Sweat ran in rivulets down Ebonheim's brow, merging with the crimson splatters from the earlier skirmish atop the hillock. The corpses of vanquished Kungwan lay around her, reminders of the fury already spent, but the battle was far from over. Hard to imagine it had only been a couple of hours since the battle began.
But just as she caught her breath, the air around her grew warmer. Shadows moved across the battlefield—these Kungwan bore slight differences from their brethren; their hues were not the mottled green and brown she'd come to recognize, but rather the searing red of burning embers and the frigid blue of a midwinter's night.
Her Divine Sight flared up and she scanned the auras surrounding their forms:
[Race] Kungwan
[Sub-Type] Flamecaller
[Health] 220/220
[Combat Stats] Melee Attack 22; Ranged Attack 24; Arcane Defense 23; Physical Defense 22; Damage 13 Kinetic (Claw) + 5 (Fire), 19 Kinetic (Bite) +5 (Fire); Block 21; Evasion 21
[Skills] Melee Proficiency: Natural Weapons (Intermediate) +8
[Special Abilities] Damage Reduction 7 (Kinetic), 30 (Fire); Regenerate 20 Health every minute; Fire Blast (35-45 Fire damage); Flame Barrier
[Race] Kungwan
[Sub-Type] Frostscale
[Health] 220/220
[Combat Stats] Melee Attack 23; Ranged Attack 23; Arcane Defense 23; Physical Defense 22; Damage 14 Kinetic (Claw) + 5 (Cold), 20 Kinetic (Bite) +5 (Cold); Block 22; Evasion 20
[Skills] Melee Proficiency: Natural Weapons (Intermediate) +8
[Special Abilities] Damage Reduction 7 (Kinetic), 30 (Cold); Regenerate 20 Health every minute; Ice Shards (30-45 Cold damage); Frost Armor
The Flamecallers' bodies were covered in fiery scales, giving them an appearance that resembled a living inferno. Their claws glowed red-hot, their flesh smoldering as if it was on the verge of combusting. The Frostscales were slightly larger than their counterparts, their bodies covered in icy blue scales that glistened in the sunlight like polished sapphires. Their claws were long and curved, resembling icicles more than anything else.
A small cadre of lesser Kungwan flanked the Flamecallers and Frostscales from a distance, their bodies pressed against the treeline as they watched the scene unfold. Ebonheim could sense a subtle tension between the two groups, almost as if they were uneasy about each other's presence.
Before she could ready herself, the Flamecallers' fiery onslaught began. Torrents of flame surged forward, searing through the air towards Ebonheim and her tree sentinels. The firestorm engulfed them, its heat intense enough to cause the air around them to shimmer and distort.
One of her tree sentinels, a gargantuan oak animated by her Essence, let out a mournful howl as its bark began to blacken and crack from the heat, its branches withering and crumbling away like ash in the wind. Ebonheim’s heart sank as her other sentinel, a grand willow, met a similar fate, being reduced to cinders, its mournful swaying stilled forever.
[Essence] 551/680
Ebonheim gritted her teeth as she focused her will to cloak herself with her Element-Resisting Aura, augmenting her already resilient Divine Aura with the ability to reduce more elemental damage. Not a moment too soon, as a torrent of wild flames roared towards her, birthed from the malicious maw of a Flamecaller.
Another burst of fire surged forward, its heat intense enough to cause the air around Ebonheim to shimmer and distort. She raised her hand, her palm facing outward as she focused on tapping into the Elemental Keystone merged inside her, conjuring the Frostwind Gust ability.
[Essence] 541/680
A frigid gale erupted from her outstretched palm, its surface glistening with frost as it collided with the Flamecaller's flames. The two forces met in an explosion of heat and ice, causing the air around them to crackle and hiss. Steam erupted around her, obscuring vision, but she could still sense their auras through her Divine Sight.
Emerging from the mist, one of the Frostscales bounded towards her, its icy claws slashing at her Divine Aura. Ebonheim raised her Ebon Bow, catching the creature's claws on the obsidian surface, the impact causing her arm to tremble from the force of the blow.
Ebonheim twisted her body to the side, her feet digging into the ground as she pivoted around the creature's flank. Her free hand grasped one of the Frostscale's outstretched forearms, using its momentum to propel herself behind it.
The creature's eyes widened in surprise as Ebonheim thrust the Ebon Bow into its throat, causing its icy flesh to shatter from the impact. The Frostscale reeled back, its claws clasping at its throat as it choked and gurgled on its own blood.
Another Frostscale surged from the mist, its jaws open wide as it lunged at Ebonheim. She dove to the side, rolling onto her feet as the creature's claws raked against the ground where she had been standing moments before. Ebonheim spun around, her feet pressing against the ground as she launched herself towards the Frostscale, activating her Flamegale Slash admixture, which enveloped her fist in a swirling vortex of fire.
[Essence] 531/680
She drove her fist into the creature's snout, causing its flesh to sizzle and burn from the impact. The Frostscale let out a pained howl as its face contorted in agony, its nostrils emitting steam from the heat of the flames. Ebonheim's body hummed with energy as she drove her other fist into the Frostscale's snout once more, sending it stumbling backwards as blood streamed from its wounds.
The Flamecaller shrouded itself in a cloak of fire, its body morphing into a living inferno. It lunged forward, its body leaving a trail of flames in its wake. The creature's fiery form collided with Ebonheim, sending her tumbling backwards. Her Divine Aura rippled and distorted from the impact, its radiant surface dwindling further from the damage inflicted by the flames.
[Divine Aura] 284/300
Ebonheim recovered and crouched low, her eyes fixed on the Flamecaller as its fiery form undulated before her. The Flamecaller pursued, its claws blazing with fire as it slashed at her Divine Aura. She raised her bow to deflect the blows, each impact causing the air around them to shimmer and distort from the heat. She ducked under the creature's claws and rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being trampled by its fiery form as it surged past her.
The first Frostscale joined the fray, while the second recovered from the injuries Ebonheim had inflicted upon it. She nocked an arrow and loosed it at the second Frostscale while it was still incapacitated.
The projectile struck true, embedding itself deep into the creature's shoulder. It let out a pained howl as blood spurted from the wound, its body convulsing as the blood rapidly cooled on its icy skin.
With an echoing snarl, the first Frostscale hurled a barrage of ice shards at her. Ebonheim dove to the side, narrowly avoiding being impaled by the projectiles as they struck the tree behind her. The wood splintered and cracked from the impact, causing several branches to fall to the ground below with a crash.
Ebonheim rolled onto her feet and charged towards the Flamecaller. Bringing her palms to the earth, she used the Stoneflood Wave.
[Essence] 521/680
The ground shuddered, then broke, releasing a surge of earth and groundwater in a torrential wave that struck the Flamecaller head-on.
The creature's fiery form rippled and distorted from the impact, causing its flames to sputter and hiss as the water doused them while the stone shattered against its body like shrapnel. The Flamecaller teetered backwards, its body covered in sizzling embers as it struggled to maintain its fiery form.
Ebonheim took advantage of the creature's weakened state and launched herself towards it, striking with her Frostwind Gust admixture, covering her fist in freezing cold air that manifested as a swirling vortex of frost over her knuckles. With all her strength, she threw her punch, driving her fist into the Flamecaller's head. The impact caused a resounding crack that echoed across the battlefield.
[Essence] 511/680
She withdrew her fist, flakes of charred flesh clinging from her knuckles as she prepared to strike again but stopped short when the Flamecaller let out a high-pitched whine, its body contorting and writhing in agony before falling still. The creature's fiery form faded away, leaving behind a charred and smoldering corpse.
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But the Frostscales were far from passive observers. With precise coordination, they launched a barrage of ice at her, shards gleaming as they sliced through the air. The Element-Resisting Aura that Ebonheim had erected pulsed a brilliant hue, deflecting the worst of the icy projectiles.
[Divine Aura] 275/300
The area around her erupted in an explosion of frost and ice as the barrage struck the ground, causing her footing to become unstable. Ebonheim skidded back, her feet sliding across the frozen ground while a cloud of frigid vapor obscured her vision. Through her Divine Sight, however, she was able to navigate.
Shaking off the shockwave, Ebonheim peered through the mist in search of her adversaries. A shape moved within the clouds, its aura distinct from those around it.
With urgency flooding her, she conjured the Tempest of the Grove at the area where her sight sensed the approaching figure. Spiraling winds picked up with supernatural speed, growing into a cyclonic maelstrom.
[Essence] 486/680
Her Divine Sight tracked the Frostscale within the howling gale, along with a few normal Kungwan that had decided to join the fray.
Her storm continued its localized rampage, tearing at the Frostscale within, the winds ripping at its flesh, tearing away chunks of its icy hide. The other Kungwan fared no better, their bodies being tossed about like leaves in a hurricane.
[Essence] 476/680
Ebonheim snapped her fingers, and like a spark igniting a flame, she imbued elemental fire into the tempest. The cyclone erupted in an explosion of heat and light, sending the Kungwan flying through the air before landing in broken heaps on the ground below. The Frostscale's aura flickered and faded from her Divine Sight, leaving behind a charred and smoldering corpse.
She turned her attention to the other Frostscale, no longer concealed by the mist. It let out a defiant howl as its body shifted into a more compact form, its flesh morphing into a deep blue color. The creature's eyes glowed with a brilliant light as it launched itself towards her, its claws blazing with frost.
[Essence] 466/680
But she wasn't done. The Elemental Admixture cycled again, calling forth the Flamegale Slash. It manifested as a burning blade, wreathed in wind. She parried its claws with her flaming blade, causing the Frostscale to recoil from the impact. Ebonheim spun around and slashed at the creature's flank, her fiery blade slicing through its icy flesh like butter.
The Frostscale let out an agonized howl as blood spurted from the wound, its body convulsing from the damage inflicted by Ebonheim's attack. She pressed her advantage and struck again, this time striking the creature's neck with a swift blow. The impact caused the Frostscale's flesh to shatter like glass, sending shards of frozen blood raining to the ground below.
Her flame blade dissipated, and she drew back her Ebon Bow once more, nocking another arrow. She loosed it at the creature's head, the projectile striking true and embedding itself deep into the Frostscale's skull. The creature let out a gurgling howl as blood streamed from the wound, its body convulsing before falling still.
Ebonheim stood over her vanquished foes, her aura shimmering in the afternoon sunlight. She surveyed the battlefield around her, taking in the destruction wrought by the battle. Several of her tree sentinels lay broken and splintered, their bodies covered in scorch marks from the Flamecallers' assault.
The other Kungwan remained at a distance, seemingly hesitant to venture into the area after witnessing the carnage inflicted upon their kin. Ebonheim could only smirk at this observation—that's right; they should fear her prowess.
She drew her Ebon Bow and nocked an arrow, taking aim at the gathered Kungwan horde. "Now that I got your attention," she declared, her tone firm and unwavering. "Anyone else want to try me?"
As she surveyed the battlefield, a sudden chill ran down her spine. Her Divine Sight picked up on two auras that dwarfed all others around them:
[Race] Kungwan
[Sub-Type] Titan
[Health] 360/360
[Combat Stats] Melee Attack 28; Physical Defense 28; Damage 35-45 Kinetic (Claw), 50 Kinetic (Bite); Block 24; Evasion 17
[Skills] Melee Proficiency: Natural Weapons (Expert) +12
[Special Abilities] Damage Reduction 18 (Kinetic), 10 (Fire, Cold, Acid, Electric); Regenerate 40 Health every minute
The ground shuddered beneath her feet as the two enormous Kungwan emerged from the treeline. They stood taller—at least twice in size—than their lesser counterparts, their bodies covered in thick, mucus-laden skin that glistened in the sunlight. Their claws were long and curved with serrated edges.
She watched with awe as they approached, their movements slow and deliberate, almost as if they were savoring the moment before they unleashed their fury. The other Kungwan parted before them, making way for their hulking forms.
As their shadows loomed over her, Ebonheim gulped. "Great...me and my big mouth."
----------------------------------------
Reacting swiftly, Ebonheim invoked the Forest's Call. Four trees within range awakened with divine power, imbued with purpose—to defend their goddess at all costs. Their trunks twisted and shaped into humanoid forms, bark-armored giants with long, gnarled limbs. She imbued them with the ability to use her Element-Resisting Aura for themselves—she didn't want them falling easily against any more Flamecallers that might show up.
[Essence] 441/680
The Kungwan Titans let out a deafening roar, causing the air around them to shudder and distort. Ebonheim's tree sentinels stood firm before their adversaries, their bark-covered bodies bristling with energy as they prepared for combat.
With claws extended, the Kungwan Titans charged forward, launching themselves towards the tree sentinels. The impact caused the ground beneath them to shudder, sending tremors through the earth. Two sentinels matched against each Titan, and Ebonheim watched with bated breath as her guardians clashed with the hulking creatures.
The valley erupted into chaos. The ground shuddered with each blow, every impact sending shockwaves rippling through the terrain. Moss, dirt, and foliage sprayed into the air as fists met bark and wooden limbs slammed into muscled flesh.
One of her tree sentinels managed to land a powerful strike on a Kungwan Titan's head, causing its skull to crack from the impact. The creature flinched backwards, its body covered in bloodied gashes from the tree sentinel's assault. It let out an angry howl as it lunged forward once more, its claws extended as it slashed at the sentinel's oaken form.
The other Kungwan Titan slammed its fist into one of her sentinels, causing the ground beneath them to shudder from the force of the blow. The impact caused the tree sentinel's body to splinter and crack, its limbs flailing as it struggled to remain standing. The creature followed with another blow, this time striking the sentinel's head and sending shards of bark scattering to the ground.
In the midst of this primeval battle, Ebonheim summoned the power of the Elemental Admixture. Her hands danced, molding the raw elemental energies around her. With a fierce cry, she unleashed the Flamegale Slash, a blade of roaring fire ensnared in a whirlwind, and charged the nearest Kungwan Titan.
[Essence] 431/680
She scrambled over a sentinel, launching herself off its broad shoulders as she leaped towards a Titan, her flaming blade in hand. She spun through the air, her body twisting like a dancer's as she slashed at the creature's head, following through with her momentum to continue her spin and strike it again at its abdomen, then finishing with a final blow at its leg before landing in a crouch on the ground.
[Critical Hit]
The Titan staggered backwards, its body smoldering from the burns inflicted by Ebonheim's fiery blade. Blood seeped from the wounds, the raw elemental power causing its flesh to sizzle and bubble.
As she was about to cycle her admixture again, the other Titan barreled forward and kicked her, its foot slamming into her side and sending her flying through the air. She crashed through several tree branches until her body finally collided with a boulder at the edge of the treeline, causing her to bounce off of it and roll to a stop on the ground.
[You've sustained a critical hit]
[Divine Aura] 231/300
Ebonheim gasped for breath as she struggled to stand, her body aching from the force of the blow. Although her Divine Aura had absorbed most of the damage, the sheer force behind the creature's kick had still managed to cause some momentary impairment.
Her vision blurred as she teetered forward, her hands pressed against her temple as she fought to regain her senses. She shook her head, blinking her eyes to clear them. Four Kungwans rushed at her, jaws open wide as they approached. She drew her dagger and slashed at the closest creature, causing it to recoil from the blow.
She ducked under the other's claws as they swiped at her head, bringing up her dagger to deflect them before countering with a swift strike to its abdomen. The fourth Kungwan jumped towards her, its maw opening wide as it prepared to clamp down on her shoulder. Ebonheim rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding being bitten.
As she gained some distance from her assailants, she surveyed the battle raging further beyond her. One of her tree sentinels was nearing the end, its body battered and splintered from the Kungwan Titan's furious attacks. Another one fell with an ear-splitting crash, its limbs flailing as it collapsed in a heap on the ground.
"Damn!" she cursed aloud.
The lesser Kungwans continued their pursuit, loping towards her with claws outstretched.
Ebonheim stood firm, her dagger held in front of her as she faced them. They lunged forward, their jaws open wide as they leaped towards her. She ducked under their claws, bringing her dagger up to parry them as she countered with swift strikes to their stomachs. The creatures fell back, their bodies covered in gashes from her assault.
Her remaining tree sentinels continued to battle the Kungwan Titans, but their attacks did little to slow the creatures down.
At this rate, there would be nothing left of her defensive line. Ebonheim had no doubt that without them, she would quickly find herself overwhelmed in a melee against the remaining horde. And to top things off, more Skyclingers had begun to emerge from the treeline to join the fray, as if sensing the tide of the battle turning in their favor.
"This isn't good," Ebonheim said under her breath as she continued to engage the advancing Kungwan.
"Hopefully Calyxia is faring better..."