World Between: Chapter 5 Part 1

So this should've been out the 27th (I guess technically was since it was on Coffeehouse on time) ^^; But here it is now, and the next part will be up tonight.

“You should have waited.” Lydria yawned and swung the burning sword at them once again. “Four of you might’ve made such an open strategy work.” With a few sweeps of her right arm the sword zig-zagged across the bridge. “Ooh. two at a time, so clever. You could at least make a lady use her second sword, ya know?”

“You asked.” Arron said. Lydria tilted her head, her sword flying toward Arron once again. Jerked her arm as Arron moved his arm. Overcompensating for his swerving of her sword, but sent the fire for it straight forward. Causing him to trip as Lydria flew her sword back to her.

“Not bad.” Lydria said, lighting her sword again. “See? Isn’t this more interesting?” Lydria dances guiding a steam over the bridge. The sizzle of evaporating water accompanying the archway of lava as it vanishes. “Certainly more of a sh...ow.” Lydria stared at the arrow of light sticking out of her extended arm. “You know that’s for evil, right?” She asked as pulled in out unphased. “Well, it is for darkness and undead too. Point is it’s not going to help you here.” Throwing the arrow into the lava.”

“But its purpose is to… is to…” Jared watched the arrow stunned.

“You really still don’t get it?” Lydria looked at Jared, and then back to Aaron. “Both of you?”

“I got it a while ago…” Aaron said, stumbling to his feet. “Doesn’t mean it was the right choice.”

“I suppose.” Lydria lifted her left arm out from behind her back. Raising her unused her with before lighting on fire with a snap. “But are you willing to break this gem over that?”

“What does it matter if we do?” Aaron asked. “Hasn’t changed people's minds.”

“Don’t lie to yourself, especially when you’re just a child.” Lydria replied.

“We’re the same-” Aaron began.

“You’re 512?” Lydria asked, revealing the pointed ears behind her hair. “Never thought humans would make the kind of mistakes, we do.”

“Enough!” Aaron charged forward launching the earth out in front of him. Lydria shot lava up in response. Jared thrust forth a geyser from the air solidifying the whole scene into stone. Lydria took a few steps back, and kept her swords close. Swinging them through each piece of the wall pushed in front of her as they came. Leaving only a ramp of spike arching upward. 

“You’re still coming from a single-” Lydria chastised before the ramp, itself, was shoved forward. She swung both blades down before solidifying the air they brought with them. Weaving two serpents made of lava with her free hand before she sent them toward Aaron. Steam filled the room. Lydria bent down, and took a wide stance. Looking from side to die as her swords orbited around her, pointing down. Water arrows slung out from all the directions. Throwing her arms out her swords swung around from both directions. Her eyes widen as the steam in front of her shifted. Seven rocks charged forward towards her. She took a step forward, and shoved both her open palms downward. Forcing steam and wind down taking the rocks with them. Both swords lit with a blaze, and zig-zagged their way through 3 rocks each. A flaming boot kicking the seventh back. Lydria planted it down behind her as she put it out. One trick left.  

Aaron took hold of the stone, and bull-rushed forward with it. Lydria pulled her arm up and to the right. Shift the currents into the shape of a sword. After the soft clang, only a cloud of steam remained. “Doubt you can do that again.” Aaron said as the steam cleared.

“Please,” Lydria said, breaking the stone down to rumble with a gentle push. “Like either of you have something left at your level.”

“Was that power an elf thing or?” Aaron asked, hands on his knees.

“Jared,” Lydria watched a light arrow being formed with concern for her challenger. “Hun, don’t try that… please.”

“It… needs... to be… done…” Jared said with trembling arms.

“And who is gonna finish it?” Lydria responded. “Pay attention to that feeling, and think about where you are.” Lydria flung herself into Aaron’s arm as her two blunted scimitars flew forward. A light plunged into the fire gem as Jared’s collapse was guided by the two flying. “Why are they always such children?”

“I… I... wha... ” Aaron looked to Lydria.

“The yellow...one… bag…” Lydria said before passing out herself.