The Essence Flow

Chapter 80: A Spark in the Cat’s Paw

Vaeren struck first.

He moved like a crack in the world—soundless, seamless, the space between blinks given flesh. No wasted motion. No flourish. Just pressure and death wrapped in a cloak of calm.

Eryndar didn’t hesitate. His foot met the ground, and the earth answered, surging upward in a spire of jagged stone. Vaeren twisted around it like wind wrapped in venom, their Essentia colliding with a crash that bent the trees away, as if nature itself feared to witness this.

Then they were gone—swallowed by the forest, trading blows too fast for Towan’s eyes to follow. The ground trembled beneath their fury.

Towan lurched forward, instinct overriding sense.

Pulse.

The ring seared his skin—this time from behind.

He turned.

And saw her.

A girl lounged upside down on a tree branch, arms dangling, as if gravity were a polite suggestion. Black tunic, crimson sash, a frame so slight she could’ve been mistaken for a child.

But every nerve in Towan’s body screamed run.

She dropped lazily, flipped mid-air, and landed softer than a sigh.

"Hiya."

Her smile stretched too wide, teeth glinting in the dim light. The smile of a cat who’d already tipped the goldfish bowl.

(No presence. No flow. She just—appeared. Like she’d always been there, and I’d only now noticed.)

"So you’re Towan," she crooned. "Leon’s little ember."

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Towan’s throat tightened. "...Who are you?"

"Seriah," she said sweetly. "But you can call me the bad decision you’re about to make."

His stance shifted instantly—core low, arms loose, breath deep. Lytharos’ drills, burned into muscle memory. (Don’t let her see you shake.)

This was wrong. She radiated nothing at first sight. Not even pressure. But the ring trembled like a live wire—

"I don’t want to fight you," he said as he stepped back

"Then don’t," she shrugged. "But I’m going to fight you, so…"

She stepped

.The ring pulsed. Hard.

Towan moved—his body acted before his thoughts caught up. He caught her first strike with his forearm, Essentia flaring in a desperate shield. The impact jolted through his bones, rattling his teeth. But he held.

(Fast. She’s fast as hell. But the ring warned me. I blocked it. I actually—)

Seriah’s eyes lit up, pupils dilating with delight.

"Oooh. Interesting."

She stepped again. Pulse. Towan dipped his shoulder, rolled, and struck with a burst of Essentia—a wide arc meant to shove her back.

She dodged like she’d choreographed it, but her grin twitched—just a flicker.

(She’s not untouchable. I can read her. The ring... it’s working.)

A third strike—he braced low and drove his heel into the dirt, sending a shockwave of Essentia rippling outward. Seriah skidded across the ground, but didn’t fall. Her smile widened, crimson sash fluttering like a fresh wound.

Then—

She stopped. Tilted her head. The Essentia around her dimmed, snuffed out like a candle.

"That ring,"

she mused, voice suddenly soft. "It’s reacting to me, isn’t it?"Towan said nothing. His breath sawed in his lungs, sweat slicking his palms. (Don’t let her change the pace. Stay sharp. She’s testing something—)

Her smile curled, slow and knowing.

"Clever little thing. Bet it loves killing intent. That sharp, violent promise…"

She stepped again—this time lighter, playful. No pulse. No signal.

Towan’s instincts fired, but the ring stayed silent.

A blur. A whisper of fabric. Then her finger tapped his shoulder from behind, her breath warm against his ear:

"Good thing I’m not trying to kill you anymore."

He turned—too slow.

Her leg hooked his ankles, sweeping his stance. He hit the ground with a grunt, dirt stinging his palms.

She didn’t press the attack. Just stood there, head cocked.

"See? We’re just playing now."

Towan scrambled up, heart hammering. (She changed her intent. That’s why the ring didn’t react. Is she not going to kill me?.)

This wasn’t a duel.

It was a game.

And he was the toy.

Seriah stretched her arms, joints popping. "So come on, spark," she purred. "Play with me."