33 Slaying Serpents (2/2)
Her toes curled, turning the cobblestone below her into dust, unable to the withstand the pressure she was emitting. Reptilian creatures could sense her terrifying existence, reminiscent of their Lords, the Dragons, and the snake swivelled to focus on her but it was too late. With a shout she shot from the ground faster than an arrow and caught the great beast just below its head, sending it reeling. The impact was satisfying, the snake hissing in pain and Elya smiled, sensing something within the creature collapse in the face of the strike. A huge crater had formed in its side at the point of impact, the armoured scales disintegrating under the attack.
Spinning in the air, Elya tucked into a ball to streak down on the sprawling creature blasting its oversized head into the ground launching several strikes to keep it pinned down. It struggled to get up but Elya let loose with every shred of strength she possessed trying to bring it down quickly.
The earth trembled in the face of her powerful strikes, the massive snakes head gouging a deeper rift in the ground. Her strength was slipping away quickly. If this fight took place in an ideal location and she retained the towering magical blade with which she'd brought down a Dragon, the snake would be chopped into mincemeat in moments but her bare hands could only suppress it. Sensing the change in her power, the snake flicked its body powerfully, twisting in agony and sending her sailing through the air.
Spinning to regain control Elya grit her teeth and locked her eyes on the snakes movements, watching it struggle upright. Her attacks looked like they'd stunned the beast. Assessing the distance, Elya curled her legs up into her body and descended towards a wall. Softening the impact with a roll that had her spinning across the face of the structure, she gathered the last dregs of aura from deep within and lashed out with her legs, launching in a flat arc back to the snake. It sensed her approach and spun, slashing at her with its tail.
They collided midair and were sent reeling by the force of the impact.
Elya fell from the sky like a bird pinned by an arrow, unable to move even a finger.
A shocking boom thundered across the sky and she glimpsed a streak of light slashing through the snake, tearing its head from its body. Grinning weakly at the sight, Chen had managed to strike true it seemed, Elya grit her teeth, tensing for the collision. She crashed into the ground with a grunt of pain and slid dozens of feet before coming to a stop. Every muscle in her body screamed in agony and something felt shattered in her arm.
Groaning, she tried to sit up, but no strength remained within her muscles. The Dragon aura had been burned through and it would take a while to recover.Helpless and alone, she heard the fighting in the distance, luckily becoming fainter as it moved further away. Suddenly the familiar figure of her fiancée descended to land before her, weakness plastered across his face and the dark vortex of the warp-lich gripped tightly in a fist. Grimacing at her appearance, he pocketed the vortex and knelt down and gripped Elya's hand.
”Don't move or speak.” Nikolai breathed urgently, eyes flashing in fear. A cold sensation washed through her, passing from head to toe like someone was rifling through her body. He frowned at her for a moment and released a sigh of relief. ”It's just some bruises and cuts. Bad ones but nothing major.”
”I'm tough.” She whispered, unable to raise her voice due to exhaustion. While she hadn't been afraid, Elya blinked in surprise at the comfort she felt now that Nikolai arrived.
”Yes. Yes you are.” Sliding Nezgrom across his back, Nikolai bent down to lift her, cradling her head against his shoulder. ”Rest now. You did well.” His voice was soft and gentle but something deeper and darker lurked within. A rage fit to burn the world.
”Snake head. Would be good for wedding.” Elya's thoughts drifted randomly, and she remembered her earlier plans.
Nikolai chuckled, the sound reverberating deep within his chest and tickling her ears.
”It might at that. Sleep now Elya, I'll take care of everything else.” Chanting a few words Nikolai cast a short spell, and she sensed a cool wave refresh her mind, taking away the pain and stress. Feeling safe, Elya's eyelids drooped, and she dozed off, ignoring the ongoing battle.