Pitched Combat
As Gregor leapt into the air, he relied on the newfound control his Aura Ability gave him. As he expanded his Aura into the air surrounding his body, he gained control over it, like it were a limb he had forgotten about his whole life. Gregor could reduce the air resistance on his body to zero, even using the air to keep him suspended for longer than normally possible using some tricks he had picked up.
He had never quite tested it to these extremes, but there was no better time to find out then when Gregor needed it to work. As he sailed through the air, thirty feet and still rising slightly he knew it had succeeded.
His leap had turned into a controlled glide, and now, he at least had a method of approaching the Depth Wyrm. As he sailed towards the Abomination, his mind whirled trying to think of ways to actually hurt it.
The creature’s scales looked to be close to the same size as Gregor himself, truly putting into perspective the sheer difference in scale between the two. Gregor didn’t have any hope of staying hidden from the Abomination, as its beady pure black eyes followed Gregor’s every shift and movement.
So, Gregor would have to get a little creative. Changing the trajectory of his descent, Gregor instead cut right and plummeted, heading straight for the thrashing waves. As he impacted the salty spray, the cold water settled over his body, Gregor’s Aura seamlessly incorporating the transition, and allowing him greater mobility once more.
He wouldn’t be able to match the Depth Wyrm in speed, but with his size and maneuverability, Gregor should be able to pull it into his tempo. Soon enough, the Wyrm submerged to follow him, and Gregor had to get busy.
He tried to keep as close to the Abomination’s gargantuan body as he could, but Gregor kept having to dodge the Depth Wyrm’s fangbarbs as it lowered its bulk back into the depths while the current it created made it hard for him to control himself even with his Aura.
As the oxygen started to burn in Gregor’s lungs, he realized maybe fighting the Depth Wyrm on its home turf hadn’t been the brightest idea.
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Channeling his Aura heavily through his blade, Gregor utilized another application he had learned for the Ability. Gregor hadn’t experimented that much with this yet either, but from the few times he had used it, results had been impressive.
Slicing through the currents, Gregor managed to wedge his blade into one of the Depth Wyrm’s scales. He had thought to wait until the Wyrm settled in the water, but it didn’t seem like that was the Abomination’s intent as it lived up to its name, descending ever deeper into the water.
Forcing Gregor’s hands, he braced both his sword and feet against the creature’s bulk, and pulled. Using the wedged blade like a springboard, Gregor launched himself, as he felt the Depth Wyrm’s scale come loose. Its screeches resounded through the waters below Gregor.
Then, bursting through the white caps, Gregor came back up above the surf. His momentum carried him further and further into the air, and it was to good effect. From the waters, the Depth Wyrm had pursued Gregor’s ascent, its endlessly toothed maw exploding through the depths and questing after Gregor.
The Abomination’s mass provided it massive momentum, and its pace almost caught up to Gregor. But once again, his Aura Ability provided the advantage, and as the Depth Wyrm’s upwards force died, Gregor was able to gently balance himself on one of the Wyrm’s manifold fangs.
For a second, the two foes were suspended in mid air, but then the crystalized gem in time shattered, and gravity took its dues. Both Gregor and the Depth Wyrm fell through the air towards the docks, with differing speeds.
For the Depth Wyrm, the descent towards solid land was likely uncomfortable at least, while for Gregor, his glacial velocity made the view almost picturesque, marred only by the rampaging Abomination he was fighting.
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As Depth Wyrm crashed towards the docks, Gregor thought it was time to clean up the scenery a bit.
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Remy! I need you here in town!
-Okay, Remy is on the way!-
Relief filled Logan’s chest as the sound of the Rizzel’s animated voice washed through his mind. Suddenly, he had a chance in his fight against Lexie. As he thought that, Logan reflexively looked around, not that it would do him any good.
Logan hoped he had lost his former Squadmate in his mad scramble across Langst, but wanted to remain cautious just in case. When he heard the whistle of the wind behind him, he jumped, reappearing on another rooftop. Logan looked back, but obviously there was nothing he could see there.
Remy, when you get to the town, head to the docks, okay? By the water, little guy.
-Okay? Remy can do it.-
Alright Remy, I’m counting on you.
-Will be right there!-
Thanks little guy!
Logan would just have to trust Remy to figure out how to get to the docks, as Logan had to start making his way back, or Lexie might realize she could just go harry Gregor. He started picking his way back along the streets, teleporting in a zagging pattern across rooftops and hidden vantages trying to stay hidden from Lexie.
He wound up on a church tower that was significantly the tallest structure in the town able to overlook the rest of Langst with a birds eye view, at four stories or so tall. From there, Logan could see the docks, but worryingly, not Gregor or the Depth Wyrm. He thought he could make out the forms of the Captain, and former Major, but it was hard to tell from this distance, as they weren’t glowing yellow.
Logan teleported down to the streets. Then a mental call rang out in his head.
-Here!-
At the docks already? Good job, Remy.
-No, Remy came to Logan!-
At that, Logan looked around frantically, until he saw the little Rizzel walking towards him from inside a side alley. He was about to admonish Remy, when he beat him to the punch.
-Dodge!-
Logan’s mind didn’t fully process the word, but his body reacted from the drilling and training the Frear Squadron had done so far. Logan teleported to a white line right behind Remy, and scooped the little guy up.
In the street, Lexie appeared, and stared at Logan.
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While the traitor just watched Logan, he put Remy on his preferred shoulder perch. The Rizzel seemed inquisitive, but guarded now. Logan thought he understood the danger posed by Lexie. Then, the spy finally spoke.
“Where were you trained?”
“Right in front of you. You even taught me some things yourself, remember?”
“Then, where did you learn that Teleport Ability? Who taught you?”
Logan just laughed. He doubted she would believe that the Rizzel sitting on his shoulder was to thank for his most prized Blessing, the thing that had saved his bacon more times than he could count. Instead, he changed the subject on Lexie.
“You could have stayed here with the Frear Squadron. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been enjoying my time here.”
This time, it was Lexie’s turn to laugh. It wasn’t cheery at all however, instead sounding somber and defeated.
“No, I could not have. Fun and enjoyment are irrelevant.”
“Then I pity you.”
She just smiled forlornly, and vanished once more. Logan was quick on the uptake this time, immediately getting Remy situated.
I need you to teleport up to the rooftops and tell me where her scent is coming from, okay?
-Yessir! Remy go!-
With that, both Rizzel and human teleported, with Remy heading up to some of the detailing on the church, while Logan appeared out in the streets. Logan wound his tentacles into motion, quickly summoning his Soul Sword as he paced around.
Where is she?
-Here!-
Then, Logan felt something across the Bond with Remy. Suddenly overlaid with his vision with a red splotch, moving slowly towards him. If anything it looked like it was about to-
Logan teleported, and took off running. Not away from his opponent, but to the instrument of her demise. Sizing up the heavy oak church doors, Logan decided they were perfect. Lowering his shoulder, he rammed one side down and grabbed it midair. Then, Logan teleported one more time.
Right over the red splotch. Lexie might have been quick, but instantaneous was hard to beat, and so was almost five hundred pounds of man and wood falling onto you without any possibility to adjust.
The weight smacked her to the paved roads Logan had noted earlier, and although Logan quickly got off, the traitor did not move. Logan had never killed a human before, but he didn’t have time to process it. Instead, he looked in the direction of the docks and got to teleporting.