Chapter 288: A Match?

Words : 1186 Updated : Oct 11th, 2025

Chapter 288: A Match? In another location. The forest stretched out before you like a living tapestry, woven from emerald greens and deep, dusky purples. Towering trees, their branches heavy with leaves, formed a dense canopy overhead, filtering the sunlight into a soft, ethereal glow. The air was thick with the scent of damp earth and decaying leaves, a heady perfume that tickled your senses. Beneath the leafy ceiling, the forest floor was a wonderland of textures and colors. Moss, in shades of jade and emerald, carpeted the ground, punctuated by the occasional splash of vibrant green ferns. Twisted roots, like the gnarled fingers of ancient giants, snaked their way across the earth, and fallen logs lay scattered like slumbering beasts. Despite the darkness, the forest was not silent. A symphony of sounds filled the air: the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze, the sweet chirping of unseen birds, the distant drumming of a woodpecker. Every now and then, a squirrel would scamper across the forest floor, its bushy tail a flash of movement against the verdant backdrop. As you walked deeper into the forest, the light grew dimmer, and the air grew cooler. The silence became more profound, broken only by the occasional snap of a twig underfoot. The trees seemed to close in around you, their branches forming a natural archway overhead. You could almost feel the weight of their age, the history they held within their bark. But even in the dimness, there was beauty. Sunbeams, like ethereal fingers, would pierce through the canopy, illuminating patches of the forest floor in an otherworldly light. Delicate wildflowers, hidden amongst the ferns, bloomed in vibrant hues. And in the shadows, you could glimpse the shy faces of woodland creatures, their eyes curious and wary. This was a forest of secrets, a place where shadows danced and nature whispered tales to those who knew how to listen. It was a place of beauty and mystery, a world waiting to be explored. Amber would have loved to explore this world if weren’t because she meet Lilith, the latter suggested a match to test her progress what lead to the current situation. With her sword, Amber lowered her stance. A cold, derisive smile was put on Lilith’s mouth. "Well then... struggle to your heart’s extent, my little sister." Rumbleeee!!— With the entire forest vibrating— "...!!!" —killing intent exploded out. "Kugh! Kuk!" Amber couldn’t breathe properly. Her sight wavered, and strength left her legs. Thump, thump— Her heart started to pound like crazy. The fear of ’death’ rode through her spine and encroached on her mind. "Hmpf." Looking at Amber, who couldn’t pull herself together the moment she emitted killing intent, Lilith puffed out her nose like she had expected it all along. However, it was momentary. "...Hm?" Her eyes narrowed. "Haa, haa!" Amber spat out breaths that had become rough. Even standing still was difficult. The frightening killing intent that crashed in like a tsunami burned the insides of her head white. ’This is.’ Lilith’s true strength. "Ha, haa!" It was in a different realm from the spars she had so far. ’This is for real.’ She was truly aiming to ’kill’ her. "Haa, ha, ha!" Cold sweat flowed. Thump. Thump. Thump— Amber’s heart rang out like hitting massive drums. It was as hot as if steel rods heated up in fire were jammed inside her head. ’I’m scared.’ A distant fear swooped her. The sensation of blood drying up all over her body permeated her. ’I’m scared, I’m scared, I’m scared.’ But why was it? "Ha, haha, hahaha!" An unbearable thrill... A crazy ecstasy... Heated up her body’s senses. "Ha." Amber stuck out her tongue and licked her lips. "Huh, why aren’t you coming?" She looked at Lilith, who was standing still. "Then—" Grasping the sword. She kicked off. "—I’m going first." She shot at her like a bullet. Lilith smiled as she moved forward, restraining her strength to enjoy this fight. It was then two figures danced a lethal ballet – Amber, a fiery inferno wielding a blade like a comet’s tail, and Lilith, an immovable mountain deflecting each fiery advance with practiced precision. Sweat painted Amber’s face, mingling with the dust, forming a grimy mask. Her laughter, sharp and brittle like shattered glass, punctuated the rhythmic clang of steel. She fought with the reckless abandon of a summer storm, a whirlwind of slashes and lunges fueled by raw talent and untamed fury. Lilith, in contrast, was the serene eye of the storm. Her movements were calculated, fluid like water carving its path through stone. Each parry was a whisper against Amber’s roar, each counter a measured strike aimed at control, not harm. Yet, the heat radiating from the younger woman seemed to intensify with each clash, the air itself crackling with the promise of an inferno waiting to erupt. A flicker of impatience marred Amber’s attack, a chink in her fiery armor that Lilith seized with predatory grace. Her own blade flashed out, a silver serpent striking with precision. The force of the blow sent Amber stumbling back, the gasp escaping her lips the first sign of vulnerability. But vulnerability was a fleeting notion for Amber. She rallied, a primal scream tearing from her throat as she launched herself forward once more. This time, technique was abandoned, replaced by the desperate flailing of a cornered animal. Each blow was a scramble for survival, unpredictable and wild, pushing Lilith back on her heels. For the first time, fear flickered in Lilith’s eyes, a shadow in the depths of her calm facade. But fear was a luxury she couldn’t afford. With a deep breath, she channeled her own reserves, meeting fire with ice. Each parry was a calculated risk, each counter a whisper aimed at disarming, not destroying. The clang of steel became a counterpoint to their ragged breaths, a symphony of struggle under the setting sun. Exhaustion gnawed at their limbs, their muscles screaming in protest. Yet, neither yielded. The sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery hues that mirrored the dying embers of their fight. The training yard, now bathed in the twilight’s cool embrace, held the echoes of their clash. Finally, with a well-timed maneuver, Lilith disarmed Amber. The younger woman stumbled, her eyes wide with a mix of anger and exhaustion. But unlike the fiery inferno of moments ago, they now held a flicker of grudging respect, a spark ignited by the crucible of their shared struggle. Lilith didn’t press her advantage. Instead, she offered a hand, the weathered skin cool against Amber’s fevered touch. As they rose, sweat-soaked and panting, a silent understanding passed between them. This wasn’t just a sparring match; it was a test, a trial by fire that forged not only their skills, but their understanding of themselves and each other. And in the ashes of that test, a bond, forged in steel and sweat, began to take shape, waiting to be tempered by the fires yet to come. ’’Not bad, little Amber, not bad at all. You’re progressing well.’’

Chapter 288: A Match?

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