I took a deep breath, feeling my heart race as the battle with Strigifavorus drew nearer. My eyes were locked on the monster, which now struggled to fly, despite its wings being severely damaged. Cold sweat dripped down my forehead, but I knew, I must not fear. This was an opportunity I could not let slip away.
With a swift motion, I swept both my hands through the air, and in an instant, a large wind blade in the shape of an X shot toward Strigifavorus. I could hear the creature's scream as the wind blade tore through its body. It staggered backward in pain, trying to escape, but its wounded wings left it flying erratically. I would not show mercy.
There was no time for hesitation. I concentrated quickly, feeling the flow of energy from deep within the earth, from the water hidden far beneath the surface. I moved my hands, calling forth tendrils of water that began to rise from the ground, moving in sync with my thoughts. In an instant, these tendrils gripped Strigifavorus's legs tightly. I could feel its body struggling, but it was futile.
"I won't let you escape," I shouted, my voice nearly drowned out by the surrounding chaos.
With a powerful tug, I yanked the water tendrils, sending the monster crashing to the ground with a tremendous thud. The impact brought down trees around it, and the earth trembled violently. I stood there, watching Strigifavorus's helpless, toppled body. A sense of satisfaction surged within me, but I knew this was not over. It would not end until that monster could no longer move.
I stepped forward, my heart pounding. Every step felt heavy, but also full of resolve. "Don't try to flee! I'll roast you with Padang sauce, you Ugly Bird!" I shouted, my voice calm, though my fury blazed within.
Strigifavorus thrashed, trying to rise, but its massive legs were tightly ensnared by the water tendrils. I glared at it with uncontrollable hatred.
My right hand rose high, feeling the flow of energy that coursed through my body, centering in the palm of my hand. My eyes focused on Strigifavorus, lying helpless, yet still trying to resist. I knew this was the right moment. I had to end it. But this time, not with ordinary wind or water attacks. I had to surpass everything I had done before.
With a gentle movement, I focused my mind on the water flowing beneath the earth, sensing its profound power. Slowly, I raised my hand, calling it forth, manipulating it gently—transforming it, shaping it into something new. I grasped the air above my head, visualizing it, and quickly formed a massive spear of ice, solid and sharp.
The ice appeared slowly in the air, beginning from the tips of my fingers, forming a crystalline structure that solidified with each moment. Freezing droplets of water crystallized one by one, creating a giant spear that emitted a cold light, as though it could pierce anything. Its tip was sharp, shining, reflecting the moonlight that pierced the gaps in the trees around us.
I could almost feel the weight of the ice spear in my hand. It felt like holding the unstoppable force of nature itself. "Now... your fate is sealed," I muttered with a satisfied smile at the monster still trying to rise.
However, before the spear could strike, Strigifavorus moved so swiftly. The beast writhed, and in an instant, its massive wings swept the air fiercely. A loud hissing sound, as if wind were crashing against a massive rock, filled the air. I had no time to avoid it. The force of the wing strike came with incredible power, surging toward me.
"Ah!" I cried out as my body was hurled to the side like a dry leaf carried by the wind.
Fortunately, in the last moment, I managed to form a large enough shield in front of me, absorbing most of the force of the monster's wing strike.
Though I was able to lessen the pain, it did not stop my body from being thrown hard. I wanted to leap using the elemental wind power before crashing into something. But before I could act, a force suddenly caught me in a strong embrace.
At first, I didn't realize what had happened. But as I saw a pair of large hands gripping me, I involuntarily tilted my gaze upward. It was...
'P-Prince Keylan?'
I was shocked. Prince Keylan held me tightly, my body stopped in his firm embrace. His blue eyes stared at me with great concern, as though ensuring that I was all right.
"Are you all right?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. His strong hands gripped my back, and I, still slightly dazed, could feel his breath close to me.
I froze for a moment, confused and a little embarrassed. This was too close. I could feel heat creeping up to my cheeks, my face turning red, and I hoped he couldn't see it. "I-I'm fine, thank you," I replied, my voice trembling slightly, trying to maintain my composure even though my chest felt so full.
As he released his hold, I diverted my gaze, trying to avoid his sharp yet caring look. "Thank you... Prince," I said again, though this time it was softer, more awkward. I felt a bit embarrassed, cramped so near him in a situation like this.
Prince Keylan gave a slight smile, "It's surprising that you suddenly have such power. Were you this strong from the start?"
"Of course not. This... you could say this power is only temporary. I-I didn't mean to hide it," I replied, fumbling a bit.
"Don't worry. I didn't mean to corner you."
"Your Highness... I'm sorry! Because of me, this chaos happened. I've caused so many of your people to lose their lives."
The man cleared his throat, closed his eyes, then looked at me deeply. "Set that aside. Let's focus on defeating this monster first. Anggi, let me help you. I won't let you fight alone," Prince Keylan said in a firm tone, his voice full of concern. His large hand reached for my shoulder, trying to give me strength, but I quickly brushed it off, a bit harder than I had intended.
"I can do it myself," I replied, my voice more resolute, though there was a slight hesitation in my chest. "You need to watch over your soldiers, Prince. From now on, this is my battle."
Keylan looked hesitant, his eyes filled with deep confusion and concern. "But this is too dangerous, Anggi. You... you were just almost badly hurt. I won't let you face that monster alone," he said, his voice deep, full of emphasis.
I bit my lower lip, trying to calm myself. I knew he only cared for me, but I had to prove to him that I could do this. "I'm stronger now, Keylan. I know what I'm doing. Trust me, you've seen my strength already, right? Besides... I'm the one who started this disaster. The one who needs to finish it is me." I looked into his eyes with determination, hoping he could see my unwavering resolve.
There was a moment of silence, only the wind and the rustling of leaves around us. Keylan seemed to be thinking hard. I could see the tension on his face, but finally, he sighed deeply and nodded, though his concern was still clear.
"But, I won't leave you alone. I'll order my soldiers to secure the perimeter and be on alert," he said finally, his voice heavy with a slight sense of helplessness. "If I judge the situation to be too dangerous, I will help."
I nodded quickly, silently thanking him. "Thank you, Prince Keylan. I will end this."
Keylan immediately issued orders to his soldiers, his voice loud and firm. "Prepare the formation and hold the perimeter! Make sure the monster doesn't escape! Be ready for anything!" He glanced at me once more before turning his attention back to his troops.
I watched Keylan move back, issuing commands to his soldiers, and my heart felt lighter. I knew he would protect the others, but now, this was my time.
My eyes refocused on Strigifavorus, which was still struggling to rise, despite its severe wounds. I knew I had to be cautious. The monster was stronger than it appeared, and its endurance was extraordinary. If I got too close, the chances of being injured would increase. I had to use my new power wisely.
With a deep breath, I extended my hand forward, feeling the water flowing within me. I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling every drop of water around me. In an instant, dozens of ice arrows began to form in the air around me, surrounding my body. Each one glowed with a cold blue light, spinning slowly around me, orbiting with perfect rhythm, as though they had become part of me.
Each ice arrow reflected the moonlight falling from the sky, shining sharply. They were like little stars trapped by the gravity of my body, ready to soar. I could feel their power, could hear the whisper of the wind as they spun.
With a snap of my fingers, the ice arrows shot forward with incredible speed, cutting through the air and striking their target with precision. One by one, they flew into Strigifavorus's body. The monster let out a cry of pain that echoed, but it could not dodge. The ice arrows struck perfectly, piercing the creature, creating cold wounds that spilled its dark red blood onto the earth.
Strigifavorus was shaken violently, its body reeling, but the ice arrows continued to pierce it, showing no mercy. Each strike strengthened my belief that this time, I would succeed.