Chapter 77: The Point of No Return (2/2)

Without any real effort, the demon thing caught the blade in one hand. ”Jok lorki.” (Then die.)

The armored creature grabbed Mike by an arm and hurled him, causing him to crash through multiple stalactites before finally impacting against the cavern wall. The thing causally walked over to Nash's discarded war hammer, and, not sparing a glance for the other adventurers, picked the weapon up. It blurred into motion heading towards the youth's landing site.

Pulling himself out of the crater that he'd made, Mike analyzed the situation. The calming sensation was still in effect, and it aided him in quickly comprehending his situation.

[This seems like a form of enhancement magic. Perhaps a water version that improves Willpower or another mental attribute.]

He saw the red glow of his opponent drawing closer as he got to his feet.

[I know I vowed to be less reliant on it, but now would be a great time for a Limit Break, System.]

A System message popped up almost immediately. [Limit Break currently on cooldown. Time remaining: 67 days.]

[I guess I pushed it a bit too much last time. I wonder how it determines cooldown times?]

Setting aside the question for a later time, he evaded the initial strike from the war hammer. Quickly pumping some of his remaining mana into his limbs to enhance his strength through Fire Magic, he launched his counter attack.

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Sera watched nervously as Mike engaged in a furious exchange of blows with the possessed Chosen. He was wrapped in the orange glow of his enhancement magic, but his eyes shone blue. Whatever the origin of this new ability, it was evidently allowing him to fight with the thing on even terms.

However, she had more important things to worry about. A point of utter darkness had started forming in the space above the altar. The Cabal's ritual was nearing completion despite everything they had done so far.

Sera began running. If she pushed herself, she thought she could make it in time.

However, she was only halfway there when speck of black had enlarged to several meters across. There was a kind of glossy film or veil across void, which it seemed was some kind of portal. The thin layer began to bulge, as if under some pressure from behind it.

As she watched, the darkness clad arm from her vision strained against the veil. She needed to move faster if she wanted to prevent the future she had foreseen.

An angry buzzing approached from her right warned her of the approaching danger. She dropped to the floor as the giant wasp blew past her, stinger stabbing the space she had occupied.

”REALLY?! Now?!” She couldn't help but exclaim in frustration.

Scrabbling for her dagger, she was able to notice with a horrible fascination that the stinger was dripping a clear liquid that burst into flame shortly after coming in contact with the air. The insect whirled on her, aiming for another pass.

Sera stood in a rush, grasping the dagger in both hands. The fate of the world rested in her hands, and she would not fail. As the wasp charged her again, she threw herself forward, stabbing at it.

The dagger pierced the wasp's head, punching through its carapace, right between the eyes. It collapsed into a heap, twitching a few times before laying still.

Sera felt a surge of victory, but quickly doubled over in pain. Looking down, she saw a line drawn along her right side. Evidently, she had been grazed by the stinger.

With growing horror, she watched as the injury burst into flame. She furiously beat at the fire with her hands, trying to put it out. After a few moments it died down and ceased, leaving extensive burns on both her side and hands.

Fortunately for her, she'd only been exposed to a small amount of the venom. Otherwise it would have been much worse.

However, the brief struggle had consumed too much time, and whatever chance she had of reaching the altar had died along with the wasp. She struggled to her feet again, but the effort caused her vision to dim.

[Don't pass out!]

She looked around, trying to find out if any of the others could manage to take over, but the situation was grim.

Tal and Brenden were still where she had left them. The elf was moving in her direction unsteadily, frequently tripping on the debris. Brenden had completely exhausted what was left of his stamina. Using his sword as a crutch he was grimly pressing on, but there was no hope of help from that corner.

Mike was still fighting the former Chosen, and seemed to be hard pressed there. As she watched, the armored warrior threw a boulder the size of a wagon at the youth, and Mike only managed to avoid it by the barest of margins. Before he even had a chance to regain his balance, the creature was on him again, almost crushing him with an overhead blow.

With no hope, Sera turned back towards the portal. The veil was close to the breaking point, she could see tears already starting to form, and the altar was rocking under the force of the spatial distortion.

Cursing her own weakness and ineptitude, Sera had just about given up, when she caught the hint of motion out of the corner of her eye.

There, next to the altar, hiding behind one of the stalagmites was the cat beastman that had fled into the cavern earlier in the fight. In the chaos that had followed, Sera had completely forgotten about her.

With a sudden surge of energy, she raised her voice to call out to woman.