[Center][img]https://i.imgur.com/Gj8Q15c.png[/img][hr][hr][b][colour=009fff]Event:[/colour][/b] Primitive Dream Sequence [b]|[/b] [b][colour=009fff]Location:[/colour][/b] ???, An Zenui[hr][hr][/center][center][h3][url=https://youtu.be/apM0RbjmD84?si=Nf_l23A_P57pPMOB]♫[/url][/h3][/center]
As Ayla fell, the world seemed to collapse in on itself, fragments shattering like glass and giving way to an engulfing darkness. Shadows danced around her, and she found herself standing in a dimly lit chamber, the ground beneath her rippling like a puddle. Although light was absent, a peculiar luminance illuminated a pint-sized Ysilla doll placed strategically, its arms mimicking the hands of a clock ticking away the final moments for the Hours of Dami.

[colour=71100f]“Hola, Kitten,”[/colour] a voice purred, drawing Ayla's attention to a peculiar figure. The person seemed to be examining their own appearance before fixing a smirk on Ayla. [colour=71100f]“Look who’s finally taking notice. Not that it matters, considering your track record.”[/colour]

Ayla steeled herself, her gaze firmly fixed on the strange woman. The figure bore an uncanny resemblance to Ayla, but taller, more shapely, and their fiery hair was crowned with newly sprouted horns from the temples of their head. There was only one other who had ever possessed such features, someone Ayla wished she would never have to encounter again. [colour=009fff]“Hetraxa... what do you want?”[/colour]
[hider=Hetraxa][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/ueKjNMF.png[/img][/center][/hider]
[colour=71100f]“Oh, just the same old thing. To take control, to finally make a difference in this pitiful existence of ours.”[/colour] Hetraxa's hands gestured suggestively toward her chest, her lips curving into a playful grin. [colour=71100f]“I'm sure Rikard would prefer these, wouldn't he?”[/colour]

Ayla frowned, responding defiantly. [colour=009fff]“We won’t let you, I won’t let you take over.”[/colour] Her voice softened slightly as she added, [colour=009fff]"Besides, he's just a friend."[/colour]

Hetraxa mouthed ‘Just’ in response as she burst into laughter, the sound ringing with an edge of amusement. [colour=71100f]“You act as if you’re the one in control now. Tell me, Ayla, just how many close calls have you had? How many lives have you wasted?”[/colour] She picked up the Ysilla doll, cradling it as if it were a cherished possession. [colour=71100f]“They say an Arslan only has nine lives, after all.”[/colour]

[colour=009fff]“That's preposterous,”[/colour] Ayla muttered dismissively.

[colour=71100f]“Eight times!”[/colour] Hetraxa's grin widened, her pointed fangs glistening ominously in the strange light. [colour=71100f]“I was surprised myself, and seven were just in this past year alone.”[/colour] She continued to dote on the puppet, her swaying mirroring the tick-tock of the Ysilla doll's arms. Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Ayla was visibly shaken by this revelation. [colour=009fff]“That's not fair. We’re trying to do what's right.”[/colour]

[colour=71100f]“Trying? There's no 'trying' in life or death. And don't even get me started on your lack of will. You can barely stand up for yourself, let alone others,”[/colour] Hetraxa replied with a mocking tone, her finger trailing over the doll's arm to reposition it. [colour=71100f]“Let's have a closer look at each of those 'attempts'.”[/colour]

The darkness surrounding them began to shimmer like Ayla's astral cloak, forming constellations that took on shape, colour, and substance. The scenes played out like fresh memories, each representing a brush with mortality that Ayla had narrowly escaped. The most recent was Wesca with her face in a grimace in the moments before pushing Ayla.

[colour=71100f]“Always trying to see the good in people. You could have chosen a better hill to die on that time.”[/colour] Hetraxa pointing out the obvious.

The next scene was Marci, the girl was in dire straits as Ayla ran into the devouring swarm. [colour=71100f]“Aw, so sweet. Though it is a shame at how fast they grow up. One minute helpless darlings, the next moment they are robbing nobles. What’s next, murder?”[/colour] Hetraxa rubbed her hands together as her eyes sparkled as she flicked through them one after another. 

Ayla's eyes welled with tears as she watched each scenario, the rawness of those moments rushing back. Hetraxa's commentary accompanied each memory, taunting Ayla with the notion that she was simply wasting her chances at life.

The scenes continued to flicker, capturing moments of danger, sacrifice, and resilience. With every passing moment, Ayla's heart grew heavier, and her resolve wavered. Wildblood Zarina, Old Benny, Jocasta during Roses & Neskals, Heart in the ruins of Zaqhoria, the penultimate one in the desert…

Finally, the memories came to a painful halt, a scorching blank where a particular scene should have been. Ayla's head throbbed as if a fire was consuming her memories, and she winced in agony.

Hetraxa's voice broke through the haze, her gaze focused on the scene as she appeared seated and mimicking eating some kind of small snack. [colour=71100f]“You really do hate yourself, don't you? Dying time and again for those 'friends' of yours.”[/colour]

[colour=009fff]“One doesn't hate oneself, don't be absurd,”[/colour] Ayla retorted, her voice dripping with venom.

Hetraxa's attention shifted back to the scene, which now portrayed a younger Ayla, surrounded by flames, tears streaming down her face as she declared her self-loathing. It was a painful reminder of a time when her hurt her friends. It was the first time, the day when Ayla killed herself. Her stained dark since as she renounced who she was.

[colour=71100f]“There's a saying that 'denial' isn't just a river...”[/colour] Hetraxa's tone turned thoughtful, almost contemplative.

Ayla clenched her fists, determination welling within her despite the overwhelming doubt that Hetraxa's words had seeded. [colour=009fff]“We won't let you define me. We've come this far, and we won't give up now.”[/colour]

Startlingly, Hetraxa materialized beside Ayla, her voice a soft and gentle contrast to her previous taunts. [colour=71100f]“Oh, but you're missing the point, dear Ayla. This isn't about defining you. It's about saving you.”[/colour]

Ayla's brow furrowed in confusion. [colour=009fff]“Saving me?”[/colour]

Hetraxa's demeanour shifted again, her cheerfulness returning for a fleeting moment as she clapped her hands together before seriousness took over. [colour=71100f]“Yes. You've been evading your potential, your strength. I'm not here to destroy you; I'm here to make you stronger. You’re my vessel.”[/colour]
[center][h3][url=https://youtu.be/xlYCxbBZUCY?si=jQu9x7zV3s8XHkNX]♫[/url][/h3][/center]
Ayla trembled, as if every fibre of her being fought against that thought. The world around them took on a visceral quality, responding in kind. The sky turned shades of red, casting an ominous hue, and the water at her feet transformed into a blood-like colour. The rhythmic beat of her heart seemed to echo throughout the space.

Hetraxa's expression grew darker as flames erupted around her, an eerie shade of deep red that carried a sinister aura. The flames expanded, forming a massive ring that encircled both of them. She created a circle in the air, conjuring a rift in reality—Ayla recognized it immediately as the Vozas. Hetraxa plunged her hand into the portal, her mouth moving as she communed with it. Withdrawing her hand, she revealed a large, burning sword. It was an Arcane sabre similar to Niallus's, but noticeably larger and burning with greater intensity.

Ayla began to retreat, finding herself confined by the dark red flames. Hetraxa approached with slow, confident steps, a domineering presence. Ayla's gaze remained fixed on the blade as she edged away along the fiery boundary.

Hetraxa, displeased by Ayla's evasive movements, observed her with growing irritation. Channelling her energy into the blade, she unleashed a forceful strike toward Ayla. The fire blade snaked through the air like a whip, its length growing as it closed in on Ayla's position. Ayla managed to evade the attack with quick movements, narrowly escaping its reach.

[colour=71100f]“Look at you, barely holding your ground. You're not fighting for your beliefs, you're clinging to your fear,”[/colour] Hetraxa taunted, her blade continuing to lash out. It cornered Ayla, her options narrowing as she was backed into a corner.

A sense of impending doom gripped Ayla as Hetraxa closed in. How could she fight against Hetraxa and her formidable weapon? Desperately, Ayla mentally cast items aside, including her flute. Then it struck her—the Golden Lion Spell blade of Aur’iguul’adzong. The thought drew her attention to the blade hanging from her waist, as if it had been there the entire time. She clasped her hands around it, channelling her kinetic energy. The hilt vibrated within her grasp, and with a telltale hum, a blade of pure sonic energy emerged. As Hetraxa's attack came in, Ayla intercepted it, her blade clashing against the fiery strike. [colour=009fff]“No, I fight for what's right without losing my humanity!”[/colour]

Ayla's guard was momentarily lowered, and Hetraxa seized the opportunity, striking her against the side. Ayla was sent sprawling onto the wet floor. Hetraxa's grimace revealed her satisfaction. [colour=71100f]“Humanity? Your humanity won't save you when the odds are stacked against you.”[/colour]

The world trembled as the thrumming grew louder. The temperature increased, and the ground shook violently, as if an earthquake raged beneath them.

Breathing heavily, Ayla struggled to her feet. [colour=009fff]“No... We won't let you take over. We won't let you define my fate!”[/colour]

A barrage of blows rained down from Hetraxa's fiery sword, but Ayla managed to deflect and parry them. Using her might, she knocked the sword aside, utilizing footwork to evade the relentless assault.

Hetraxa paused, her displeasure evident as she watched Ayla. [colour=71100f]“Stubborn, aren't you?”[/colour] She extended her hand, causing the red flames to transform into an all-encompassing darkness. The flames seemed to pull light into a void, appearing distorted and ethereal. The darkness extended infinitely within itself, leaving only the flame's essential form suspended in a sea of darkness. The ring of flames began to shrink, the horizon fading into nothingness, as if erasing reality itself. [colour=71100f]“Behold Llama de la Oscuridad Eterna - The Flame of Eternal Darkness.”[/colour]

Ayla surveyed her surroundings, determination growing as she charged at Hetraxa. Her sonic blade's intensity intensified as it clashed with Hetraxa's air-made weapon. Ayla's voice became her blade, her feet moved to the rhythm of her heart. Her strength grew, and she declared, [colour=009fff]“We're not defined by our mistakes or fears. We define ourselves by our actions!”[/colour]

Hetraxa's fury surged, flames roared and flickered, clashing against Ayla's strength. Arcane versus Kinetic. Pyromancy versus Sonic. Red versus Blue. Darkness versus Light. The two locked onto each other, their fighting instinct unbridled.

As an inferno descended, fireballs erupted in the red water. Ayla dodged and weaved between them, launching a sonic stream at Hetraxa, sending her tumbling. Hetraxa landed gracefully like a cat, her fiery hair extending like tendrils. She retaliated, using her fiery hair as a weapon. Which Ayla countered using her enhanced nails like claws.

Hetraxa retreated, her dash leaving behind a trail of flame. She gazed intently at Ayla, the dark flame threatening to engulf them. There was nowhere to run as Hetraxa launched her final attack. She summoned a great pillar of fire, Marhazannet.

The blazing pillar seared Hetraxa's skin, her smile wide with anticipation of victory. Out of the flames emerged Ayla, having cast Sonic Shield! Roaring like a lion, she used all her strength to puncture through the pillar, her sonic blade slicing through Hetraxa.

Hetraxa's form began to dissolve, defeated. Her voice softened. [colour=71100f]“You did it. Now, take it.”[/colour]

The world grew calmer as the dark flames subsided. Ayla's breathing and temperature returned to normal. She turned to watch Hetraxa's form vanishing, congealing into a dark orb. Ayla hesitated, then reached out. [colour=009fff]“Why? After everything?”[/colour]

Hetraxa's gentle voice persisted, [colour=71100f]“Because I am the strength you deny. Embrace me, and you'll be whole.”[/colour]

Ayla took a deep breath, holding the demon soul in her hands. The surroundings brightened, becoming serene. She whispered softly, [colour=009fff]“We'll accept your strength.”[/colour] Raising the soul orb to her mouth, she bit into it.

The pain that followed was excruciating, feeling herself absorbing it. She screamed in torment.

[colour=71100f]“I'll always be a part of you.”[/colour]

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