Bloody Odyssey-Chapter 43: Nadia’s Resolve.

Chapter 42

High above the endless Vados plains, Dax leaned forward on Cain’s back, letting the wind scour his face.

The world below unfolded in breathtaking scale—golden seas of grass rippling like living water, distant rivers glinting like molten silver under the sun.

"Magnificent," he whispered, the word almost lost to the rush of air.

Among the countless ancient trees that dotted the landscape, one dominated everything else. A colossal sentinel stood alone at the heart of the plain, its trunk so thick it seemed to pierce the sky itself. Its canopy spread outward in a vast, unbroken dome of emerald and gold, shading an expanse easily a thousand acres.

No other tree dared grow near it; the land around its roots belonged solely to this titan.

Dax tilted his head toward the massive tree’s center.

"Sense powerful creatures at the core," he murmured. But his attention wasn’t truly there. The tree was impressive, but it wasn’t his destination today.

He turned his gaze to Nadia, who floated steadily beside him on Little Purple.

"So tell me, Nadia—what type of core do you possess?"

The question came direct, without preamble.

She met his eyes without hesitation.

"Benefactor... I possess both."

Dax’s lips curved into a small, satisfied smile.

Inside his mind, Inerous’s voice rose curiously.

Master, why did you ask? You’ve been aware of this for some time.

Dax offered no reply. Instead he pointed toward a wide, open clearing far below—empty grass, no trees, no beasts in sight.

"Land there."

Cain banked immediately, wings folding as they began a smooth descent.

Before the wyvern’s talons even brushed the earth, Dax vanished from Cain’s back in a flicker of motion. He reappeared a hundred paces away, already standing motionless on the plain.

"Inerous," he said quietly, "record this. Add it to the new human file. Once all data is extracted, save it under a folder named after her in the ’New Humans’ directory."

On it, Master.

Dax’s voice rose, calm and expectant.

"Nadia. Equip yourself."

She nodded once, gently.

With a soft snap of her fingers, light cascaded over her form.

A pristine white battle dress materialized—flowing yet armored, every seam and fold traced with intricate golden rune patterns that shimmered like captured starlight. In her left hand appeared a slender blue sword, its blade etched with the exact likeness of her grandfather’s legendary weapon—elegant, deadly, and deeply personal.

She tightened her grip on the hilt.

I’ve made up my mind, she thought. I don’t want to leave his side.

The memory flashed unbidden: Dax standing besideher in her lowest moment, broken and bleeding, offering words of quiet assurance that had burned themselves into her very soul.

Let me show you my worth.

Aura erupted from her in a radiant burst—pure, graceful, enveloping her like a second skin.

She closed her eyes, letting old memories rise: training under endless skies, the weight of legacy, the sting of failure, the fire of resolve.

In that instant her Rank 8 aura spiked violently, surging far beyond its previous limits. Visible rays of light poured down from above, converging on her in shimmering columns.

Tiny motes of luminescence gathered around her, swirling with faint, intelligent awareness.

"Spirits..." she breathed, eyes snapping open in shock—then softening into a rare, genuine smile.

Dax extended his hand forward in invitation.

"Come."

Less than a fraction of a second passed.

She vanished—leaving only a trailing afterimage of golden light.

Dax’s pupils dilated, a wild, almost feral excitement flashing across his usually impassive features.

Yes. Show me.

Killing intent rolled out from him in a controlled wave—not savage, but immense, like a dam cracking open just enough to let the flood taste freedom. On his left hip, Cil hummed softly in its sheath. The blade wasn’t restless; it was calm, almost eager, as though it understood this was assessment, not true battle.

The ground beneath Dax’s boots cracked in a spiderweb pattern. He deliberately suppressed his strength again—yet the aura that remained was still lethal, a razor edge wrapped in restraint.

Like a blink of sunlight, Nadia reappeared directly before him, sword already descending in a perfect arc aimed at his shoulder.

In the same heartbeat, the Slaughter Demon materialized—towering, crimson, its form woven from pure killing intent. It raised one massive arm and intercepted her blade with casual precision.

Clang—

The sound rang out like struck iron.

In the space of a single second, blade and claw exchanged a blinding series of clashes—sparks flying, air screaming, the ground trembling beneath each impact.

Dax smiled wider.

Interesting. Her eyes are still closed.

He decided to push further.

A fresh surge of killing intent exploded outward, dark and suffocating, rolling across the plain like black smoke. In an instant the Slaughter Demon split—dividing cleanly into four identical copies.

All four moved in perfect unison, encircling Nadia from every angle. Twenty-four arms—twelve blades of condensed intent—lashed out together.

How will she handle this?

Nadia’s lips moved in a faint murmur.

"In an instant... retreat."

She flowed backward with impossible grace, dodging and parrying in a dance that seemed almost serene.

The demons pursued relentlessly, their strikes a storm of crimson death.

Yet she slipped through their midst like light through shadow—never fully cornered, never truly touched.

"Bolivian Cut."

Her blade ignited with dangerous golden radiance. With blinding speed she swept horizontally.

A crescent arc of pure, searing energy tore across the plain toward Dax—sharp enough to cleave mountains.

Smart girl.

One of the demons flashed in front of Dax. He extended his hand in a casual catching motion.

The other three clapped their palms together in perfect synchronization. Their forms collapsed inward, merging into a single pulsing crimson orb that flew straight into the guardian demon’s chest.

Clang—

The impact echoed like thunder. A colossal curtain of sand and dust erupted skyward, blotting out the sun for a heartbeat.

When the haze cleared, the Slaughter Demon stood revealed once more—towering, unbroken... save for one missing arm. No blood flowed; it was killing given form, not flesh.

Dax threw his head back and laughed—genuine, delighted.

"Ruthless woman."

He swept his hair back from his face with one hand.

"You noticed it was going to block—so in that split second you appeared beside my demon, kicked its leg to throw off its balance, then severed the arm in the next fraction."

He regarded her with open approval.

"She is very fast."

His smile turned dangerous, eyes gleaming.

"Since your attack is so powerful... let’s check something else."