The small girl jumped backward quickly, her facial features frozen in shock and fear, staring at the woman who had suddenly appeared before her like a ghost.
"W-what?! How did you see me?!" she shouted nervously.
Elizabeth, standing calmly with her eyes still closed, smiled a mysterious and calm smile.
"That's a secret."
Her voice was quiet… almost playful. Too quiet.
At that moment, "Yu" arrived, slightly out of breath, speaking with annoyance:
"Finally… I found you."
He stepped out, looking irritated.
"Is it so hard to tell me where you're going before disappearing like that?"
Elizabeth didn't even look at him.
"It's not my fault that you're slow," she replied coldly.
Yu narrowed his eyes.
"It doesn't matter now. Who is this girl?"
Elizabeth raised her hand toward the girl.
"As I said before… someone was controlling the birds."
She pointed to the girl who was once again in a combat stance.
"It was her."
Yu blinked in surprise.
"She looks way too small to do something like this."
He stepped closer, his tone softer.
"Little one… are you lost? Where are your parents?"
But instead of answering, the girl clenched her fists and whispered:
"None of your business, old man!"
Elizabeth suppressed a laugh.
Then she began approaching the girl with slow, confident steps.
"Tell me… who ordered you to do this?"
Silence. The girl just stared at her, trembling slightly.
Elizabeth tilted her head.
"No answer? Fine… I have many ways to make you speak."
She continued advancing—and her eyes remained closed—each step heavier than the last.
The girl's heartbeat quickened.
"Sh-she's dangerous… very dangerous! I… I have to run! I must escape!"
But before Elizabeth could touch her, a light exploded from the shadows.
Clank!
Suddenly, from the shadows, a spell was unleashed that surrounded Elizabeth with a massive metal sphere, imprisoning her inside.
The girl stepped back, breathing heavily, when a man jumped in front of her, his features mysterious, black hair flowing, and cold black eyes.
"How did they catch you?" he asked without turning.
The girl lowered her head.
"I'm sorry…"
He looked at her and spoke in a calm yet sincere voice:
"Don't apologize. You did an excellent job over the past two months."
He patted her head gently.
The girl smiled for a few seconds.
Suddenly, the metal sphere cracked into pieces and scattered in the air, and Elizabeth stood behind the dust and smoke with a cold smile.
Elizabeth stood there, unscathed, smiling calmly.
Her eyes were still closed.
She spoke to the man:
"Good magic… but not enough to kill me."
The man stared at her.
"I knew that wouldn't be enough to kill you… you're stronger than I expected."
Elizabeth tilted her head, still smiling.
"Thanks for the compliment… at least you know how to praise…"
Then she looked toward "Yu."
"Unlike someone else."
Yu frowned.
"Why are you looking at me like that?"
Elizabeth shrugged.
"Nothing."
Then Elizabeth took a step forward and spoke in a more serious tone:
"I want answers. Who sent you? And why?"
The man's gaze hardened.
"And what if we don't want to answer?"
Elizabeth smiled.
"Then you leave me no choice."
She then looked at the girl behind him.
"I'll face her. Take care of that man. And beware… he's not weak."
The girl nodded.
"Alright, brother."
She leapt and summoned a sword made of water, glowing with a strange light.
She dashed toward "Yu" with sudden speed, striking him with a precise blow.
Yu immediately countered, summoning his sword from the black void beside him, blocking her attack with a harsh clash of steel.
He smiled slightly and said:
"Not bad… stronger than I thought."
She didn't respond.
Their battle flared up, the sounds of swords cutting through the air, water swirling around them in small whirlpools.
On the other side of the arena, the man began his attack against Elizabeth using water magic.
But she didn't move.
She only tilted her body, avoiding the strike without opening her eyes.
Another attack—from the side.
She stepped lightly, dodging it.
Then another.
She leaned back, letting the wave pass over her, with the same calm.
"Are you really trying to hit me?" she said in a sarcastic tone.
The man clenched his fist, sending wave after wave of attacks.
But her eyes remained closed.
She didn't flinch.
She didn't retreat.
The water sliced through the surrounding trees, the ground cracked, yet… it did not touch her.
She whispered, looking at him with a faint smile:
"Is that all you've got?"
The man froze, sweat starting to run down his forehead.
She didn't even need to see.
The water split around her… as if afraid to touch her.
To be continued