The most dangerous predator...
Watching as the woman turned into a flock of birds, Isobella could only scowl. Once again, this woman had chosen to flee, and even more annoyingly so. Having to fight this druid girl had become a challenge in tolerance, and patience. She followed the large flock of birds, wondering how many she could take out before falling into the water, and how many she would have to kill to hurt the girl enough. It was a thought that was quickly banished from her mind at the thought of opening herself up that much. Especially with their new guests.
Some time during her action, several animals had gathered, birds of varied types lining the ships and some of the pier. Hundreds of fish, ranging from small guppies to even a whale now encircled the boating area, enough to make any fisherman jealous. The pier itself had been lined with a gaggle of land creatures. Rats, cats, and dogs sat waiting, some of them looking around confused, others staring up at the flock of birds if looking for attention. They had been called here, summoned by this woman, yet none seemed to be truly connected to her.
This was a threat she was thankful for. The girl had seemed to forgo fighting once again, yet had now somehow amassed a furred army for herself to fight. It would prove ineffective, but was still something to be admired.
And Hated.
Her opponent was drawing others in to fight for her. Relying on the strength and numbers of others. Isobella had seen rarely any of the woman's skills, other than the song and the wind, and had no reliance of herself. Once again anger flared inside Isobella. Having fought and trained for so long, forgoing sleep and rest to gain her freedom. Yet here, in a battle of two, this woman did nothing but run. Even the strong winds was nothing more to gain distance. And even one the octopus had shown, she had chosen it over their fight, even with the game masters pitting the two of them together.
If it was a trial to show Isobella the power of others, it was wasted on deaf ears and blind eyes.
Isobella once again looked to the flock of birds, knowing that with the gaggle of sea creatures, and mostly ruined ships, she had a decent area to land once again. She wanted to end this, not by delaying and running away, but head on. Will against will, resolve against resolve.
With a glance to the mast, she looked again to the waters, and headed over, sending a few of the birds in her way skittering. One quick strike through it broke it, enough that she could already hear the groan of wood as it started to slide down. Pointing her blades, she left the boat, listening as the mast finally careened into the water, landing with a splash, and more than likely scattering a number of the creatures inhabiting the waters.
Isobella walked the pier, animals moving away from her and clearing a wide berth. Anger and loathing seethed from her very core. Anger at the woman for running away again, delaying the fight even more. Anger at the game masters for pitting her against such a weak willed woman. Even anger at herself, for however she had come to this situation, stuck on a useless pier against a cowardly woman. She thought back to the woman she had seen atop the mast, her face showing anger, steel, even a fire in her eyes, like that of an enraged lion.
To Isobella, it was nothing but a farce.
Isobella stopped in the middle of the pier, a 5 ft circle of animals around her. She began to focus, her eyes flicking up to the birds once again, including those scattered by the falling mast.
Muscles tensed as she pivoted her left leg back, knees bending some to better support her weight. She flipped her left blade, reversing her grip and positioning it behind her, a slight pull on her shoulder as she set it in place. The right blade extend up, tilting so that the point would rest near towards her left shoulder. With her body set, she began to prepare.
She focused, stripping away the distractions of the world. The incessant cawing of the birds slowly faded from her hearing, leaving nothing but the beating of her heart. The smell of animal began muted, as her mind sharpened.
Deep breaths, the rush of air slowly matching the rise and fall of her chest. The pounding of her chest slowed, the world stalling as the world came into sharp relief, colors crisper, details finer. Even her reflection in the blade was cold and calm, the inside matching the outside.
If this woman was able to commune with nature, she would show her the most frightening animal known to all. Mankind.
For what they lack in power, they make up for in will. Isobella would prove that here and now, that her will was dominant, and no amount of animal would ever break her.
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