[STATUS AILMENT: Poisoned]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ KiAera's Status:
APeX [Reduced] [-20%]: 4332 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
She felt the throbbing ache of her wounds and the lingering effects of the Fluzzerbrats' poison. Her muscles screamed in protest; moving made it worse, but she needed to shove it all aside or else she would not make it—to them.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Creature: Mezmeic (A)
Species: Mezmeic
Brief description: little mesmerizing caterpillar.
APeX Range: [88 Units]
Dominions: [Manifest]
Attributes: [Xensect]
Evolution Stage: [Genesis] (G)
Alignment: [Praieon] [Neutral]
Current Variant Grade: [Common]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
The Mezmeic being dragged whimpered pitifully, its round eyes glistening with tears. It struggled against the Fluzzerbrat's grip, but the insect's strength far outweighed its own. The others huddled closer together, too terrified to act. "No! Let go! Please, someone—"
KiAera wasted no time to intercept the advancing Fluzzerbrats. The Fluzzerbrat holding the Mezmeic was the first to go.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Creature: Fluzzerbrat
Species: Fluzzerbrat
Brief description: buzzing fly brat.
APeX: [2809 Units]
Attributes: [Xensect] [Sound] [Hazard]
Evolution Stage: [Fledgling] (F)
Current Variant Grade: [Common]
Alignment: [Preda-Praieon] [Aggressor]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
The one holding the Mezmeic turned its bulbous head toward her, mandibles clicking in alarm.
With a sharp flick of her paw, KiAera's ear extended like a whip, severing the Fluzzerbrat's mandibles. The creature let out a shriek as it was hurled backward, crashing into the dirt. The Mezmeic tumbled free, trembling as it scrambled back toward its companions.
"Stay together!" KiAera barked at the Mezmeics. "I'll handle this!"
The Mezmeics whimpered but obeyed, clustering tighter under the overhang. Their leaf-like scarves wrapped protectively around their bodies as they watched her with wide, hopeful eyes.
"You're not getting through me!" KiAera growled, planting herself between the Mezmeics and the Fluzzerbrats. Her gaze twisted to the downed Fluzzerbrat, her ears slamming into its thorax with a resounding thud, snapping it into two.
Fluzzerbrat defeated [AP +28]!
Alarmed, the Fluzzerbrat swarm seemed to hesitate. They chittered among themselves, then shifted formation, circling KiAera. Her ears throbbed again, and the incessant buzzing in her head surged.
Suddenly her vision blurred once more. She felt another round of poison seep through her system, causing her muscles to stiffen. It became harder to breathe, her movements became sluggish, as if she was trapped underwater.
There, she saw it—green specks in the air, aggravating her already poisoned status.
[STATUS AILMENT: Poison]
[STATUS AILMENT: Vertigo]
Damn it… not again.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ KiAera's Status:
APeX [Reduced] [-25%]: 4050 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
The Fluzzerbrats watched her intently, their mandibles clicking together menacingly. They knew they had her cornered, and they were enjoying every second of it. "𝔉𝖊𝔞𝖘𝔱. 𝕱𝔢𝖆𝔰𝖙. 𝔉𝖊𝔞𝖘𝔱. 𝕱𝔢𝖆𝔰𝖙. 𝔉𝖊𝔞𝖘𝔱. 𝕱𝔢𝖆𝔰𝖙!"
Her flames flickered erratically, reflecting her fading stamina. The poison's lingering effects made her limbs feel like lead, but she refused to falter. The Mezmeics needed her. She took a shaky breath, focusing her energy. Focus. Revise. The flame is an extension of you.
Blue fire spiraled around her paws, twisting and solidifying. She lashed them out, striking at the Fluzzerbrats before they could close in. Each strike sent a jolt of satisfaction through her as her flames tore through their fragile bodies.
But there were too many. For every one she destroyed, three more darted forward in their assault. A Fluzzerbrat managed to slip past her defenses, its mandibles grazing her shoulder. She hissed in pain, retaliating with a swift swipe of her ear, cutting it down.
"Hang on!" she shouted over her shoulder to the Mezmeics. "I'll get you out of here!"
One of the Mezmeics peeked out from the crevice. Its leafy scarf unfurled slightly, shimmering faintly in the light. "W-We can help!" it stammered. "We can—"
"No! Stay back! You'll just—"
Before she could finish, the Mezmeic's scarf flared, emitting a sudden burst of dazzling light. The Fluzzerbrats around her screeched in unison, their movements faltering as the light disoriented them. KiAera's eyes widened in surprise.
"That's... actually helpful… keep it up, guys!" she flicked a glance at the Mezmeics.
Emboldened, the other Mezmeics followed suit. Their scarves shimmered, casting overlapping waves of mesmerizing light that threw the Fluzzerbrats into disarray. KiAera seized the opportunity, her flames roaring back to life as she struck down the immobilized swarm with renewed vigor.
She dashed forward, her paws skidding against the rocky ground as she unleashed a sharp whistle, hoping to draw the Fluzzerbrats' attention away from their prey.
"Over here, you overgrown pests!"
She launched herself at the nearest cluster of Fluzzerbrats, her form blazing with Spectral Fire. Twirling them in elements of heat and frost, her ears extended and snapped like a whip, cracking against fly carapaces with a satisfying crunch. The creatures hissed and crumpled, blackened or frozen by the incinerating strikes.
Fluzzerbrat defeated [AP +31]!
Fluzzerbrat defeated [AP +22]!
Fluzzerbrat defeated [AP +29]!
Fluzzerbrat defeated [AP +30]!
Eventually, several dozen more fell to her assault.
KiAera's Stored AP: [1035] → [2043]!
This caused the other Fluzzerbrats to pause mid-flight in their disorientation, their antennae twitching toward her. In a sickening blur of motion, several turned to face her, mandibles clacking.
Good. That's right. Focus on me.
KiAera planted her paws, her [Spectral Flames] flaring along her ears in defiance. She couldn't afford to falter now, even as her limbs trembled from fatigue. The Mezmeics needed her.
Several more Fluzzerbrats buzzed toward her, forcing her to twist and dodge as she tried to keep them at bay. A sharp sting bit into her shoulder as one grazed her with its mandibles. KiAera cried out but retaliated instantly, spinning with a sweeping arc of her flame-infused ears to incinerate the offending insect.
As she fought, her [MereSwiftness] helped her dart between the Fluzzerbrats, but her endurance was waning.
[STATUS AILMENT: Poison]
She stumbled slightly, gasping for breath, and another swarm member lunged for her flank.
"Come on!" she growled, forcing herself to pivot and lash out with a freezing jet of [Spectral Flame]. The sudden blast engulfed the attacker, its shrill screech echoing as it fell.
The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
The remaining insects hesitated, their buzzing growing frantic as they reevaluated their strategy. KiAera took advantage of their hesitation, leaping into the air and spinning in a tight arc.
"Take this!" she snarled, unleashing another vortex of [Spectral Flame].
The swirling fire consumed the Fluzzerbrats, their shrill cries fading as they were reduced to ash.
She landed unsteadily, her legs trembling as she turned to check on the Mezmeics.
"Are you all okay?"
The Mezmeics peeked out from their hiding spot. The one that had nearly been dragged away stepped forward cautiously, its leaf scarf fluttering.
"Y-yes," it stammered. "Th-thank you for saving us, Miss Merecritt."
KiAera managed a weak smile, despite the throbbing pain in her shoulder. "Good. Stay close to me—I'll get you somewhere safe."
Before the Mezmeics could respond, a faint buzzing noise returned, growing louder with each passing second. KiAera's ears twitched, her heart sinking.
BUzzZZ BUzzZZ BUzzZZ BUzzZZ
More? Already?
Suddenly, the vertigo hit hard, mingling with the poison in her system. Her vision swam, and she erupted into a fit of hacking coughs.
KiAera barely caught herself before collapsing, her legs trembling under the combined weight of exhaustion and poison. The buzzing intensified, its low hum vibrating through her skull like an unrelenting drumbeat. Above, the purple sky rippled as a new figure emerged from the chaos—a gargantuan Fluzzerbrat at the forefront.
[DANGER: Zeldritch Monster Identified]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Creature: Fluzzeretch
Species: Fluzzeretch
APeX: [9066 Units]
Attributes: [Xensect] [Sound] [Hazard]
Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)
Current Variant Grade: [Uncommon]
Alignment: [Preda-Praieon] [Aggressor]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
The Fluzzeretch was sleek and elongated, its wings spanning twice the length of its body. Unlike the smaller Fluzzerbrats, its chitinous form gleamed with a sinister violet sheen, and its compound eyes glowed faintly like molten amethyst. The air seemed to warp around it as it released an ear-splitting screech that sent KiAera stumbling.
The Mezmeics huddled together, trembling and crying from its presence. KiAera's mind raced. This wasn't an ordinary fly monster—it was a leader, a herder of its swarm, and judging by its power level, far beyond her current state. She was in need of evolution to save them all.
"Stay back!" she rasped to the Mezmeics. "No matter what happens, stay hidden!"
"Foundzzz thezzz… Merecrittzzz…"
The Fluzzeretch's wings beat rhythmically, each pulse releasing a wave of violet dust laced with its noxious sound waves. KiAera's ears folded instinctively, but the sound and toxins seeped through. Her chest burned as her poisoned status deepened, and her vision blurred.
[STATUS AILMENT: Severe Poison]
[STATUS AILMENT: Vertigo Worsened]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ KiAera's Status:
APeX [Reduced] [-40%]: 6480 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
I can't keep this up...
Her mind reached for a solution. If she couldn't outlast it, she'd have to outthink it. Her Chimera's Mark flared faintly, the faint memory of Kyrawl's wings and LeapLeap's legs giving her an idea. I'll have to use everything I've got.
With a roar, she activated her Chimera's Mark fully, Kyrawl's wings sprouting from her back in a brilliant flare of light, her [Fledgling] form ascending into her [Emergent]-stage—the Mearcritt. She leapt into the air with a burst of speed, her LeapLeap-enhanced legs propelling her upward. Twisting mid-flight, she aimed a concentrated blast of freezing Spectral Flame at the Fluzzeretch's wings.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
[Innate Status]:
Status Aiment: [Severe Poison] [Vertigo]
Name: KiAera
Age: [24 Cycles] [25]
Race: [Mearcritt]
Species: [Merecritt]
Chimera State: [Mearcritt] + [LeapLeap] (Memorized) + [Skyrawsoar] (Memorized)
Evolution Stage: [Emergent] (E)
Variant Grade: [Common]
Attribute Influence: [Beast] [Fire]
Dominions: [Revise] [Virtuoso]
Stored AP (Ambience): [3461]
Current APeX: ⚠︎ [6480 Units] ⚠︎
Power Limit Cap (APeX): [10800 Units]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
"Zzz! A Mearzzzcritt?!" The Fluzzeretch she aimed for zigzagged out of the path of her blast's trajectory with supersonic speed.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ⚠︎ Danger ⚠︎ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Fluzzeretch Engages!
⚠︎ [Common] vs [Uncommon]:
★ 1.25x Power Boost
APeX Power: [9066 Units] > [11,333 Units]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ⚠︎ Danger ⚠︎ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
While its lesser kin were obliterated, the Fluzzeretch descended, its mandibles gnashing with a shrill chitter. KiAera focused her remaining strength, extending her ears as wide as they could go and channeling her [Spectral Flames]. Frost and fire swirled together in a chaotic spiral as she launched herself toward the creature.
It met her head-on, its shriek sending waves of sonic energy that cracked the rocky ground beneath them. The two clashed mid-air, KiAera's flames enveloping the Fluzzeretch's front legs. It shrieked in pain, but retaliated with a violent sweep of its wings, knocking her back with a bone rattling blow.
KiAera hit the ground hard, her body screaming in protest.
The creature's compound eyes gleamed before its maw opened wide to release an unearthly, resonant shriek. The sound waves rippled outward, crashing into KiAera like a tidal wave. KiAera barely managed to shield herself, her ears coiling in front of her body like a barrier. The sound waves continuously crashed into her like a battering ram, driving her back several feet further into the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust. She coughed violently, her vision swimming again as the poison gnawed at her strength.
Get it together, she told herself, dragging in a ragged breath.
She stomped a paw into the ground, anchoring herself despite the tremors racking her body.
[STATUS AILMENT: Severe Poison]
[STATUS AILMENT: Vertigo Intensified]
The Spectral Flames around her paws flared to life, burning a deep, eerie blue. She concentrated, channeling the energy into a tight spiral that wrapped around her ears and formed jagged, bladed tips.
But the Fluzzeretch wasn't idle—it dove, its lithe frame moving with incredible agility. Toxic dust trailed in its wake, and its mandibles clicked as it prepared to strike.
DEF Parameter: [10] → [1010]!
RES Parameter: [22] → [1022]!
SPD Parameter: [95] → [1095]!
Stored AP: [3441] → [41] {AP} remaining!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ KiAera's Status:
APeX [Reduced] [-20%]: 8640 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Poison Resistance = TIER: F(4%) → F(24%)
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera lunged forward, meeting its charge head-on.
She swung her flame-coated ears, aiming for its translucent wing joints. The impact sent violet-blue sparks flying, and the Fluzzeretch screeched in fury as one of its wings crumpled slightly.
"Not so untouchable now, huh?" KiAera growled, circling it as it staggered to regain balance.
The Fluzzeretch retaliated with another blast of sound, but this time, it was infused with its toxic dust. The waves struck her like a bomb, and she felt the poison intensify, her limbs turning to lead.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ KiAera's Status:
APeX [Reduced] [-30%]: 7560 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Poison Resistance = TIER: F(24%) → F(32%)
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ KiAera's Status:
APeX [Reduced] [-22%]: 8424 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
She noticed her APeX had decreased but also simultaneously increased alongside her Poison Resistance. Raising her parameters appeared to have helped somewhat, being a worthwhile choice. But despite it all, the investment only blunted the worst of the zigzagging insect's debilitating effects. There was a lot of uncertainty in continuing this battle of attrition.
She flew away from the Fluzzeretch, weaving between the scattered Fluzzerbrats still buzzing erratically. Her body screamed in protest, but she pressed on to gain some distance.
I need an edge, she thought desperately, her gaze darting to the Mezmeics. Their light display was waning, and the swarm was beginning to regroup. She couldn't keep this up alone.
Her mind raced. The toxic dust, the soundwaves… What if I—
A risky idea formed. She gathered her remaining strength, her [Spectral Flame] shifting to a cold, icy hue. Focusing on the Fluzzeretch, she extended her flames outward, shaping them into a spiraling vortex.
The Fluzzeretch reacted with a sharp burst of sound, sending KiAera tumbling again. She barely rolled out of the way as its mandibles slammed into the air where she had been moments before.
The flame specks that she had left in the atmosphere transformed into water droplets.
Now! The [Spectral Flame]'s icy fire blasted outward, enveloping the Fluzzeretch in a freezing whirlwind. The creature screeched, its movements slowing as frost began to coat its wings and legs.
[STATUS Inflicted: FROST]
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ Fluzzeretch's Status:
APeX [Reduced] [-10%]: 10120 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
"Do it! NOW!"
The Mezmeics, catching on, redoubled their efforts, their scarves unfurled and their shimmering light targeting the Fluzzeretch's compound eyes.
Blinded and chilled, the monster thrashed wildly as it let out an enraged shriek as its flight became unbalanced.
KiAera roared, launching herself at the immobilized beast. Her ears crackled with energy as she delivered a crushing blow to its thorax, the searing heat of her flames carving through its chitinous armor. Slamming everything she had into its carapace, she sent both of them crashing to the ground.
Dust and debris clouded the air as they hit the earth. KiAera rolled to her feet, panting heavily. The Fluzzeretch writhed on the ground, one wing shattered and its carapace scorched. It struggled to rise, but its eyes remained fixed on her with murderous intent. "Zzz… mizzion for Merecrittzzz muztn't failzzz…!"
"Why… why are you after me?" she muttered through gritted teeth.
"FLUZZERBRATzzz finishzzz… OBJECTIVE!" the Fluzzeretch buzzed the command. The buzzing of reinforcements echoed in the distance, louder and more ominous than before.
Stored AP: [61] → [1194]!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera's Status
🌀 [Uncommon] Particles of the defeated Fluzzeretch…
…has been Siphoned Successfully!
Siphoning from [Common] to [Uncommon]. Progress: 4% → 44%
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
KiAera gained the AP and Uncommon particles after she obliterated the Fluzzeretch's head. Her legs nearly buckled as she reverted back to her [Fledgling]-stage. There's no way I can take more of these…
Her gaze remained on the Fluzzerbrats occupying her surroundings. Their numbers were high, bloating the sky, and she realized she was going to endure a hellish time fending for herself and the Mezmeics who trembled behind her.
A ripple of dread suffused within her, but she managed to force it down with a swallow. She took a deep breath, steeling herself for what was to come.
"You're safe now. Stay where you are," KiAera told the Mezmeics, giving them a reassuring smile. "This Merecritt will protect you."
The sudden feeling of a warm, fuzzy head pressed against her side startled her. She caught sight of a Mezmeic nuzzling her leg. It sniffled and surprised her when it tore off a piece of its leaf-scarf, its large, soulful eyes staring up at her with gratitude and sympathy. "Please, don't give up yet, Miss Merecritt! I… I can try to patch you up!"
Mezmeic's [Leaf Mend], applied.
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
★ KiAera's Status:
APeX [Mended] [52% → 48%]: 2808 Units
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
Poison Resistance = TIER: F(32%) → F(40%)!
꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱
The soothing sensation from the leaf felt like a palm against the wound where it was applied. This cute fella… it was—
Thud! Thud! Thud! Thud! Her ears perked to the sudden rumbling of heavy footsteps. Approaching…fast!
"I'm sorry, KiAera! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry! Please forgive me, yo!" a familiar cry trumpeted through the air. Gilbud the Plelepun shot forth, entering the clearing, his massive frame barreling through the Fluzzerbrats with ease.
The Fluzzerbrat swarm was left in disarray as the elephant calf slammed into other Fluzzerbrats, knocking them aside like pins with his powerful impact, shattering many of them into fragments.
Gilbud the Plelepun's momentum continued to carry him forth until he collided with a tree, causing it to buckle and crack under the weight of his mass. He used his trunk to lift the fallen tree, and with a frantic flail, he tossed it at the remaining Fluzzerbrats, crushing them into pulp with a deafening crunch.
He finally came to a halt, stomped his foot, as he controlled the earth to impale the bodies of the Fluzzerbrats, instantly eradicating them.
"Yo! Forgive me, KiAera! I did not mean to abandon you, yo!" Tears trailed down her elephant companion's cheeks, while he continued to trample their adversaries.
KiAera couldn't help but let out a weak laugh that tethered between disbelief, half in relief. "Gilbud… you ridiculous, lovable goofball. What took you so long?"