Chapter 12 | Five of Cards against the Beasts beneath the Moonlight Part 2

Daphne, what are you doing?"

"Im closing the curtains, you dumb dumb!"

Daphne made no haste to completely close off all curtains in the vicinity. She was determined to ensure that not even a sliver of light could penetrate through the windows. Tsubasa would never expect Daphne, of all people, to cower from danger, given the explosive charisma she boasts here and there. 'Guess she was all bark, no bite, Tsubasa muttered to herself, unless she was hiding something from the group. Of course, Daphne used her aptitude to help seal off the view from the windows, but Tsubasa wasn't ready to deal with a multitude of scenarios. Tsubasa couldn't help but wonder if Daphne's sudden determination to block out any light was a sign that she was hiding something from the group. As Tsubasa observed Daphne's actions, she couldn't shake off the feeling that there might be more to this situation than meets the eye. Dealing with each of them one at a time would be a success in progress; they just needed to pick the right enemy first. "Let's deal with him first since he's out in the open and we know where he is," Tsubasa said as he approached the window where the mysterious man was, slowly opening the blinds just seconds after Daphne hastily shut them. He was nowhere to be seen. "Dammit!" She pounded her fist against the window in frustration. Tsubasa slowly looked back at everyone.

Tsubasa and everyone gathered together to come up with a plan in the hope of annihilating the beast and liberating the mansion from any further danger, at least until the eponymous Sword Saint arrives. Another concern that needed to be dealt with was Ko's injured condition and the mysterious man in black, who poses a greater gravitational disadvantage than it already does for the group.

[Tsubasa]: "First off\, Ro\, what can you tell us about any mythical beasts in the forest?"

Ro finally distanced herself from Ko, as she was not even an inch away from her wounded sister the entire time when almost everyone, excluding Yo, had gathered. She explained...

[Ro]: "There aren't any common beasts in the area that are lethal; however\, there is a myth that a 'cindertaur' is rumored to have been seen in the forest by some travelers very recently\, ranging from at least a week ago. They described it as a huge four-legged beast with venomous fangs\, and its skin could burn people; at least that's what the magical index of beasts says. Accordingly\, travelers were lucky enough to only catch a glimpse of it and escape safely. They also said that they don't have eyes but can sense living things with their thermal sense. They are largely popular on the Phiroth continent."

'At least a week ago..., which was around the same time Tsubasa had arrived in this new world, it seems that there is a very slim thread that connects like a very obscure web that has yet to unravel itself. And it seems connected to Tsubasa in some way.

[Luna]: "How is it possible for one to be here then? I've heard that cindertaurs reside in volcanoes or at extremely hot temperatures; they wouldn't be able to survive in these woodlands."

[Ro]: "You make a good point\, Master Luna; I'm afraid I do not have an explanation for that since it's only a rumor."

[Tsubasa]: "Ko did mention that the thing that attacked her had huge fangs. This is too much of a coincidence; it can't be the real thing\, right?"

[Luna]: "Tsubasa\, seeing that man also jogged my memory of some archives I'd read about legends a long time ago. ' A man cloaked in darkness\, only half his face is visible\, only showing the expression of his mouth. Luna was spacing out mid-conversation. The point is\, he only appears amid chaos in every major event in the past; people claimed to spot the same man throughout centuries sharing the same description."

[Tsubasa]: "Are you insinuating that this is going to become some 'major event'?"

"There's not enough information about him, other than the fact he can teleport."

Well, that's helpful; we're dealing with a beast we can't touch and a stalker who can teleport indefinitely anywhere he pleases; alongside the fact that the stormy night is shrouded with a continuous rage of thunder, am I missing anything else?"

[Daphne]: "Ooh ooh."

[Tsubasa]: "Yes\, Daphne?"

[Daphne]: "I'm hungry."

"..."

"You can't be serious."

Tsubasa face palmed herself in disbelief once more. Their situation couldn't be more severe; we're restricted by any means of normal magic usage and can only resort to using their Divine Aptitudes. Tsubasa couldn't control hers, and Luna is the only one that can be used offensively. Not to mention someone needed to stay back with Ko while finding Yo, who was not around at the time. For now, Tsubasa assigned Luna to look after Ko in the main room. Tsubasa, Daphne, and Ro would venture into the mansion to locate Yo.

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From the outside, this mansion looks magnificent. It has been built with wheat-colored bricks and has white pine wood decorations. Large, octagonal windows add to the overall look of the house and have been added to the house in a very symmetrical way. The mansion is equipped with a large kitchen and one average bathroom; it also has a warm living room, two bedrooms, a small dining area, a pool game room, and a grand storage room. The building is shaped like a short U. The mansion's unique U-shaped design allows for a spacious and private courtyard in the center, providing a tranquil outdoor space for relaxation or entertaining guests. Additionally, the carefully chosen materials and architectural details give the mansion an elegant and timeless charm that sets it apart from other houses in the area. The two extensions are linked by a garden path. The second floor is smaller than the first, which, in combination with its placement, creates an original look. The smaller second floor not only adds to the originality of the mansion's appearance but also allows for a more intimate and cozy atmosphere on the upper level. The garden path connecting the two extensions enhances the overall flow and connectivity of the property, creating a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. This floor has a very different style than the floor below. The roof is high, triangular, and layered and is covered with flat roof tiles. The unique roof design not only adds architectural interest but also provides ample natural light to the upper floor, making it feel bright and airy. Additionally, the flat roof tiles contribute to the modern aesthetic of the mansion, creating a striking contrast with the traditional materials used on the lower level. Two large chimneys sit on either side of the mansion. Many smaller windows let plenty of light into the rooms below the roof. The mansion itself is surrounded by paved ground, with a small pond at one side and various potted plants all around the mansion. The paved ground surrounding the mansion provides a clean and polished look, while the small pond adds a touch of tranquility to the overall ambiance. The presence of various potted plants further enhances the aesthetic appeal, adding pops of color and natural beauty to the surroundings.

Embarking around the mansion was not so easy; through many turns and walkways in the corridors, the volume of the beastly cindertaur fluctuated as if, the farther away they got from the main hall, the safety hub was no longer an option. But this did not bother Tsubasa; she had another agenda in mind. If the lights around the mansion had a function concerning how the flow of mana is inputted, then maybe she could harness her Divine Aptitude similarly. In one of the rooms they had passed, she grabbed hold of a small metal component that was malleable. It felt cool and smooth in her hand, and she could sense faint energy emanating from it. Intrigued, Tsubasa tucked the metal component into her pocket, determined to experiment with it later. As they continued their exploration of the mansion, she couldn't help but wonder what other secrets it held and how they could aid her in unlocking her Divine Aptitude. It was only a matter of how she would be able to use the metal with something that could be used for combat, yet nothing in the mansion had anything of the sort. Tsubasa didn't have a way of telling the time, but according to Ro, it was nearly 11:00 p.m. Room after room, no luck in finding Yo. Tsubasa's frustration grew as they searched each room, desperately hoping to find Yo. The mansion seemed to hold an endless maze of secrets, but none of them seemed to lead them any closer to their missing companion. Tsubasa was starting to wonder if the beast had gotten to her already. She decided to split off from Ro and Daphne to cover more ground. The mansion's indoor dimensions felt weird; it felt way bigger relative to how it looked from the outside, regardless of whether the garden would be a good lead to finding Yo. It was the only facility that was physically cut off from the mansion. The tricky thing for Tsubasa was the idea that she might get attacked by the man or the beast. But she couldn't let anything happen to the sisters.

11:13 PM ~

Tsubasa had a chill when the sky was dramatically torn apart by lightning, accompanied by a loud crash of thunder. Her golden, tied hair was illuminated by the stormy night's hazy moonlight like silver petals. In the soggy, gloomy night, twisted trees loomed tall and majestically like skyscrapers. She was suddenly pushed farther and farther down the unending route by a strong gust of wind. As her strides grew longer and quicker, she noticed that her heart was beating like a train in high gear. She was a complete mess!

She wasn't intending to go this far. The idle stroll through the tenebrous woodland had become a terrifying nightmare. The rain cried as it pounded on the ancient, unsettling tree trunks, trembling with dread. Her forward vision was obscured by the thick fog that enveloped the rough jungle. She struggled to suppress her uncontrollable panting, which was accompanied by silent tears of sweat rolling down her pale face. Her matte, wet, wavy hair stuck to her sweaty face. Even though she had been running for only 13 minutes. A menacing shadow suddenly appeared in the distance, sending a shiver up and down Tsubasa's spine. She took a moment to study the enormous form while remaining motionless as a statue. It stood firmly in front of the bright moon and appeared to be a terrifying creature, scarred and bruised, with a misaligned tooth and no eyes. The wind howled, tearing at the broken branches and ripping twigs off the old, twisted trees as the hunched monster howled like an owl. There was a sudden, deafening hush. "Oh, Shi-"

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11:18 PM ~

"YO!!"

"RO!!"

The pair of sisters finally reunited on short notice after a series of searches from room to room; alas, Daphne and Ro had located Yo safely. "Thank goodness you are safe, sister." Ro grabbed Yo's two hands tightly. "Sister! I keep hearing these weird noises, so I went to see what they were, but all I heard was screaming somewhere. I'm glad nothing happened to you!" Yo and Ro were cuddling each other affectionately. Yo and Ro exchanged relieved smiles, grateful to be in each other's arms once again. As they held each other close, Yo couldn't help but shiver at the memory of the malevolent screams echoing through the mansion. The ground started shaking, and the roaring sounds from earlier were thought to have simmered but returned to continue their chorus. "Uh oh, that can't be good." Daphne was spinning her head in all directions, trying to pinpoint the source of the noise, or rather, the battle that broke out. Daphne smirked in ecstasy, cracking her fists together, looking all pumped up and ready for battle. "I guess the stupid Cinder thingy showed itself; you two stay back while I beat it to a pulp." The Cindertaur must have felt greatly underestimated hearing that, which is how Daphne ended up right at the jaws of the gargantuan fiend, which chomped the surface above her, shoving the beast's body onto Daphne. Even so, Daphne's smirk didn't waver. She took a deep breath, sparks of pink flashing from her body. "He heh, get ready for a world of hurt, you dumb beastie!" With a burst of energy, Daphne unleashed her powers, sending a powerful shockwave through the air. The Cindertaur roared in pain as it was thrown back, momentarily stunned by the unexpected attack.

Divine Aptitude of Swiftness: Light Step Attack

Sparks fly by as Daphne's afterimages that she's created with a technique imbued with her aptitude confuse the cindertaur. As the cindertaur struggled to regain its footing, Daphne swiftly maneuvered around it, her movements a blur of speed and agility. With each step, she delivered precise strikes, exploiting the confusion caused by her afterimages. The Cindertaur's roars grew weaker as Daphne's divine aptitude for swiftness proved to be a formidable advantage in their battle. Missing every bite, the flow of mana may have been disrupted; however, Daphne had managed to confuse it by creating thermal energy from her pink lightning. As the Cindertaur's strength waned, Daphne seized the opportunity to unleash a final, devastating blow. With a graceful leap, she channeled her divine energy into a concentrated blast of pink lightning, striking the creature directly in its vulnerable core. The impact sent shockwaves through its body, causing it to collapse in defeat, its roars silenced forever. "Heh heh, if I simply create energy, that thing will bump itself to death!" is Daphne's thought process. But in reality, although technically speaking, lightning is only the movement of electrical charges and has no temperature, the materials that the lightning is traveling through heat up as a result of resistance to the flow of these electrical charges. Daphne was giving energy to the lamps built in the corridors of the mansion, which in turn confused the cindertaur. Daphne continues to embarrass the cindertaur even more by doing a hit-and-run tactic, dealing damage while taunting it all the same. This tactic made it difficult for the cindertaur to retaliate effectively. As Daphne's hit-and-run strategy continued, the cindertaur grew increasingly frustrated and struggled to anticipate her movements. Ro and Yo also pitched in and used their battle axes to attack it, leaving scars and blood pouring out of its guts.

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11:20 PM ~

"Not good, not good, not good."

Tsubasa is running for her life as the cindertaur closes in on her. The likely chances of Tsubasa winning her battle would go hand in hand with the likelihood of help from the brewing thunder outside. By turning the odds against her in her favor in hopes of defeating the monstrous cindertaur. Tsubasa knew it would not be enough for thunder to deal a killing blow. She needed to find a way to harness its power and use it as a weapon against her formidable opponent. With each passing second, Tsubasa's mind raced, desperately searching for a solution that would turn the tide in her favor. At least it would halt it, giving Tsubasa ample time to construct her idea and put it to fruition. So she began strategizing a way to still make use of her aptitude. The problem is that being constantly attacked makes it hard for Tsubasa to enact her plans and maneuvers. As Tsubasa analyzed her opponent's relentless attacks, she realized that she needed to find a way to create a defensive barrier or diversion that would buy her the necessary time. She considered utilizing her agility and speed to evade the attacks momentarily, allowing her to execute her plans without interruption. However, she knew that this would require precise timing and impeccable reflexes. "Crap crap crap, if I can just finish crafting this, I'm sure I can turn the tide, dammit!" Tsubasa being chased really let out her cardio hit overdrive; never in her life would she be dodging and weaving, barely escaping the beast's venomous fangs and, of course, its blazing skin. She tried to gather help from the others, but she could already tell that Daphne was dealing with her fight with another cindertaur. There's another one?" Daphne was on the second floor of the mansion, and the walls were disintegrating in the upheaval of the battle, which was how Tsubasa could see there was another cindertaur in the first place. "Ro and Yo have joined the battle; that's good; now I can only worry about myself for the time being!" Tsubasa lowered her gaze from the upper level and stopped herself in front of her enemy. "It's just a prototype, but here goes nothing!" She had taken something out of her jacket and equipped it with something that resembled the five poker cards from earlier. Ace of Spades, 'King of Diamonds, 'Queen of Clubs, 'Joker, and 13 Hearts: "I only had five chances to turn the tide...

Divine Apitude : Flower Of Summer Marigold!"

As Tsubasa activated her special ability, a burst of radiant energy enveloped her, causing the surrounding air to shimmer. The cards in her hand transformed into ethereal petals that danced around her, each carrying immense power. With determination in her eyes, she knew that these five chances would be all she needed to defeat her enemy and emerge victorious.

A spiral of flame materialized, swirling from Tsubasa towards the atmosphere, engulfing the cold rain with its warm purity, as if Tsubasa were the eye of the storm, laying out her domain to counter the very storm that rules the beasts beneath the moonlight. Harnessing the bubble of flame surrounding Tsubasa, she managed to direct its power to her cards. The cards glowed with intense energy, each one pulsating with the potential to unleash devastating attacks. With a flick of her wrist, Tsubasa sent the first card soaring toward her enemy, confident that this newfound power would give her the upper hand in battle. Tossing her Ace of Spades with precision, she flicked it from her fingers, which shot like a bullet and detonated upon critical contact with the flamboyant cindertaur. The beast howled in pain from the explosion and wailed on the ground. Tsubasa hadn't any idea how lethal her attacks would be, thrusting her all that she was capable of mustering up in the spur of the moment. The beast was certainly in agony; however, no wounds were seen on its grey fur. Tsubasa had forgotten that fire was their forte and most familiar element. It was like sending a tsunami to a whale. As Tsubasa watched the cindertaur writhe in pain, she realized her mistake. She had underestimated the creature's resilience and failed to consider its natural resistance to fire. Her powerful attack had been like trying to drown a fish in water. That's one card off her sleeve; she has four more left. "Back to the drawing board, tck".

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