Chapter 136: FFA (1/2)
*What the hell is that?* Dealla shifted her stance, holding her weapon out before her. She took up a position near Shula, as was the plan for their defensive position.
*Get ready! Those are Grimlock! Defend yourselves!* Gates warned.
*Grimlock? No way!* Katrin exclaimed. She'd never seen the 'birth' of a Grimlock before, but she had no reason to doubt Gates' words. This was largely because the masses were indeed taking on monstrous form.
*I've seen these..they are the same creatures from before…* Dealla's eyes widened as the masses quickly formed into short, stocky creatures with large forearms and stodgy bodies.
Everyone went on guard, realizing the situation they were now in. That is everyone except the attack team.
*Where the hell did all of these Grimlock come from? Oliver. Can you do something about this?* Vivian asked. Until that moment Oliver had been stricken with shock from all the rapid developments he'd been confronted with.
This caused him to stand, mouth agape, even as Grimlock began to bloom around his feet like mushrooms. One statement from the Doyenne was enough to pull him out of his stupor though.
*Ryo. Destroy that shard.* Vivian next commanded as she turned towards the growing number of creatures which had begun to take sentience.
What happened next was beyond everyone's expectations.
”UGH-HA!” The sound of Ryo being struck in the abdomen was second only to the noise which echoed through the air as he skidded through dirt, rock and shattered tree branches. His body seemed to fold in response to the sheer force levied against it.
Vivian's eyes widened as she wheeled herself around just in time to notice the aggressor. Black, darkness, and as her eyes trailed upwards she realized the creature was tall and towering.
*This is…*
*That's it. That's the one that attacked us!* Dealla's transmission of her voice held a dire tone, it was obvious that she was scared. Whether it was her apprehensive tone or the fact that her body was now shaking uncontrollably -- it was apparent that something within her had been triggered.
A deep, primal fear.
*No one move. Not yet!* Vivian ordered. She realized the absurdity of the situation, the numbers were quickly painting a dismal picture yet the creature before her was attracted by sound. It was the entire reason she wanted to keep verbal communication to a minimum. Suddenly a realization came to mind.
*It must have been attracted by the sound of Ryo's attacks.* She thought inwardly. She felt a newfound tension coiling around the area as she got an up close and personal look at the creature's impressive countenance.
It's arms were thick and muscular, broad shoulders which were well chiseled and forearms at least two sizes larger than the creature's biceps. Despite this, it's body was rather lean and humanoid. Vivian couldn't help but notice the faint presence of miasma which gathered around the creature's body as well. Much like adventurers used Mana Skin to avoid the adverse effects of miasma, the creatures here seemed to use it as a coating.
The now defeated vortex creature was an extreme example of this, one that gathered the miasma and amplified its effects until both a sword and shield were made of the poisonous mist. Vivian's mind raced, partially because any movement would initiate a battle she wasn't prepared for, but she didn't have any choice. The creature before her craned its head at the slightest of noises, she had no doubt that it would pounce the instant she made a move.
There was one major problem with the creature's appearance despite the obvious -- it's features had changed. According to Dealla's detailed description the creature had changed in two troubling ways. The first was its size. The dragon kin always described her dreaded foe as tall, but this surpassed even Dealla's description by almost half a meter. The second, and perhaps more shocking difference was a large, circular crystal of irregular shape and symmetry which protruded from the Grimlock's chest.
Vivian realized that Dealla would never have forgotten a feature that was so noticeable. This meant that the creature had most likely consumed a shard core. This was further supported by Bracha's statements before all hell broke loose. For some reason, these unique Grimlock were consuming the cores of the shard realms. Doing so didn't seem to have an adverse effect on the realm itself, but most likely made the Grimlock consuming it much stronger.
Surrounded by enemies and ambushed by the very target they were supposed to be avoiding at all costs, the situation had taken a dire turn for the worst. Vivian was now cursing her earlier decision not to go all out against the octo Grimlock. Her thinking was that she would need to reserve some energy in case a dire emergency occurred. Such an emergency was now facing her down, and she was at a complete disadvantage. She dared a glance over towards Ryo's direction. It was obvious he was still alive, but he wasn't moving. The blow must have caught him completely unaware, thus he was most likely unconscious.
*Bracha, help deal with the small fry then offer support. Oliver, you know what to do. Rescue team, stay close and help each other out. Don't move until my command.* This was all the instruction that Vivian gave as she felt her heart skip a beat. Seeing the creature up close she finally understood, it was stronger and far more imposing than she originally believed. What's more, to send Ryo flying with a single strike, this creature's potential for destruction far surpassed the other's.
*Now!* She ordered as she made a move.
Vivian swung her Katana, focusing her senses so that the strike would cleave upwards and diagonally. Before the blade could find it's mark, the creature lifted its forearm and swatted. It was the most casual of movements, as if it was backhanding a bug. Yet this was enough to disarm Vivian entirely and send her sliding several meters backwards.
She had no choice but to grit her teeth and endure the force behind the blow. It became dreadfully apparent that Ryo might be more seriously injured than she initially believed. After all, she'd only experienced a fraction of the creature's strength and it was enough to disarm her, breaking her battle stance in the process. She could feel a numbing sensation in her hand, the creature was monstrous in the strength department.
*Shula! Dealla! Follow our initial plan, you're in charge of wellbeing. If you see anyone in trouble use a potion on them -- starting with Ryo.*
Oliver gritted his teeth. It had been a while since he was placed into a situation which seemed so dire and hopeless. As an Archmage he had dozens of spells at his command, a few of which were originals. He felt he was prepared for almost every situation possible and yet, for the briefest of moments, he secretly felt checkmated. This, more than anything, was enough to bring Oliver Pagnal's resolve to new heights. It was simply a matter of pride, he refused to admit having been backed into a corner.