Hey everyone! I finally finished the long long chapter last night and am currently having it all edited. As you can see part 1 because I'm going to post the second part later tonight. That is because if I posted this whole chapter it would almost be twice as long as my longest chapter. So i'll post the rest of it tonight. So think of chapters 17 and 18 as being together. I just wound up writing out each of the scenes and the story got so long I wanted to however get through it to a particular point. I also do this because I enjoy getting to read all of your comments and I'm told if I have more chapters that's a good thing.

Well enjoy and expect the remaining chapter tonight! I'll even throw in a Character Page and what not at the end for you guys since you asked! I'll post some pictures of what the Grootslang and Balor sort of look like in my head too. I found some interesting depictions.

As always remember to comment and rate my fiction!

Chapter 17: The Grootslang

Cassandra’s POV

“And... and that bird was still eating the whole time!”

“I believe you’ve had enough to drink master. And yes I will take be taking that.... but I agree, that was a very peculiar bird. But then again what wasn’t weird about that man?”

Sumei took the bottle of wine away from Master Shen as he was laughing wildly. It was rare to see the two of them in the same room at the same time while away from the king or queen. However, tonight some of the other royal knights are standing guard and we each have the night off.

Master Shen suggested we relax in one of the palaces luxurious large baths and have a drink. I’ve been given offers to come here with prince Dominic that are too many to count, but I will admit the water is quite soothing. Sitting here with Sumei and Shen we continued to talk about the events of what transpired only last night. It really was too much for words.

Shen however after finishing off his first bottle of wine has been talking non stop about it. He wasn’t anything like what I would assume the Sword Master of Asher would’ve been like when joining the royal guard. He was a legend throughout the whole kingdom as one of the few expert level swordsman on the continent. No one in Asher had ever seen him lose. He was an unbeatable force with his sword but he has never once seen battle. He doesn’t find war appealing to him in the slightest so he never offered his sword to any kingdom. He simply enjoyed  other things. Shen however somehow got along with King Asher back when they both lived in the central continent and he eventually settled down here in the main city. It was due to them adventuring together when they were younger according to Sumei.

Master Shen may have just turned 44 this month but he in no way looks like it. He has short turquoise colored hair and is very muscular for a man his age. He wasn’t even as high a level as Aldus, since he didn’t hunt monsters very often, but he was respected as the strongest sword in the kingdom.

Shen had many deep scars up and over his body from a monster attack. He had some scars on his face and one over his eye. Shen was also missing his whole right arm but he had a metal prosthetic one replaced. It was a gift from the king actually. Regardless of these injuries he still remained as the strongest in the kingdom when he arrived here under the king. He may have also only been an expert but the few who knew him refer to him as Master Shen, since he to this day has never lost a sword duel.

When Lestat had originally appeared, Master Shen originally expected to be the one to have to fight but Vali had stepped up instead. It may have been for the best, according to him he always had wondered who would have won in a duel with him and Lestat. They were both experts in their weapons and known to be some of the strongest in the continent, but with Lestat’s Ancient class weapon and higher level, Shen wasn’t sure if he could have won against him. The power of high class weapons can cover great gaps in skill. Aldus with the power of his Frost Sword was something that made him one of the strongest if not the strongest in the kingdom before being injured. We never did get to see that fight either to determine the rankings. ’ I doubt the ranking order will be the same now anyways. ‘

Due to Shen’s injuries however and his new position, he doesn’t level as much as he is always guarding the king and queen. Well, even if he would have killed Lestat, Shen wouldn’t have been able to kill the rest of Lestat’s troop.

Even a man of his strength was in aw to what Vali had done. After everyone calmed down we left and later arrived back at the kingdom after about a day and a half journey.

I then noticed Shen started rummaging around in the water by where he was sitting.

“Ahh...Here we go.”

“You had another bottle under there this whole time?”

“Of course... Sumei always takes my second bottle away.”

Sumei then turned her head and glared at him. Shen then grabbed the wine bottle from somewhere underneath the water and uncorked it, then began to drink.

We had been relaxing here for a while now and the wine is starting to kick in some. I was never really much of a drinker, father let me have a taste one time I just didn’t enjoy it much. Shen however loves the stuff. Really for a master and student these two really are odd. One would never think seeing them in such a state they are the two strongest of the royal knights. Even though my talent with a sword allows me to spar with Sumei I admit, she’s better than me. Shen’s sword style is  hard to counter but I am from the famed Kraiser family, we too are famed for our talent with a sword. Our style differs from theres entirely though.

“Mm...gulp...Well I mean and who are we to talk really. Not like we knight are all that normal anyways.”

“Hmm...Yes, I’m sure someone like Shakko probably freaked him out too.”

“Oh are we talking about me.....”

There almost appearing next to the bath edge was Shakko in large white towel. This was one of the other oddities of the royal knights of Asher. Even though we were off duty he continued to wear his mask that resembled a jester. Along with this his voice is very. I had personally never seen his face before but according to Shen his face was horribly disfigured when he was younger. Now he wears this mask to hide it, though I’m not sure if I should believe Shen or not. He has pranked me with saying false things before to make me look dumb when bringing it up later. Shakko then stepped into the bath and grabbed the bottle of wine from Sumei before continuing.

“Yes...I would agree though, that guy Vali did not seem to take too kindly to me.”

“Why do you say that?”

Sumei then asked at his statement seeming perplexed. I guess she didn’t notice.

“I honestly have no idea, but every so often I would catch him glaring at me  quite oddly...Real uncomfortable.”

It was true, I saw it too. Every now and then I would catch Vali turn his head and glare at him from time to time, it was almost as if

“Oh, you would think since you both share the same taste in accessories you two would get along. “

“ Oh ‘ ha ha’ ”

At Shen’s comment Shakko made a sarcastic laugh and drank out of the bottle....‘Wait, how is he drinking that?’

Shakko too was an odd ball for a knight. He didn’t fit the profile of a someone who was a royal guard, he honestly resembled more of a court jester. He had become a famous vigilante in the continent and hunted down and killed murderers and criminals who terrorized the kingdom. Not much else is known other than that. Shakko however is very skilled with daggers and hidden weapons and is ranked 6th in the royal knights who are amongst some of the strongest in the kingdom of Asher.

Everyone continued to talk while I listened and enjoyed my glass of wine. Since I was still a new knight in the kingdom I’m still getting acclimated with everyone.

“Are we sure we can just trust him like this. Making him into a vassal seems a bit...”

“Well, Sumei if you look at the facts, he’s a person willing to interrupt a battle between kingdoms simply to save those in need. You wouldn’t expect such character with such an ominous looking person, but he appears to be good natured. Besides, after what we witnessed I’d rather have em as friend than a foe. Even with my sword, I doubt I could take on such an opponent.”

“Yes...According to the reports from his highness as well as what happened during the duel we can assume as such. But are we sure he did it just to rescue all of those demi humans? The reports said a high ranking elf was stolen from their barracks. Isn’t it possible it was all a diversion to acquire her. He could be allied with the elves. If that’s the case then we could get wrapped up into their war.”

“I don’t believe that’s true.”

They then looked at me towards my statement.

“Well, at his cabin he had the same demi humans living with him. His mother is demi human as well I believe.”

“But reports said he was human...Heh, Asher even said his eyes were black. Well, I guess we can just chalk it up to he is a mystery of sorts.  But yes Sumei, what she is saying is true.”

“How would you know master?”

“The Aldain guards also said something interesting, there was food they kept for monsters missing from one of the cages down in the barracks of the colosseum as well as the high elf.”

“...So he stole food, meaning we can’t trust him? Gup...Oh excuse me.”

Sumei then burped while retorting sarcastically towards her master. She became more open like this whenever she drinks I’ve come to find.

“You don’t get it Sumei...In a cage, monster food...To a place like Aldain slaves who are too weak to work are considered monster food to keep their colosseum running...Truly an appalling place indeed...”

Shakko then answered with his own opinions on the matter while sounding disgusted. It was true, the King later told me personally he saw Vali holding a small frail girl who looked to be half dead at the time. Whenever he was in his house he was always holding a small girl who couldn’t walk yet. ‘...It must have been that girl. The one who was possibly abused in Asher. Her name was Ari.’

Sumei and Shen then began to talk to one another while I listened in on their opinions of Vali. Even Master Shen agreed to his overwhelming power. It was even enough to take down an opponent such as Lestat so easily while ending the lives of all those directly behind him. He even has the ability to absorb any and all damage with his incredible magic. I mean, how can you fight an opponent like that.

“Do you have any issue in him becoming a fellow knight Sumei?”

“Mm, I wouldn’t say that Shakko. It’s not that I’m against allying with such a person, I simply am not sure how other kingdoms will react to such a person. Or better yet how he would react to other kingdoms. Can you imagine what he might do if he visited any of the neighboring kingdoms were not at war with? Or better yet if any of the central continent’s royalties were to visit and meet him. ”

“I don’t follow?”

“Gulp...What Shakko couldn’t you just see it? Ha! If a kid like that is willing to proclaim war himself on the kingdom of Aldain for their actions, what do you think is going to happen if he met other kingdoms say not as friendly as ours to demi humans. Hell according to what he says if his two ‘propositions’ aren’t met he may even become our enemy.”

“.......”

I agree. I still can’t believe the propositions he gave his majesty. One was simple, after the war with Aldain was done, Vali wanted a particular piece of land that was around where his cabin was. I think he was wanting to start a town for his family to live in. He was already going to receive some land and gold for becoming a vassal for the kingdom of Asher. The queen suggested we say he is of noble birth in our kingdom to other nobles and title him with baron over his territory. So this much was doable.

The other....He wants any and all slaves that are children in the kingdom of Asher be released into his custody immediately upon the war ending. There are a lot of slaves in the kingdom of Asher. They are all demi human. However, it is not like there aren’t some demi humans who live freely in our kingdom’s cities as well. There are even some demi human run villages who reside in our kingdom. But  many slaves come from the aftermath of wars with human kingdoms, committing certain crimes, or not being able to pay off debts. In some regions in the kingdom, husbands would even sell their wives into slavery to pay off their debts. Some regions of this kingdom just aren’t ran very well.

Truly something disgusting my mother would tell me about when I was younger. It’s why I always yearned for someone who would would cherish me as the king does for his queen. Not like his son treats a woman...

In the inner city of Asher it is illegal to mistreat slaves and must be treated humanely. They are not thought of as items as they are in some other kingdoms, and must be given all the basic necessities of life. I’m sure not all citizens of this kingdom follow this however. Our races just haven’t gotten a long too much before, but in our kingdom there are at least laws that are set in place for them.

However not many demi human species are allied with the human kingdoms. In fact very little. We can make laws in our inner city but to say we can prevent and outlaw slavery of all demi human children throughout the entire kingdom would be difficult. It would receive a lot of backlash from the nobles in this kingdom. In fact a lot, most of the nobles of this kingdom do trading with the inner kingdoms and to say we would interfere in their business would also create problems with other kingdoms.

Even if we and Aldain have completely different laws concerning the treatment of demi humans, Vali claimed in his eyes we would be the same...

‘And to go in and make it so that all demi human slaves who are children or illegally enslaved be set free immediately after a war... I can’t imagine the public outcry. Nobles and merchants in their own way run the kingdom. Does the Queen really have an idea to handle it all?’

“Well what do you think about him Cassandra? Your the one who has known him the longest. He’s powerful I’ll give him that, but do you think we can trust such a man?”

All three then looked towards me towards Sumei’s question.

“Honestly it’s hard to say. I don’t believe him to be a bad person..It’s odd, I once thought him to be a monster in the woods, but he’s surprisingly simple. Aldus told us the words he said just before he passed out from shock in the medical wing of the Aldain’s best doctors. He said he was just a decent man, doing a decent thing. “

“Oh, how so?”

Now Shakko too seemed interested in what I had to say.

“He plays the big bad guy with the scythe and mask...no offense Shakko. But in all actuality, he’s just a man who’s trying to use his strength to protect those he cherishes and do what he believes is correct. I also think he might be someone who just innately protects others.”

“Well when you put it like that. I guess whatever problems he may stir up in the mean time with the nobles could be interesting. All I’m thinking about is how we got a new chef!”   - Master Shen

“Tsk, Master you kept asking if he could keep cooking which made it difficult for his highness to discuss business with Vali!” - Sumei

“Oh whatever!...That was better than some of the royal chefs in the kingdom and he made it out of a pot and animal he hunted! You just don’t get men Sumei!...Gup! Men gotta hunt! And men gotta eat. And sometimes....Men can like the finer things too, such as Shakko and his cutesy little mask.”  - Master Shen

“Hmm...Getting a little drunk are we metal man...” -  Shakko

“You wish you had something as sweet as this thing! ” - Master Shen

Splash! Splash!

“Hey! Stop splashing Shakko!” - Sumei

Shen began to flex his metal arm while Shakko began splashing water on him. Water then splashed Sumei and they each began to argue. Now the three oddball  royal knights of Asher began bantering as they normally do. If I remember they did this around Vali too, he didn’t really know how to respond to them so he just simply ignored them while he finished cooking.

‘Vali...You may be the strongest person I’ve ever met. The other knights have seen incredible power before, which is why they must have not been as shocked as I was when I saw what you had done. It’s to the point it scares me. But I believe you to be good...You wouldn’t have treated your mother so kindly. You wouldn’t have held that girl so warmly. He’s kind to demi humans...And he’s very kind to woman it seems. I wonder how he would run his territory he would be receiving. Becoming a Baron is something of the lowest level of noble but he will receive a decent amount of land according to this agreement. Can a man as powerful as Vali fight against a Blessed One? Well, I guess I’ll get to be seeing more of this mysterious man in the woods soon. ’

BANG!

A loud banging noise sounded as the door from the large bath was opened suddenly and there standing was one of the royal guard Emanuel.

“What is it Emmanuel? Your being loud!”

“It’s the king!”

Each of us stood up at attention at Emmanuel’s look of urgency.

“What...What happened! Speak!”

“...The king’s been...Assassinated.”

“............”

At those words the four of us stood in shock at what was just uttered. The king, one of the greatest leaders on the continent, is dead.

‘...No.’

Adimar’s POV

ROAARRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The sounds of the dark giants advancing continued on our position.

‘Ah Joslyn...looks like I’ve found myself on the battlefield once more. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep away this time. Here I was ready to leave this body and see you again but, it seem’s we’ll be postponing our meeting for a little while longer. Wait for me...One day I shall feel your touch again.’

Life has been hard since you’ve gone to that next place. I miss your wisdom...I do not know where this path may lead me, but I’ve chosen to follow this man who walks in front of me. I believe it to be the right thing to do. I tried to live out my days, I tried to enjoy a peaceful life Joslyn, I did. By Amarok...I truly tried. But the time spent here, being drowned in the constant grief of my failures. I failed you. I can no longer remain here. I can no longer tell our young to accept this life they were born in. I must end this, but even if it takes me an eternity...I will one day find you again.

WAHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Vali then disappeared from my vision and let loose an attack that sent shivers down my spine. It felt as if the whole dungeon was going falling and crumbling away. Darkness came from the cracked and destroyed floor and gripped the giants pulling them into the abyss below.  ‘Well Joslyn...Looks like I may see you sooner than I thought.’

The power coming off that attack is the most powerful thing I’ve ever felt in my long life on the front lines. It turned the ground around us into dust. The power swept past us and blew through the walls caving in the ceiling above. Everything began to be eaten away from the power of his weapon. I felt the feeling of falling. The darkness has fully swallowed me now.

That kid really is something. The magical power I felt released from that skill was the strongest level of magic I’ve felt in my long life as an Alpha. Our species normally lives to be around 300 or so but in such a place, no one lives long here.

I however just turned 87 not a few months ago. I was the youngest Alpha in the history of our clan. Then again, we can never be sure how old any of us really are in here.

I wonder if Akino made it out alive. I can smell her. But I can’t see anything. Even with the eyes of a Moonlight Warrior, I can’t see through this vast darkness. Everything has been destroyed by what he has done. Perhaps we are all already dead now...

Vali...If I die, I pray to Amarok for your strength and courage to continue on here. To do what we so called warrior’s could not, to save our poor trapped souls.

‘I can never forgive myself for what we allowed to happen to you. We had received intel from the elite neko unit that it was highly likely you were a puppet trying to receive favor from the alliance’s council only to lead us into a slaughter. Alysteir hadn’t even shown up until the end and ordered you be taken in and questioned. We were only suppose to talk and see if you were who you said you were. But I can’t make excuses now, I may have even wanted you to be a puppet. I have wanted for nothing more than to sink my fangs into the one responsible for pulling such strings...You did not deserve mine. I can see now you are simply another tortured soul like I.’

I wouldn’t have noticed it if not being chained to the human. The way he fights is similar to an Annunake, we do not yield ever.  Vali fights with a violence and a willpower that outweigh any strength. His will to survive is what makes me know he has something worth living for.  Vali attacks to kill, it was a miracle the ex elite Annunake’s who once fought on the forefronts against any foe were able to suppress such a human. The abilities he wields are dangerous, but he is still young. He needs to learn to utilize his strengths and not draw confidence in his own power. This world, everything has a weak point. Though, regardless of this he is still a terrifying opponent....He defeated me.

A man that made it to where only a few of us could destroy an entire legion with no damage whatsoever. He did it without batting an eye. He wants others to think he’s ruthless but he’s not...

I’m still alive, Akino’s still alive.We were the cause of his pain suffering, and yet we remain. While the men who harmed his family were brutally and mercilessly dealt with. They weren’t given honorable deaths either. I’ve seen the same look before as he killed those men. It’s obvious he’s had to go through loss as well. Hence the reason he’s more lethal in terms to those who show violence towards his pack. When his eyes go dark, he gets serious.

I still remember whenever he showed me those eyes the first time. That along with the effects of his first skill, I had honestly thought him to be my enemy. I’ve never seen another intimidation skill like it. It was only when I was chained to him around the second time he used it on those intruders, I finally understood.

You have been paralyzed with fear from a dark soul.

Due to the effects of your Courage your paralysis has been withered.

All stats have been reduced by 8%

Mana recovery has been reduced by 5%

Attack if you dare!

Never had I seen an intimidation skill that invited the opponent to attack him other than monster. It was enough of a skill that even could do so much with his low level. If it were not for the ‘Courage’ stat all the Moonlight Warrior’s class have then we wouldn’t have been able to fight him at all. ‘Courage hmm....I really haven’t felt courageous in quite a while in fact. It’s a stat that remains so high as a once alpha, and yet I feel I have lost so much of it. When high enough it even adds in our strength but I’ve always wondered if it was truly linked to one’s courage from the soul. ‘

I surely thought then with that skill he was my enemy but now I know. As my brother in law would always say, we all have our demons. I feel as if we are still being wrapped up in darkness. Can we possibly survive a fall from this height? If we do...I’ve decided to continue the fight, to continue the struggle we once boar...together.

‘I believe this man may be able to save our people Joslyn. Even if I have to to wear the shame of a denounced alpha. Even if I must continue to wear the shame of submitting to another, to wear a collar. Even though I told you I would never yield to another...I will wear the shame with pride. None of it compares to the shame of failing you. I’ll bare it...If it means our people can one day see the beauty of the moonlight in this world, I’ll bare it. It is truly a sight  I would have enjoyed seeing with you. I do not know where my journey will take me this time my love, and I don’t think I can promise I’ll be a good wolf by the end of it. With the way of the world outside, my time as a soldier may continue, to protect those we both held dear. It may take more time until we’re reunited. And if my journey may change me, I pray you accept me when we meet again.’

Even in such a dark place, I can feel the warmth of your light still embrace me. The hands that were always at my back, you healed me on and off the battlefield. We were always together you and I, and you gave this old wolf his reason for existing. I enjoyed our time together in this world, you are what made the time here so pleasant. If you only knew how precious every second together had been to me. It wasn’t because we were sent by the god wolf to protect your kind, you were the best part of me. You were my whole world.

“Gotcha!”

SPRING!

My body then became grabbed by someone, Akino. She latched on to me and I could feel there were a number of each of those in our party connected to one another. I can now see through the pitch darkness four bright lights that appear through the dense smog. They are the pixies and Vali’s bird. Everyone survived. He must have found a way. I could feel everyone huddle together. Our bodies became intertwined and wrapped tighter and tighter.

Akino is holding onto my arms and barring her head into my arm waiting for the impact of landing. Poor thing. Still just a cub. As my niece it was my job to take care of her after her family passed. She was actually going to marry the man who was going to be my brother in law. The shock of finding out he was a puppet destroyed her. Destroyed the hope she once had.

She tried apologizing to Vali but she just doesn’t get males yet...You can’t apologize for something like that. The weight of our crimes our not dull. Hopefully this human is a good one. Not like the ones from the stories. I only noticed by what Joslyn had once said, ‘Oh they would look kinda like an elf! But their ears would be short and rounded. Very interesting creatures the humans. They were a race that wasn’t as strong physically as the other races, but when united together they became quite fearsome.’ What she said was true, but greed is what ultimately lead to their demise in this place...

SPRINK!

BAM!

We then collided in a stream of webs that caught our weight and decelerated our descent. We then crashed into the floor below us.

Cough...Cough...

I stood up and started to brush off my fur. Somehow we had all survived. I thought the ceiling was falling over us but we appear to be standing on the destroyed floor below. So right now we must be on 62.

The effects of Midnight Aura have been canceled.

‘That’s Vali’s skill that stops all attack....”

I then saw a piercing light that swept through and touched down in front of us. The walls of the dungeon are partially destroyed and the light from the outside is showing in the dungeon. It pierced through the overwhelming darkness that surrounded us and shines the surroundings bit by bit. It’s as if the light is eating away the darkness around the floor below.

Everyone then began to clamor about their levels and the destruction to the walls. I think it’s even possible 64 was all destroyed in the monstrous attack. I can’t even believe we all survived it. It felt like the entirety of the dungeon was enveloped by that attack.

‘Vali’s strength may be able to save this place. That bird who was actually a woman, she said he was something of...a weapon of a God. He is the best chance we have at leaving this place, he even appears to be someone who has the best interest in mind for our people as well. I guess since I lived, I’m going to continue on and follow this human...Joslyn, please wait a little a longer.’

I began to hold onto the handkerchief that was left to me from my mate. It always brought me strength and warmth in such a cold place. I’m at level 306 now. I can’t believe I gained close to 20 levels just now. ‘Hmph....Vali I will put my faith in you. You are going to become the new Alpha.’

ROAAARR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The same ear shattering roar that shakes the debris were standing on pierced through the destructed floor. We then became surrounded by two floor bosses that had somehow managed to survive the fall of the destruction. A large heard of fomorians, the species that have brought our races close to extinction, and two floor bosses on unbeaten floors.

But we are the Annunake...We never flea.

I began to bear my fangs, readying myself for the fight at hand. I then felt the warm of the same dark aura surround me again.

-You are under the effects of Dark Aura! All damage will be absorbed by the darkness.

‘Hmm, well it’s not the same as the light coming from your horns Joslyn, but it’ll do. I think you would have enjoyed meeting a person like Vali if you were still here. I think you would want me to fight alongside this man’

. Vali ushered me to take on the boss snake on the left. It looks to be heavily armored but practically covered in damages. Blood is soaking out of its open gashes and most of the armor surrounded it are crushed. This monster is practically on it’s death throws. Killing it will be easy. But if any of the other monsters interrupt, me and Akino may have trouble.

SSSSAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

CRACK!

BOOM!!!!!

Lightning began to rain down from the sky as the clouds above began and shatter the debris we stood on.

SSSAAAHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

This thing, may be still be dangerous regardless of this barrier magic.

Vali then stuck out his hand and instructed no one to advance.

“The illusion is set Vali!”

“Alright...No one move!”

What?! What are you thinking. Swing your scythe! You stupid boy!!! I trusted you!

I looked up and the long black snake began to get larger and larger. It looked to be looking straight at us and then turn its head away. It then turned it’s towards the large 7...no 8 headed hydra to the right. It was just seven heads only a second ago. Each of the 8 heads then began to snarl and show looks of being enraged.

SSSAHHHHHHHH!!! GGAKKKK!!!

Suddenly a large black blur crashed into the snake towering over us and crashing into the earth. What just happened?

One of the fomorians must have leaped to take down one the snake. It then began ramming its claws into the snakes armored hide and tried to rip through its neck.

SSSAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

BOOOOM!!!!!!

Lightning began to rain down from the clouds it had generated and rip through the Fomorian on top of it. The snake then coiled around the Fomorian and struck at it with its long fangs. It must have struck the fomorian 4 or 5 times within a second.

SSSSAHHH!!!!!!

Lightning began to engulf the snake and the fomorian it had been strangling and the fomorians health and gone down to zero in only a few seconds.

It then threw the dead body towards the king hydra to the right. The snake then glared towards the oncoming heard of fomorians now making screeching sounds towards the death of their ally. They aren’t bright creatures but I do think they understand when to take an opponent seriously.

It then began to slither towards the fomorians. Not even paying any mind to us at all.

Why is that?

I then looked over and Cosmia had high-five’d Cyanin. Is this an illusion?

“Cosmia just set up an illusion barrier around us, each monster that was looking at us had the image of the other stepping in front of its view. They are now all paying attention to the larger opponents in front of them. Now, those in the aura are you ready?”

This is incredible. We all nodded in affirmation to his request. He had told us the plan but not that an illusion would be set. We then prepared ourselves to attack the beast before us.

SAHHHH!!!!!!!!

I then appeared next to the snake with Akino. We each then leaped on top of it began to tear away at the large snakes remaining health. It really didn’t look like a snake at all. It’s face may have been deformed but the front of it looks like a beast. Something different, this clearly isn’t a normal boss. It’s venom melted the fomorian it just bit. The lightning that engulfed it was enough to overwhelm the giant’s outstanding healing abilities....What is this thing? I look up towards it’s head and gaze at its title....Grootslang? I have never seen a monster like this before but it’s quite vicious.

Moonlight Claw!

I then began to tear through the great beasts tough armor. With the power of the moon, our claws ignore all defense. If the enemy doesn’t have a thick barrier to protect them, our claws will only eat away at their health, mana, and stamina all at the same time. Within minutes, you’ll be nothing standing before an Annunake.

I began to tear away and away at beasts flesh along side Akino.

ZAP!!!

Sparks began to fly and erupt around us both that was coming off the strange beasts armored plates. Not online that but the clouds surrounding it are also producing intense lightning strikes that shower all over the snake. The lightning was thick and regardless of the barrier surrounding us. The heat from it was enough to make my thick fur sweat.It was a very intense heat. I could even feel the rumbling under my paw of all the electrical current that is getting absorbed by the darkness surrounding. ....‘Vali...You are a strong foe indeed. ‘

Wecontinued to tear away into the large beast.

If this barrier wasn’t here....I doubt I would survive swinging at this thing for extended periods of time. Every swing with my claws only bring forth more and more lightning from the dark plated shells on its hide. It’s an armor that has an effect that could outweigh our claws. If we didn’t have this barrier around us our claws would be useless against him. We would die before we killed him. Most monsters pride themselves in hard defenses but against us that is useless. Our claws ignore all defense.

“Dark Sever!”

YEEAHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!

A familiar scream is let out and I feel the wave of dark magic fly past us and towards the fomorians advancing towards us. It killed many of them who didn’t try to avoid it but some managed to get out of the way or leap over it. Many then began to crawl faster towards the Grootslang and us on top of it. It didn’t seem to pay mind to us at all. His health right now was at around 39%. His health must be very high. We’ve continued to tear away at it but it’s health just took a lot to take down. His mana however is dropping quite sharply. Hopefully whenever it’s mana runs out it’s defenses will drop.

ZAP!

I then was warped from on top of the snake and now I am standing behind a small patch of dirt surrounded by red spikes of ice coming forth from the debris below us. It was in a complete circle around the small patch of ground we stood on. Who did this?

“Sorry I can’t let you guys get close to that thing anymore. It’s lightning caused so much damage,  the barrier wouldn’t last another minute.”

Vali then walked up to me and Akino and then stared back at the long peculiar creature slithering towards the Fomorians. Did he just worry for both of our safety?.....

I then began to look at  the percentage of the dark aura surrounding us and it was now at 41%.

“...Hjokk, What the hell is that thing?!”

SSSAAAAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-----------------------------------------------

Vali’s POV

‘Seriously...What the fuck is that thing?’

It’s level was 523 and I’ve never seen anything like it. I was acting too greedy and stared at what the wealth of the king hydra would give me I didn’t even think of what the other boss might be. The top of its skull resembles an elephant and had two large tusks coming out from it’s jaws. But its mouth and rest of its body resembles a snake. It was hard to see at first since it looked practically deformed at first glance. It’s entire body is wrapped in cobalt armor plates that look to be quite tough. The Fomorian’s claws seemed to tear away at it but it’s health must be monstrously high as hardly any health went down at all. It’s level is higher than the Hydra but not the surrounding Fomorians. Not only that but moment anything touches or tries to scratch at it large bursts of lightning attack whatever it is. If all that wasn’t enough the fomorian it just dropped, melted after being struck by whatever venom those black fangs have.

As we looked at this thing rain havoc on the fomorians only a ways in front of us we looked at its title. Grootslang. I activated Lightning step to think.

‘...That name, I remember reading about something like this. It’s a really, really old creature from african myth. It’s name literally means big snake. Other than that, I have no idea what that thing is. How much health does that thing have to survive so many slashes from the Fomorians and the Annunake. That thing is seriously dangerous. That’s why I yanked everyone back into formation. Sitting on top of it tearing away at it’s mana reserves may have been nice but the damage to our barrier was too serious. We wouldn’t last the 10 minutes of the skill. Hell it probably wouldn’t have even lasted another minute. ‘

“That snake is very strong.”

Akino then voiced her opinion of the monster striking and tearing at the fomorians. They began to surround it and slash away at its skin. The damage taken was roughly a couple percent each time. But with every slash more lightning rained down from the clouds surrounding its flesh. Engulfing everything surrounding it in lightning.

“Yeah, It may be better to do damage from a distance. You guys still managed to siphon some mana away for me. I’ll use something else.”

I then pointed my hand towards the heard of monsters in front of us. I activated the one skill on the Infinity Ring. After using this skill my mana will drop below 30%. I have been using a lot of skills but I continued to restore mana at a very quick pace. The cost of all my skills wasn’t as bad either. The presence of the Annuke siphoning magic from that creature even for a short period of time got me quite a bit of magic. This skill however takes half of the available mana to use this skill. It then uses all that magic and condenses it into a ball.

“Mana Bomb!”

‘.............’

A small ball of light began to grow and grow and grow. It extended out past my palm and grew into the size of a house. It was a giant ball of intense bright white energy. My mana began to deplete down by a half immediately and stopped at around 23%. After using Wrath of Balor, I lost 30 percent of my magic from using it. While Dark Sever takes around 7 percent with every swing. However, before I pulled the Annunake away they managed to syphon around 14,000 mana from that thing before I had to pull em out so my mana is still manageable.

The large white ball of condensed magical energy then shot forth like a comet towards the heard and crashed into their center. Everyone began to shield their eyes as the light from the ball of light was almost blinding.

BOOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!

The light from the blast blinded everyone for a split second as everything was dyed with white light. The health of everything in that blast took a large hit. The fomorians each lost about 30 percent of their health in that one attack. But they then began to heal their wounds slowly. The Grootslang then lost about 10 percent of its health.

The wind from the blast then blew in our direction and pushed loose debris to rain through the sky.

“Vali...Seriously are you trying to destroy another floor!”

Hjokk then screamed in my direction. Yeah she’s right, even if I’m inside this dungeon I can’t just fire off skills randomly to build my mastery. These weapons really are too powerful for that, but considering I can’t let people outside see me with such a weapon, though I need some test subjects to use these skills on.

I then checked my mana....‘Woh, my mana is currently over 400 thousand.’

My mana now practically quadrupled. I thought it would give 50 percent of my magic back to me but  I didn’t think I would receive more than my maximum amount. The total damage that was done to everything in the wake of that attack was then returned and recycled to me in the form of magic. My mana was now much higher than it would be if I was at full strength. Some Infinity Ring, I could just sit back and level opponents and absorb more mana at a time.

I then told everyone to stay inside the zone of ice created by Cosmia. She really has such an incredible ability. Not only did she initially help us by diverting each of the monsters attention. The entire barrier surrounding us has small red spikes created from ice. They emerged from the ground as she used her powerful ice magic. The best part is that these spikes are also part of the illusion, the monsters cannot see them. If they could they would probably destroy it considering she is much lower level than them, but if they can’t see it and were to slip on the icy ground, I’m sure it’ll do something. Whatever abilities she gained from the red crystal truly is something. I’ll have to ask her about it later, whatever monster it was, was probably quite dangerous.

I then looked over to my right and I could see the Away team too was having some difficulties. Only 3 heads had fallen but now  a small yellow barrier is surrounding the 8 hydras that is quite similar to the dark aura surrounding us. It however seems to just be increasing the hydras overall defense to where it’s making it difficult to cut through to the flesh.

The health however many percent it drops continues to rise back quickly to full health. Each of the heads have regrown back. The nekos jumping between the heads have yet to be caught but can’t seem to sever any more heads with that yellow barrier surrounding them. The skill is thick enough to stop the blades of a Dawn Bringer from severing their heads entirely. Since it’s too dangerous to continue with cutting off the head they have to continue evading the remaining heads.

Looking at each o the hydra’s heads look to have their own unique ability. The two on the outside are yellow and each have a yellow crystal on them. The two next to them both have blue crystals but each have a different colored head. The two next to those are both green and I can see are spitting a noxious gas from their open jaws. Yellow on the outside, followed by green, then one fire, one ice, and the two in the middle are white and black. Even though the 4 heads using fire, ice and poison only have a blue crystal on their heads, they are still causing a lot of trouble it seems.

SAH!

One of the nekos then jumped from the green heads and landed on the ground in front of the King Hydra. The head then lunged at the neko.

CLANK!

SAH?

The red hydra head then looked at the neko oddly. There standing in front of him was a transparent Dullahan with his shield raised. I then used my spatial magic to get the neko out of the site of the rest of the heads. The Dullahan then began to swing its large claymore towards the hydra and swung its sword towards the barrier. It too began to do a small amount of damage but not much health was taken off. And even then the heads keep reappearing. Already over a minute has passed and we’ve only received 3 heads. 1 yellow, 2 blue.

The heads were each cleaved by a member of the Away team but immediately had to disperse as the difficulty in cutting each head became increasingly more difficult.  When one head would drop the other’s would then circle around it and become alert to the positions they landed.

Cough...Cough....

I then started to notice Ollie and the other neko’s who were attacking had started to show signs of taking damage while jumping through the green cloud of smoke.

SAH!

The red hydra then began to blow fire from his mouth. The blue crystal shined and fire erupted from his mouth. The stream hit the green air surrounding them and then erupted in a ball of flame. All air that was engulfed in green smog was then turned to fire. It almost resembled napalm.

Before anything could happen I then warped each of them away before the fire could engulf them. Luckily they both stopped moving for just enough time. I told them to pause their movements every so often on the ground and I would be able to get them away in times of crisis. I wouldn’t betray their trust.

The fire surrounded the Dullahan and the ghost knight had melted away. Now only one more Dullahan remains at the side of Cosmia and the two other pixies. The 8 Headed hydra then began to slither towards us.

I elongated my scythe to roughly 4 times its normal size. The glyphs on the blade began to shine and elongate at my will and grow to my preference. The size now larger I again activated dark sever in the direction of a the heard as well as the hydra.

YYEAAAHHH!!!!!!!!!!

The screams poured out from my scythe once more as the dark magic released from my blade flung out in a much larger slash than before. It also used up roughly three times the amount of mana to use it, luckily I have a much larger mana reserve. This Infinity Ring definitely helps in coming up with new ways to fight. It then severed the yellow and green heads on the left of the hydra that was advancing on us and continued towards the fight in front of us. The attack then severed the Fomorians and Grootslang in one swing. Luckily Fomorian’s don’t seem to understand avoiding attacks, they each seem to think their healing is so superior they can do that. Honestly I wonder what would happen if creatures like this made it out of this dungeon, only weapons that are legendary or above can harm them. Looking at the away team I see that some of their weapons including Ollie’s Guan dao has bits of the dawn bringer’s diamond around it’s edges. If they hadn’t made that discovery of the strange diamond, their entire race could have been destroyed. Such a peculiar stone. I then gripped onto the cross around my neck that Ari had made for me. It wasn’t the same one I was accustomed to, but holding onto it gave me the reminder and strength I needed.

Your level has risen...

Your level has risen....

Notifications began to increase and I saw that most of what took my blast died. Activating Eclipse View however I see that some of them are still alive only fighting amongst themselves. I looked to my right and the barrier surrounding the hydras is down.

“Good the heads that are cut can’t heal. The yellow barrier is down, attack!”

Ollie then barked the orders and the Away team advanced again. The Dark Aura remained surrounding us. The remaining heads began glare at me with hatred as I had severed their brother’s head. Abgrund has amazing curse magic that cancels out healing or at least halts it to some extent. The blue head then bit down on the yellow head that had been severed. The severed neck then turned to ice cubes and shattered. The yellow head then began to regrow again.

‘Heh...Smart monster. But you don’t realize your only helping me.’

“Ok now my magic is enough...Vali! Watch this.”

Cosmia then raised both her arms up and the red light surrounding her body began to grow dark crimson.

“Icy Grave”

SAH!

One of the heads began to snap towards the Away team when it collided with a pillar of ice. Large red spikes began to grow from the ground and surround the hydra.

A large prison of red ice began to emerge from the ground floor and erupt through the broken debris we stood on. The King Hydra was now trapped inside a large cage of ice.. Each head began to snap towards the pillars and it didn’t look like they would take many strikes.

SAH.kkkk...

Now the heads began to become severed with every swing. Not paying attention to the enemies surrounding it, the hydra’s heads began to fall one after the other. The barrier was removed and the Away team began to sever each of the outside heads. They realized the yellow ones are the one’s that sets up the barrier. It also has a tough exterior but with the blades of the nekos and Ollie’s weapon they are starting to win against the monster. However upon being severed a new head would grow back almost as fast as it took to cut it off. The King Hydra’s movements appear to be much slower now too. Before the Hydra heads would be able to keep up and make it difficult for the the Away team to focus on cutting a head but now their movements truly look slow.

‘Cosmia gained and area of effect skill?’

Cosmia then flew towards me and giggled while she told me about her new skill.  Her magic will slow down the enemies movements by 35% while within in the prison of ice. It can also cause 100 ice damage ever 10 seconds to enemies within the skill. She looked quite proud at that. The floor in the zone of red ice became red ice itself and made it hard to move in. Since pixies fly it doesn’t effect them as much at all she thinks. She however can use this to slow down an enemies movements. She can also make the ground within her zone ice. Even though Cosmia currently had pink hair and pink lips, the color of her eyes remained deep crimson. The light surrounding her also remained a deep red. She giggled as she explained that not only can she do all of this, if she waits until her mana fills back up, she can also mask this skill with an illusion.

SAGuhhh!

One of the hydra’s heads then began to swing it’s head towards the female neko. She then jumped and flipped over it, kicking off it’s neck to pounce towards another head. The head she kicked then flung back into a large red spike of ice sticking out from the destroyed ground. It pierced the green head making it easy for the other neko to cut it’s head.

Each of the heads showed strong abilities and worked well together. However they didn’t work nearly as well together as the Away team. The neko’s footwork is so incredible, their evasion skills are top tier. Even in the icy environment they move practically unfazed.Such amazing footwork.

ROARRRR!!!!!

Black magic then began to erupt out of the black head and surround the away team. It’s head has a purple crystal, it must be a strong magic attack. I then zapped them outside and they said that within that black smog it reduces their abilities by quite a lot..It must be curse magic. I then instructed Adimar and Akino to join the fight, alongside them. If we can tear it’s mana away, it won’t be able to use any more skills and it’ll be easy. Just like what they did to me, we’ll make that thing brain dead.

SAAHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!

BOOOM!

A loud roar came as a lightning strike then struck the floor not a few meters away. It was lightning raining down from the clouds that were surrounding the Grootslang and began to shower all over it. It’s size was now roughly a third of what it was and I can see now that a large part of it’s body has been cut off. It’s health was now at 32% and it looked at me as if I was the only thing that existed in the world. Yeah, it knew I was the thing that attacked it.

SAHH!!!!!!

It then shot forth like a viper towards my direction and its speed was enough to stun my already strengthened state. I pulled Abgrund out in front of me and the large beast only opened its jaws wider. I put my hand on Cosmia and warped her back by the other pixies around Hjokk.

Grootslang snapped it’s jaws down towards me.

SHING!

SSsssGUAHHH....GAH...Ghghghgg

The Groot slang then slammed it’s jaws around me. At the last moment I made the blade of Abrund retract upward in the shape of a spear and the serpent had then bit down onto the cursed weapons with me at its center. It’s jaws must have had tremendous strength. I could feel such heat coming from it’s rancid breath and from the size of this things jaws I know it has the ability to crush me. But biting down on Abgrund....It was not a good decision. With every bit of pressure Abgrund’s blade, Loki knew as realm sever goes further into its unarmored brain.

“VALI!!!!”

“NO! Vali!!!”

I could then hear the sounds of everyone clamoring outside and the serpent then slammed its head into the dirt as if trying to shake me out. I heard the sound of thunder tearing through the sky outside and I can’t let this thing rain havoc with the away team right now. I then began to hear a rumbling in his stomach and before he had a chance to do anything else I activated Abysmal mist.

The power of the abyss began to tear and eat away at this ancient snake and eat him from the inside out. I didn't want to give him a chance at shooting that venom that melted the fomorians. Now with the power of Abgrund and my mist coming off from me is destroying the insides of this monster. It’s fangs and tongue are being eating away. The roof of it’s deep red mouth are now starting to blacken and rot. It’s making noises of intense pain and anger.

GUGHGghhgAAHCK!

Some form of toxic sludge begins to flow from the innards of the monsters deep throat and shoot through abysmal mist that surrounds me. The power of the Abyss thanks to holding Abgrund is thick, but some of this oddly smoking substance is able to get through and touch my skin.

It starts to touch the dark aura and melt around it. It’s fangs began to rain down a shower of the same dangerous venom he used to melt the fomorians and shower over me. Some of it was ate by the abyss surrounding me but due to the pressure of this giant snake not all of of me is protected.

Dark Aura has now been canceled.

Bits of the sludge began to break through my mist and touch pieces of my skin. My flesh began to melt and seep through to the bone as if this venom were a corrosive acid. My skin began to singe off and I can no longer move my legs.

Looking down even my feet are starting to melt from standing on this beasts wet acidic tongue.

I could feel it struggling for it’s life too however. I could feel it throwing it’s last ditch effort possible to get me free from it’s mouth. He knows now I was not an enemy to eat.

Knowing the crisis and obviously in a lot of pain it began to shake violently. I then increased the weight of Abgrund and it’s head sunk like to the floor as if it had been knocked by a freight train. It then crashed into the dungeon floor and continued to be eating away by the power of the abyss.

I couldn’t see it’s health but I knew I was hurting it equally as much as it was hurting me. It was honestly hard to tell though, my health was quickly starting to drop standing in here. The mist has now become my barrier of defense but I won’t survive a battle of attrition with this thing. I have to end this snake’s life immediately. I continued to keep Abysmal mist activated and  then checked my skill tab. The cool down for dark sever had finally ended. With my strength practically tripling with Demonic Awakening I dug the blade of Abgrund through the roof of the monsters mouth. It was quite sturdy and thick. But the blade of Abgrund simply singes whatever is front of it as if it were paper. I got a good grip on Abgrund and  activated dark sever while retracting its blade.

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

YEAHH!!!!!!!!!!

A loud scream echoed throughout the large gaping mouth that had fully engulfed me. It erupted and a dark slash ripped through the entire serpent from the back of it’s skull to it’s remaining body. The monster now in pieces then fell to the ground having just had its life ended...Abgrund was hot, I could feel it...vibrating almost. Like it has a pulse.

Your level has risen!

Your level has risen!

Your level has risen!....

“VALI!”

A turquoise blur then flew up to me and hugged me. It was Cyanin. She even left her duty to protect Cosmia and flew to see if I was ok. I then looked and the head of the Grootslang began to move again...’No....’

Just then the head rolled over and out walked out was Akino. She then moved the beasts head and peeked to see if I was alright.....’...Thank God, I thought this thing was still alive.’

We then emerged out from the dead serpents jaws and it could see the devastation behind what I had done. I looked to the right and all those behind the barrier were looking at me warmly. The away team who were still fighting then turned their heads to look in my direction. The Arachnee have now also joined the fight. Each Arachnee had one of the pixies next to them while they each wrapped their webs around the fomorians dead bodies and the remaining king hydra heads. Each arachnee even looked at me with a warm smile and then continued to look back at the beast before them.

Ollie made a smile then went back to fighting the boss even without the protection of the dark aura surrounding him.

Cyanin was holding my hand and had helped me walk back into formation. My leg strength felt to have reduced by a lot considering most a lot of my muscles were so damaged. 1 of the Dullahan knights still remained. I used up half of my mana to create another one to protect the other members of the away team and tried to use my remaining mana to heal some of my wounds. My health had gone to 55% in the short time I was in there. My mana however is high enough I can manage to help us finish off this beast. I needed to join the fight alongside them. Dark Aura is now down.  All the fomorians are now dead. I activated Eclipse view to makes sure and they are gone now, that Grootslang must have killed the injured ones. That thing really was a bitch to deal with. The wounds on my hands and legs began to slowly heal but it wasn’t as quick as normal. This venom is strong, but it doesn’t have any poisonous affects, just corrosion.

Cosmia’s area of affect skill is still in effect.

“1000 Grand Illusions!”

Cosmia then just waved her hands and the heads began to snap in odd directions. Each of them aren’t even getting close to the Away team slowing down their movements even more in the prison of ice. The debuffs from the black magic have almost made the fight even but now, heads continue to drop. The Away team are quite good at only attacking when necessary but with the help of the arachnee holding down some of the heads with the fomoriands dead bodies, heads are contnuing to stack up on this monster. Regardless of the barrier dropping the number of heads that remain alive at given time are around 3 or 4. They don’t give the boss a chance to let loose any skills. I then instructed Akino to join Adimar in trying to wear down it’s remaining health but to be careful. She smiled at me warmly and nodded. Without the effects of the barrier, regardless if my injuries are being healed right now, I can still try help then warp out of there. Cyanin who was helping me stand then ushered me to sit down. My legs must have looked awful. I could still smell the scent of my burnt flesh from what that monster had done to me. If I didn’t have the power of the Abyss or this weapon. I may have never been able to kill that thing.

The fire head began to blow fire towards the green smoke but was then severed immediately. Ollie then tried to lunge towards the white head which is amongst one of the heads that haven’t been piled on the ground yet. The two heads with a purple crystal are protected quite well by the other heads. But the white one hasn’t attacked once. The heads that regrow, do grow back the crystals, this was to our benefit. The yellow heads can form some kind of barrier and their exterior appears to be tougher than the others. The blue one almost looks to be made of ice and shows ice magic towards whatever’s in front of it. The red head breaths fire but has a blue crystal similar to the blue and green heads. The yellow heads share yellow crystals, while the white and black heads have purple crystals. Now that the heads  are confused. They are losing focus and falling quite easily.

“Tiger’s Rage!”

Ollie’s eyes then began to glow and he swung his guan dao and severed the white head partially. it then began to regrow back almost immediately but before it could an explosion happened from the tip of Ollie’s weapon and blew off the white head entirely. The head then hit the ground and the health of the King Hydra just dropped by 30%.

‘The white head must be the one that has the healing abilities. The other heads aren’t growing back nearly as fast now.’

As the Away team seemed to also notice this they each began to cut the other heads off while making sure to avoid the still grown heads. Whatever this illusion that has been set the heads can’t get any idea of where the away team is and now even the black head has been surrounded and chopped off by two of the neko’s.

I see Adimar and Akino towards it’s flank tearing away at it’s sides and it’s mana bar next to it’s health is also starting to wind away. The heads aren’t growing back nearly as fast but the white head has already regrown back. Each of the heads are starting to grow back at a much quicker rate but now that Away team has captured its movements the Hydra cannot gain any ground. The heads continue to be replaced as quickly as they are severed but once the white head drops all remaining heads start to quickly fall one by one.

The red head then emerged and spat out fire towards Akino. I then jumped to her location and wrapped my cloak around her. She was about to jump she saw me standing over her she simply pressed her body against mine. She then looked out over my shoulder.

“The green is blowing its smoke again.”

Just then a burst of fire erupted around us and I stuck my hand in the air. The head was intense even through Malthiel’s cloak which had 100% magic resistance. But the hit began to become dispelled and dissipate as if it were never there.

Akino then looked towards my raised hand. I stuck it directly in the flames over head. The Midnight Gauntlet is however has the innate skill of Magic Null. Truly a divine class item indeed.

The magic was then stopped immediately and cancel around us causing the fire to slowly fade away. The red and green heads both looked at their flanks in awe of what they had seen just before getting severed off entirely. The other heads however were still un repaired or simply are dealing with the other members of the Away team.

I then warped back to my original location and Akino and Adimar jumped towards different sides and began to tear away again the large mythical beast. My wounds were still not completely healed so I continued to use my healing abilities to heal the remaining melted off flesh from my body.

They haven’t been able to stop the Annunake on their sides and I can see this is what is doing this creature in now. After a few minutes the King Hydra is no longer fighting the same way it once did. No more skills are being shot out from the beast as it is using it’s remaining magic to support the healing magic of the white head. No more fire, or ice is being shot from the heads. And all the other area of affect attacks by the other heads have also ceased.

This battle is easily in favor of the Away team regardless of the amazing level difference of the large mythical beast. The effects of multiple skills and teamwork, this legendary boss is getting beaten senseless.

SAHkkk..

The black head then growling in anger tried to bite at Akino but was then hit with two explosive arrows from the two Reiki standing far away.

All members of the away team are now helping in taking down this great beast. If they didn’t have the ability to initially sever it’s heads before it erected that barrier. This thing would have been a real bitch to have to fight. Abgrund...You really are the unsung hero of this day.

ROOOARRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!!

I turned to me left and there standing was level 550 Fomorian. It’s head and body were surrounded in a black mist. Its claws even looked much longer than the other fomorians.

Heeeeee Heee HAAAAAA

It was far away but it began to run on its four legs.

BOOOOM!!!!

Something then fell behind it.

BOOOOM!!!! BOOOM!

I looked up and falling in the sky were large black giants. I had to look quite high up to see what was happening. But apparently fomorians from higher floors must have heard the destruction and found a whole in the mountain wall. They walked through it and have fallen roughly 3 floors below. Their large bodies are crashing into the floor and causing the entire ground to shake. More and more continue to fall. There was starting to be a large pile of them on the ground now. They only get back up as if it had done hardly any damage at all to them. They continued to make their squealing laughs and grin their large thin fangs towards us.

AHHHH!!!!!

They then began to run on all fours towards us. They were on the other side of the floor but due to the debris cascading through the place it won’t take long to run through such a barren environment.

I looked towards the Away team and even though some continued to look towards the fomorians they continued to try to kill the beast in front of them. They never let up on their attacks. I think they have understood now it is just best to kill it but they don’t seem to be able to. Regardless of the Away team, the Annunake, and the pixies efforts they can’t seem to finish this beast off. The white head regrows at such a fast rate that regardless of how many times they try to gain ground it continues to fight back and heal itself. It’s health is currently at 65% but it heals at almost a percent a second. While only any real damage comes to it whenever it’s white head has been severed. Once it regrows the other heads almost get brought back immediately.

I’ve had enough of a break. I stood up and told Cyanin to go to where Cosmia was. Hjokk was still resting on her shoulder from before but it’s best to have her there for support. I then activated Dark Sever towards the oncoming fomorians and used my spatial magic to jump in towards them. I need to end this quickly to help the others. I attempted to use my Death Magic. I concentrated on constant flowing of life coming from the oncoming fomorian but, it was difficult. It felt like in all honesty like trying to push on a bowling ball with just my arm strength. It started to falter and stumble as it ran, but continued to run towards me. It however didn’t leap it only clutched it’s chest as it advanced forward.

I then activated lightning step and Demoninc Awakening and using both arms I crushed it. Seeing the image of its rib cage crushed then dropped to the earth as it slid towards me. It’s body was lifeless. Checking with Eclipse View is always a good sign but using that skill on the Fomorian used up roughly 15% of my mana.

I then tried to use it on the hydra before the oncoming fomorians got any closer...

The heads began to twitch and their movements slowed even more but....I couldn’t kill it.

I tried to focus as much as I could but the life force was in all honesty even stronger than the fomorians. I can’t use death magic on it...’Is this the extent of magic manipulation? My skill is still in the beginning stages but I can’t even use my magic to kill this monster quickly.’

I then looked forward at the oncoming threat and decided I needed to end this all quickly. The fight is getting out of hand fast. I can’t let any mistakes be made, I can’t use a skill like I had used before either, the impact from that attack could have potentially killed everyone in my party including me.

My mana was currently now at 78% of what it was originally. The effects of the Infinity Ring along with the Annunake Alpha ring are tremendous. As the Annunake are tearing away at the King Hydra’s incredible mana reserves it is only fueling me more. It is also starting to dull the legendary boss creatures outstanding healing capabilities. The number of heads currently on the floor number in the double digits easy.

I then dropped in using my spatial magic over the top of some of the oncoming fomorians. I had Abysmal Mist, Demonic Awakening, Toughened Exterior, Presence Sense, and Hide Presence all active. I even activated Pheromone Secretion to make my scent attract them to my general location. If they get my scent, they may pay attention to me and not the fight behind me. My mana regardless of what I have been doing is hardly falling at all. It’s actually growing steadily.

I then landed on the back of the head of one of the 40 meter giants and swung Abgrund quickly through its spine. Regardless of the thick fur that covers it, this old weapon cuts it as cleanly as if it were a goblin. The fomorians health dropped dramatically and hit the ground. It then shook the dungeon floor and several other fomorians began to surround me. The Abysmal Mist continued to engulf anything that got close to me and it was hard to see me in the dark cloud the jumped from fomorian to fomorian.

I began to use my spatial magic to attack at the fomorians flanks while they continued to lose track of where I was. They were quick, but not as quick me. I would also activate Lightning step at the last second to deliver a critical blow and jump to a different location. The mist surrounding me continued to do incredible damage that also stopped the healing abilities of the 40 meter monsters. They weren’t healing their wounds and their high health didn’t rise at all. They would be tough opponents but they have no skills, they hardly have any brains at all.

They just mindly attack and have no regard to their surroundings. They won’t even avoid an attack that is coming in on them.

I then activated dark sever around a large group of fomorians to my right. It cleaved through several of the heads and torsos of large beasts and a shower of blood began to rain down on me. I flew from back to back and continued to cut through the oncoming titans.

Each swing with the scythe wouldn’t kill them but it would immobilize them completely, if they were cleaved by dark sever, their lives however would be ended.

[MMmmmm.........Feeeeeeeed]

I started to hear the sounds of Abgrund’s breaths and now I’m certain of it. It spoke. The voice that came from this weapon was very dark, very ominous. It sounded very old and even as a whisper, it echoed in an unearthly tone.

I then lengthened the staff and blade and severed a Fomorian’s head entirely dropped it’s body to the ground. I then activated spatial magic and appeared on the back of yet another fomorian.

- By letting your death bringer drink the blood of the fallen. ‘Blood Wake’ is now available.

‘Huh...I got a skill. I then activated lightning step and jumped out to another location. The skill on this says blood wake. I don’t know if using another one of this weapon’s skills right now would be the best option. The situation is starting to turn sour but, it might be best to just jump everyone out of here soon. The effects of some of these skills are in all honesty quite hard to control. I can’t put the rest of my party in danger like I just had. Wrath of Balor is unusable right now, but Blood Wake would take quite a bit of my magic just to use it.

[Use it.....]

“Abgrund?”

[Mmm....Is that the name you’ve given me human....Interesting. Even my last wielder never gave me a name.]

“Your...Your the scythe? Are you alive?”

[Such a human thing to say....I was created by Hades himself. Given to his most prized subordinate before this world was....I am neither alive, nor am I dead. I simply am.]

“Well, how are you talking right now? Why haven’t you spoke up before.”

[I have child...You were simply too weak to hear me. Hmm for a tool such as msyelf to be in the hands of a mortal, these must be some interesting times....]

“I take it, you don’t like that.”

[Hmm...I don’t believe I have the capacity to have emotions for such trivial things. I was simply created to take away the living and grant them death, whoever they may be....]

‘Abgrund seems to be very old. A weapon forged by a god just to end lives. It’s such a powerful weapon it even has a conscience. It wouldn’t be crazy to think this thing wouldn’t like the idea of something like me holding it. I’m the thing that killed it’s original owner. They had been together for a long time.’

[Mmm on the contrary I am simply a tool. No more..No less, just a weapon made from death.]

‘Can Abgrund hear my thoughts?’

[Yes human...Your hands are currently gripping onto me, I and your conscience are one. Now, do you wish for power? Is that why you wield me? ]

I looked up and saw that the fomorians were slowly approaching me.

“I wish to use your power to save those people. I’m going to use your power to hopefully protect those close to me. “

[Using my power to protect...You are indeed a strange one human. Nothing like my previous wielder. Are their lives so important?]

“They are.”

[Mmm...Well then human, how about you simply use that new skill you just unlocked from feeding me so much blood....Should be more than enough.]

“Is it dangerous to the point that any of my people will get caught up in effect of the skill. If that’s the case I can’t use it.”

[Simply make sure none of your allies have any cuts on them...They should be fine then. Good luck boy....]

“Oh, and by the way its Vali.”

I could hear a faint laugh and then feel his conscience fade back into the scythe. Abgrund has sentience, I guess in a world like this that idea isn’t crazy. I can still feel the weapon has something of its own pulse, its own life force. But he is no longer talking.

I looked over to the group and the Away team was still severing heads. They looked to be quite tired now, the amount of time hasn’t reached 10 minutes but the Dark Aura got taken away long ago. I can see several of them have cuts and scrapes over their bodies. I used my spatial magic to move each of the away team members and everyone else away from the King Hydra. We were all standing in a group and the hydra now being able to move freely is now recovering all of its heads. The mana however it had currently was less than 16%. It’s body began to slowly heal but you can see the Annunake still did a number on this beasts hide to take away so much of its magic.

I then activated Freya’s Soul Recovery in a small circle surrounding us and made sure no one had any open cuts. The Fomorians now number close to 50 now. They are much larger than the others and have all continued to march towards our direction having smelt my sent from my pheromone skill.

I then activated ‘Blood Wake’.

Abgrund began to vibrate and an intense heat began to come from the scythe. Only a loud rumbling noise began to come from it. The glyphs on the scythe glowed a bright white light and began to bleed blood. The blade of the scythe then became dyed red and drip with freshly cut blood.

Blood began to seep from the open cuts on the hydra and drain it’s life away. Blood from the ground, the dead and injured fomorians. Even the dead Grootslang, blood continued to gather and swirl around the blades of my scythe. It then looped around the red blade and extended into large red sphere above our position. Everyone began to huddle together not being sure what to think of a new skill coming from this weapon. It however didn’t have the same intense atmosphere as the two other skills. It also didn’t have any scary screams coming out from it.

The sphere of blood began to grow and grow until gaining a size that rivaled the mana bomb from earlier. The hydra however healed it’s wounds in time and began to slowly heal its health back up. The fomorians now moving slower continued to advance on our position.

The blood from the sphere began to break apart and compress into millions of tiny drops of blood. They each glowed a red crimson.

Then before any of us knew what happened the sphere exploded and a rain of blood began to scatter over our surroundings. Each red drop of blood shot forth like a bullet and pierced through the all the enemies surrounding us. The King Hydra’s health was now at 45% but after being shot with thousands of tiny holes  it’s health quickly began to fall rapidly. Each of the heads began to garggle and fall to the ground. The health began to chip away at each passing head and the massive creatures no longer appeared to be healing their wounds.

The fomorians too had been pierced by this ability and each have fallen to the ground. Their health continued to drop until hitting zero only moments later. 'The blood had been poisoned by coming into contact with Abgrund and being pierced by tiny drops of poisoned blood, it halted their outlandish healing abilities.'

Your level has risen!

Your level has risen!

Your level has risen!......

For slaying enemies much higher level than yourself, you have received a new stat!

Fighting Spirit

For continually fighting under critical conditions and defeating a much more powerful foe, you have received a new stat

Courage

You have received a new title!

Hunter of the Grootslang  

You have slain the legendary monster the Grootslang known as Grevelgn. A being that was created when this world first came to be. Once thought too strong and dangerous by the chief gods and were thought to all be exterminated. However some survived and live in dangerous and dark places throughout the world still. Grevelegn hunted any and all who came into his territory and coveted priceless gems above all else. For sending Grevelgn into his final slumber you will be revered as one who hunts the dreaded Grootslang, an S rank monster:

All stats rise by 8    Fighting spirit rises by 50      * All stats for those who participated in the battle have stats increased by 5  

You have received a new title!

Slayer of the King Hydra

A being who’s healing was so vast it was once thought to be immortal. For an unsurpassable achievement of defeating an A Rank monster:

All stats rise by 5     Fighting Spirit rises by 35     * All stats for those who participated in the battle have stats increased by 3

You have assisted in clearing floor 63 by defeating the floor boss The King Hydra. Your name will now be written on the Wall of Heroes!

You have assisted in clearing floor 64 by defeating the floor boss The Grootslang: Grevelgn! Your name will now be written on the Wall of Heroes!

Notifications continued to shoot past our visions as we all sat back down from where we stood. The battle had finally ended. The Fomorians who all fell from the higher floors are now are dead as well. Everything is however blanketed in a nice coat of blood.

The three pixies then flew over to me and put their heads around my body as if saying their happy to be alive. They each hugged me warmly and sat down beside me. Hjokk then flew over to my shoulder gave me a smile. We had made it all out without any casualties, that is the best profit of all of this.

“Vali was so cool!”

“I know, that big snake tried to eat him and was torn in half! So strong!”

“Ehehe...Vali did you see me use my illusion skills!”

“Oh, I helped too!”

Each of them continued to clamor between the other while trying to get me to show them each attention. For girls they don’t seem to mind the blood that is surrounding us. They are similar to Ari in that retrospect. She was willing to crawl over dozens of dead and mutilated bodies to get to me when we were separated. All to let me know it was ok. These pixies don’t seem to be scared of me either, nor does violence seem to do anything to them. If my siblings saw such a sight, even if I did before coming here....I don’t know. Maybe this place is changing me.

You would think with such a look they would scared but they don’t seem to mind. I just always found it odd...I never took lives in my last life, and living here I’ve taken so many already. I just always thought it would have a bigger effect on me, and yet, I feel nothing.

The pixies continued to look through their stats and what not to see if anythings changed and they also appeared to have received titles for helping hunt those large monsters.

The Away team now as if realizing they are alive start to smile and laugh. I won’t lie, I put them through a lot just now. Even if we all made it out this time, I can’t let others join me if I’m planning on doing such a thing again. It seems this isn’t a weapon I can use so readily even in here. But I’m sure if I didn’t use it today some if not all of us would have died. I guess I can just take the ‘3 chain gang’ fellows as my support from now on. The Annunake really are nice to have in battle. Their abilities to siphon mana may be one of the most incredible physical traits in a species in this crazed world world. But the pixies I believe I want to keep close to me from now on. Regardless if they can’t cause much damage at all, the moment they enter the fight the battle changes immediately. In all honesty Cosmia may have had the largest effect in this fight compared to the away team and even myself. She is what kept everyone safe with her illusions and slowed down her opponents. Whatever those other monsters where seeing it made it to where we could fight them all individually instead of all at once.

If that Grootslang interfered in anyway. I wasn’t even paying attention to the damn thing at first.  It only had one purple crystal so you just assumed it was weaker than the hydra. The health of that thing was in the yellow when I first saw it. I can’t just continue to take things lightly in this world. ‘Going over the mistakes I made in my head begins to give me a headache. I need to learn to think things through, this world is a cold one. Hjokk told me their aren’t many heroes in this world, simply because the strong die everyday. They die by the stronger. I must become stronger, and I need learn to do that without this weapon as well.’

Cosmia was sitting on my right thigh while Cyanin sat on my left. Vale was sitting cross legged to our right.  Looking out there was a lot of destruction. I didn’t notice but letting loose so many Dark Sever’s around the place did a lot more destruction to the surroundings.

I looked over and both Adimar and Akino were looking in our direction with a smile over their face. I guess they too were happy to be alive. Ollie then walked over and sat next to me while looking up at the whole in the wall thousands of feet into the sky.

“Damn, sure is a lot crazier having you around. But wow, Heh! No one’s going to believe this. I can hardly believe it all. I mean what do you say to seeing something like that.”

“Trust me I’m sure someone noticed. This whole place felt like it was bout to go down at one point. I guess I gotta be more careful with this thing. “

I looked up and all the Away team were looking into my direction. They smiled back and looked at the ground in front of them. Almost amazed at what all had happened. Some had even looked back up towards the large whole in the wall. I then put Abgrund back away into my inventory. He was unspoken hero of the day.

“But it was worth it. Not just in what we gained from it, it’s what you’ve shown us. This cage isn’t as strong as we all thought...If you only knew what it felt like to be stepped on and hunted your whole life. "

Looking back at me he only looked proud with his words.

"As the Away Team, we pledged to become the hunters. To turn this prison into the grave to the one who made it. Gah! I just can’t get rid of this excitement Vali. Our people will one day leave this place, and you’ve shown us that.”

“.......”

I guess noticing I don’t know how to handle compliments really well he continued.

“All I’m saying...We’re with you. “

I smiled back at him and nodded at me. The rest of the away team members were staring at us as they each sat down. They each nodded at what Ollie had said. It’s good to be trusted for once. Each of them then looked up and towards the big whole in the wall and stayed quiet for a few minutes. The away team has seen probably the worst of the worst. They continued fighting even after their races were brought to near extinction.

Other races have even given up. They still continue to fight against monsters in all honesty, I have no idea how they would have survived if it weren’t for me. If it weren’t for Cosmia. Where do they get such courage? Fearlessness even I’m in awe of. It’s not just the effects of Abgrund on me. Using that weapon just....Makes you feel truly powerful. Like an angel of death I decide who’s life ends with such a weapon. It’s not good to drowned in such power. But if it weren’t just that...There’s always the small purple bird on my shoulder.

It’s what gives me the courage to go into the dark places of this world, simply because the strongest woman I’ve ever known is right there. It’s hard to be afraid when you know you have a cosmic being in your corner, watching. I know that causes me to make rash and stupid decisions at times. This entire fight went sour almost immediately and if I didn’t have divine equipment....

I need to become strong, without relying on these abilities to make me strong. I gained a lot of levels today, but I need to work on building my skills as well during my time here. I need to learn more about this world. To become strong, I need to sharpen my mind.

One of the neko’s started talking about the battle and reenacted some of the scenes.

“Whatever...That wasn’t a tuck kick you just slipped!”

“Shut it nya! It was a kick, and the head then flew into the green one which knocked Ollie’s weapon off him. Then he just started strangling the damn thing AH!”

“I wasn’t strangling it idiot. I was holding on for dear life. I saw Yuma swinging her fucking swords at him so I was only trying to shield myself.”

Everyone from the Away team then started cracking up. Then one of the arachnee woman starting telling a story of how the Grootslang had darted through the air nearly 30 meters away and within a second they saw it appear in front of us. At this point she thought it was done but she then saw that the Grootslang had something in it’s mouth. When Cosmia and Cyanin started screaming for me. It then jumped another 20 meters away and started driving its head through the broken up dungeon floor.

When Dark Aura turned off that’s when they thought it was all over. But the beast kept swinging it’s head around and something looked to have been eating its face off. The elephant looking beast on the top started screamining and blowing out blue smoke and yellow lighting. But before it could finish it’s attack the whole body then erupted and split in half. She then laughed and said I guess that snake didn’t like Vali's taste.

Everyone there continued to talk about different scenes and laugh about how they managed to take down floor bosses. Something their kind hadn’t done in quite a while. Something many races had given up on. And now they had conquered two in a day.

I didn’t really know how to react to Ollie’s constant praise so I looked away. He seemed quite eager about the way things were going. It wasn’t going to be an easy fight at all, considering how strong Malthiel was I knew that. But this is the first bit of good news they have probably had in a long time. The pixies on my lap began to smile back up at me when I didn’t handle the praise very well.

The Away team members began to stare at me kindly once again. I guess none of them knew how to react as well as myself.

Cyanin hugged my stomach which caused Cosmia to do the same. Vale even though she has warmed up to me, is a little more reserved than the other pixies. She however was smiling brightly back at me.

“Right! Thank you Vali. That 8 headed lizard became so weak against my new skill!”

Cosmia seemed in all honesty quite ecstatic. Pixies haven’t fought on the front lines ever if I recall. Maybe when they first arrived here but not for a long time since. Since most of their parents died their histories have been for the most part lost to them.They were however thought to be the weakest race. Even the Jiji had more strength than them. So they always had to rely on their illusions and one another to survive. These creatures don’t even have the concept of having a last name. Since their entire race is a family. Now that they are becoming strong they are slowly starting to feel excited that they can help as well. And now they can protect their family.

“I can honestly say I’ve never seen any magic like that Queen Cosmia. I had no idea you pixies could do such a thing. Truly incredible those crystals. What’s amazing to think is its the illusions that did the most damage. Those damn things had no idea where we were. Do you think these crystals will give something interesting as well Vali?”

Ollie looked over to the mountain of severed heads that have been littered where the red cage of ice use to be. The large red pillars are now gone and faded away but the stench of death remains from the intense battle. Looking around the Away team really did a number on that monster. These are some of the elite units in this dungeon but I had no idea they held so much power. The King Hydra was way over their level. But combined with Cosmia’s magic and illusions, they managed to sever possibly over a hundred heads. It’s hard to tell in all honesty. The heads grew back so quickly and once a yellow head appeared they would immediately deal with it. I even see a handful of white and black heads in the mix.

The arachnee helped in taking down a lot of the yellow heads as anytime one would start to emerge they would fling their threads around it to slow down their movements more. Not only the heads but the entire hydra itself wouldn’t be able to move as the outside heads were being held in place. The other heads would try to sever the thread but they would be severed before they’d have a chance. The effects of so many factors was too much for the King Hydra to handle.

So many crystals....

“I can’t imagine the profit of what we’ve acquired today.....Wha’d you get in your drops from those things anyway?”

“Hmm?”

I then looked over at Ollie and he stared at me oddly.

“What are you looking at me like that for? Check your drop list. All field bosses, floor bosses, and high level monsters always have things like inventory. They always have something interesting. I’m just curious cause those monsters were not normal at all...”

“.......”

My eyes began to widen at what he just said. He then replied...‘Well isn’t it obvious to check your drops after a fight?’.

Think about what Ollie just said I didn’t even imagine. It makes since though because in the game that was true. Some high level monsters dropped inventory and the one who delivered the final blow got all the items. It worked similarly in this dungeon according to Ollie. He then told me where on my hud the drop menu would be and there I saw it. It had a small red star next to it but I had never thought to click on this part of my hud before. It hadn’t even appeared since I killed that monster on floor one.

‘Thinking back it did say I would acquire the best drops from meeting certain monsters for the first time. If it were any other monster they would just drop what they were holding or their meat and leather. I wonder what these things ha.......Holy shit! I’m RICH!’

Looking through my drop list I may have acquired millions of different kinds of rubies, emeralds, sapphires, jades, jewels of all kinds. They number so much I wouldn’t have the time to look at them all. But stones like these were always quite valuable  in Divine and Conquer Online. Some enchanters could put magical properties into them and place them on equipment and accessories. Having so much could come in handy down the road, or I could just sell them. Nothing else was however in it’s inventory.  I also acquired roughly 20,000 gold from the King Hydra. I’ll have to split this with the Away team, they worked quite hard. It also gave some odd things known as, the Hydra’s eye, Hydra’s Core, and rare ultra grade quality meat and leather.

I then told the away team about the drops and they each seemed excited. I guess gold is given in this dungeon as well and they use it as some form of currency. On floor 1 however I was told it is mostly bartering. The upper floors use copper or gold pieces.

I split the gold with them and I received 2,000  gold and split the other 8 with the away team and the Pixies. The Annunake however didn’t seem to mind that I didn’t offer them the gold either. I guess they know they are being punished, this does make things easier I guess. Their The pixies  however didn’t know how to act towards my jester so they seemed kind of odd to accept it.  

They then just gave up and decided to hug me. I then told everyone it was time to collect the spoils aka the crystals from the hydra. Ollie thought it was a good idea to take some of the meat, leather, and fur we could from what wasn’t damaged to much and I too thought this was a good idea. We can take a little time if there aren’t any enemies nearby. The arachnee too asked if they could try to extract some of the venom from the fangs of that large snake monster. They say they strengthen their poisoning by absorbing certain other monsters venom but they aren’t sure if they’ll be able to. They would however like to take back some samples.

Each of us then went to cut and gather as much of the materials as they could while I went to collect the beasts hearts...

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elyria’s POV

“Mm....It smells good nya!”

“Mhm, we should add some salt!”

Right now I along with Ari were cooking a meal for everyone. Life has truly changed for me. I never thought I would be able to smile like this again. To feel like this again. I can breathe easy.

I’m holding the beautiful little girl my son brought home with him, while cooking a meal for my niece and the rest of those my son has saved. Everyone in this cabin has been saved by Vali. Truly, how did I raise such a great son....

I started to chuckle to myself as I realized I hadn’t really. My son is from another world. He’s someone who came here to save this place. And I was even saw fit to be the mother to such a man. Truly I am blessed.

“What are you cooking?”

Such a interesting man my son. So strong and yet, quite simple.

“Um, can...can I have some.”

“Mhm have a taste.”

I put a small amount of food onto the wooden spoons Vali had carved for us. The small neko girl began to close her eyes and twitch her small pointy ears in excitement at tasting our food. I’m not sure if its as good as my sons but I think it does smell pretty good. I decided to cook a meal for everyone and hopefully Vali for when he returns from hunting today. He said he had quite a lot to prepare for. He had really works so hard for us all. He really should take a break soon, he wakes up before all of us and cooks for everyone. He even went out and bought everyone clothes and underwear for all of us girls. I can’t even remember the last time I wore underwear and judging by some of the girls reactions they hadn’t worn any before.

I can still see Tierra scratch her rear as it is a new feeling to her. I personally find the feel of an underwear quite comfortable. ‘I really must find a way to thank Vali for all he has done for us.’

Tierra and Ari then walked over to the table to eat their food. Noah and Lily were outside exercising. I guess they both are trying those odd exercises my son is always doing. Sasha is sitting on the couch and just staying quiet with Fenrir lied out on top of her. She seems to just enjoy relaxing with Fenrir. ‘Mmm she’s just like her sister. Us Fuchs’s enjoy relaxing. It is why we enjoy living in the forest amongst nature and sleeping all day if we could.’

Not only has he saved me and these other slaves. He’s reunited me with my dear sister’s daughter Sasha. The horrible torments enacted on these children by humans is not a small one. You can just see how much by how they each act. Sasha cried in my arms last night as she slept in bed with me. I can only imagine all the troubles she’s had to face until now. I know from what she has said that her and Tierra were enslaved by a rich noble from the Asher kingdom. There was originally four of them who escaped but Tierra and Sasha were the only ones who managed to stay alive. One was used as as sex slave and died not long after due to abuse. It was then my niece decided to flea with the other two slaves she was friends with in that household. They ran for several days when their other friend was killed by a monster.

It wasn’t long after that these two were found by slavers of that horrid Aldain kingdom. ‘Well...now they’re here. Vali won’t allow them to go back to such a life. I won’t let them either. I will stand and defend these children alongside him. I can’t rely on my son to do all the work, I was once a high shaman that was equal in strength to the strongest druids in our clan. I have been training just as much as my son has, if he only knew how strong his mother has gotten while he is away. I haven’t just been looking after these kids and enjoying my time with them. I am currently a six tailed fox now....Mhmhmhm, I guess I’ll keep that piece of information until it’s ok to let him know. My magical affinity burst forth after such a long absence of being suppressed, I’ve even gained two tails as proof of my overabundance of new power. All those years in chains, I attempted to control my magic but it was hard to use being suppressed to such an extent. I learned to feel the magic in the earth on the most minute scale....I will also be here to help my son when he needs me.

“So umm, what sort of person is master?”

I then could hear Tierra talk to Ari. Ari seems truly happy as she seems to have a new friend to play with. Poor thing still calls my son master though. I  can’t imagine he likes that.

“Vali? Hmph he’s the nicest man in the world. But he doesn’t mind if you just call him Vali.”

“Nnn...Well umm, what sort of stuff does he like?”

You could tell just by how Tierra talked it wasn’t easy for her to not call him by such a name. I can’t imagine what sort of cruelties the humans have done to this one. But what Ari says is true, my son is truly kind hearted. He doesn’t ask for much either for the things he does, he simply does what is correct. I then began to smile and look down at the pot in front of me. I continued to cook everyone else a meal while listening to the two little girls conversation. Sometimes moments like these are truly healing for everyone.

“It’s ok, just call him whatever’s easiest. He doesn’t mind. And umm....he likes all sorts of stuff. He likes to cook, he likes my tail...Oh he likes Elyria’s chest.”

‘.............’

Eh what? I then stared back at Ari who giggled while talking to Tierra.

“Ari, what are you saying now?”

“What it’s true! He stares at it all the time.”

“..........”

Oh my hmhmhm. I hadn’t even noticed. Has Vali actually noticed his mother is a girl as well. Well I guess Vali is a man. Ugh what am I thinking! Shame on me...Shame!

“Oh and he enjoys it when you do nice things for him. He looked so happy whenever I gave him a new necklace.”

“Umm...Ari, how do...ugh how do you get master to pick you up?”

“What do you mean?”

The girls continued talking as if ignoring my reactions entirely. That is probably for the best.

“Well ugh...Master um picks you up a lot. I was just, wondering nya...”

“Just lift your arms up like this....Then he’ll pick you up.”

“Re..really...”

“Uh huh...You don’t have to be scared of him, he’s really nice. He even let’s me sleep with him. ”

“Eh..You...you sleep with master?”

“Mhm...Every night. Vali’s really warm.”

“....Nya?”

The small cat girl seeming very interested in the conversation while asking about Vali. Ari continued to wag her tail as she was happy to talk about the boy who always held her so close. Those two have grown quite close it seems. Even Sasha seemed interested in that last statement from Ari. I guess I don’t blame Tierra for being so interested. Young girls usually imprint on strong males. This one always had to sleep outside and was treated the equivalent of an animal most her life by humans. He’s the first man in her life that treats her so warmly. ‘Mm...But my son always treats everyone like that. I guess I couldn’t blame the little girls for starting to get so attached to him.’

“Hey everyone! I’m home...”

‘Oh...Vali?’

Fenrir then got up and ran towards him along with Ari who got up from where she was sitting. She started to run and made it almost to the door before stumbling. Fenrir then stuck his head out from underneath her to catch her from falling on her butt again. Such a sweet little girl, she seems to have taken the most liking to Vali. Upon seeing her he leaned over and picked her up as he always does. She then hugged him tight and welcomed him home.

I don’t however seen the green haired man from before or those White Lycanthia people. When I asked him he simply said the Annunake were busy while Sting was tied up at the moment.

Sasha then Teirra then both ran and stood side by side.

“Welcome home master!”

“We...welcome home....master.”

He then looked at them both with an odd look.

“Welcome home....”

He smiled at Ari and looked around the cabin.

“Wow you two look different. Even you Tierra....Your hair almost looks silver now. “

“Ah...uh yes. We all got to take a bath. Oh and umm.. Thank you for letting us wear such pretty clothes master.”

Tierra looked quite happy as she looked at herself in the mirror earlier. She is quite the cute girl. When we first met her, her hair was gray but now it has become a bright silver. It almost looks like an elves. Vali smiled and walked past the two while patting the shy Tierra  and came over to me. ‘Mm well never did take compliments or being thanked very well mhmhm.’

Vali looks different than normal. His hair cut looks different too. I can’t put my finger on it but he just looks different somehow.

“Vali...Did you cut your hair?”

“Oh that...You don’t want to know.....Mmm...What’s that your making it smells good.”

Vali then walked over to where I had been standing and I smiled and greeted  him home as well. He kissed me on the cheek and took a bite out of the bowl. For a man he knows how to make a woman feel special when arriving home.

“Mm...This is delicious mother. I hope you’ve made enough for me.”

“Oh mhmhm...Of course let me get you a plate dear.”

‘Such a sweet man my son turned out to be. I remember I tried cooking for Lord Tyrule once. It was around the time when I was trying to make the best of a bad life...He tried a bite however and only said it needed more salt, and to leave the cooking to the kitchen staff he said. It feels good to know my son enjoys my cooking.’

Looking back at my deer child eat alongside everyone at the table I can see just how much my life has changed. Vali is now eating at the table with Tierra and Ari. Lilly and Noah have also came in upon learning of Vali returning. Fenrir ran over to him too and he began scratching his ears and sides. Everyone was excited upon him returning. He always can pop in just whenever he wants to it seems.

“Vali! Your back.”

“Hey Vali...I got to Beginner Level 6 today....I think I can get to to level 10 by the end of the week.”

“Seriously? That’s fast Noah. Keep it up.”

“Me too, I started training today too!”

Lilly too became excited and wanted to see what Vali would say upon her hard work. He patted her on the head and congratulated the two. He really is quite good with children, no I think he’s just good at comforting others. Even when he was still a baby he would try to wipe my tears away. I really am lucky woman to have met such a man. Even as a baby he would protect me. To be allowed to be his mother, I have been blessed by the gods. I can only thank Loki for sending him into my life.

I continued to smile while looking back at the warm site I hadn’t been able to enjoy before meeting him. It seems like it’s been so long since we met in the forest that day. But I know that meeting Vali was my destiny in this life. The gods themselves saw to it for us to meet. If I had to live just a small part of my life in torment by humans to learn just how nice a human can be, then I can be ok with that. I rather enjoy my life right now. If only my other child could be here to enjoy this amazing life with me. As a mother I can only think of her absence everyday. I pray that the gods will see fit to allow me to meet with my daughter once again.

Tierra then began to walk over to where Vali was sitting. She looked startled at first and didn’t know how to talk to him yet it seems. She stuttered and called him master which made him then look over to where she stood. Tierra was holding onto her tail and drooping her ears as she looked up at him. She then lost the ability to speak which made Ari only smile and nod her head that it was alright. She really hadn’t been use to others being so kind to her other than Sasha. She responds well to me but that might be because I’m demi human as well.

“Um Master...ugh....n..ya...”

Tierra then slowly began to raise her arms towards him shyly.

He gave the small cat girl an odd look and continued to look at her strangely while chewing his food. She then started to make a scared look and didn’t know what to do. He then leaned over to where she was standing.

“Eh....”

He then picked her up and sat her down on his leg while he started to eat from his bowl again. He then continued to hold Ari over the table so she could eat while still in his arms. This was a site I hadn’t gotten to see in my life as a slave. A man who cherished his family and the people around him. He would treat everyone with such kindness, and I can’t say I take credit for him learning that....I’m not sure if I’ve ever seen a man who was so affectionate, and yet so ruthless to those who try to hurt his important people.

Tierra began to become very red but you could tell she was quite happy. She was sitting right next to Ari as they both began to eat their dinner. It was a sight that warmed my heart. I then walked over to the table with everyone else and sat alongside my dear son. He has ultimately changed my life and I’m forever thankful to him for that. He’s protected me time and time again, and I see that he is still now trying to do the same for us. Even if this is never the life I had envisioned growing up, it is one I am truly thankful for.

Tierra’s ears continued to twitch and Ari’s tail would wag around excitedly as they ate their food next to Vali. Tierra would eat so quickly that I sometimes worried she would choke on her food. Ari never had that problem. I know that as a slave the idea for when your next meal is something that is always on your mind. Tierra couldn’t help but stuff her face any chance she was given permission. Ari however was always fed by Vali or me upon arriving here. She learned to eat slowly due to his influences of being so gentle with her I believe. Since Tierra was around Lily’s age she was much larger than Ari so her ears were somewhat getting in the way of Vali’s face.

He then put his hand on her head so she would calm down and stop eating so frantically. She froze upon being touched but when Vali started scratching her head she made a funny look. He always did seem to find my fur quite soft. He always wanted to play with each of my tails too if I recall. I wonder if demi humans live in his world.

Tierra started curling her tail and smiled brightly while bringing her hands to her cheeks. Looking at Sasha she gives the scene and odd look but ultimately I think she too wants to let Tierra have her moment. Lily too was starting to wave her tail around while she ate and it began to hit Noah.

Vali then dropped his fork and looked at Tierra oddly.

“What?....No.....No.....”

“What is it sweetie?”

“........Nothing!.....Just...great food!”

He then picked up the spoon and continued to eat frantically. It’s almost as fast as Tierra was just eating. You think my food is that good? Such an odd boy.

‘Mm men can be so strange sometimes. I’ve never really understood them. But Vali has been a truly amazing son to this old Fuchs woman. I’m lucky to have met such a man from another world. He doesn’t talk much about his old life but I wonder what sort of life he lived to be so giving. Such a peculiar man.’

If only my sweet Iris could get to meet such a man. I’m sure they would both get along. I think about her everyday.

‘I know one day I will see her again. I don’t know how long it will take, but wherever she is right now I hope she is in her own way finding happiness like I am.’

I am truly a lucky fox. I only pray the same luck has been passed onto her.

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Part 2 Later tonight!!!