The chamber was a chaotic swirl of mud and venomous energy, the air thick with tension as the Queen Wasp struggled against the earth and water that Caelum had summoned. Her massive body thrashed against the trap, her wings buzzing furiously as she tried to free herself from the churning pit of sludge. The very walls of the nest groaned under the strain, cracks spreading across the resinous surface as the hive threatened to collapse.
But in the midst of it all, Aurelia felt something she hadn’t felt since the battle began—a faint surge of strength.
Caelum’s efforts had given her the time she needed to recover, and though she was still weak, her Guardian’s Aura flickered brighter now, bolstered by the determination coursing through her veins. She could feel the Queen’s mental grip loosening, the oppressive weight of her influence starting to lift as Caelum’s diversion distracted the Queen.
Now… I have to act now.
Aurelia closed her eyes, focusing inward, summoning the last of her strength. The Queen’s venom still pulsed through her body, but her Poison Resistance had dulled the worst of it, and her will remained unbroken. She couldn’t let the Queen win—not now, not when Caelum had risked everything to protect her.
With a deep breath, Aurelia reached out through their telepathic link. She could feel the remnants of the Queen’s mental hold still clinging to her, a cold, invasive force that gnawed at the edges of her consciousness. But she wouldn’t let it take her.
Get out of my mind.
Aurelia’s telepathic voice rang through the chamber, filled with defiance and strength. She pushed against the Queen’s influence, her mind burning with the effort as she fought to break free of the mental chains that had bound her. The pressure in her mind intensified for a moment, the Queen’s presence pushing back, but Aurelia’s resolve was stronger.
You won’t control me.
With a final surge of willpower, Aurelia shattered the Queen’s mental grip, the oppressive weight of her influence lifting in an instant. The relief was overwhelming, and for the first time since the battle began, Aurelia felt the full force of her mind return.
The Queen hissed in fury, her multifaceted eyes narrowing as she felt Aurelia slip from her control. Her wings buzzed with anger, her massive body trembling as the mud continued to trap her in place. But she wasn’t defeated yet.
Aurelia knew this was her moment—her one chance to strike.
She pushed herself up, her legs trembling but steady, as she rose to her full height. Her Sting gleamed with venom, sharper than ever, and she focused all her strength on the Queen’s vulnerable spots. The massive wasp was still distracted by Caelum’s trap, her focus divided between breaking free and fighting off the mental assault.
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Now, Aurelia…
With a surge of energy, Aurelia lunged forward, her Sting flashing through the air with deadly precision. She aimed for the joint in the Queen’s exoskeleton, where her defenses were weakest. She closed the distance in a heartbeat, her mind laser-focused on her target.
The Queen sensed the attack too late.
Aurelia’s Sting struck true, piercing through the tough armor of the Queen’s side. The venom surged into the Queen’s body, spreading quickly through her system. The Queen let out a deafening screech, her massive form convulsing as the poison took hold. Her wings faltered, her movements slowed as the venom worked its way deeper into her veins.
Caelum, seeing Aurelia’s successful strike, felt a surge of hope. We’re doing it…
But the battle was far from over.
Though staggered by the attack, the Queen was not defeated. Her eyes burned with fury, her wings buzzing louder as she fought back against the venom coursing through her body. The air around her pulsed with venomous energy, her Resonance Skill amplifying the power of her Venomous Aura.
And then, with terrifying speed, the Queen retaliated.
Her massive stinger lashed out, striking Aurelia with the force of a storm. Aurelia barely had time to react before the stinger embedded itself in her side, the venom flooding into her body with an intensity she hadn’t expected. The pain was immediate, sharp and all-consuming, her body convulsing as the venom spread through her veins.
Aurelia gasped as the Queen’s poison overwhelmed her system. Her Poison Resistance was strong, but this… this was something different. The Queen’s venom was potent, far more lethal than anything she had faced before. It tore through her body like fire, leaving her on the brink of collapse.
Her Guardian’s Aura flickered weakly, barely holding on as the venom ravaged her. Aurelia’s vision blurred, her mind clouded with pain. She staggered, her legs giving way beneath her as the full force of the Queen’s counterattack took its toll.
Caelum… Aurelia’s telepathic voice was faint, barely a whisper. She could feel herself slipping, her strength fading fast. The Queen had struck her hard—too hard. She wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold on.
The Queen’s eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction as she watched Aurelia falter. Her wings buzzed with fury, her massive form looming over Aurelia as she prepared to strike again, to deliver the final blow.
But Aurelia wasn’t done yet.
Though her body screamed in pain, though the venom burned through her veins, Aurelia refused to give up. She couldn’t let the Queen win. Not now. Not after everything they had fought for.
With a final surge of willpower, Aurelia pushed herself back to her feet, her Guardian’s Aura flaring once more. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to keep her standing, enough to shield her from the worst of the Queen’s venom.
I won’t let you win… Aurelia sent through the telepathic link, her voice filled with defiance.
The Queen hissed, her wings buzzing furiously as she prepared to strike again, but Caelum was already moving. He summoned his magic, preparing for one last assault.
The battle was far from over, but they had weakened the Queen. They had a chance. They just had to hold on a little longer.