The sun began to rise over the horizon, casting a golden glow upon the quaint town as Julie followed behind Tora. His mesmerizing story had seemed to ignite a spark within her, a spark that confused her greatly. She couldn't resist seeking more answers, she needed them, she needed to know about these new world described to her.
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As they weaved through narrow alleys and archways, Julie's heart quickened with anticipation. The rhythmic tap of her shoes on the cobblestone echoed like a secret code, binding her fate to the enigmatic man ahead and yet still she followed.
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"Where are we going?" Julie asked, rubbing her arms to fend off the morning chill.
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Tora marched ahead, his steps unwavering. "Well, my lady," he replied, sporting a cocky smirk, "I'm going home. I suggest you do the same."
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Julie's eyes widened in disbelief. She hurriedly rushed in front of Tora, blocking his path, and grabbed his collar, pulling him closer to her face. "What about Trevor?" she demanded. "We have to save him!"
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Tora's smile vanished, and he looked down at Julie with a hint of sorrow. "I already told you there's no saving him," he said firmly, pushing Julie's hands away. "And there's no 'we,' just me."
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Frustration and determination boiled within Julie. "You can't just push me out of this!" she yelled, her voice echoing through the empty streets.
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As Tora continued to walk past her, he chuckled darkly. "Oh, don't worry," he taunted. "I'm not done with you yet." His words lingered in the air, leaving Julie with a sense of both unease and curiosity.
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"What do you mean?" Julie asked, her voice filled with confusion and concern.
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Tora halted his steps, his gaze fixed on the darkened sky that was slowly giving way to the approaching morning light. "What I mean is that you should forget about Trevor," he stated, his eyes growing sharp and determined as he continued to stare upward.
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Julie followed Tora's gaze, intrigued by his intensity. All she could see was an endless expanse of darkness, but she heard a peculiar rush of air, almost resembling a whistle.
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Suddenly, without warning, Tora's body blurred into motion, almost becoming one with the wind as he moved with incredible speed.
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"Boom!"
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The force of the wind struck Julie, and she instinctively covered her head with both arms to shield herself. The gale roared around her, and she struggled to regain her balance.
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After a few moments, the wind subsided, and Julie cautiously opened one eye to find herself in a surreal scene. Amidst the remnants of the tempest, she spotted two figures standing in the heart of the hurricane, their fists locked together in a fierce struggle.
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As her vision cleared, she recognized one of the figures as Tora, his form exuding raw power and determination. But the identity of the other individual eluded her.
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Julie, while looking closer at the mysterious stranger, noticed that it was a woman she was observing – a woman with short black hair and light brown skin. The stranger's appearance intrigued her as she stood there in awe.
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The woman wore a striking black and yellow tank top that seemed to be crafted from a peculiar, thin metal material, unlike any fabric Julie had ever seen. Her outfit exuded an air of otherworldly elegance, hinting at a world beyond Julie's comprehension. Thin leather pants clung to her form, accentuating her curves and revealing her undeniable fitness. Julie could even make out the intricate patterns of veins that crisscrossed the woman's strong and toned arms.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPtKxqf5jHZ
Despite the enigma surrounding her, the woman exuded an air of confidence and poise. As Julie watched, the stranger moved with a grace that seemed both ethereal and grounded, as if she were a being of both light and shadow.
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Tora smiled at the woman, a smile that she herself didn't share, as both of their fists remained locked together, neither giving way nor backing down. The ground beneath them bore the scars of their intense clash, cracks spreading like veins beneath their feet.
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"Really, Cerilla, you have to stop attacking me at first glance!" Tora remarked, finally separating his fist from hers.228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5grauuKzRN
"Never..." Cerilla replied in a low, resolute voice. "I will defeat you, Tora Ignifer."
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Cerilla's fists shimmered with a golden light, her eyes fixed on Tora with unwavering intensity. "Today is the day," she declared, inching forward, poised to strike.
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But before Cerilla could make a move, Tora calmly raised his hand, halting her in her tracks. "Yeah, I'm not going to fight you," he stated nonchalantly, his eyes appearing lazy and his expression bored.
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Cerilla's eyes widened in shock, taken aback by the unexpected response. "What?" she uttered, clearly surprised by Tora's refusal to engage in battle.
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"What?" Cerilla asked, her frustration evident. "Why not!" She yelled, pouting like a child.
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Tora let out a sigh, running his hand through his hair. "Now's not the time for that," he calmly responded, walking past Cerilla without giving in to her demands.
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"Like hell it isn't!" Cerilla shouted, her golden aura flickering with determination. "You better fight me, fire slinger!"228Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAtYiX9jC6z
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Tora yawned, seemingly unbothered by Cerilla's fiery outburst. "Look..." he said, waving his hand in a dismissive manner. "I'll make you a deal." His smile returned, and his eyes fell upon Julie.
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"Take care of that girl for me, and maybe, just maybe, I'll honor your request for another duel."
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Cerilla's anger was momentarily replaced by confusion.
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Cerilla's eyes turned towards Julie, and a shiver ran down her spine. Julie felt her heart constrict as she looked into Cerilla's intense gaze. She saw the small specks of gold in her eyes, and in that moment, she knew that Cerilla wasn't entirely human.
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Cerilla scowled at Julie, her brows furrowed in a mixture of irritation and uncertainty. "You want me to protect this little thing?" She said with annoyance.
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***
Author notes: Please support my work on Patreon for early access to new chapters. https://patreon.com/DarkMatteromniverse
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