The Basilisk was covered in intricate scales, the color of nightshade. It opened its mouth and showcased its sword length teeth. While a black fluid dribbled from its glands and onto the ground.
The ground started turning black and eventually disintegrated as the apprentices looked in horror.
"The Basilisk is a snake creature, that is not from this world. This one probably escaped an adept lab from our school. But you must absolutely never stare into the snakes eyes for too long. It will slowly petrify you, and the snakes scales are magic resistant so aim for the vital areas." Safera informed them.
Karthus contemplated the best course of action against the Basilisk. He turned towards George and smiled.
"Since magic attacks won't work, you will be the main component of this battle George. You will have to go up and stall the snake while we cast spells on it."
George felt his palms clam up " Me alone, I can't survive a pseudo grade beast!"
Karthus expression became calmer "Don't worry the faster you are the more likely you are to survive we need you George."
George looked hesitant at the snake then he walked towards it slowly.
Safera yelled, while tears flowed down her face "George you will.. you must survive!"
George kept walking, but his heart throbbed with every step.
The Basilisk let out a hiss like roar. It slithered across the field to devour the fools who dared to fight it.
George's legs became limp noodles. The Basilisk bared its fangs and struk at him.
"MOVE" Karthus yelled, his plan depended on georges strength.
George leaped to the side and the Basilisk struck empty air.
"You must fight George, your sister is depending on you!"
George slowly regained his composure after he thought about his sister. He must protect her, at all costs.
George jumped on the top of the snake and started punching. His spiked gloves deflected off the armor like scales. The Basilisk turned and wrapped its body around George.
Suddenly an explosion hit the side of the Basilisk. It hiss angrily as it let go of George. It scales were dented and a bloody gash formed.
Safera looked at Karthus, his stretch out arm was covered in glowing black tattoos. She realized she never really saw his arm before. She didn't bother to ask about the tattoos knowing it was his secret.
"That was a soul attack right, those scales are supposed to be resistant to even pseudo adept attacks. How did you injure it"
"It is attacks both both physical and soul. Safera we need to focus, Drain your spirit and create the strongest fire ball you can."
Safera nodded, she closed her eyes and put her palms up. Karthus felt the air around them warm up. A ball of fire condensed in her hands and rapidly increased in size.
"Throw it Safera!"
A fireball the size of a watermelon was launched towards the Basilisk. It hissed in pain as it was hit, while the fire didn't do damage it was still painful.
"George hold it still!" Karthus said
George came close to the snake and wrapped his hands around it. He struggled as the 2 ton beast moved.
"Hurry… it's slipping away" George moaned
A spirit explosion hit the eye of the Basilisk, blunding it. It turned around a bite George in shoulder, pumping it's poison into George's body.
Safera let out an agonizingly shriek "GEORGE"
As George collapsed the Basilisk was hit with another spirit explosion. It hissed as it curled its body into a ball. Six more explosions hit the Basilisk, its body was covered in gaping wounds. But it still got up unfazed and slowly slithered towards them.
"Shit I overestimated my capabilities" Karthus thought to himself, he had expected George to die but he thought it would end there for him.
"Safera do you have anything left"
Safera shook her head " My spirit is out, Oh george please be alive" she sobbed.
"This is it" Karthus laughed, " I haven't unlocked the secrets of death, but at least I will experience it's embrace"
Safera sobbed louder " I can't die yet"
As Karthus was about to use his last spirit explosion, a figure jumped on the head of the Basilisk. It was George! He grip the Basilisk Jaw and opened with all his might. The Basilisk was to weak to resist, George then stepped into its mouth and held it open.
"Karthus use your spirit explosion, and kill this accursed beast"
"George you'll die, no!" Safera screamed
George let out a weak smile " Look at my shoulder, it's black and decaying. I'm as good as dead, Safera promise me you'll live on"
"But.."
"Promise me!" He yelled
"I promise"
The Basilisk squeezed his mouth down, George fell on one knee but he managed to keep its mouth open.
"Now Karthus! I can't hold anymore"
Karthus pointed his hand to the beasts mouth. A vast amount of soul power gathered around George. Safera turned around as the explosion imploded and consumed George. The Basilisk hissed in agony as it took its last breath. The beast fell and the ground shook slightly.
" You have defeated the Basilisk- reward- Soul merging
Soul merging- House the soul of a powerful being in your body to protect you. It will even attack enemies on its own."
Karthus walked to the Basilisk and touched its body.
"Use Basilisk soul for soul merging or the dark arts tattoo" the system questioned.
Since it was an adept grade soul he could use it to fulfill one of the 5 soul requirements to advance the tattoos. But Karthus didn't hesitate to choose the merge the soul. He desperately needed defenses to protect him.
"Soul merging"
"Ok," the system answered
A light started to escape from the Basilisk's body and formed the shape of a snake. It went to Karthus's body and wrapped around him. Karthus felt a warm sensation around his body as the Basilisks soul merged in his body.
Just as Karthus was about to use his new skill a humanoid figure with large leathery wings descended from the sky.
"Another enemy" Karthus thought. Was this a beast or an actual human?
Regardless Karthus raised his hands toward the figure. He would fight to his dying breath! Maybe the Soul merging could help him defeat his opponent.