[center][h1][b][color=red]A[/color][/b][/h1][/center][sub]Interactions/Mentions: VV, Ravager NPC-[@Estylwen][/sub][hr]
[indent][i][b][color=#ffffff]Don't underestimate yourself, A. You're strong.[/color][/b][/i][color=#ffffff][b] [/b][/color]

[color=#ffffff]Her jaw tightened. VV always saw more in her than A did herself. But how much of that was blind faith? Did VV realize what she was asking—what she was risking?[/color]

[color=#ffffff]It didn’t matter anyway. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Le Frey’s sharp command to silence VV was a slap of reality, and A snapped her gaze toward him, her heart stuttering as a sudden burst of green light lit up the dim room like a firework igniting the dark. The dragon, Inu, tore free in a brilliant eruption, its scales shimmering like molten emerald as it roared and unleashed a torrent of fire. Heat washed over A’s face, sharp and searing, the air around her thickening with the acrid stench of scorched metal and charred wood. The weight on her chest lightened as the tail restraining her slackened, but the release brought no comfort—only the surge of instinct screaming at her to move.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]So she did without thinking. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]The moment the pressure eased, A shoved herself sideways, her arm locking around VV to drag her down and behind the nearest cover. Her shoulder struck something hard—a crate, its splintered edge biting into her skin through the thin fabric of her suit—but she didn’t flinch, her breaths ragged and shallow as adrenaline flooded her veins. Around them, the din of battle swelled, the cacophony of gunfire and shouted orders blending with the dragon’s guttural growls. The stifling air tasted of smoke and copper, every inhalation burning her throat as she tried to orient herself amid the chaos.[/color]

[color=#ffffff]A fleeting glance over the edge of their cover sent a jolt of alarm through her. A Ravager broke from the pack, his boots pounding against the floor with measured determination, the gun in his hand gleaming dully in the flickering light. His gaze locked onto her and VV like a predator sighting cornered prey. The barrel of his weapon swung toward them, its cold inevitability sending a chill down her spine despite the sweltering heat. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]There wasn’t time to think. No room for hesitation. Her hand shot forward, palm open, fingers rigid, not even noticing as vines wrapped around the two of them, protecting them. [/color]

[color=#ffffff]Her only focus was the hot, rushing river coursing through the Ravager’s veins.[/color][/indent]