I jolt awake - as if I had just awakened from a nightmare. Quickly looking around I notice I am in the same position as I was before, food is still scattered throughout the floor, and the movie is paused. I run my fingers through my hair, wondering if all that was just a dream.

"Ara!" Echo suddenly tackles me with a tight hug. "I was so worried about you!"

"What happened?" Please don't tell me I was just talking loudly to myself this whole time.

"Well you fell in some sort of trance when I came back," she replies shakily. "You were just staring at the ceiling. I tried talking to you but you wouldn't snap out of it!" She began to cry. "I was so worried! I-I began reading on the possible causes of your trance, but—"

"It's okay!" I quickly cut her off. "I'm fine!"

"What happened?" Echo quickly wipes her tears dry. "Were you in pain or anything?"

I shake my head," I met Eun." I reply with a toothy smile. "Eun is the demon possessing me! W-we made a contract and now I'm stronger and—"

"Wow, really?!" Echo interrupts. "That means this Eun thing is good, right?"

Hurry we don't have much time! Eun cries out loudly in my head. If the El Shard is truly that close we must hurry and join the fight!

I mentally give Eun a thumbs up," look, Echo, I need to go! Eun told me some things about the El Shard and we really need to make sure those demons don't get it!" Echo sends me a confused look. "I'll explain later! Right now I've got to enter the battle field."

Seeing how wet clothes will drag me down during battle I decide to change into a pink tank top, denim shorts, some brown combat boots, and a pair of cycling gloves. Sure I'll be cold during the fight, but it's much better than having heavy clothes to slow me down.

I put my hair into a messy bun before sliding the hairpin into place. Nodding at my appearance in the mirror I grab my spear and head out of my bedroom.

To my surprise Echo wasn't there to greet me when I returned to the living room. I guess she decided to head back home now that I won't be here which is understandable. It still would've been nice to say good-bye to her before I left.

"How will we conserve energy, Eun?" I ask while closing the door behind me. "Gliding will only tire us out before the actual fight."
We have no other choice. Eun sighs. It's sure weird to have Eun replying to my questions now, this will certainly take time to get used to. I will try my best to provide you as much strength in the battle.

"Ara!" I hear Echo calling out.

Perhaps this is one of Eun's abilities, but I've noticed my vision has been enhanced in the dark. Before I would need to squint through the thick darkness of the night, now the village appears much more illuminated. I barely have to focus my eyes on Echo's running figure.

"Echo? Where were you?" I ask once she reached me.

Echo takes a few seconds to catch her breath before replying," you may be fast, but running does take energy." She holds up the large saddle resting in her arms. "I loaded this saddle up with bags of potion, medicine, and smoke bombs. Perhaps it's time to take that Phoru out for a spin."

For once in my life I smile at the thought of riding Yang. Taking the saddle in my arms I reply with a toothy smile," thanks, I think it is time for Yang to assist us."

Elder was an absolute disaster. Demons are raiding the streets - causing a massive traffic jam - people are panicking throughout every corner, and some are fighting off the invaders; I highly doubt riding a demon into the city will help them calm down.

"Stay calm, Yang." I gingerly guide us around the panicked citizens. "These people are just as frightened as you are."

My eyes frantically scan the streets, hoping to spot out any entrances to the sewers. Normally I'd be able to spot an entrance with a snap of a finger, but today is a different story. With all these people pacing around the streets its nearly impossible to see an open entrance.

I pull Yang to stop, grabbing my spear I hop off my ride," stay there." I order my curious friend. "I hope the city won't mind another sewer entrance." I walk to the middle of the street; preparing for my attack.

"Suppression!" I channel energy from my hairpin to create a gravitational drop, a large crater forms beneath me as a result. I gingerly walk away from the center of the crater, the ground can be heard cracking with each step I took.

"Yang!" I call over my furry friend. The Phoru hurries over my side as I leap on its saddle. "Okay," I secure myself on. "attack that crater with all your strength."

I brace myself for impact as Yang rushes to the center on the crater. Engulfing one of its paw with fire it stomps on the ground, creating a shock wave strong enough to break through. I can feel my heart dropping to my stomach as we fall into the sewers, I tightly grasp onto the saddle until we are welcomed with a cold splash.

Careful, we have drawn attention to ourselves.

"Thanks for the warning, Eun." I guide Yang to the nearest surface. My face scrunches in disgust at the water we just landed in," ew I think some of it went in my mouth." I wipe the small droplets of water off my face.

Yang simply shakes itself dry, almost tipping me over as a result," wow, calm down there, buddy." I gently pet its back. "Can you track down the others? I'll take care of anything that comes our way."

Nodding Yang takes off into a sprint, I prepare my spear as we rush deeper into the sewer system. Thanks to my enhanced eye sight I can make out several demons ahead of us. With one swift movement I jump off of Yang, gliding ahead of it to take care of the demons.

"Moonlight Slash!" The large circular slash immediately takes down the defenseless demons. I swiftly hop back on to Yang as it passes by me, the sounds of distant shouting can be heard - growing louder with each step.

"Where are they?!" Elsword screams.

"Where's our flashlight?" Aisha follows shortly after.

"These stupid demons are everywhere!" Raven exclaims angrily.

Yang and I turn the next corner, I can see my friends blindly swinging their weapons in the darkness as the crowds of demons surround them. There's no way they can take that on; they're lucky I came here on time.

'Eun, lend me your strength.'

As you wish.

I hop into the air, gliding towards my prey. I can feel a warm aura engulf my body, Eun's powers wrapping around me like armor. I can sense my power strengthening, my senses sharpening; my hair is let loose from its bun as nine white tails emerge behind me.

I am now one with Eun.

"Tiger Claw!" I knock out the first two opponents. My ears twitch at the soft sound of water moving. Turning to my right I quickly launch an attack," Matchless Truth!" I swiftly blink from place to place, taking down many demons in one blow.
Watch out!

Before I could react something knocks my spear out of my hand. My jaw slightly drops as my precious weapons drops into the murky water.

Growling like an animal I turn around to tackle my opponent down. With one hand in the air and the other pinning my prey down I let loose the final blow, digging my claws roughly down on its neck, ending its life almost instantly.

Yang lights up the battle field with its flames, burning the nearby foes to a crisp. I hesitantly dig my hand into the water to retrieve my weapon. A small smile forms on my lips once my spear was back in my possession.

"Let's finish this." I blurt out in a strange voice. It must be Eun who's talking - I guess its fair for Eun to have some control. Eun throws my spear forward," Shadoweave!" A strong whirlwind pulls the enemies towards us, sucking them in like a tornado. Eun finishes the remaining enemies off with one last deadly slash.

There was silence soon after. I can make out my friends' shocked expressions, they must be afraid that I'll hurt them," Yang, provide us some light." I order.

I can see Yang hopping to the surface as it engulfs its paws with fire, brightly illuminating the area. I bow my head down, trying not to make eye contact with anyone.

"Ara?" Aisha spoke up quietly. "I-is that you?"

"Technically it's me and Eun." I correct her. "Eun was the demon who's been possessing me. We made a contract and—"

"You made a contract?!" Raven blurts out. "How? Why?"

"It's a long story."

"You rode the Phoru here?" Elsword seems more amazed at Yang. "That's so cool! I call dibs on riding it after!"

Eve roughly slaps his arm," you shall do that after we save the city."

I frown, scanning the group for the one person who irks me beyond all levels," where is Chung?" I ask. "Did he go fighting somewhere else?"
The group exchange glances," he went down to the secret entrance." Aisha began. "He went after this flying demon while we stayed behind to fight."

We should go, they must be fighting for the El Shard by now.

"I need to go. Where is the secret entrance?"

"Just head up there," Aisha points down the long tunnel. "You should find an opening somewhere on the wall."

"Thanks, oh and, Yang." I glance back at my ride. "Take them back up to the surface, it's a mess up there and it could use some help."

"Dibs on the ride!" Elsword is already making his way to the Phoru. I roll my eyes at his childish actions.

"Stay safe." Eve gives me a stern look. "I will be very disappointed if you didn't make it out alive."

"Don't worry, we'll take care." I give everyone a reassuring smile. "Eun and I need to tell you guys some pretty important details after this."

"Alright, good luck!" Elsword's comment somehow fastens my heart beat.

Gathering all my energy I begin gliding down the lone path, my eyes quickly darting from wall to wall, looking for the opening Aisha mentioned about earlier. I quickly come to a halt as my eyes land on the large patch of light illuminating from the wall - I have indeed found the secret passage. Adrenaline pumps wildly through my veins at the opening in the wall, the faint smell of metal emits from the other side.

Humans have surely advanced in technology.

I look towards the metallic path unfolding before us, the sounds of gears grinding and distant shouting can be heard throughout," are you ready, Eun?" Shivers run down my spine at the strong aura emerging straight ahead. It must be from the El Shard.

Good, it appears you have sensed this strong aura. I must warn you, whoever possesses the El Shard will be a very dangerous opponent, it will be nothing like you ever imagined. Are you prepared for the worst to come?

I swallow before nodding," shall we enter?" I can feel Eun bursting with enthusiasm.

Let the fight begin...