The Foe

“Now, Asher!” Arisha shouted.

An arrow whizzed by her head, sinking into the chest of the snarling beast before her. The demon bear roared, silver eyes gleaming with rage. He lashed out with paws larger than Arisha’s head, narrowly missing her throat.

Arisha rolled and caught her balance mere feet away, ushering magic to her fingertips as she touched the gash on her thigh. The gushing blood became solid in her palm, forming a gleaming blade. She held it at arm’s length as she circled around the bear, lips drawn in a snarl.

Asher stuck behind Arisha, another arrow notched in his bow. His hood cast a shadow over his face, two cat-like slits cutting through the low light.

Arisha broke the standstill, lunging at the demon’s torso, his thick hide resistant to her sword. She spat curses as she dodged another lethal blow. She had lost the element of surprise, eliminating her ability to control his blood.

“Asher, prepare a trap.”

Asher moved fast, transforming into a bird and darting above her head, red and orange plumage pouring down with every stroke of his wings. The feathers seemed to have a mind of their own, forming a ring around the demon bear.

Arisha kept him confined, jabbing and slicing at anything that escaped Asher’s spell. Asher nimbly hit the ground yards away, transforming in mid-air. He slapped his palms on the ground.

An inferno erupted within the circle.

Author's Note- it wouldnt be a mystery without a cold (ha) opening!

hm, life said arisha and asher were on their own mission in arc 9...