The manimoth was rising again, more grotesque than before. Its regeneration had warped its body further, with additional limbs sprouting haphazardly from its misshapen torso. Jagged bones protruded through torn flesh, and its compound eyes glowed with a malevolent intensity. The sight of it nearly broke my resolve. Every fiber of my being screamed in exhaustion and pain, but I couldn’t give in. Not now. Not when I was so close.
"You're persistent, I'll give you that," I muttered, gripping the axe tighter. The golden flames that danced along its blade flickered, responding to my wavering strength. The chamber echoed with the creature's guttural snarls, and the air was thick with the stench of decay.
The manimoth beat its tattered wings, releasing another swarm of toxic scales that shimmered like a cloud of deadly glitter. I braced myself, but this time, the golden aura emanating from the axe expanded, forming a protective barrier around me. The scales disintegrated upon contact with the radiant light, turning to ash that drifted harmlessly to the ground.
"Is that all you've got?" I taunted, stepping forward. But inside, doubt gnawed at me. How many times could this thing regenerate? How many more limbs could it sprout? The thought was overwhelming, but I pushed it aside. Focus.
The creature lunged, its newly formed limbs flailing wildly. I dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding a swipe that could have taken my head off. Rolling back onto my feet, I swung the axe in a wide arc, the golden flames extending beyond the blade and slicing through one of its arms. The severed limb fell to the ground with a sickening thud, but almost immediately, another began to grow in its place.
"This isn't working," I whispered, frustration creeping into my voice.
[Perhaps it's time to try something new,] a voice echoed in my mind. It was Malice, ever the opportunist. [Use the power you've been avoiding.]
I grimaced. The last thing I wanted was to tap into the darker energies that Malice offered. But as the manimoth roared and charged again, I knew I was running out of options.
The creature unleashed a torrent of corrosive venom from its gaping maw. I dove behind a crumbling pillar just in time, the venom sizzling as it ate away at the stone. My heart pounded in my chest. I couldn't keep this up.
"Fine," I conceded under my breath.
Focus. You can do this. Closing my eyes, I centered myself, feeling the energy coursing through me. I searched deep within, seeking the dwindling golden energy. It was faint, almost gone, but still there—waiting. I reached for it, pulling it forward as the axe began to glow, the flame patterns shifting from red to a brilliant gold. Flickering weakly at first, the flames grew stronger, intertwining with flickers of crimson and deep orange. I raised the axe high above my head, and the flames spiraled upward, forming a towering column of fire that reached toward the cavern's ceiling.
The chamber was bathed in a fiery glow as the pillar of flames grew larger and more intense. The heat was immense, and sweat dripped down my brow. The manimoth hesitated, its many eyes reflecting the inferno before it. For the first time, it seemed uncertain.
Drawing upon every ounce of strength, I brought the axe down with a fierce cry. The pillar of flames obeyed, crashing down onto the manimoth with the force of a meteor. The impact shook the very foundations of the cavern, and a shockwave blasted outward, sending debris flying.
The creature was engulfed in the searing inferno. It screeched in agony, a sound that pierced the soul. The flames didn't just burn; they consumed, eradicating the regenerative properties that had kept the manimoth alive. Its flesh melted away, exposing charred bones that soon crumbled to dust.
But it wasn't over yet. From within the flames, the manimoth's core—a pulsating orb of dark energy—rose into the air. It throbbed with a sinister light, defying the flames that sought to destroy it.
"Of course you have a core," I groaned. "Why wouldn't you?"
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[Destroy it now!] Malice urged. [Before it can regenerate.]
Without hesitation, I focused the remaining energy into the axe. The flames condensed along the blade, glowing brighter than ever. With a determined leap, I soared toward the core, axe poised to strike. Time seemed to slow as I drew nearer, the heat intensifying.
But just as I was about to make contact, tendrils of dark energy shot out from the core, wrapping around my limbs and halting my advance. They burned like ice, sapping the warmth from my body. I struggled against the bonds, but they tightened, pulling me closer to the orb.
"Let me go!" I shouted, panic rising in my chest.
The core pulsed, and a whispering voice filled my mind. "Join me," it hissed. "Together, we can be unstoppable."
[Don't listen to it!] Malice warned. [It's trying to corrupt you.]
Gritting my teeth, I fought against the tendrils, but they only tightened their grip. The axe's flames began to dim, the light fading as my strength waned.
"You can't win," the voice taunted. "Surrender."
A surge of defiance welled up within me. "I won't be controlled," I spat. "Not by you, not by anyone!"
Summoning the deepest reserves of my power, I let out a primal scream. The golden flames reignited, blazing brighter than ever before. The tendrils recoiled, and I broke free, flipping backward and landing nimbly on my feet.
"Time to end this," I declared.
Raising the axe one final time, I channeled all the energy I could muster into it. The flames transformed, turning from gold to a pure, brilliant white. The air hummed with power, and the ground beneath me cracked.
With a swift motion, I hurled the axe directly at the core. It spun through the air like a comet, trailing a tail of incandescent light. The core attempted to erect a barrier, but it was too late. The axe pierced straight through, shattering the orb into a million shards of darkness that dissipated into nothingness.
An intense shockwave rippled through the cavern, and a blinding light filled the space. I shielded my eyes, feeling the force of the explosion wash over me. When the light faded, silence settled.
The manimoth was gone. Not a trace remained.
I stumbled forward, retrieving the axe, which had embedded itself into the far wall. My legs felt like lead, and every muscle ached. The overwhelming relief was almost enough to bring me to my knees.
[Well done,] Malice said, surprisingly sincere.
"Don't get used to it," I replied, a faint smile tugging at my lips.
As I turned to leave, a holographic interface materialized before me.
[Manipede horde defeated. 7/7 hordes defeated. Locating door to 3rd floor.]
A map appeared, displaying the entire zone. A blinking marker indicated the location of the keyhole—the gateway to the next level. My heart sank as I realized it was all the way back in the desert biome where I had first arrived.
"You're kidding me," I groaned, frustration bubbling up. I collapsed to the floor, my energy and will to do anything further completely drained.
I lay there for what felt like hours—not sleeping, not dreaming—just resting. The weight of the battles I'd fought pressed down on me, both physically and mentally. The silence of the cavern was a stark contrast to the chaos that had filled it moments before.
But eventually, the numbness began to fade. I couldn't stay here forever. Pushing myself up, I took a deep breath and began the long, arduous journey back to the desert. The path ahead was daunting, but at least the major threats had been eliminated.
The tunnels seemed different on the return trip—less menacing, though shadows still clung to the corners. As I approached the entrance of the caves, a gnawing paranoia took hold. What if Elric's army was waiting for me outside? The thought was irrational, but exhaustion played tricks on the mind.
[They're probably out there, sharpening their blades,] Malice murmured, his tone dripping with mock concern. [Waiting for you to stumble right into their trap. Weak and defenseless—that's what you are now.]
"Not now, Malice," I muttered, shaking my head in an attempt to clear the intrusive thoughts.
[Face it, you've pushed yourself too far,] he continued. [One misstep, and it'll all be over. Maybe you should just give up now.]
Every shadow outside the cave entrance seemed to shift, morphing into sinister figures. The rustling of the wind sounded like whispered threats. My heart rate quickened, and I clenched my fists.
[They're coming for you,] Malice sneered. [And when they find you, they'll show no mercy.]
"Enough!" I shouted, the echo of my voice bouncing off the cavern walls. The outburst startled even me, but it was enough to snap me back to reality.
I took a deep breath, centering myself. "They're not out there," I told myself firmly. "It's just my mind playing tricks."
Silence followed, and for once, Malice held his tongue.