped from the dead darkmaw lion’s head and landed in a dramatic bow.

"My bad, gentlemen," Eliot said as he lifted his head and looked at the six figures standing before him. Five of which had hoods covering their faces.

The one who had called to him was a shoulder-length, light grey and yellow-haired man, fierce black eyes. A scar ran through his left cheek. He wore a dark green shirt with its upper two buttons open wide and rolled up sleeves. His power-packed muscles shone under the moonlight. Coloured tattoos covered his forearms, giving him a wild aura. Paired with cream pants and black boots. He walked forward, his stature prideful and spoke with furrowed brows.

"Eliot, you remember we are here for work, don’t you?"

"I do, I do. Arthur." Eliot said as he raised both of his arms in defeat.

Arthur sighed deeply upon seeing that as he spoke.

"When are you going to stop doing this?" Arthur said as he shook his head.

Offended by his words, Eliot narrowed his eyes as he spoke.

"What do you mean by that? Just to let you know, I am always serious about work."

"Hah... Yeah, Yeah... I didn’t say anything." Arthur said as he shook his head.

"Hmm, I thought so," Eliot said as he nodded to himself.

"Let’s continue," Arthur said as he gestured to the five hooded figures to follow.

The five hooded figures nodded as they began to follow them as they walked through the rough area.

They soon reached a clearing where something distinctive was taking place.

Black sand rhythmically swam in the shape of a sphere. A black dot glowed at the sphere’s centre. If one looked at the black dot for long enough, they would find that it was a tear in reality, spreading wider with each moment.

Arthur moved forward, his hands began to glow as a solid red layer covered his arms, and he punched.

*Boom*

The sphere crumbled as the sand was turned to fine dust, and so did the boulders and hills in the direction of his punch.

"Show off," Eliot called out with a teasing tone.

"Hmph." Arthur just snorted at him.

As the dust settled, a tiny, nail-length tear in space itself came into view. Periodic sounds of sparks came from it.

*pss* *pss*

"Another rift, huh..." Eliot spoke as he looked at the rift before him.

"It’s still far from opening," Arthur replied and stared at the rift with a dark look.

"Yeah." Eliot agreed with a nod of his head.

"How long do you think this one will take to open?" Arthur questioned with a frown.

Eliot stared at the rift for a few moments before answering.

"About four months..."

"This is the tenth rift we have found this month... Do you think we’ll be able to answer all of them?" Arthur questioned as he turned towards Eliot.

"If they keep increasing like that... then I don’t think we would be able to," Eliot replied with a dark look.

Both turned silent until Eliot turned towards the five hooded figures and passed orders.

"Note the location and estimated time it may open. Search the perimeter for dangers and get it all cleaned up within the next few weeks."

The five hooded figures nodded at his words and began their tasks.

Eliot looked at the rift for one final time before turning away.