"To think," Orion began, his voice laced with feigned disappointment, "that I was genuinely curious about your first experience with eating a Vylkr vine, and becoming a warrior." As he lifted the clay pot onto his shoulder and finished his words, a sudden, sharp pain shot through his wrist, causing him to lose his balance. With a jolt, the clay pot slipped from his hands, crashing to the ground without any support. At that moment, the pain coursing through his wrist captured his attention, and he swiftly turned his gaze towards Fiona, who had tightly gripped his wrist with her muscular arms.
Fiona's narrowed gaze locked onto Orion, her voice laced with suspicion. "Who told you that?" she demanded. "Because as far as I can remember, I never shared such information with you. So, where did you hear it from?" Being one of the most skilled warriors of her generation, Fiona's instincts kicked in, and she needed to uncover the source of Orion's knowledge. Even though she was certain she hadn't disclosed that particular detail, she couldn't rule out the possibility of it slipping from her lips unintentionally. She had to ascertain where he had obtained this information to prevent it from spreading among the villagers like wildfire, potentially leading to further complications.
"Don't worry, it didn't come from you, so you can relax if you're concerned about it being traced back to you," Orion replied, a hint of confidence in his voice. He had a good idea of what Fiona was contemplating, thanks to the teachings of Warrior Jean from the previous day. Knowing that being a warrior was a significant aspect of Fiona's life, one that required her to endure the rigorous physical transformations to become the best, Orion intentionally used the words he observed to elicit a sharp gaze and a deep, feral tone in her voice. "I won't ask you again, Orion. If you know what's good for you, tell me where you obtained that information," Fiona pressed, her voice carrying an air of authority. "Tell me who informed you that warriors need to consume Vylkr vines to improve their strength."
Orion smirked mischievously at Fiona's response, clearly enjoying the fact that he had at least stirred up some emotional chords within her. "Alright, here's the deal," he said, his eyes gleaming with playful defiance. "You release me, and I'll give you a clue. It's up to you to decide if that's enough to satisfy your curiosity."
Fiona's frown deepened, torn between her desire to know the source of Orion's information and her uneasiness about letting him go without a clear answer. She knew the potential consequences of any truth being exposed, and the weight of that responsibility pressed upon her. After a brief moment of hesitation, she tightened her grip on his hands once again, determined to extract the information she sought. "No deal, Orion. You tell me where you heard it from, and then I'll consider releasing you."
Orion couldn't help but roll his eyes inwardly, finding the situation increasingly frustrating. Despite Fiona's firm grip on his wrist, he refused to let her intimidation affect him. He knew that allowing her to see him as easily swayed or intimidated would undermine the image he wanted to project.
Keeping a serious expression on his face, Orion's voice carried a note of decisiveness as he spoke. "I won't repeat myself again," he warned, his words laced with a touch of defiance. He refused to be underestimated or controlled, even in this situation.
Fiona arched an eyebrow, "Or else what?" she said, "Have you forgotten who you're talking to, young man?" The audacity and confidence in Orion's words piqued her interest, making her wonder what had instilled such attitude and courage in him.
Upon hearing Fiona's defiant words, Orion swiftly activated his gift, drawing upon the strange energy that coursed through his veins. Without giving Fiona a chance to anticipate, a blinding flash erupted before her eyes, unleashing a searing surge of pain that swept through her body like a wildfire. The intensity of the attack momentarily overwhelmed her senses, leaving her momentarily disoriented and staggering backwards.
However, Fiona's honed reflexes and heightened perception, honed through years of training as a skilled warrior, kicked in swiftly. In a display of agility and quick thinking, she swiftly released her grip on Orion's wrist and gracefully landed on her knees, absorbing the shock of the unexpected assault.
As Fiona's senses returned, her gaze fixated on Orion, whose right arm crackled with an electrifying display of visible lightning. The mesmerizing spectacle resembled a swirling dance of numerous Vylkr vines, each eagerly awaiting its turn to strike. The vibrant energy surged through his arm, illuminating the surrounding area and casting an unearthly glow upon his features.
"I warned you from the beginning, didn't I?"
Fiona gazed at Orion with a mixture of bewilderment and disbelief before an unexpected outburst of laughter escaped her lips. Her vibrant eyes were tightly shut as her infectious mirth filled the air. After a few moments, she regained her composure and fixed a piercing, predatory glare upon Orion. Her eyes gleamed with a wild, untamed intensity, hinting at a power that lay dormant within her.
"You shouldn't have done that. No matter what gift you possess, it is an unwritten law in the village to never wield it against a warrior," Fiona stated, her head swaying from side to side as she advanced toward Orion. Unexpectedly, strands of peculiar visible energy emanated from her body, causing her hair to float skyward, intertwined with eerie black wisps. These wisps gradually spread, enveloping various parts of her form, rendering her appearance unearthly. With each step she took, deep imprints were left on the ground, further amplifying the aura of her inhuman nature. Finally, Fiona came to a halt, towering over Orion and fixing him with piercing blackish eyes, only her beautiful iris visible amidst the darkness.
"Attacking a warrior grants her the right to retaliate, should the situation demand it. So, Orion, I won't ask you again," Fiona warned, her voice resonating with an authority that hinted at a formidable threat.