Zeldritzon [Cycle 2] - Night
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Nightfall became thrice as burdensome. The moon had vanished. And the Shazatheis oozed forth as spectral silhouettes in the pitch black, numbered in the hundreds, creeping closer, mercurial. Can't see. KiAera felt them, her fur bristling at the nape, tingling at the feel of the phantoms.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
= [Hostile] Zeozons Detected
= [Hostile] Zeozons' in Radius: 103
Basic Information
* Creatures' Names: Shazathei
* * Species: [Shazathei]
* Sobriquet: "Shadow Stalkers"
* Destruction Scale: [Localized]
* Evolution Stage: [Fledglings] (F)
* Variant Grade: [Common]
* Alignment: [Anomalies] [Predators]
* Attribute Influence: [Doom] [Phantom]
* APeX Particles Range: [20 Units] to [38 Units]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [Insight] - Tier F (2%) > Tier F (5%)
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Her measly APeX of [9 Units] stood no chance against a single horror. Not as she was now. Eat. She grasped a crystal from her sack. Bit into it, and chewed.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]: 9 Units > 10 Units.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Various flavors savored her tongue. Delicious. Sweet. Another one reached her mouth as the Shazathei slithered another inch.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]: 10 Units > 11 Units.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Enough, she was being selfish.
Her gaze swept the Osseods behind her, their chittering betraying their nervousness. Twenty one crystals remained.
They deserved the rest. They needed to survive. That's right, she vowed silently, claws sinking into the earth beneath her. No one dies today.
"Distribute these among yourselves," KiAera placed the sack of crystals on the forest floor. Despite the darkness, the small crystalline monsters chirped, converging on the bag without a word. All the crystals were now gone.
Better. KiAera glared at the Shazathei, swallowing hard as she took in the scene before her.
Her pulse quickened, a rhythm as erratic as the flickering light of her tail flame. The Shazathei advanced, their forms bending and writhing in the half-light. Hollow purple eyes blinked open like malevolent stars in the gloom. They slithered toward her, while others staggered forth with a gait unsettlingly human. The whispers—a low, haunting murmur—curled around her ears like icy fingers.
"T-this is absurd," KiAera muttered under her breath. Her body stiffened, instinct screaming for her to flee, but there was nowhere to go. They were surrounded. Oppressed by a steady, slow, inevitable flood.
Scrape... scrape... scrape... whisper… slide... the Shazathei crept closer.
The Osseods snarled and formed a tight circle around her and GamaGen. Big Osseod's crystalline body refracted the faint light, a jagged guardian. The smaller Osseods glowed faintly, their carapaces shimmering against the encroaching dark. "Osseods... protect."
Scrape... scrape... scrape... whisper… slide... the Shazathei skulked closer.
"Protect KiAera!" The Big Osseod's voice cut through the stifling whispers.
"Osseods protect!" came the smaller ones' echo.
The air thickened, oppressive. KiAera felt it pressing against her lungs. I won't let you hurt them. Her thoughts raced as the creatures approached.
Not a chance in hell.
She watched the shifting shadows, waiting, timing. "Not yet... hold…"
Scrape. Slide. Whisper. Scrape. Slide. Whisper.
Then...
The Shazatheis rushed!
A pulse of adrenaline shot through her. "OSSEODS, FIRE!" Her voice tore through the silence, and the air erupted with crystal shards launched by the Osseods. The shards glinted for a brief second before tearing into the Shazathei, lighting them up like shattered glass.
Shah! Shah! Shaaaahhh!
The shrieks of the Shazathei clawed at her ears, their bodies bursting into light blue particles, fading into the void. But more came—silent, relentless. KiAera's breath hitched. She could feel the weight of the Liorex egg nestled behind her ears, fragile and innocent, far removed from the maelstrom.
"GamaGen, watch over it," she whispered, and GamaGen floated beside her, above the egg.
Her mind shifted gears. Survival mode. Her retractable ears extended, shimmering with pale light. Her fingers flexed instinctively, feeling the unfamiliar tension of power coiling within her. Then, she struck.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
Her ears shot forth as they streaked towards the Shazathei, slicing through their shadowy forms with ease. Shah! Shah! Shaaaahhh!
Some phased, evaded, but others were hit. Her ears were landing on these apparitions, eventually she would—
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
[Ear Slash] - Beast - TECH: 1 → TECH: 2!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
It leveled up. Power flowing. Increasing steadily, an odd prickling sensation. It motivated her to keep going. The need to improve.
⎾'[Ear Slash], hmm?'⏌⎾'Remarkable. Most impressive.'⏌
GamaGen's praise vitalized her. Her ears tips curled into fists, they struck. They crushed, and eventually.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
This narrative has been purloined without the author's approval. Report any appearances on Amazon.
[[Shazathei] slain!]
[ApeX obtained: 22 Units]
[Conversion: 2.2 Units > 2 Units!]
KiAera's [APeX]: 11 Units > 13 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
[Ear Punch] - Beast - TECH: 1 → TECH: 2!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
[Ear Punch] - Beast - TECH: 2 → TECH: 3!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Light blue particles scattered, dissolving like sand in the wind. Energy siphoned into her body, and she felt it—the Abyss particles merging with her essence, raw and untapped.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]:
* Abyss Particles absorbed: 2 Units
* Accumulated Particles: 13 Units → 15 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]: Critical!
* Abyss Particles absorbed: 4.8 Units
* Conversion: 4.8 Units → 4 Units
* Accumulated Particles: 15 Units → 19 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Her power increased by the moment, a quiet hum—with every absorption, conversion, and accumulation. It was both exhilarating and terrifying, the sensation of growing stronger, more dangerous with each passing second.
But the Shazathei were reforming. Their bodies, mere black ooze, slithered and reshaped, undeterred by the losses. KiAera's ears retracted, tension pulling at her muscles. Sweat beaded on her brow, her body growing heavier with the constant strain. Her teeth ground together as she threw herself back into the fight, ears darting forth again in a blur of movement.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
The ends of her rabbit-like ears crashed through the Shazatheis, shattering them to pieces. She was starting to get the hang of them by the moment. More precise and deadly with each strike. Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]:
* Abyss Particles absorbed: 2.3 Units
* Conversion: 2.3 Units → 2 Units
* Accumulated Particles: 19 Units → 21 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]:
* Abyss Particles absorbed: 2.5 Units
* Conversion: 2.5 Units → 3 Units
* Accumulated Particles: 21 Units → 24 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
[Ear Slash] - Beast - TECH: 2 → TECH: 3!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Dozens of Shazatheis were felled from her forces combined assault, their numbers reduced, but a sea of shadows still bathed over the gloomed clearing. Her heart throbbed, she panted, but she held up the pressure. No stopping now. Can't stop, until they were all eradicated. Focus. Keep it up!
"Osseods! This shall be our victory!"
The crystalline mice cried, shaking the field, gleaming as specks in the dark.
Scrape. Her ears twitched, her head darting upward.
Bursting from a tree, a shadow leapt from above, diving, razor-sharp claws aimed at her heart. KiAera's instincts kicked in, but her ears were too slow, oscillating in their retract back. RETURN. NOW!
Time stretched, and she braced for the sharp bite of death—
SPLAT.
She blinked. Something warm and wet sprayed her face. The Shazathei twitched on the ground in front of her, crystalline spikes embedded deep in its body.
"Big Osseod! Fires [Crystal Chunk]! Big Osseod protects KiAera!" cried out the large Osseod. It shot a beam her way, only to turn away, returning to fire a hail of crystal projectiles at the Shazatheis. Its smaller counterparts did the same, vigorously sustaining the volley.
Thank you... Big Osseod, KiAera breathed, her heart drumming her chest.
Boom!
Crack!
Crash!
Thud!
Bang!
The Shazatheis were blown away by the force of the assault, their bodies shattering into light blue particles as they were struck down
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Big Osseod's [APeX]:
* Abyss Particles absorbed: 3.4 Units
* Conversion: 3.4 Units → 3 Units
* Accumulated Particles: 36 Units → 39 Units!
[10] ZEOZONS DEFEATED...CONQUER LIMIT REACHED...
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
'Conquers limit?' KiAera mused to herself when her gaze darted to Big Osseod. She recalled the rule GamaGen had mentioned earlier, casting a momentary glance at the sentient book.
"Big Osseod protects KiAera! Big Osseod protect you forever!"
KiAera smiled back, relieved. "T-thank you," she whispered, turning her attention to the remaining Shazathei.
"We end this!" she shouted, her ears shooting forth once more.
KiAera's breath came in ragged gasps, adrenaline coursing through her veins. More particles swirled around her, siphoned and absorbed as the Shazathei fell, only to be replaced by another. Their endless tide pressed in, yet KiAera couldn't stop. She wouldn't stop. Her retractable ears shot forth again, the ends balled into fists, crushing anything that came near.
Thwip! Thwip! Thwip!
The Osseods followed suit, firing crystal projectiles into the darkness. The Shazathei screeched and shattered into blue particles, their numbers dwindling, yet they kept coming.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]:
* Abyss Particles absorbed: 2.2 Units
* Conversion: 2.2 Units → 2 Units
* Accumulated Particles: 24 Units → 26 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]
* Abyss Particles absorbed: 2.4 Units
* Conversion: 2.4 Units → 2 Units
* Accumulated Particles: 26 Units → 28 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Slash! KiAera winced from a cut on her ear. She tired, becoming sluggish, but she couldn't stop now! "We can do this!" she cried, rallying the Osseods. "We can defeat them!"
"Osseods protect!" they responded, glowing brightly as they prepared for the final assault.
The Shazathei horde screeched and charged towards KiAera's party, their claws outstretched, their teeth bared. They converged as a pool, determined to end them, once and for all.
KiAera steeled herself as she braced for the incoming clash, her bleeding ears poised to strike.
'We can do this!'
Then, GamaGen's voice echoed in her mind. ⎾'Recite this after me, Miss KiAera.'⏌
She hesitated, glancing at the hovering book. "That is?"
⎾'The Whispers of the Abyss. Words of power that will amplify your strength.'⏌
"Alright," KiAera pursed her lips.
"What's the word?"
⎾'MereSphere. Now, repeat after me...'⏌
⎾"Gathered strength, a potent mass,
A weapon forged from creature's grasp.
In the beast's maw, it finds its aim,
To strike with force, to quench the flame.
A sphere of pure destruction,
Borne of a monster's ire toward obstruction.
I call upon the power of the Abyss, to help me vanquish my foes.
[MereSphere].
Hurry, KiAera."⏌
Shah! Shah! Shaaaahhh! Her ears twitched, they were almost upon them.
"G-gathered strength, a potent mass," KiAera stammered, "A weapon forged from creature's grasp...In the beast's maw, it finds its aim, to strike with force, to quench the flame. A sphere of pure destruction, borne of a monster's ire toward obstruction..."
SURGE!
⎾"I call upon the power of the Abyss, to help me vanquish my foes!"⏌
KiAera glowed with an eerie purple light. "MereSphere!" she shouted, the power bursting from her mouth in a concentrated orb of destruction. The orb struck the incoming horde of Shazatheis, exploding in a blinding flash of light.
KiAera's eyes widened as she witnessed the devastation her attack had wrought, the Shazatheis shrieking and howling in pain as they were consumed by the flames of her [MereSphere].
Coalescing in the form of a rampaging beast until the Shazatheis were no more.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]
Abyss Particles absorbed: 3.8 Units
ROUNDS RULE activated...
Conversion: 3.8 Units → 4 Units
Accumulated Particles: 28 Units → 32 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]
Abyss Particles absorbed: 3.8 Units
ROUNDS RULE activated...
Conversion: 3.8 Units → 4 Units
Accumulated Particles: 32 Units (Previous) → 36 Units!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's [APeX]
Abyss Particles absorbed: 3.8 Units
ROUNDS RULE activated...
Conversion: 3.8 Units → 4 Units
Accumulated Particles: 36 Units → 40 Units!
[10] ZEOZONS DEFEATED...CONQUERS LIMIT REACHED...
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Moonlight returned, shining upon the blazing blue field.
"It's glorious..." KiAera thought on shaky legs. We won.
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[ULTIMATE]
Max SLOTS: [3]
DESCRIPTION
[>Chief MereSphere<]
MereChieftain's creation...
Ah, so you live GamaGen...
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