The contents of the orb weren’t stable but seed to be in a very turbulent state like a sea disturbed by terrible waves. From ti to ti, Eros would notice vague images ford by the ’liquid darkness.’ At a point he could swear he saw the exact dragon from a few monts ago form for a brief mont before dissolving.
Multiple veins were flowing from the platform like energy lines, pulsating with a dark, almost sinister energy that seeped into the walls.
It was clear that this was the heart of this place and it held the key to their escape.
Lain took the first step, moving closer to the orb. Eros followed closely behind her, making sure not to walk too fast and also to be as observant as possible.
Out of the blue, a blackish purple light suddenly appeared beneath their feet, prompting both of them to look down.
Beneath their feet was a large circle that warped around the orb’s platform.
Imdiately Lain stepped in, and it lit up. In that sa mont, an exact copy of Lain made completely of black manifested in front of them.
Before Eros could register what was happening, the copy of Lain smirked as she pointed her finger at both of them.
Lain cursed silently as she pushed Eros away.
Eros’ mind was a ss, he found himself flying the next second.
Just as he was about to question why she did that, a loud explosion rang out. The copy of Lain had shot out a beam from her finger, prompting the real Lain to enter a defensive stand.
After the interaction, they were both unschathed, but this was just the beginning.
Eros tried to watch with his full attention, but even he couldn’t tell when the copy moved. It moved so fast that if not for the disturbed wind, he might have thought it had teleported.
They collided mid-step.
The impact cracked the ground beneath them, a burst of heat and black energy blasting dust into the air.
When it finally cleared the two Lain’s we’re staring at each other. One glowing with a red fiery light and the other a pristine black.
None said a word, their fists did the talking. This ti, Lain didn’t wait for the copy to strike first, her fist, covered in scorching flas, landed with imnse speed.
The copy was quick to block, but it still sustained so damage as it was pushed back a few steps.
A smile found its way onto Lain’s face, the copy was strong, but not so strong that it would pose a problem.
Without giving it a chance to breathe, she shot forward, closing the distance between them in less than a second. Her fists ca down again and again, raining punches that left brutal marks on the copy.
However, Eros’ had noticed sothing else happening just beyond the fra. Still within the circle, two other copies of Lain had just been ford and they were already moving to join the fight.
Eros cursed inwardly; it seed as if this situation wasn’t going to be over as quickly as he thought. After all, another four copies were already being ford.
Lain seed to have also noticed this as her eyes flickered about. If it were one then it wouldn’t be a problem, but ten of these creatures that all seed to have her prowess and abilities weren’t sothing she could handle easily.
Given, she could use sage mode to kill all of them quickly, there was no guarantee that the copies couldn’t enter sage mode too.
If that happened, then it was very likely that Eros wouldn’t survive the confrontation despite being so far away.
The other two copies had joined the fight and she was getting pushed back now.
Imdiately the next four copies ford she would be put in an extrely precarious situation.
Eros noticed this: at this rate, she would most likely be overwheld. It was best she stopped at this point.
"Lain, leave the circle." Eros’ voice sounded, reaching her in the middle of a fight. Even though Lain didn’t want to quit she had to agree that the current situation wasn’t looking good.
She hissed and with a little frustration, pushed herself out of the circle.
In that sa instant, all the copies of her lted into liquid darkness and flowed back into the energy lines.
Eros ran towards Lain whose breathing was ragged.
"You wouldn’t have been able to force your way through," he said when he got close enough.
"Yeah, I realised that."
"We need an actual plan."
Lain didn’t seem to be listening as she continued gasping for air, before eventually leaning on Eros for support.
Eros promptly held her in tightly as a frown ford on his face.
"You didn’t fight that much, what’s wrong?"
Her face was on his chest as she whispered, "That circle, it– it was draining . I feel so weak."
Eros’ frown beca more profound as he stared at the circle and then at the orb resting silently in the middle of it all. His eyes narrowed into two slits as he felt a burning resolve in his heart.
Up until now, Lain had been doing everything to ensure his safety. While he didn’t voice it out, it secretly made him feel pathetic. But right now, he was presented with the opportunity to save her. While he might not be as powerful as her, he didn’t think that should stop him from trying to protect her.
"Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it. Just rest for now" He whispered, running his fingers through her hair.
Lain looked up and stared into his eyes. She seed to notice sothing that made her feel extrely safe.
Her mind flashed back to the earlier years when Eros would stand in front of them trying to protect all of them from danger, even though at that ti he was the smallest one.
Even if it was a random squirrel, he would still try putting himself at the forefront. Back then she had thought of his habit as annoying. But right now, the mory put a smile on her face as she nodded.
Her eyes closed and she let her consciousness fade away.
Eros watched as her hair turned white—a sign that either none or both of them were in control.
He gently placed her on the floor.
With that dealt with, it was his turn to give it his all.
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