Chapter 1276 (1/2)
The Winged Serpent led the charge forward, moving immediately to meet the quick response of Naffur. The highest-ranking individual in the Order Ducis only below Randidly Ghosthound was certainly powerful and decisive; as soon as the Nemesai moved, he was already in motion to stop them. With fists raised, Naffur leapt lightly upward to block off their path. But the Winged Serpent’s eyes narrowed in amusement.
Did you mistake me for the type that likes to fight head-on…?
The situation on the field became increasingly chaotic as the dense cluster of Nemesai rushed forward. Alana’s image billowed outward, all heat and radiant holiness and light that was of a different shade of Mjolnir’s chilling energy. Most people were suppressed by the combined density of images, meaning that the Nemesai only had to contend with a few key individuals to reach Alana.
The light touched Alana’s body and the group of Nemesai accelerated even further.
As the blinding light of Mjolnir began to lash out to destroy the image of Alana above them, the Winged Serpent quickly conjured a formation in front of its body. Naffur’s fist smashed into the formation and all of the force of his attack was rebounded directly back at him. Which only stopped him dead and made him grimace, but gave the Grey Lich time to unleash a cloud of locusts that blasted him backward.
Roaring, the Obsidian Duke’s body bulged as he ignored the probing thrusts of the Jade Prince’s rapier and simply smashed his body against his destined opponent. The Bandit King slashed outward with his jagged blade and forced the man with the large iron back backward.
Thea and the Winged Serpent rushed forward in the opening. The other member of the Order Ducis materialized at the Nemesai’s side, but Thea was able to overpower him with just two heavy blows of her hammer. Flicking out its tongue, the Winged Serpent sensed the attacks coming in from the side. It paused in its rush upward and created a barrier that blocks the three shots Hank snapped off from his revolver.
The Winged Serpent swayed from the strain; because Hank limited his ammunition to six shots a battle, each one of Hank Howard’s revolver bullets packed a punch that was vastly more dangerous than his growing image would suggest. For the moment, the Winged Serpent had been stopped. Alana’s pearly white wings spread wide, accepting the vicious energy of Mjolnir without complaint. Wind howled around the group, swirling in a vortex of destiny.
We cannot miss this chance, the Winged Serpent thought as it glanced upward.
Something was happening at the point where Mjolnir met Alana’s Willpower that was ominous enough that the Winged Serpent sensed it. After being exposed to the image form of Randidly Ghosthound and now being shown an attack of pure energy, something was beginning to click for Alana Donal.
Such a reliably strong enemy…! The Winged Serpent hissed in pleasure as he looked upward into the light. Then, while maintaining the barrier against further interference from Hank Howard’s last bullet, it created a platform for Thea to use to ascend.
Alana’s silhouette could be barely seen due to the blinding light of Mjolnir. Her wings were easier to see, spreading larger than her body by quite a bit. And it was the perfect reference to know where to strike.
Riding on the back of a giant flaming bear, Thea raised her hammer above her head and spun the weapon in preparation. But before she could attack, the metal frame of Ghost interposed itself and swung its runic sword. Eyes flashing, Thea hopped up from a sitting position and stood on her flaming bear’s back. “Chrysanthemum!”
“ROOOOOOAAAAAARRRRR!” Chrysanthemum enthusiastically rushed forward, ducking under the slash and smashing into the metal body of the larger foe.
The Winged Serpent had also been surprised by the noise, so it didn’t miss the split second of hesitation that Thea had after her companion roared. But then she leapt upward, raising her flaming hammer.
Bang.
The last bullet of Hank Howard slipped almost quietly out of his revolver, but the Winged Serpent had been waiting for it. It threw everything it could manage into its defensive image, and even then barely managed to withstand the piercing strike. Yet the bullet had been successfully deflected. The tendons along Thea’s arm stood out as she raised her hammer over her head.
The Jade Prince tried to shove the weaker Obsidian Duke away, but the Nemesis accepted the wounds in order to keep pinning the Jade Prince down. Naffur and his fellow member from the Order Ducis recovered, but they were standing too far away and the Winged Serpent blocked off their avenue to assist Alana.
The man with the huge iron ball and the other powerful guards from the Order Valorem were helpless before a cackling Bandit King.
The light of Mjolnir began to fade right as the Thea swung her vengeful image at Alana’s back with all of her strength.
“Divine Branch of Arbor!”
A tree branch ripped upward faster than the Winged Serpent could respond and smashed into Thea’s side. Cursing, she couldn’t help but be thrown away from her arc toward Alana’s exposed back. The other Nemesai immediately noticed the switch and disengaged from their individual battles to retreat some distance away.