The earth rumbled.
It was as hard to fall asleep and as to stay awake. He laid on the ground, watching the dull strokes of grey clouds sailing above him. While he waited for his body to heal, the ground suddenly shifted over by a meter.
He pried his bloodied back off the floor and observed his surroundings. The stone floor had long cracks like numerous fissures closed. The patterns of old scars and gashes that ran over the earth were mismatched. It looked like someone had cut up the ground and messily pieced them back together.
“I… I have not fallen yet…!”
“Alc’Bruk, you’re a stubborn fellow.” Draigh grunted. “Don’t you see? Everyone’s gone to fight the Acolyte. We’re the only ones left fighting in your stupid war!”
“Stusis is for the Dragons! True Dragons…! Not Heretics or for Lesser beings!”
“How much longer… am I going to have to hit you to wake up?”
Draigh picked himself up as did Alc’Bruk. The two staggered towards each other with their fists up.
They immediately exchanged punches as soon they stepped within arms reach. Draigh received an impact on his side not before delivering a blow onto Alc’Bruk’s head.
The Dragonborn’s eyes whitened for a second before his consciousness returned. He stomped his foot to regain his balance and swung his arm.
“Knock it off!”
Draigh crossed his arms to block it. He used the last of his strength and jump into Alc’Bruk’s face for a headbutt. Draigh’s double edged attack robbed the two of their entire strength as they both and collapsed on their backs.
Neither had any willpower to move nor speak. Draigh’s body was overwhelmed by fatigue while Alc’Bruk fueled by hatred and anger had burnt out. Silence fell between them as light explosions and rumbling could be heard in the distance.
Draigh looked to the grey clouds once more. He felt cold and his mouth dried.
Suddenly, as the Creator had answered him, water splashed in face mouth. He faintly saw a silhouette of a Mixrel looming over him.
“Pwah!” He coughed. “Tama…?”
“Yo! Nyie see you beat Alc’Bruk. Good job!”
“I’m… not…”
“Oh, shut it you overgrown lizard.” Tama procured another water flask and shoved the opening down the Dragonborn’s mouth. “Drink. I still need info about Teach from you.”
“Wait…! He’s still dangerous!”
“Nyit’s alright. I have news that’ll extinguish his flame. You should also knyow the Grumpy one led a group to fight the Acolyte. As you can see, it’s frightening power reached all the way here.”
The Tower no longer stood in his view as a wall of its remains stretched towards the horizon. The city conjured by the Tower had been levelled. Moreover, the fight continued as he could hear metal ringing and the air trembling.
Draigh mustered a small spurt of strength in one arm to roll himself on his stomach. He twisted and turned, eventually putting himself on his knees.
“Whoa! Wait just a myinute! Where are you going with that body of yours?”
“I know I’m not in my best form but, I can’t just sit and pray. It’s not my style.”
“I’m nyot going to stop you, so here.”
Tama handed him a tiny phial containing a glistening substance. When held against the shade, it produced a faint glow similar that of the moon.
“What is this?”
“Full moon dew. Nyie got my hands on a scarce amount enough for the two of you. Alc’Bruk. Nyie hope you understand what I’m asking you to do in return for healing you.”
“What of… Kaz’Bruk?” Alc’Bruk whispered.
“My sources say Kazzy’s been killed. He and a Naga were the first ones hit by the Acolyte. I last heard he was trying to retrieve your scale.”
“I see. Kaz’Bruk. I’m sorry… Your blood brother has failed you.” Alc’Bruk’s fist uncurled. His claws which dug into his palm for as long as the battle bled.
“Hilaqi’s done in?” Draigh grimaced.
“My sources are not entirely accurate. Again. I only heard, not seen.” Tama dangled the phial over Alc’Bruk. “What do you think of my offer?”
“You wish… for me to lend not of Crimson’s Wrath… but my extinguished flame… to aid the Faker?”
“And…?”
“To speak of the whereabouts of Teach.”
Hearing that, Tama put on her merchant’s smile.
“Correctomundo! Dear customers, please drink up! I heard it takes days for one’s limbs to reattach after drinking this precious Full Moon Dew. Seeing how you both have only cuts, bruises and burns, this wonderful elixir will heal ya in mere myinutes!”
----------------------------------------
The Acolyte of Fury rolled its shoulders, glaring at Kihet and the others. Although the air around the Acolyte lightened without the presence of miasma masking it appearance, the hostile aura exerted from it sent chills down their spines.
Its fingers curled into a fist. Its pupils narrowed and its lips formed a toothy grin. It deliberately slowly wound up its fist for a punch when suddenly, faster than anyone could act, it launched a haymaker at the air.
Kihet’s ear nearly ruptured from the sonic boom produced from the Acolyte’s punch. Everyone caught within the blast was swept off the ground and flew several meters away before crashing into the ground.
His ears rang while his vision blurred as if his consciousness faded in and out.
Kihet felt a quake and looked up. The Acolyte shot itself into the air, raising its foot high up for a devastating axe kick. As it was about to land, Aten latched onto the Acolyte before it was about to land.
It ripped Aten off and slammed the Vivirian into the ground.
Aten’s innards and carapace was crushed into a pulp. A net of Shadows shot in every direction to retrieve each broken parts of his body.
“That’s a surprise. It’s like Retribution’s annoying ability.”
Everyone naively thought they had an opening with its back turned. Lily loosened arrows, Kihet led the charge with [Waxing Moon: Sparking Steel], Rogus followed it up with [Rolling Crown].
“Haha! Those weak attacks won’t even put a small scratch me! Try harder!”
The Acolyte backhanded Kihet and Rogus’ weapons. Upon clashing, it dented Rogus’ named weapon while Salith forcibly swapped with Kihet under the influence of Elius’ command before he landed his attack.
“Ah shit, my sword!” The Lycanthrope gasped. “Thisa family heirloom!”
Rogus swapped to his claws and swiped at the Acolyte in a fury. As if anticipating it, the enemy weaved past and buried its fist into Rogus’ side. The resounding snap made sure everyone in vicinity could hear the Lycanthrope’s ribcage shattered.
It snatched his wrist.
“ARRRGGGHHH!”
The Acolyte tore Rogus’s arm as the punch sent him flying.
Carmyn managed to catch him before he crashed. “I got him!”
Blood gushed out from his wounds, bones sticking out from his flesh. It was a miracle he didn’t immediately die.
The Acolyte then spun and launched a high impact kick, shooting Salith into the mound of ruins.
“Stay away from them!” Ainig roared.
The Pale Dragon’s light scorched the Acolyte, but a hand was all it took to stop a Dragon’s breath from vaporizing it. The rays of light spread over the Acolyte’s fingers as it pushed up to Ainig.
“Are you trying to shine a flashlight? I’ll admit, it’s a bit bright!”
Ainig felt his center of gravity shift and opened his stance. A leg quickly swept him and he collapsed on his side. Ainig brought up his shields to block the barrage of fists.
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Kihet flew in with [Repulsion] in hopes to push the Acolyte off Ainig. He discovered it withstood the repelling force of his magic and stretched a hand towards him.
His [Chain] pulled him down and his blade trace a full circle to cut its ankles with [Full Moon: High Tide]. His sword bit into its leg but wasn’t able to sever it.
“Look over here!” Lily shouted.
Two arrows flew at the Acolyte’s eyes in an attempt to blind it. Its superhuman reflexes allowed it to dodge the arrows. The Acolyte managed to snatch and hurl one back at Lily.
Lily’s [Trick Orb] intercepted the projectile. It orbited around Lily to shield her from any small projectiles that may be returned to her.
Aten was able to slip away with the help of his companions. He nodded to Kihet, prompting him to cast the Oracle’s flames at the Acolyte.
“Well, looks like I’ll show you guys something good too!”
Before Kihet was able to cast his silver flames, the Acolyte rammed both its hands into the ground. The earth trembled more violently with every passing second. A wide web of cracks spread across the ground.
“Everyone, get away!”
Its magic was below ground, hiding from the silver flames on surface.
Cracks between the ground illuminated ominously orange. The Acolyte ripped the floor, flipping boulders, ruins, raising scorching fire to burn whoever was unfortunate to stay within proximity.
Fortunately, those who stayed were behind Ainig or Kihet’s protection. Ainig’s broad shield bless with the Pale Dragon’s blessing allowed him to tank the chaos. Kihet’s magic redirected the explosive power away from him.
“Hahaha! It’s been a while since I could all out like this! It’d be boring if you all were done in like that!”
The Acolyte pounced at Kihet towing a massive stone she held overhead. It shot a bloodthirsty gaze and shot a psychotic smile at him as it brought down the boulder.
“Don’t you ignore me! I’m the real Oracle!”
Irvan jumped over a staircase of light and slashed at the Acolyte, forcing it to drop the boulder.
“I’ll be the one to defeat you!”
“I like new challengers!”
The Acolyte parried Irvan’s attacks with her fists then chased him into a field of magic circles covering the sky and ground.
A prominent snap echoed throughout the area, deploying the magical trap. The Acolyte was sandwiched between with earth and light magic. A field of stalagmites stabbed upwards while barriers made of light slammed down at it.
“Elius, I can’t keep my spell’s form for too long…!” Lidian cried.
“You bought me enough time.” Elius drew a small circle with his staff. “Haku, restrain the Acolyte!”
“On it!”
Threads fell over the Acolyte. Once the Acolyte was caught at the center of it, the threads straightened and restrained her body. A blackened hand then formed from miasma materialized above the Acolyte and slammed into the ground of spikes.
“Justiva!”
“At once, Chancellor!”
The Alven Crusader’s [Astral Body] charged forward, guiding Irvan through the field of stalagmites. Once Justiva found the Acolyte, she thrust her lance at it, prompting a reaction.
As the Acolyte caught the tip of Justiva’s weapon, Irvan emerged from her flank and slashed at the Acolyte with his blade enveloped in the Oracle’s light.
“Take that!”
“It’s not enough! Get away!” Elius warned. “O’Fire Elemental! This vessel beseeches your scorching might! Send down your wrathful flames onto my foe, reduce them to beyond ashes! The spiteful fire shall consume all which confront the ruler of destruction! Sei, Ulos, Pik, Apyr, Nalus, Merdil, Ruh, Gruk, Jeltz!”
From the tip of Elius’ staff, a ball of condensed fire almost as bright as a star gathered magic until it reached a critical point. It crackled under the pressure of unstable magic forced to shrink and everything was unleashed all at once.
A disintegration ray pierced the ground and as the beam was raised, it rapidly headed towards the Acolyte.
There was a wild smile on the Acolyte’s face as the warm wind brushed against her hair. Her crimson blood colored hair flowed through the wind as if they moved like the tails of a fire. It gradually grew brighter and more vibrant until it became a pinkish red flame.
The tattoos glowed with the same color, producing a visible aura swirling around her feet.
“Now things are getting heated up!”
The Acolyte punched the air. A visible crack ran over the scenery in front of her and Elius’ magic shattered as a rift ripped a portion of the visible realm.
Everyone momentarily saw the ripped space led to a realm of mirrors, reflecting distorted fragments of the material world before it began mending itself a frightening speed. A powerful vacuum pulled in everyone and everything to close itself. The earth cracked and moved inwards, forcing the city grounds to shrink.
Yizdra tightly held onto Hilaqi’s body as she hanged onto Lily’s hand for her dear life while both of them were suspended in the air by Kihet’s [Chain].
Ainig steadied his foot, catching Carmyn and Salith with his back. Aten and Irvan both anchored their weapons into the ground to avoid being sucked in. Haku had simply fled out of range.
Kaz’Bruk’s severed halves were crushed under debris and rolling towards the center. Only his glaive stood strong against the currents.
“Chancellor, get behind me!”
Elius and Lidian were the only vulnerable ones. They would’ve flown in if not for an Alf sacrificing herself. The Crusader without her [Astral Body] rushed in front of Elius and Lidian, plunging her shield in front of them and took the brunt of the suction. Her feet struggled to find the ground as she slipped and flew at the Acolyte.
“Justiva!” Lidian screamed.
Justiva enchanted as much protection spells on herself before bringing her arms up to block the Acolyte’s second punch. She twisted her body enough to avoid a direct impact, but the results were as devastating.
It felt like a million needles pierced her skin from inside out while being skinned and scorched alive. Air in her lungs painfully rushed out. Her armor shattered. Her blood sprayed over the ground behind her. Her remaining dignity was covered by strips of rags and plates miraculously handing off her bloodied body.
Once the dust settled, the Alf’s body laid within in her pool of blood. Her limbs were bent in a weird squiggly pattern. No one knew if she had a pulse, but there were faint signs of her desperately pulling air into her lungs.
“Justiva…!” Lidian gasped. “Elius, we have to get her out of here!”
“Leave her.”
“I know she and I don’t get along often, but…!”
“Giving her life to protect me was one of her noble duties. We will inform of the other counsel of her status after this battle. We mustn’t let one sacrifice make us falter before the enemy.”
Lidian tossed one last glance onto Justiva before responding. “I refuse. This is one time I will act on my accord despite my strong yearning for your love.”
The Acolyte raised a leg about to kick Justiva out of her way. Thin threads wrapped around its leg as Haku sent his [Shadow’s Grasp] to scoop Justiva away from the enemy.
“Elius, I will have to agree with Lidian.” Haku interrupted. “She has saved me twice. I have not repaid my debts. It would shatter my pride if Justiva were to die here.”
Elius sighed. “Haku, you move Justiva out of the battlefield and return here as soon as possible.”
“Thank you.”
Elius turned his attention back to the battle. Irvan, Kihet, Aten, Ainig and Lily were the only ones who were left to keep the Acolyte in check. While Irvan disliked working alongside Kihet, he lunged at the Acolyte fiercely in an attempt to grab all the glory.
Elius considered intervening again to bring the odds to Irvan’s favor, but the stakes were too high. From his point of view, they were losing even if they had numbers.
“Nyaha! Bombs away! Stay clear, dear customers!”
Just then, he saw dozens of wooden tubes fall from the sky. A Mixrel hurled various items near the Acolyte’s foot until one object sparked, causing a chain reaction of explosions.
The Acolyte was visibly annoyed and lunged at the Mixrel unaware she was the target.
“Tama, get away!” Lily warned.
“Suu… HA!”
A fist from nowhere landed squarely into the Acolyte’s face. Though the enemy didn’t fly from Draigh’s superhuman strength, it staggered a few steps back at most.
“Now that’s what I can call a bump!”
The Acolyte flashed a grin at Draigh, satisfied there was someone with a fraction of its strength. It made a fist, about to return the favor.
“My turn!”
“One more!” Draigh roared. He advanced and connected an uppercut on its abdomen. His muscles bulged, straining them to their limits and launched the Acolyte in the air.
“Alc’Bruk!”
A mighty roar echoed shook the sky.
Alc’Bruk dove at the Acolyte’s flank, crushing its ribs with his burning half chakrams borrowed from Tama. With a raging roar, he sent it crashing back on into the ground.
Upon seeing Kaz’Bruk’s glaive was the only thing his brother left behind, his blood boiled. Alc’Bruk’s throat glowed orange and spat a lance of fire where his enemy landed. A large plume of smoke rose to the sky while the earth quaked under his constant bombardment.
[Our side?] Aten flipped a sign.
“Seeing how Tama brought him here and he isn’t hostile to us, she must’ve persuaded him temporarily.” Kihet answered.
Although no longer blessed by Crimson, no one was glad to see Alc’Bruk reinvigorated by his rage. He was a powerful foe who struck fear into many people, but none objected his strength was needed in this battle.
Alc’Bruk dove at the Acolyte like a raging beast thirsting for vengeance. His fists hammered the Acolyte in an endless barrage. However, not even the ferocity of a Dragonborn could end a Hero from the ancient era.
The Acolyte rose up with her alien tattoos pulsing.
“It’s going to do that again! Get out of there!” Elius shouted.
“I don’t know what’s up, but not this time!” Draigh dashed at the Acolyte. “Let’s stop it from happening!”
All available fighters joined the suicidal charge to stop the Acolyte’s realm shattering fists.
Aten was the first to reach the enemy, using [Thorn Prison] to delay the Acolyte for the strong hitters to make it. Irvan unleashed [Crossing Field], swift slashes to inflict as much damage as he could.
Kihet jumped into the fray being pulled by his [Chain]. He used [Waning Moon: Falling Petals] to strike and dodge a wild swing at him. Once he repositioned himself at her side, he carved his sword into the Acolyte’s body with [Waxing Moon: Sparking Steel].
He saw an opening and leapt at the Acolyte’s collarbone, where its weak point was said to be. Before he had raised his knife, his surrounding was swapped. Salith took his place and bashed the enemy with her mace.
“Elius, cancel the command you gave to Salith! We could’ve ended the battle right there!”
“No way. I’ll be the one to end it!” Irvan remarked.
“Irvan, right now defeating this thing is more important than your pride!” Draigh was next.
He tucked in both his arms and aimed for the enemy’s abdomen once more. Alc’Bruk then dropped down from the sky. Salith waved her mace with the might of the Giant’s strength.
“No way!”
The Acolyte remained uninjured from a hit to the head from a Giant’s mace. It blocked Driagh’s deadly hook and caught Alc’Bruk’s half chakrams.
“Well, hate to break it to you all. The voice is really giving me a headache.”
The Acolyte launched a lightning fast kick and shot Salith flying back. She then twisted Draigh and Alc’Bruk’s arms, flipping them onto the ground. The earth cracked with a vast amount of magic flowing from the crevices.
The Acolyte attempted to tear Draigh and Alc’Bruk’s arms off, but the Dragonborn slipped away and countered with a swipe. The enemy’s steel like skin was impervious to a depowered Dragonborn’s claws with no deity granting their blessing. She shot a victorious smile and slapped Alc’Bruk, sending the Dragonborn tumbling across the floor.
Draigh pulled away from its grip and loosened a strong fist with all his might. He aimed for her face only for the Acolyte to respond with a wild grin. Her head pushed back his fist while the ground around them rumbled.
Aten dove in, but there was only so much he could do before the magic from below erupted. Its radius doubled, catching unexpected victims to be caught within the burning blast radius. Aten and Draigh were blasted back with burns all over them.
The Acolyte looked to Salith.
“If I take you out, you won’t be able to save the Oracle. You’re next.”
The Acolyte kicked off the ground, bulldozing through Ainig who was defending the Rozzalians with an armor piercing punch. Every protection the Pale Dragon’s blessing bestowed onto the Tortoise was demolished.
Ainig was simply ignored and knocked aside. He fell on his shell, overwhelmed by pain. He saw the enemy formed a spear with her fingers and set her sights at Salith trying to get up.
Blood splashed onto her.
Salith’s shaky hands touched her face, looking at the scene before her in disbelief.
Carmyn had stepped in to take an attack meant for Salith. A hand pierced through her chest and out her back. The fellow Rozzalian slowly turned her head behind with a weak smile, a droplet of tear ran down her cheek.
“Truth… be told… I was overdue… to die. It was… a miracle, to see… you one more… time…”
“CARMYN!”
“Salith…”
Carmyn cried as her vision slowly faded. Before it was gone and with her last remaining strength, her fingers wrap tightly around the Acolyte’s wrist as she took her last breath and utter her last words.
“Please… make, my death, count!”