Chapter 34 - Trial Of The Serpent King

Yumiko’s mind raced as she recalled the moment the snake screeched in pain earlier—when her explosive arrow had struck true. It was the only sign of weakness she had seen. Her fingers fumbled through her quiver, feeling the remaining arrows. Three explosive arrows, one enchanted arrow, and eight normal ones. That was all she had left.

She swallowed hard, her heart pounding as the snake began to surge towards her with terrifying speed.

Drawing an explosive arrow, she aimed for the creature’s nostrils. The snake moved too fast to dodge, and the arrow struck its face, exploding in a burst of fire and smoke.

Yumiko squinted, her bow still drawn as the smoke cleared. The serpent’s massive head emerged, unscathed and unfazed.

“So… it’s your mouth that’s weak, not your nose…” she muttered, her grip tightening on the bow as the snake’s golden eyes locked onto her.

The creature recoiled its head, pulling back in a familiar motion. Yumiko’s heart skipped a beat—it was preparing another acid strike. Just as the snake’s venom shot toward her, she summoned a gust of wind magic, propelling herself out of the way.

The acidic spit splattered across the stone floor, sizzling and melting through the surface. Yumiko glanced at the vast cavern around her. It was spacious, with plenty of room to maneuver. Perfect for her.

Not wasting a moment, she notched another explosive arrow. The snake reared back again, preparing a second venomous attack. Timing her shot, Yumiko loosed her arrow just as the beast opened its mouth. The projectile flew true, slipping between its jagged fangs and detonating in a fiery explosion.

Back near Lukas and Mary, the cavern’s chaos was a distant rumble. Mary stirred, groaning softly as her consciousness returned. The muffled sounds of Yumiko’s battle reached her ears, stirring her to awareness. Slowly, she pushed herself up, her movements sluggish and uncertain. Her head throbbed, and when she wiped her brow, her fingers came away slick with blood.

Her vision swam, the edges blurry and darkened. She sat there for a moment, dazed and unable to summon the strength to stand. Each breath came shallow, her body wracked with pain. She gingerly pressed her hand against the stab wound in her abdomen, flinching at the sharp jolt of agony that shot through her. Warm blood seeped between her fingers, a stark reminder of her precarious state.

In the distance, a thick cloud of dust hung over the cavern where Yumiko’s battle raged on. Mary strained to focus on the sounds of clashing and rumbling, guilt gnawing at her. She wanted to help—but in this condition, she would only slow Yumiko down.

Coughing violently, she spat blood onto the ground. Her gaze darted around the strange surroundings. Fallen boulders and rock enclosed her, but amidst the debris, she noticed something unusual—the faint outline of man-made structures beneath the dust and ruin. Fractured tiles sprawled across the cavern floor, and broken columns jutted upward like the ribs of some ancient beast.

Her eyes landed on Lukas. He lay crumpled nearby, his body eerily still. For a horrifying moment, she feared the worst, but the faint rise and fall of his chest reassured her. Crawling to his side, she pressed a trembling hand to his forehead. His skin was burning, feverish. She grimaced, unsure whether the heat was from mana rebound or the mysterious illness that had plagued him. His body was a patchwork of wounds—bloodied and bruised, with no sign of reprieve.

Her mind raced for answers, for something—anything—they could do to survive this nightmare. Off in the distance, a deafening explosion shattered her thoughts. The ground trembled beneath her, pebbles bouncing as the impact reverberated through the cavern.

Lukas stirred, his eyelids fluttering open.

Not far away, Yumiko staggered to catch her breath, her chest heaving as she observed the aftermath of her desperate attack. The serpent’s roar tore through the air, a bone-chilling screech that made the very walls tremble. Black smoke erupted from its maw, swirling like a living shadow as it recoiled in pain. The faint glow of her explosive arrow’s detonation still lingered in the air, but the serpent remained standing, angrier than ever.

“That wasn’t enough to kill it…” she muttered, her voice trembling. Her hands clenched around her bow. “I need something more…”

The snake writhed in fury, its massive body coiling and uncoiling. Its glowing eyes zeroed in on her, radiating malice. With a thunderous crash, it charged, obliterating everything in its path.

Yumiko sprinted, calling on the last reserves of her strength and summoning bursts of wind magic to stay ahead. Her legs burned, her lungs screamed for air, but she couldn’t afford to falter. From behind, the serpent’s tail lashed out like a scythe, slicing through the cavern with terrifying speed. She threw herself into a roll, narrowly evading the strike as it shattered a cluster of boulders into flying shrapnel. The force of the impact sent her skidding across the ground, her right arm ablaze with pain.

Her bow nearly slipped from her grasp, but she held on. When she glanced up, her heart sank—the snake had raised its tail high, poised to strike like a guillotine. Yumiko scrambled to dodge, but the serpent’s attack struck right beside her, sending her flying away while losing her grip on her bow. It dematerialized in a shimmer of fading light as she slammed into the ground.

Her body screamed in protest, her battered limbs barely obeying her will. She staggered to her feet, each movement a test of her dwindling endurance. The cavern’s vast size gave her room to maneuver if she needed it, but she knew her battered body wouldn’t last much longer. Her breaths came in ragged gasps, each one a struggle against the crushing weight of exhaustion.

The serpent’s tail whipped toward her again, kicking up dust in the process. She dove to the ground, feeling the wind of its near-miss just above her head. Scrambling, she darted behind a jagged boulder, pressing her back against the cool stone to hide. For a brief moment, she allowed herself to breathe, her heart pounding like a war drum in her chest as she hid from the beast.

Peering around the edge of the boulder, Yumiko watched the serpent as it prowled the cavern. Its movements were slower now, as it searched for her. It slithered between the broken columns and scattered debris, its forked tongue flicking in the air, tasting for her scent. The glow of its eyes cut through the dust-filled gloom.

She needed a plan. Something to force it to open its mouth. Her hand darted into her pouch, rummaging for anything useful. Her fingers brushed against something small and round—a pepper bomb. Her heart leapt.

Reaching into her pouch once more, she pulled out a black ninja mask and tied it around the tip of the arrow, securing the pepper bomb in place. The serpent hissed, its frustration evident as it continued its search.

Yumiko steeled herself as she resummoned her bow and stepped out from cover. “Hey!” she shouted, her voice echoing across the cavern. The snake’s head snapped toward her, its glowing eyes narrowing as it spotted its prey.

Yumiko raised her bow, aiming directly for the creature’s face. She loosed the arrow, watching it sail through the air. The projectile struck just above the snake’s nostrils, detonating in a fiery burst.

But this time, it wasn’t just fire—the explosion released a thick, orange cloud of pepper dust.

The snake screeched in agony, its cries echoing through the cavern as the pepper bomb infiltrated its nostrils, the burning cloud searing its throat and sinuses. Its massive body writhed uncontrollably, slamming into nearby rocks in desperation.

Yumiko seized the opportunity, pulling an enchanted arrow from her quiver. She steadied her trembling hand and took a deep breath. Her mana surged as she began channeling her magic into the arrow, the air around her crackling with power.

“When chaos brews, let breezes soar, Let Tempest’s strike dwindle their core! Tempest str—!”

Before she could finish her incantation, the serpent vanished into thin air. One moment its massive body dominated the cavern, and the next, it was gone, leaving only an unsettling silence.

“It disappeared!” Yumiko’s voice echoed, sharp with panic. Her knuckles whitened as she gripped her bow tighter, her eyes darting wildly around the room. Her mind raced, remembering how the creature had used this same trick against Vanessa. Think, Yumiko. Don’t let it catch you off guard.

A sudden, thunderous crash erupted to her right, shattering the fragile calm. Rocks were toppled over and pushed aside as the invisible snake made its way. Yumiko’s heart leapt into her throat. Her wide eyes locked onto the source just in time to throw herself into a desperate roll. She felt the invisible serpent's tail whip past her, a force so powerful it pulverized the remains of Mary’s makeshift slide into rubble.

The sound of cracking stone filled the cavern, and Yumiko’s gaze snapped toward the avalanche of debris now cascading downward. Horror twisted her features as she realized the rubble was tumbling straight toward where her friends lay.

“No!” she cried out, her voice raw with panic. Every instinct screamed for her to do something, but there wasn’t time to act—her attention snapped back as the serpent reappeared without warning, its gaping jaws lunging toward her in a blur of motion.

Yumiko barely managed to dive to the side, her body twisting as the beast’s massive head passed within a foot of her. The sheer force of its movement sent a rush of wind that threw her off balance, and she skidded across the ground. Dust and loose rock billowed around her as the serpent vanished once again, melting into the shadows as though it had never been there.

Her breaths came fast and shallow as she scrambled to her feet, her chest heaving. Her heart thundered like a drum in her ears, and sweat dripped down her brow, stinging her eyes. Where is it? She turned in frantic circles, bow raised, but there was no sign of the beast. The cavern felt eerily still, yet she knew it was close—too close.

Before she could recover, a powerful jet of wind roared behind her, forcing her to act on instinct alone. She summoned a burst of wind magic, propelling herself forward just as something massive crashed into the ground where she had been standing. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the cavern, carrying Yumiko with it. Yumiko hit the ground hard, pain lancing through her side as she stumbled to her feet.

The room felt oppressive now, every shadow and sound a potential threat. The beast was nowhere to be seen—no growl, no rustling scales, no telltale movement. Even the air seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the next strike.

“How…?” she whispered, sweat dripping down her brow. “How does it not only turn invisible… But there is no sound from it as well?”

The air around her thickened with dust, and an ominous silence fell over the cavern. Her instincts screamed a warning—it was coming.

A sudden rush of air tore past her face. She leapt back, summoning a gust of wind to hurl herself further away. Yumiko’s eyes widened in terror as the snake reappeared, its massive jaws snapping down on the spot where she stood just moments ago.

With shaking hands, she nocked her enchanted arrow and drew her bowstring, aiming for the beast. But before she could release the arrow, the snake vanished once more.

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It was impossibly fast.

Yumiko gritted her teeth and began moving, using her wind magic to propel herself across the cavern as she sprinted. Her eyes scanned the tiled floor, her ears straining for the faintest sound. Suddenly, a sharp whistle of air rushed past her ear. She spun just in time to see the snake reappear, its massive body slamming into the wall behind her with a deafening crash.

The massive beast wrenched its head free from the wall, shaking off dust and debris as if the impact had been nothing more than a minor inconvenience. Its glowing eyes locked onto Yumiko, burning with a primal rage, and then, in an instant, it vanished.

Yumiko’s breath hitched, but she didn’t hesitate. She summoned bursts of wind magic beneath her feet, gliding across the cavern in graceful arcs. Behind her, the sound of crashing debris marked the serpent’s movements as it barreled through the wreckage in its unseen form. She darted and weaved, her heart pounding in her ears as she searched for an opening—a moment where she could turn the tide of this desperate fight.

The serpent lunged, its massive head reappearing in a blur of motion as it struck the ground with ferocious force, only to vanish again before Yumiko could aim her shot. The tremor of its failed attack rippled through the room, sending cracks skittering along the stone floor.

As she continued to move around the room, her mind began racing. There’s a pattern… she realized, watching the serpent dissolve into thin air again after another failed bite attempt. A flicker of understanding sparked in her mind as she recalled its previous strikes.

“Every time it tries to bite me… it reappears!” Yumiko muttered, her voice sharp with realization. She leapt to the side as a boulder-sized piece of debris slammed into the ground where she’d been moments before.

Her sharp eyes scanned the room, catching glimpses of the serpent’s invisible destruction as it whipped its tail, sending rocks and boulders flying her way, forcing her to dodge each one as they slammed past. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she forced herself to focus.

Yumiko danced across the cavern floor, narrowly avoiding the strike as shards of shattered rock sprayed around her. She kept moving, her body driven by adrenaline and precision as she waited for the perfect moment.

Yumiko steadied her breathing, gripping her bow tightly as she continued to maneuver around the large room. Her pulse hammered in her chest, each beat echoing in her ears. “I just need to bait it into biting me… It sounds crazy…” she whispered, her voice trembling. “Then again… he does things like this and wins!”

Her thoughts drifted briefly to Lukas, his unshakable courage, his resilience. If he could stand against impossible odds, so could she. In an instant, she stopped her fleeing and turned, watching the center of the dark room.

Closing her eyes for a moment, Yumiko focused on the faint shifts in the air. Her body stilled, her senses sharpened. A bead of sweat rolled down her temple as she waited.

There—off to her left.

The subtle movement of dust caught her attention, followed by a sudden burst of displaced air. Her instincts screamed, and she pivoted, snapping her bow to the source.

The snake reappeared, its massive fangs bared as it lunged at her.

“Tempest Strike!” Yumiko yelled, her voice ringing with power as she loosed the enchanted arrow. The bowstring sang, the arrow slicing through the air like lightning.

The force of her magic sent dust and debris swirling around her, the gusts rippling through the cavern as her arrow raced toward its mark.

The arrow soared through the air, its magic-infused energy shimmering faintly as it struck true. The serpent’s mouth gaped in a silent scream as the arrow detonated inside, the force ripping through part of its skull. The beast screeched in agony, its massive body convulsing before crashing to the ground with a deafening thud.

Dust and debris filled the air as Yumiko stood frozen, her breath caught in her throat. The monster lay motionless just thirty feet away, its enormous form sprawled across the cavern floor. She didn’t move at first, disbelief clouding her thoughts. Slowly, a smile broke across her face as realization dawned.

“I… I did it…” she murmured, her voice trembling with a mix of relief and pride. Unsummoning her bow with a flick of her wrist, she laughed softly, a sound tinged with exhilaration. “Gods, I did it!”

For a moment, she allowed herself to revel in the victory, the tension and fear finally lifting. But the celebration was short-lived. Yumiko’s mind snapped back to her friends, and she turned toward where she’d last seen Mary and Lukas, her chest tightening with urgency.

“Hold on, I’m coming!” she shouted, sprinting toward them, her wind magic propelling her forward in bursts of speed. “I may have enough magic to heal them…” She thought to herself.

A sudden crash echoed behind her, the sound of a boulder tumbling to the ground, breaking her from her thoughts. Yumiko’s heart skipped a beat as she instinctively glanced over her shoulder. The blood drained from her face.

The snake’s massive body was gone.

Her breathing quickened, and the cavern seemed to stretch infinitely around her. She froze, her senses heightening, trying to locate the creature. Her thoughts raced: It’s not dead—it’s still here.

A sudden rush of air grazed her right side. Her eyes widened in terror as she turned, her movements sluggish as though time had slowed. The serpent reappeared, emerging from the dust like a phantom.

The damage she’d inflicted was evident—a large portion of the side of its mouth was missing, jagged flesh and exposed bone glistening in the dim light. But it wasn’t enough. She hadn’t dealt the killing blow.

Yumiko’s instincts screamed at her to move away. The snake lunged, its massive jaws hurtling toward her, its fangs gleaming like daggers. She stood frozen, her mind overwhelmed by the inevitability of her fate.

This is it, she thought, closing her eyes as the beast bore down on her. A single tear escaped, trailing down her cheek. “I’m sorry, everyone…”

She braced for the end—but it didn’t come.

Instead, the sharp sound of pebbles scattering broke through her despair, followed by the jarring screech of metal piercing flesh. Yumiko’s eyes snapped open.

Before her stood Lukas, battered and bloodied, his figure outlined by the serpent’s thrashing shadow. His sword was embedded deep within the chasm she had created in the beast’s gaping maw, the blade driven straight through to its skull. The serpent’s body convulsed violently, its agonized writhing sending tremors through the cavern.

Lukas’ chest heaved with labored breaths, his face contorted in pain and determination as he twisted the sword further. The blade pierced through the top of the serpent’s skull, black ichor spilling like a macabre fountain. His broken arm trembled under the strain, yet he clung to the hilt with desperate strength, his knuckles white as if sheer will alone kept him standing.

“L-Lukas…” Yumiko whispered in shock and disbelief.

The serpent’s massive head sagged before its lifeless body collapsed to the ground in a final, thunderous crash. Dust and debris settled in the eerie silence that followed, broken only by the faint sound of shifting rubble. Lukas staggered backward, his breaths ragged, his strength drained.

His sword slipped from his hand, clattering to the ground as he clutched his broken arm. A sharp cry escaped his lips, quickly escalating into a yell of pain. His entire body began to tremble, betraying his weakening state.

“Lukas!” Yumiko shouted, rushing to his side. Her boots skidded on loose stones as she dropped to her knees beside him, panic etched on her face.

Behind her, Mary limped forward, her movements slow and unsteady. She grimaced with every step, her injuries evident. “Yumiko!” she called, her voice hoarse as she stumbled closer.

Yumiko’s head snapped up, relief flashing across her face at the sight of her friend. “Mary! Thank the gods, you’re alive!” But her relief was fleeting as she turned her attention back to Lukas, whose cries only grew more desperate. “Lukas is—he’s not looking good!”

Mary dropped to her knees, nearly collapsing as exhaustion overtook her. She reached out, her trembling hand brushing against Lukas’ arm as she grimly inspected him. “It’s that damned mana rebound…” she muttered, biting her lip in frustration. “I can feel his mana tearing through him, fighting against his body.”

“What do we do?” Yumiko’s voice wavered, her gaze darting between Mary and Lukas, who writhed in pain, his face contorted in agony.

Mary shook her head, her mind racing. “Use whatever healing you’ve got left. That’s all we can do.” Her eyes flicked to Yumiko’s belt, catching a familiar glint. “Wait—is that my potion pouch?”

Yumiko nodded quickly. “Yes, but there are no more healing potions… only antidotes left.”

“Damn those stalkers,” Mary hissed, her frustration boiling over. “They must’ve used up the last of the healing stock.” She paused, her expression softening as an idea struck. “But antidotes… they have minor healing properties. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing. We’ll give what we have left for Lukas and then you use whatever healing magic you can manage.” She glanced back at Lukas, who groaned as his body continued to quake. “Lukas, listen to me! You need to stay still, no matter how much it hurts!”

Yumiko quickly pulled out the remaining vials, holding them out with trembling hands. “Which ones should we use?”

Mary snatched all of them without hesitation. “It doesn’t matter; they all have healing herbs. They’re terrible for this kind of injury, but we need every drop.” Her hands shook as she uncorked the vials, sweat beading on her brow. “Hold him steady!”

Yumiko wrapped her arms around Lukas, struggling to keep him still as his convulsions intensified. “Why is this happening?” she cried, her voice cracking.

“It’s the effects of mana rebound!” Mary barked, pouring the first potion into Lukas’ mouth. He coughed, nearly choking as she forced the liquid down. “When someone overuses magic without rest, their mana rebels against their body. It’s like the backlash from casting an imperfect spell—but worse. It’s continuous and relentless.”

Lukas groaned, his head lolling as the potions began to take effect. Mary quickly prepared the next dose, her voice frantic. “What I don’t understand is why this is happening to him. Fire mages are supposed to be highly attuned to their magic. They can’t even use spells from other affinities—it’s part of what makes their magic so stable. For him to be suffering like this…” She hesitated, her face clouding with unease. “Something’s seriously wrong with him, Yumiko. This isn’t normal.”

Yumiko tightened her grip as he coughed and withered in pain, “We have to save him…”

Mary nodded grimly, pouring the last potion into Lukas’ mouth. “We’ll do what we can. After this, it’s up to him to fight through it.”

Yumiko watched as Mary tipped the last drops of the second potion down Lukas’ throat. She shook her head, frustration evident in her voice. “I really wish we had something stronger. This might not even be enough. Once we get out of here, we need to find a doctor.”

As Mary spoke, Yumiko’s eyes widened, a sudden thought striking her. “W-wait! I have another potion!” Her hands flew to her pouch, rummaging frantically. “Lukas gave it to me on the carriage ride over here!” she exclaimed, pulling out a small vial filled with vibrant red liquid.

Mary’s gaze snapped to the potion, her eyes narrowing in recognition. “That’s high-quality,” she said, her tone urgent. “Hurry—give it here. We don’t have much time.” She grabbed the potion from Yumiko’s trembling hands, popping the cork in one swift motion. “Keep holding him steady,” she instructed, leaning over Lukas, who writhed in pain.

Yumiko tightened her grip around Lukas’ shoulders, her arms straining against his convulsions. “It’s okay, Lukas,” she whispered, more to herself than to him. “We’ve got you.”

Mary poured the potion carefully into Lukas’ mouth, tilting his head back slightly to ensure he swallowed. The liquid slid down his throat, and almost immediately, a faint, ethereal light shimmered across his battered body. His trembling began to subside, though it didn’t stop entirely.

Mary nodded at her friend, “You’re up, Yumiko.”

Yumiko placed her hands near Lukas’ chest, her voice soft but resolute. “Everything will be alright,” she said, her own fear bleeding through despite her attempt to sound reassuring. She closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, steadying herself before beginning her incantation. “Oh goddess of healing, goddess of life, please guide my hands and ease his strife. Soothe Healing!”

A soft glow emanated from her hands, spreading over Lukas’ body like a gentle wave. The ethereal light from her spell intertwined with the potion’s effects, the two forces working in harmony. Slowly but surely, his violent shaking ceased. Deep gashes knitted together, and bruises faded to nothing. His breathing steadied, though his face still bore traces of exhaustion.

As the magic faded, Yumiko collapsed backward, landing unceremoniously on the ground. She propped herself up on her elbows, panting.

Mary leaned over Lukas, her eyes scanning his face. “How are you feeling?” she asked cautiously.

Lukas groaned, his voice rough and strained. “Feel like hell,” he muttered, breaking into a cough. With visible effort, he propped himself up into a sitting against a nearby boulder, every movement a grimace of pain. After a moment, he glanced at Yumiko, his expression softening slightly. “But… better. Thanks,” he added, his voice low but sincere.

Mary raised an eyebrow, her lips curving into a wry smile. “Lukas Adler, actually showing gratitude? I never thought I’d see the day. Maybe the world really is ending.” She let out a long breath, her posture relaxing as she leaned against the cold boulder with him. Relief washed over her features, though fatigue still lingered in her eyes.

Yumiko smiled faintly as she watched Lukas’ eyes close, his head tilting as he drifted into an exhausted sleep. “I think he’ll be okay now… right?” she asked softly, her gaze hopeful as it flicked toward Mary.

Mary nodded, the tension in her shoulders easing. “Yeah, he just needs to rest. You did well, Yumiko,” she said, her tone warm but weary. Her eyes turned toward the center of the cavern, where the staff hovered in eerie stillness above the elevated platform. The stairs leading to it seemed to stretch endlessly, but its quiet radiance promised resolution.

After a moment, Mary managed a small smile, looking back at Yumiko. “It’s time to finish this.”