As we stared on at the writhing mass of Ergworms, feeling differing levels of ick, a strange rumbling sound filled my ears as I felt the aether around us starting to stir.
Several thick wisps of aether soon formed from the surrounding air and flowed into the exposed ground, causing it to reform. Additionally, a series of platforms formed a bridge behind the Gold grade Ergworm.
"Huh".
A moment later, the sight of the dozen or so python-sized worms writhing and wiggling was blocked out by the reformed earth. Meanwhile, the Gold grade Ergworm just slept there like nothing had happened.
"Well then...that was disgusting", I commented aloud, "anybody have any idea how we're supposed to get pass...this"?
"From what I saw, a bunch of the Ergworms down there are only Bronze grade with about three or so Silver grades", Boleros said, "we could try and brute force our way through using your Blizzabella and our strongest monsters".
"Let's call that plan B. Normally I'd be all for that, but there's still the Gold grader over there. If I took out Voxea, her aura would probably set off that thing's senses and we'd have an insane brawl between it, our guys and the dozen or so little guys beneath our feet. I have no idea what's beyond here, but something tells me it's gonna be stronger than these Ergworms".
The six of us then proceeded to debate and come up with a bunch of plans to try and cross this horrible worm pit.
"Don't some of us have flying majimonsters? We could just have them carry us across", Bori proposed.
"I don't think they're strong or big enough to do that?", Albina said, shooting down the idea.
"What about that fastball thing"?
"Pass! Too much velocity and the impact might cause the Ergworms to react", I rejected. Honestly, I just didn't want to go impact flying again.
"Wait...what if we freeze the ground?", Alyra suggested, "I have Alto and Savina has Triton, combining their water power with Voxea's ice power could make the ground solid enough to not deal with the nest beneath us".
"That...could work", Savina agreed, "worst case, we have to fight anyways. Might as well have our biggest hitters out".
Everyone else nodded in agreement before collectively looking at me. Technically Voxea was lynchpin to this so...
[Think this will work]?
[Seventy percent sure].
[What's the other thirty]?
[Worm food].
"Alright, I'm game", I replied while pulling out Voxea's drajule.
Following my lead, Alyra and Savina pulled out their drajules. Three summoning circles began to form in the air as we channeled our aether into our drajules.
"Come on out, Voxea"!
"Lead the charge, Triton"!
"Boil them alive, Alto"!
"Haha"!
"Roar"!
"Croak"!
One after the other, each of our majimonsters exited their summoning circles and formed in front of us. Voxea came flying out of here, Triton strode forward while Alto leaped out of his.
The newest member of our team was Alyra's new partner, Alto the Amphiboil, a bipedal blue-red frog majimonster that had the unusual combination of Fire and Water affinity. Apparently she was given him as a gift upon entering the academy.
The exact reason being, and I quote, "No self-respecting binder student shouldn't have at least one majimonster".
Not wanting to waste anymore time, Alyra and Savina had Triton proceeded to cast their Water techniques and aimed it all go the soil.
As expected, the island of dirt became incredibly muddy and wet. Unexpectedly, all of the Ergworms became riled up by the water and began to burst out of the ground like saplings made of pink flesh.
"Well that's not good", I commented.
On top of that, the Gold Grade Ergworm suddenly began to move...and towards us. The only reason I knew was due to the Fog of War suddenly flaring to life!
"And it just got worst!", Savina called out as Triton took on a battle stance.
The Gold Ergworm let out a shrill cry, causing all of the Ergworms that were shooting out of the ground to pause and stare at it. A series of clicking sounds followed, the Ergworms suddenly moving towards until it. A moment later, the Ergworms had organized into a tide of worms and began to charge at us.
As Alyra, Savina and I began to steel ourselves for the upcoming battle, Bori, Boleros and Albina quickly summoned their own majimonsters.
However, just as we were about form ranks to deal with the incoming horde, Voxea suddenly rushed out like a crossbow bolt!
[Voxea, what're you doing]?!
[It'd be rude not to make use of this wonderful opportunity!], Voxea said before suddenly stopping halfway towards the charging worms, [Since we're in an old friend's stomping grounds, allow me to show you a spell that once made froze him in his boots]!
With a clap of her hands, a giant blue and white spell circle manifested in front of her.
The Ergworms charged closer and closer, all of them glowing with the power of Earth aether.
Just as they were about to make impact, Voxea's throat began to glow and she transmitted a single line.
[Ymir's Howl]!
What followed was a sudden flash of white, a surge of cold and the roar of a being that only something the size of mountains could release.