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[A/N: The novel is currently being rewritten and is on hold. All chapters will be changed(just to inform all who haven't read it by now)]
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Jenkins carefully watched over the silver bird's movements. Frowning deeply while slowly inhaling. Not daring to suddenly aggro it.
But even when faced with the orange lightbulbs excluding an almost visible desire to kill, he still managed to keep his cool. Pooling all available mental power togheter in hopes of creating a plan.
'Can't I just teleport him outside? No, wait. That only worked while I had the system. To think losing it would come bite me later..'
Drops of sweat fell from his forehead as his mind kept running on full speed. Taxing his mental fortitude by a great amount.
'My layer is at the [middle general]. And with my senses managing to measure this feather ball, I think we should be equal. Only pulling away it's physical strength factor which easily outshines my own.'
For a moment, he wrinkled his eyebrows. Knitting them togheter while scanning over is surroundings. Creating a layout to follow.
'I can try to escape with the help of my puppets and debuff dark magic. Don't really feel like testing this things magic resistance, as I am left vulnerable after each cast. My pay isn't nearly good enough to risk my life for.'
Jenkins finished simulating his plan while revisiting his options. Allowing him some closure before he completely calmed himself again.
'Let's go then.'
Time seemed to slow down as the two challengers stared each other down. Even making the surrounding temperature drop by a small margin and bending the very space around them.
'NOW!'
With a thought, Jenkins dug both his feet down into the metal floor and threw himself backwards. Flying through the air as he scraped away on the generating friction. Sending his robe and hair gliding behind his hovering figure.
And of course, the wild Marss answered this provocation. Immediately following suit. Jamming his talons straight down and rocketing his body forwards like a stray bolt of lightning.
His fragile mind had mostly been taken over by the primal instinct of the bird of prey. Unable to properly control himself, as every action he made was now influenced by the ingraved craving for battle which resided within the Peacock's DNA.
As for Jenkins, who saw this heavy creature fly towards him, was both astonished yet relived. Relieved because It followed the simulation he just ran, and astonished because the air around the brute seemed to propel it's body forwards. Making the bird slowly catch up to him.
Mabye it's speed boost was connected to the sudden color change of the silver feathers that visibly took on a bright blue hue. Making the mad bird appear like a jet of water shot from a gun.
'He is faster than I expected. However..'
Jenkins aimed the palm of his hand towards the roof. And with it, a purple orb appeared in it's center. Releasing some sort of rosy light which arched around his arm like a snake.
"STOP HIM!"
The elf crazily screamed as the glow eventually disappeared. Summoning five different creatures which materialized in front of his ascending body.
Four of them shared the appearence of some bulky 3 meter tall ghouls, while the last beast stood behind them on its four legs. Resembling a pitbull, yet comparable to a hummer on size.
It's massive jaw brightly shone outwards. Bathing the black floor in the radiance released from the set of sharp and rusty teeth. Firmly holding it's stance while displaying the light brown fur covering it's body. Barely giving any thought to the white plates of bony armour covering most of it's vitals.
It gave of a threatening grunt alongside the decayed ghouls. Outwardly showing that they would not allow Marss to advance.
Seeing them appear brought Jenkins some relief and time. Making him satisfyingly stretch his available hand out while chanting an incantation out loud.
"Dark magic: Dark bind!"
With his words, a dark energy brewed up between his fingers. Amassing into a ball of black light and blinking away into thin air. Vanishing like the dispersing sound of a heartbeat.
Marss, who was about to engage the five monsters felt an unknown power pin his body down. Forcing him to halt his movements and try to break free.
But just then, with an ample flutter, he commanded the energy inside him to move. Turning his silver feathers much darker and calling forth a torrent of wind to aid him in his struggle.
However, as he fought himself free, Jenkins landed onto the floor once more. Spinning over from his new location and aiming his amber eyes towards two unmoving bodies not too far away from him.
And as he lined his sight, a mischievous smile rooted itself over his face. Making the man confidently stretch out his empty hand once more.
"Dark magic: Black Vaccum!"
A chant then exited from his mouth. As sharp and elegant as his appearance, yet holding in it the dark force which he so naturally commanded.
With it's fading echo, a powerful suction force appeared from his glossy palm. Pulling in whatever he aimed at like a one sided black hole.
Marss, who finally fought himself free heard the elf say something. Instinctively making him look over. However, just when he registered the new screen of reality, a jolt of rage crawled through his mind.
Before him, he could see the bloodied up body of his unmoving mother fly towards the elf. Falling gracefully downwards while having her glistening purple hair descend alongside her limp figure.
His mind once more trembled with worry after witnessing Lena land in the blond haired person's arms. Shredding his rationality apart as he saw her placed in a chokehold.
"mOMmY!!!"
Mabye it was due to the inhuman amount of loath, but he just recklessly rushed at the elf. Sending mounds of energy into his talon and dyeing the orange scales that covered his spikey fingers dark blue.
Marss then mindlessly swung his arm. Slicing up towards the ceiling and sending out three air razors which accurately rocketed towars the monsters in his path.
His attack proved to be unchallenged when facing these opponents. Effortlessly getting sliced apart with by the unstoppable atmospheric knifes. Granting an instantaneous death, free of suffering.
Jenkins saw it unfold and forthrightly acted. Tightening his hold around the purple haired woman's neck. Signaling his willingness to kill her if the bird did not cease his tantrum.
And without much suprise, Marss slowed down. Stopping a couple of breaths away from the elf while gasping for air with his beak shaped mouth.
His mind must have cleared itself after witnessing his mother in danger. Temporarily giving him a more rational thought processes back.
'Sh** that was close. Altough I tried to go for the guy, this woman seems to somehow still breath. If I could turn her into a puppet then mabye controlling this guy is possible. Sadly, such a thing requires time.'
As he held onto Lena, he noticed her weakening life force. Leaving him with a discontent feeling of regret while he tried to share some of his energy with her. Keeping her alive a little longer.
His efforts even proved efficient, as the woman began coughing out dark blood from her mouth. Fueling her with a couple more moments in this world.
Seeing this reaction made Jenkins feel giddy with joy. However, he did not show anything. Only aggressively shouting at the bird with a heavy voice.
"Another step and she dies!"
Marss backed up further. Ending up in the middle of the room. His transformation even reversed itself a little, causing his body to shrink until reaching the three meter mark. Retracting the beautiful silver moon on his and absorbing part of his feathers through a set of grotesque cracking noises.
But even though Marss showed a defeating display, he did not budge. Ignoring the gruesome pain generated from the unconscious revert. Only nervously concentrating on the elf while holding his ground.
Jenkins, who felt his plan near it's end excluded a faint twinkle from bottom of his eyes. Causing the purple orb hovering next to him to act.
And with his will, the alloyed metal wall behind him began to bend open. Creating a circling exit, containing a long brick passage with a warm light at the end. Symbolizing the exit.
The remaining villagers who had watched this horrifying battle unravel all darted towards it. Running like a desperately swarm of moths after finding their beacon of hope.
However, this minor distraction meant nothing for the two challengers who still stood firmly rooted.
But as they watched out for each other's movement, letting the humans flock over to the tunnel, an old man stopped not too far away from them.
He had a long white beard, an aged, wrinkled face and a dusty robe on. Covering his body like an old carpet.
This was the village elder who previously run out of energy. Causing him pass out from exhaustion. However, he was not out for too long. Luckily managing to witness the grand show where the child had transformed.
Willfully, he continued to stand where he was. Eyeing down the one he had banished into the wilds with anguish.
'Did he receive the blessing of a divine being as he traversed the 'hellgreen woods'? If so, it must be from one of the beast gods."
However, although he was curious, he had not grown senile yet. Removing his eyes from Marss and sending them over to his side. Pointing towards where the unconscious body of boy's father peacefully laid.
The elder didn't waste much time and hurridly ran over. Throwing the man over his shoulders and walking off with a heavy set of thoughts.
This feat may seem impossible for someone of his age, but as he was at the general layer, carrying a malnourished farmer proved to be child's play.
And Marss, who was only a short distance away noticed it all. Having a weak set of tears drip from his burning orange sockets and onto the relentless black floor. Dispersing into ponds the size of jellybeans.
The elder only gave a nod to the reaction. Quickly following up with a hurried sentence before dragging both himself and the father through the tunnel.
"If fate allows it, then let us meet once more, Marss."
...
Eventually, everyone left. Leaving the man and beast to their staring contest
All that could be heard was their heavy breathing which echoed into the room. Synchronizing with the beat generated from every inhaling and exhaling. Reverberating into the very metal making up their arena like a set of hammered drums. Further building up the suspenseful atmosphere.
But even so, it did not last long. For Jenkins swiftly interrupted it with a loud shout. Rocketing into the ends of the glowing tunnel behind him like the shockwave of a rocket blast.
"Kid, how about this. I'll leave her here as I exit. Pretty fair, right?"
This suggestion was made out of pure desperation. For as they stood there, he slowly learned of the fact that he was incapable of keeping this woman alive forever. Needing either a surgery or some healing pills to keep her afloat in this realm.
And to his luck, the chicken further retreated. Ending up near the demon meatball he had previously killed.
As he stepped back, Marss started to remember the time he spent locked away within a void prison. Trapped there alone by an overwhelming power which he had never felt before.
The time spent there was torture for his feeble psyche. However, even when tortured by the eternal silence, he kept on going. Clinging the the memories spent with his loving parents. The two people who had always stood and supported him despite his foolish and submissive nature. Pushing his desire to hold them both once more to the limit. And as such, clouding the young boy's mind this moment in time.
Jenkings smiled to his move. Beginning to step down the last parts of his plan. First, he would throw the woman at the bird while dashing away. Then following it up by making the dungeon self-destruct and finally removing this stain from his life.
'It's slightly regretful that I won't have a biomancer puppet. But only slightly.'
And the dungeon getting destroyed? Building such a thing was child's play for an expert like himself. He clearly did not bother too much with that thought. Speeding up his plan the moment he felt the woman's body temperature further wane.
As for the hostage named Lena, she was almost completely drained of life. Managing to only rest near death's edge thanks to the shared energy. Granting her some temporary clarity.
Her vision too seemed to clear up a little. However, the only thing she was able to see was some kind of silver bird standing before her. Yet, it was rather strange. Looking at this monster gave her a feeling of dejavu, almost as if she knew it.
However, this burst of emotion sparked up the last bit of power inside her. Making her view of this world appear through a cold tunnel.
And as she ultimately began to pass away, a faint memory emerged from the depths of her mind. It was from the spoiled days she spent as a noble woman. Born with the title of second daughter in her original home. Direct descendant of the man controlling the fourth most powerful clan in the human capital. The Zell family.
However, this image was too brief. Blowing off as her life continued to flash away like a river. Eventually, it slowed down again. Almost stopping when hitting a distressful night. The one where she escaped from her arranged marriage. Running alongside a familiar brown haired man which she had known since childhood.
The river of events continued to drift away, nearing it's end with each passing moment. And eventually, a last sequence played. The day where her first and only child came into this world.
But her sad life remained locked within her dilating pupils. Sealed away by the reaper's scythe which coiled around here neck. Left to only let out a weak droplet of salty water from her cooling eyeballs.
Jenkins further pushed Lena's body out of his embrace and down towards the floor. As so to kick her across the room for the mindless animal to chase. Like an infant crawling after a butterfly.
However, to his suprise, this woman who was now pale like snow, barely holding onto life, moved her mouth. Uttering a last sorrowful line before being granted the release of death. Gracing her blue lips like a cold breeze traveling through a fallen mountain.
"Marss...My darling Marss..."
And so, this was the last thing Lena left in this world before her body ceased to work. Shutting completely down like young, yet dying star.
.....
Marss begun to grow impatient when he saw the elf freeze. Waiting for that bastard to let go of his mother.
But Jenkins, who halted for but a second, did not let him wait for long. Continuing to lower Lena's body. Playing along as if the woman was still alive.
'So she finally died, huh? Luckily, that guy reversed his transformation enough. Making him unable notice when her heart stopped.'
Inside his mind Jenkins grinned like a drunk madman. Looking once more through the flawless plan set up. Swimming inside a euphoric high whenever he imagined the smattered remains of the bird fly all over the blue sky.
'AHAHAH! This was my win from the start!!! You can only blame your own foolishness for not accepting a quick death when offered by me!! Rejecting such a grand prize personally given by this great and merciful lord was your downfall!'
However, as he placed the corpse down, his eyes suddenly widened. For Lena's body had unexpectedly started to emit a bright purple glow.
Both the remaining people shockingly stared at this sight. Absorbing the radiant light into their brains.
Marss was unable to figure out what it was that happened. However, seperatly from him, Jenkins perfectly understood what this was. Feeling his scalp crack appart alongside his previously fool proof plan.
'S*** I FORGOT THE SOUL TRAP!!!!'
Sweat poured down from his stunning forehead as he tried to think of what to do. Burning his glucose storage down until they were wrung dry.
'I need to bring out a soul gem before her soul gets claimed!'
Sadly for the miserable Jenkings, he was given no such chance. And as so, Lena's body rapidly began to change. Her pale yet glossy skin crystallized and turned into pink ice, quickly proceeding to break appart into powder. Getting further refined into a glowing dust which continued to divide itself up until her body completely disappeared.
'How could I forget such an important detail?! It's all that giant chicken's fault dammit! I would never make such a mistake if only I...'
As he took his eyes off the dispersing shards, he found that Marss looked in his direction with a horrid gaze. Having both his giant orange eyes temporary overflowing with reluctance aimed at Lena, yet eventually turning back to him.
And so, the prehistoric war machine violently expand again. Releasing out a mighty roar which shook the very fabric of the dungeon. Like a grenade thrown into a sand castle.
'Dammit!'
The soundwaves even threatened to burst Jenkins's eardrums appart. Almost crumbling before this extreme wrathful energy which left him with only one choice. That being to pull the purple orb closer to himself as he prepared for a battle.
However, right when he was about to act, Jenkins stopped. Glaring at the silver bird with his mouth wide open.
What he previously expected was that it would mindlessly charge at him. Leaving him with the only option of running away while firing back all he had.
But for either better or worse, something seemed to have intervened.
Before his eyes, the mass of metallic feathers shrank down. Taking on a more humanoid appearence, very simiar to the previously seen sleeping child.
Slowly, the cracking noises made by the bones shrinking eased down. Revealing a muscular male youth possessing a tight set of silver feathered pants. Covering everything below his hips.
'What in bator's name?'
Jenkins was momentarily dumbfounded by the reverted form. Not understanding why it would voluntarily weaken itself like this.
'Did he run out of energy...? Then do I still need to flee?'
But he was too quick to judge. Making him unable to notice that this was a completely seperate individual in it's self.
"What an undisciplined brat. Next time I will do more than just knocking him out.."
The child before him even spoke differently. Not having his voice directly altered, but rather possessing a more confident, carefree and hardy tone. Even exhibiting a new aura of pride which spun around the elf's neck like a wet rope.
"Excuse me?"
Jenkins's amber eyes bulged up even more. Causing an invisible river of bewilderment to drip down from the amber lanters so elegantly placed within his skull.
"Oh, hello there. We haven't really introduced ourselves, have we?"
The child noticed only his existence again after he called out in confusion. Nonchalantly burping out a set of words to the blond haired man while smiling over at him. Unknowingly releasing a wave of mock to meet the unbelievable face Jenkins currently made.
And as the opposing elf clearly noticed this visual disrespect, he felt his previous confusion become fuel for the rising anger. Fanning the flames of his wrath to an unreasonable degree and finely adjusting his plans to the new turn made here.
"What kind of joke is this?!"
With a mighty scream, Jenkins bellowed out. Not holding a candle against the bird's roar, but managing to exclude a dark power which oozed into every nearby bacteria.
However, once more he felt himself being made a fool of. For the boy just laughed his threat away with a high and mighty attitude. Not caring for the empty words of someone who was just fleeing.
"Joke? I belive you are mistaken, but the only joke here is you."
But this uncaring attitude lasted only a short moment before the child reassembled himself. Removing his smile and replacing it with a serious gaze aimed directly at his opponent. Passing over a judgmental set of words to the elf as he armed his mind.
"I will applaud your efforts in taking that stupid woman as a hostage. However, I must sadly inform you that such strategies will do naught for you anymore..."
Jenkins felt his face grow more riggied by the second. Trying his best to read between the lines of the child's words.
"My weakness? As if you, a mere biomancer fledgling would know of my weakness."
He felt nothing but scorn towards the boy. What could a brat, who had most definitely not even lived for five hundred years dare lecture him about?
However, again, the child rebuked him. Not even ceasing his disrespect by even a fraction.
"That might be true. But I know one thing."
His voice was as unfeeling as his dark golden eyes. Hemming the created atmosphere with it's coldness.
"Know what?"
Jenkins wanted to laugh of his intent. Brushing it away like a frail strand of mist. However, he did not dare lower his guard. Not after remembering the previous transformation.
He steadied himself while preparing to attack. Pushing his fighting spirit to the utter limit.
Too bad that his expectations were betrayed again. For the boy once more left him with another round of scorn. Itching into his cells like a corrosive bacteria.
"That you are not my equal!"
His meaning was clear. He did not consider the elf as a worthy foe.
The fangs of humiliation started to manifest on Jenkins's very soul. Crawling over it like a horde starved bugs marching towards their next meal.
"I am definitely going to skin you alive, kid!"
But the boy, who was silently watching the web of blue veins emerge from beneath Jenkins's skin chuckled. Finding the new haggard appearence more fitting for a prideful imbecile of this caliber.
"What? Hahahaha...."
His chuckle evolved into a comical laugh. Shooting out into the room like the noise created from a hammered gong. Sinking into the walls like an acidic substance. Holding no regard for it's immovable might.
"In all my years, this is the most original death threat I have ever received! Hahaha.."
However, as the laughter died down, the boy suddenly leaned over to his side. Sticking his hands into the mashed blob left behind from the red demonic beast Marss previously smattered.
The moment contact was made was when the tide truly turned. Even Jenkins further opened his bloodshot eyes to the sight unfolding before him. Not knowing what to believe any longer.
For the instant Michael touched the remains, they were quickly sucked into his body. Travelling through skin and then imprinting the genetic information held within onto every one of his cells. Transforming his body at a cellular level!
And as his figure began to adapt to the new strand of DNA, he twisted back to meet Jenkins's shocked look. Displaying his new row of sharpening teeth and oozing dark voice as their gazes locked back up. Making sure his rigged vocal cords echoed over a last set words for the elf to hear.
"You said you were going to skin me, eh? Well, then I must sadly inform you of something."
"You are not qualified!"