CHAPTER 103 – TIDAL BARRIER

EARVIN LANCASTER

As I gaze upon the towering silhouette of the Famine Dragon, memories of past encounters surge through my mind, each one a harrowing echo of failure etched into my soul. We've clashed with this colossal beast three times before, and each time ended in devastation. Three times, the massacre unfolded before my eyes, as my vampire brethren fell beneath its relentless assault.

The Famine Dragon's eyes, glowing with a malevolent light, cut through us like scythes through wheat, leaving a trail of death in their wake. Those foolish enough to engage it in close combat were swiftly devoured by its voracious darkness. Even our most potent weapons, from silver bullets to the mightiest of spells, proved futile against its invincible hide.

With every encounter, the curse it wrought upon us deepened, draining our lands of life and leaving us perpetually hungry since the dark days of the Purge of Humanity. Yet, amidst the despair, a flicker of hope emerges. Captain Hiraya Misteltein, known as Goddess Exceria to some, stands before me now, leading a ragtag band of allies against this behemoth.

It seems almost ludicrous, the notion of challenging the Beast of Nocturnia with such a motley crew. And yet, a strange sense of confidence stirs within me, defying all reason. Above us, the Warflame Dragon unleashes a barrage of bullets from its mechanized arm, aiming for the Famine Dragon's twisted, tree-like horns. But even this onslaught is thwarted by an impenetrable barrier that shrouds the monster's form.

The Warflame Dragon's frustrated roar echoes in our minds, a telepathic cry for progress amidst the chaos. "Raaaaaaah! Just make a dent already!" it implores, the strain evident in its mental voice.

"Relax, Kate! Slow down!" Mariko, the oni shrine maiden perched atop the Warflame Dragon, soothes, her voice a calming counterpoint to the dragon's agitation.

Below, Captain Hiraya Misteltein navigates her motorcycle through swirling sand whirlpools, her pistol spewing forth a relentless barrage of bullets. Despite her mastery over Wind Arrows, matching the rapid fire of a submachine gun, her attacks prove futile against the impenetrable barrier surrounding the Famine Dragon.

"Physical and magical bullets get absorbed in every direction," Captain Hiraya muses aloud, her voice tinged with frustration. "And doing melee attacks would be very dangerous. I wonder if there is a gap in its barrier?"

Meanwhile, positioned in the midst of the chaos, Gaeun wields her magic wand with grace and determination. With each swing, she unleashes a cascade of bubble bombs aimed at the Famine Dragon's dark, wooden scales.

"Bubble Burst! Bubble Burst! Bubble Burst!" she chants repeatedly, her efforts fueled by hope and desperation. Yet, despite her best efforts, none of her magic seems to find purchase against the creature's defenses. Exhausted and gasping for air, Gaeun's resolve wavers, her once pristine form now drenched in sweat.

Determined not to be sidelined in the face of adversity, I refuse to let others shoulder the burden alone. Despite being little more than a frail shell of my former self, I raise my skeletal hands and call forth six fire spirits with a raspy incantation. "Will-o-wisp!" I command, sending my fiery allies hurtling towards the Famine Dragon. Yet, my hopes are dashed as the barrier surrounding the creature greedily devours their flames, leaving me with naught but a sense of futility.

A shiver courses down my spine as the Famine Dragon's malevolent gaze fixes upon us. In an instant, it unleashes a barrage of lethal lasers from its gleaming eyes, aimed directly at our vulnerable position aboard the airship.

"Bubble Barrier!" Gaeun's swift reaction saves us from certain doom as she erects a colossal shield of shimmering bubbles around the vessel.

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The impact of the dragon's attack sends shockwaves rippling through the airship, threatening to send us plummeting to the earth below.

"Kyah!" Gaeun cries out, her concentration faltering under the strain. Acting quickly, I move to support her, steadying her trembling form and preventing her from losing her footing amidst the chaos.

"Hold on! Please focus on reinforcing the barrier!" I cry out, my voice strained with urgency.

"T-Thank you, Earvin!" Gaeun manages a grateful smile, though the effort is evident in the beads of sweat dripping from her temples.

Despite Gaeun's formidable barrier withstanding the Famine Dragon's onslaught, the sheer force of the creature's laser blast threatens to send our airship plummeting to the desert below. We rapidly lose altitude, hurtling towards the sandy expanse with alarming speed.

"Wind Wall!" Captain Hiraya's command rings out from below, and we glance down to see the elven goddess conjuring a barrier of wind to support the airship's descent. Slowly but surely, she guides us downwards, ensuring a relatively soft landing amidst the dunes.

"Windwalker, retreat!" Hiraya's voice crackles through the earpiece, her orders clear. "Mariko, Kate, continue suppressing fire!"

"Got it!" Mariko's response comes swiftly over the radio, her determination unwavering.

With the Windwalker Airship swiftly navigating the desert terrain, its sleek wings slicing through the sand with precision, we manage to put some distance between ourselves and the relentless Famine Dragon. Finally, the airship comes to a stop, two kilometers from the creature's menacing presence, affording us a momentary reprieve from the chaos.

Soon, the rumble of engines heralds Hiraya's arrival on her motorcycle. With a graceful leap, she lands on the deck of the airship, her helmet removed to reveal cascades of golden hair.

"Is everyone okay?" Hiraya's concern is palpable in her gaze as she scans the group.

"Yes," I manage to nod, echoed by Gaeun's affirmation.

"Charlotte, damage report," Hiraya commands, turning her attention to her trusty crewmate.

"No damage thanks to you, Cap!" Charlotte responds with a flick of her hair, a confident grin on her lips.

"So, Charlotte, have you seen any weaknesses in its armor?" Hiraya inquires, hands resting on her hips.

"None," Charlotte replies, shaking her head. "However, there are fluctuations in the barrier's absorption power. When you all unleash a coordinated barrage, the absorption rate for both physical and magical projectiles decreases significantly. But during moments when your attacks aren't synchronized, the initial projectiles are absorbed faster than the later ones."

Hiraya strokes her chin thoughtfully. "That confirms my hypothesis. The barrier is dispersed across its massive form, but it prioritizes the first attack."

"What do you mean by that?" I interject, curiosity piqued by their exchange.

Hiraya's smile widens as she begins to explain. "Imagine the concept of high tides. We're like the 'moon' in this scenario, and the Famine Dragon represents the 'earth'. The tide symbolizes its absorption barrier. Just as the tide is highest when near the moon, the barrier's power is strongest when facing us, but weaker on the opposite side of the dragon."

Understanding dawns on me as I connect the dots. "So, if we maintain continuous fire on its front, all the barrier's power will be concentrated there, right?"

"Exactly," Hiraya confirms, raising her index finger for emphasis. "And that's why we need to focus our fire on one side, then deliver a final explosive blow to the other. That's where the barrier will be weakest, and where we can defeat—"

My knees suddenly give out, and I nearly collapse if not for Gaeun's swift intervention. "Ah! Earvin!" she cries out, steadying me before I hit the floor.

"Th-Thanks, Gaeun," I manage, offering a grateful smile. "I-I'm sorry for being a burden to you guys."

As exhaustion threatens to overwhelm me, the weight of my perceived failure bears down heavily on my shoulders.

"Honestly, I'm all dried up," I confess, my voice heavy with self-doubt. "I've expended nearly all my energy hurling fireballs at the Famine Dragon, and yet we've made little progress. Now, I'm relying on you beautiful maidens to save my country. I'm quite shameful, aren't I?" I mutter bitterly. "I'm a prince, but I can't even protect my own country."

"That's not true!" Gaeun's voice cuts through my self-pity, her eyes ablaze with determination. "This fight isn't yours alone to bear. We're in this together because we need each other to survive!"

"G-Gaeun," I stammer, moved by her unwavering support.

Suddenly, Gaeun tears away the fabric covering the left side of her shirt, revealing the delicate curve of her nape. As a vampire, the sight is tantalizingly tempting—a forbidden offering I've never encountered before.

"Here, Earvin. Please drink my blood so you can regain your strength," Gaeun offers, her voice soft but resolute.