Shadows Of Desire [Veralia/Open]

'I don't trust those eyes. That gaze is nothing good.'

Noticing the impact of her attack on Kurai, Veralia's mind raced, evaluating the effectiveness of her tactics. Despite the apparent damage inflicted, she remained keenly aware of their immense strength; letting her guard down was not an option. Her body pulsated with accumulated kinetic and spiritual energy, a potent force ready to be unleashed.

With Kurai breaking the distance and gripping Veralia, the envious Arrancar's face surged with heat as it reddened. In response, an emerald eruption of kinetic and spiritual energy screamed out from her body as she activated her soindo to utilize another technique. With Covetous Waltz, she conjured a protective aura that forcefully repelled Kurai away with a sharp hiss; its destructive impact being capable of breaking that arm.

Regardless of how effective it was, the woman's frustration was palpable.

"What the hell is your deal? Now you are just fucking with me, woman."

A low snarl escaped from Veralia as her tone and face represented a mix of anger, adrenaline, and waves of flustered embarrassment from the teasing nature of her words and the closeness of Kurai's actions. Veralia's face grew red, but her eyes still reflected that not an ounce of her attention or determination was burned away in that inferno within her soul.

"No thanks. I'd rather choke on glass then you give a damn thing."

Veralia retorted with biting venom, disdain dripping from every word. In a display of sheer defiance, she spat directly in Kurai's face, simultaneously activating her Hierro Ardiente. Her skin burst into an inferno, radiating heat so intense it began to warp and melt their immediate surroundings.

Using her swift precision, Veralia harnessed her already active blazing flames and cut herself free in a fluid motion by burning the strands of hair that Kurai gripped on. Wasting no time, she unleashed her emerald-drenched cero at point-blank range towards Kurai's throat. Veralia understood that if this turned into a battle of energy, her potent cero might give her the upper hand.

Of course, given the small amount of time to react and her speed and compromised position, something had to give. And in this instance, Veralia herself would be caught up in the explosion. And knowing Kurai, she'd certainly add her cero to the mix. So, Veralia braced for impact as it would at least be mitigated through her hierro.

As the damning explosion of their inevitable cero clash ripped through the night, Veralia would feel the pressure on her body and bruises begin to form from their clash as she did not come out of this eruption of light unscathed like the time before. Instead, she used her soindo to appear high above the impact zone as she panted, sweated, and had blood leaking from her mouth as the stinging pain of that attack crept into her body.

While in the air, she then took a pause and licked the blood leaking from her mouth before a low, raspy chuckle exited her mouth. She didn't know the mechanics behind her powers or what triggered it, but she had a feeling this woman fed on people through her powers. That look, that excitement; it was the same that Veralia herself felt when devouring on envy and desire.

"Even if we both are freaks that devour sin, go fuck yourself. You aren't getting anything from me but a swift kick in the ass."

As she spat those words out to the world, her tone was a blend of amusement and raw defiance. Sure, Kurai had a smoking hot body and Veralia felt envious and desirous of it, but it would be a cold day in hell before she groveled at the feet of anyone. Fighting, escaping, or losing were preferable alternatives.

(Reference to her hierro is in the spoiler)

Spoiler:

"Hmmmmm, well, freak might be a bit too excessive. You got me there."

Veralia's eyebrow arched, a silent emblem of her burgeoning curiosity mixed with caution. The abrupt halt in hostilities didn't sit entirely right with her; her instincts screamed for vigilance. Despite this, she gave a nod, her posture relaxed yet unmistakably guarded, the heat emanating from her body a clear testament to her readiness to spring into action should the need arise.

"But yeah, I think we both got it out of our systems."

Her voice carried with it a hint of wary amusement. Veralia's head slowly started to tilt to the right; an instinctive movement reflecting her assessment of Kurai. Her gaze was sharp, probing, and fixated on Kurai before she furrowed her brows and spoke.

"So, what's with the sudden shift? Got your fill, or is there something else at play here?"

Words drenched in intrigue and suspicion; she was curious to peel back the layers of Kurai's intentions.