Metaphysical sense, uh?

I’ve really got no idea about this, but also, I've got no time to try to comprehend it, so let’s just roll with it.

I can somewhat sense that the Rejuvenation skill is working to restore my mangled hand, as there’s the feeling of bones breaking and returning back to place, but I'll probably need a lot more time to fix it than this beast is going to give me.

When the Avatar is about to resume its attack, I can see with detail how it’s leg muscles flex, and get an overall idea of how it’s going to move. My focus is so extreme that i don’t see anything else, not even the color of the sky anymore.

This time, the beast runs to me and phases before getting close, reappearing several meters to the left, and then phases again. This time though, i can see a blur, running from one place to the other, and i can understand now what is Metaphysical sense.

I turn around to follow the blur and find it positioned right at my back, and I dash towards it holding my wrist blade diagonally, as my intention was to slash at its head.

When it appears in this dimension again, the first thing it sees is me at spitting distance, bisecting one of its eyes in half. It certainly didn’t expect me to read its movements between dimensions, as this time it didn’t even have time to dodge.

An earth-rumbling howl resonates in the field, as the Avatar of Mh’ithrha is now missing an eye.

I land at its side and, not willing to give it more time to adjust, jump again to continue attacking. These metal legs are excellent for jumping, as i can move at least twenty meters from a single jump, enough to get me to the other side of this beast.

I run to one of its hind legs and try to slash at the tendons, and manage to make a deep cut in it. The creature slightly tumbles, and uses its tail to sweep the location where it felt my presence. I try to dodge by ducking, but the sheer size of the tail makes it that it still hits me right in the right shoulder, throwing me several meters back, crashing into the ground with a loud thud.

That creaking in my back are probably some ribs broken, and I think that I even heard my metal arm creak. Certainly, the healing is not able to keep up anymore, so I either finish it quickly or just succumb to my wounds, again. Not a really nice record on my list of encounters with alien species.

You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version.

The Avatar finally gets used to seeing with just one eye, and turns his glance to me. I, in turn, get up with some difficulty. Even with that feral expression, I can feel the anger within it. It’s mad.

I smile at the thought.

We both size each other up, and again rush to meet each other, as if we were jousting like the knights of old.

This time i try to run it through with the wrist blade, because i don’t think i’ll be able to jump right now as even my metal legs are barely responding. But, the beast is faster than me, and before I can stab it slams me to the ground with one of its front paws.

I close my single eye due to the pain, but still receive information by the Tracer, and see that the Avatar, instead of quickly finishing me off, is lowering its head towards me. I try to lift my metal arm but it's useless as I can feel it limp besides me.

<>

A voice in my head resonates. Deep, raspy and dark.

That’s not Hallie.

<>

And there it is again.

When I try to figure out the source, I notice the Avatar’s eye looking directly at me, and then I understand that the beast is the source of that voice.

So it’s capable of thought? It’s not a mindless animal, it actually is sentient, although i have no idea what it means. While i process the newfound information, i also try to figure out a way out, but i’m out of options here.

[Critical situation. Suggested course of action, use of overcharged burst beam aiming at target’s core. Three seconds of charging time required to load]

Oh. Thanks Hallie, but how i’m supposed to buy three seconds of…

The answer comes immediately. The beast takes its eye off me and looks to the horizon, as some gunshots seemingly connect to its body. The soldiers and colonists, I figure. Thanks for the opportunity, I won't waste it. Do it Hallie.

[Charging]

I feel an overpowering heat surging from my artificial eye, enough that I think my face is getting burned.

That’s one second.

But the creature notices fast, and turns again to face me. I won’t make it. Fuck that, i WILL make it.

I force my other eye to open, and concentrate all my animosity towards the Avatar. The Eye of Dominion does its job, and it freezes in place, a trace of shock in its eye.

That’s another second.

I sense that it’s trying to travel through dimensions, probably to dodge this. I can’t allow that. I concentrate even further my emotions, and delay its reaction time by a mere fraction of a second.

Its body starts to shift, but then a piercing light covers everything in my sight. My body feels heavy, and I feel like all my strength is leaving.

[Confirmed status: Out of combat]

[Initiating reboot protocol. Entering cocoon state…]