(Aitana): We’ve got company, and it’s not the good kind.
*Popping out from the bushes and behind boulders were Eclipses in the form of mountain lions. There were seven total by Aitana’s estimates and they were slowly approaching the two demihumans. Aitana smiled and pulled out her macuahuitl to prepare for battle as the Eclipses growled at her and M*
(Aitana): Alright, there’s seven of them. M, stay behind and far back, but not too far back where I lose sight of you. Make sure you stay within my sight and if I tell you to run, run.
(M): Okay.
*Aitana walked slowly forward toward the Eclipses but stopped when one of them ran toward her. The Eclipse lunged in the air toward Aitana where she swung her macuahuitl vertically at the Eclipse to slash it in half. This sent the other Eclipses into a frenzy and Aitana capitalized on this by running up to the nearest and using her macuahuitl to send it flying all while slashing it in the process. An Eclipse that was nearby lunged at Aitana who stepped back to avoid the attack. Aitana then looked to her sides to see an Eclipse each side running toward her to attack. Aitana jumped in the air just as the two Eclipses lunged at to dodge the attack. While in the air, Aitana threw her blade straight down to pierce the two Eclipses through their stomach/chest areas to kill them. As soon as Aitana landed an Eclipse managed to slash her from behind leaving claw marks on her lower back. Aitana screamed in pain as blood dripped from the open wounds and got an angry look on her face. Before she could attack another Eclipse jumped on her and pushed her to the ground. The Eclipse tried to use its teeth to bite Aitana but she prevented the attack by grabbing its jaws with her hands and keeping its mouth open. Using her strength Aitana managed to pull herself up and back to her feet where she tossed the Eclipse off the side of the cliff nearby making it fall to its death. Aitana then ran towards her blade but the last Eclipse was blocking her path and ready to pounce on her. As the Eclipse pounced in the air toward Aitana she planted her feet firmly on the ground swung her head back and then swung it forward to deliver a headbutt to the Eclipse shattering its skull. The Eclipse hit the ground rolled backwards not moving while a gash opened up on Aitana’s head and blood started pouring out. She ignored the blood and the pain to grab her blade and turned around just in time as the Eclipse that slashed her earlier tried to attack her from behind again. Only this time Aitana was ready. She sensed the attack coming, grabbed the Eclipse by the neck and tossed it to the ground back first where she proceeded to stab it with her blade multiple times in the stomach/chest before it began to disappear. Once the Eclipse was disappearing, Aitana grabbed her head and fell to one knee. M saw this and quickly ran over to Aitana to apply first aid to the gash. Reaching into her traveler’s pouch she pulls out bandages to cover the gash. Just as she finished wrapping the bandages around Aitana’s head, Aitana quickly pushed her out of the way. M fell to the ground looking away wondering why Aitana did such a thing. As soon as she turned around she saw a mountain lion Eclipse on top of Aitana trying to bite her. Luckily, Aitana was blocking its attack by shoving her macuahuitl in its mouth. M panicking picked up a nearby rock on the ground and threw it at the Eclipse. The rock hit the Eclipse in the eye causing a momentary distraction which allowed Aitana to push the Eclipse off her and slice its head off*
(Aitana): Thanks for the assist there, M.
(M): My pleasure, now let me apply first aid to the rest of your injuries.
*The two heard a growl and looked to the side where they saw thirteen more mountain lion Eclipses heading towards them. Aitana smiled and rose to her feet to fight them*
(M): You mustn’t. You’re injured. Let’s just fall back for now.
(Aitana): Not happening. We do that and these things won’t let anyone pass. When battling Eclipses, the best thing to do is show no fear and rip, tear, slash, and cut until none of them are left standing.
*Aitana ran headfirst toward the Eclipses as they charged at her. M watched with a worried expression as the two sides clashed with one other*
Author’s Note: This was only a short scene for what is to come in the next volume. Look forward to Vol. 3 dropping next spring