As the group prepared themselves, the Depraved hissed and lunged forward, its massive form moving with surprising speed for its size. One of its clawed hands swiped towards them, the razor-sharp tips aiming to tear their flesh.
Camilla, her body surrounded by a watery aura, was the first to react. With a swift movement, she dodged the Depraved's attack, her form flowing like water as she did. She retaliated with a powerful blast of her water-like aura, but it only seemed to splash off the shadowy creature, barely damaging it.
"It looks like it can't be hurt by water alone," Camilla said, her breath slightly ragged from the exertion.
However, deciding to keep up the pressure, Shelly rushed in, her aura shimmering around her. She unleashed a barrage of quick, precise bolts of her aura. Every strike hit its mark, the electricity jolting through the Depraved’s shadowy form, leaving scorch marks and burns.
Noelle stepped in, her staff already glowing with Void magic. "Allow me to have a go at it, please.”
The creature jumped forward at Noelle, who kicked straight up with an aura-enhanced leg, breaking its jaw as blood shot out of its mouth and high into the air.
Jeez, Rachel thought. She musta taken kicking lessons from Sharline.
As Noelle broke the Depraved’s jaw with her high kick, the creature stumbled back, roaring in pain and anger as blood spewed from its mouth and splattered across the floor. The air was filled with a metallic, acrid scent as if its very presence was poisoning the surrounding air.
Noelle readied her staff, preparing to counterattack. As the Depraved lunged forward, she lashed out with her staff, striking the Depraved in the side of its face with a powerful blow. The creature let out another howl of pain, its body twisting sickly as it was pushed back by the impact.
The Depraved stumbled back once more, trying to gather its bearings after the powerful blow. It looked at Noelle, anger and hatred etched into every part of its deformed face as it began to charge forward again. However, Noelle was ready this time. As the creature lunged forward, she dodged to the side, dodging the attack with agile quickness. Taking advantage of the Depraved's momentum, she then spun on her staff and slammed both her feet into the back of the creature's head, sending it sprawling onto the floor.
“Not gonna lie, guys,” Camilla said, nudging Alice with her elbow. “I think she can handle that thing all by herself, eh?”
The Depraved let out another pained roar as it hit the ground, its body twitching for a moment before attempting to rise again. But Noelle wasn't going to let it get up that easily. She quickly leaped into action, stomping down hard on the Depraved's back, pinning it to the ground.
The creature writhed and twisted underneath her, trying desperately to break free from her grip. But Noelle's aura-enhanced strength held it firmly in place, the powerful energy coursing through her limbs adding extra power to her hold.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
As the Depraved continued to struggle, Noelle looked down at it with a mix of disgust and fury. She knew that this creature was the embodiment of all the dark, twisted forces that threatened their world. This needed to end now.
Without another thought, Noelle focused all of her aura into her legs and shut the rest of the aura nodes in her body off to keep her aura concentrated there, pulling off the Pinpoint Technique. With a high jump, she crashed her feet down onto the Depraved's back, the sickening crunch of bones breaking echoing through the air. The heels of her boots pierced its back, its blood dripping as she stepped off of it and landed back on the floor.
The group stood in shock and awe at the sight of the defeated Depraved. Never had they seen a creature fall so quickly and decisively. They looked at Noelle with a mixture of surprise and respect, taking in her power and technique.
"Wowsers," Camilla said, her tone filled with amazement. "That was incredible! You really kicked that thing's ass!”
"I know, right?" Noelle replied, still catching her breath after the intense battle. "I guess all those years of combat training to be an intergalactic travel guide paid off, I get to be a good guardian for Alice and her companions.”
"You definitely made quick work of that Depraved," Shelly said, a small smile of relief and awe on her face. "I have to say, you've got some serious power in those legs of yours. You didn't even need us.”
"Thanks," Noelle said, a proud smile on her face. "I just channeled all my anger and strength into that one moment. It wasn't just me though. We all played our part in taking down that creature.”
"Teamwork, yeah," Camilla agreed. "But I have to say, you were the one who basically did all of the kicking. Literally!”
Noelle laughed, the sound echoing through the empty. "I guess I have a talent for kicking things, huh?”
"That's an understatement," Camilla replied, still awestruck.
Noelle, still a little flushed from the praise, turned to Alice.
“Well, Alice, you may want to summon your Twilight Fragment and slash the Depraved to finish it off for good.”
Alice nodded and extended an arm, focusing with her eyes closed as she called forth the Twilight Fragment. Walking up to the deformed Depraved, Alice swings the blade at it, slicing clean through and making it evaporate in a bright flash.
“And that’s that,” Zalgo said. “Huh, so what now, we saved the dam, so can we leave this world now?”
Noelle shook her head. “Not quite, Zalgo. We still need to find the World Core and close the Gateways of the Dark.”
“Hold on,” Shelly intervened. Did you say World Core?”
“Um, yes I have. Why do you ask?”
“I know where it is. There is an abandoned underwater city beneath the beach, and in that underwater city resides the World Core.”
"An underwater city?" Rachel echoed, her eyes widening in surprise. "This sounds like it might be dangerous, I hope we're prepared for whatever we're about to face down there.”
"Indeed," Noelle agreed. "Underwater environments can be treacherous to navigate. We'll need to be extra careful and prepared for any sudden attacks or changes in the environment. Not to mention, finding the World Core could be a challenge in itself.”
"That's true," Camilla chimed in. "But we're a strong team. We've got power, skill, and each other. I believe we can handle whatever comes our way.”
"You're right, Camilla," Shelly added. "You guys have clearly proven yourselves to be capable fighters. If you've been able to defeat the Depraved that's been attacking us, then I have no doubt you can find the World Core and close the Gateways of the Dark.”
"But how will we even find the World Core down there?" Rachel asked, her brow furrowing in concern. "The underwater city sounds huge. It's going to be tough to search every corner of it.”
"That's a good point," Noelle said, thinking for a moment. "We'll have to start by gathering as much information as we can about the city and its layout. Maybe we can find some maps or diagrams that can help us navigate the area and find the World Core more quickly.”
"And we should be prepared for unexpected obstacles and enemies," Camilla said, a determined look in her eyes. "Anything could be lurking in the depths, waiting to attack us. We'll need to be on high alert.”
"Good idea, Camilla," Shelly said, nodding in agreement. "We should also bring all the necessary equipment and supplies we might need. Extra oxygen tanks, flashlights, communication devices, and medical kits, just in case.”
"Exactly," Rachel agreed, her expression now more focused. "We need to be prepared for everything. We don't know what we're going to find down there, but we need to be ready to face it head-on.”
“Best of luck out there, everyone,” Shelly encouraged with a slight nod.
“Thanks,” Noelle replied. “We will save this world from the Dark forces once and for all, and you can live in peace again.”