The scallop creatures, classified as Hydroscallop Guardians, were relatively harmless iron-rank beasts. Their passive nature and natural defense mechanisms made them more suited for self-preservation than combat. However, the oyster, a Misty Pearlmaw, was a different story. This creature, a bronze-rank intermediate monster, was a master of water manipulation and illusion, making it a challenging opponent even for seasoned hunters.
Akira observed the situation carefully, perched high on the branches of a tree, his visor feeding him critical data about the creatures below.
"Sangrelis, are you ready?" Akira asked, his voice calm but commanding.
Sangrelis flapped his leathery wings, his cursed armor humming with dark energy. "I was born ready, human. Just watch and learn."
Akira resisted the urge to rub his temples. "Follow my commands. No reckless moves."
"Reckless? Please. I'm the epitome of caution," Sangrelis replied with a smirk, though his trembling wings betrayed his nerves.
Asura, standing nearby, crossed his arms and shot the bat a glare. "If you mess up, don't expect me to save you."
"Let's get this over with," Sangrelis muttered, more to himself than anyone else.
---
Sangrelis dived toward the riverbank, releasing a sonic scream that echoed through the area. The smaller scallops shuddered, their shells snapping shut, while the Mistspire Oyster stirred, its mist intensifying. Akira's voice crackled through the communicator in Sangrelis's helmet.
"Get the scallops out of the way first. Toss them into the river, one by one."
"Do I look like a delivery boy?" Sangrelis snapped, but he followed the command, grabbing the disoriented scallops and flinging them into the water with surprising efficiency.
The Mistspire Oyster reacted swiftly, releasing a burst of illusion mist that blanketed the area. Sangrelis hesitated, his wings faltering as the world around him seemed to twist and blur.
"Close your eyes!" Akira barked. "You can sense blood. Use that instead of your eyes."
Sangrelis hesitated but complied. Trust didn't come naturally to him, but he didn't have many options.
The Misty Pearlmaw launched rapid water bullets, each one tearing through the air with deadly precision. Sangrelis dodged as best as he could, his cursed armor absorbing glancing hits.
"Your swords, Sangrelis. Use them to test its defenses," Akira ordered.
With a flick of his mind, Sangrelis sent his twelve flying swords hurtling toward the oyster. They pierced through the water barrier, striking the shell and leaving faint cracks.
The Misty Pearlmaw roared, releasing a burst of energy that knocked Sangrelis off balance.
"Stay focused!" Akira barked.
"I'm trying, but this thing's relentless!" Sangrelis shot back, weaving through the air to avoid another barrage of water bullets.
---
The oyster shifted tactics, hiding water spheres within the mist. One of these spheres struck Sangrelis, nearly trapping him in its watery grasp.
"Rise higher!" Akira commanded.
Sangrelis flapped his wings furiously, ascending just as the oyster unleashed a massive whirlpool, attempting to drag him down.
"This thing's insane! I'm not cut out for this!" Sangrelis shouted, panic creeping into his voice.
"You're a coward," Akira said bluntly. "But if you want to survive, you'll follow my commands. Now, attack from above with your swords and dive when I give the signal."
Sangrelis hesitated. "You better not be setting me up to die."
"Trust me. And if you don't, trust that Asura will save you," Akira replied as he boosted the stats of Sangrelis.
Grumbling, Sangrelis obeyed. His swords struck from above, distracting the oyster while he prepared to dive.
---
As the oyster focused on the swords, Akira shouted, "Now, dive! Push it over!"
Sangrelis tucked his wings and dove, slamming into the Misty Pearlmaw with all his might. The impact tipped the giant oyster onto its side, exposing the vulnerable soft tissue beneath.
"Finish it!" Akira urged while blocking any water attacks with his energy shields and providing support with his laser rifle.
Using his blood manipulation ability, Sangrelis infused his swords with dark energy, sending them plunging into the exposed flesh. The Misty Pearlmaw let out a final, gurgling roar before collapsing.
---
Sangrelis landed triumphantly on the creature's body, his armor soaking up the spilled blood. Drunk on his victory, he roared, "I am the greatest! No one can match me!"
Akira shook his head, watching as Sangrelis turned his attention to Asura. "You! Fight me! I'll show you who's boss!"
"Don't let it go to your head," Akira cautioned.
But Sangrelis, drunk on power, flapped his wings aggressively. "I challenge Asura! I'll take you down, firecracker!"
Asura stepped forward, cracking his knuckles with a bemused grin. "You're drunk on your own success, bat. Let me sober you up."
The fight was over in less than thirty seconds. Asura pinned Sangrelis to the ground with one hand, tapping his forehead lightly. "You're lucky Akira likes you."
Akira sighed, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Sangrelis, let's hope you learn some humility before your next fight. Now clean yourself up. We've got more work to do."
Grumbling, Sangrelis picked himself up, muttering about "slave-driving humans." Akira simply shook his head, a faint smile playing on his lips.
The aftermath of the Oyster Monster battle left Akira's team weary but triumphant. While Nyx consumed the soul of the defeated creature, Akira preserved its body within his taming space. The space had grown significantly more sophisticated since he'd first learned of its capabilities through Atlas. No longer just a blank void, it now had isolated compartments where Akira could store items safely, ensuring they wouldn't be destroyed during training sessions. Despite this improvement, the space still felt incomplete—he envisioned shaping it into a fully realized world one day.
With the monster's energy absorbed and cataloged, Akira led the team toward their next target: the Beetle Monster. Its proximity made it the logical choice, and more importantly, it provided Elythia an opportunity to test her mettle once again.
---
The Dreadscarab was an imposing creature. Its carapace glimmered like polished obsidian, and its pincers, jagged and sharp, sparked with arcs of electricity. Its movements were deceptively fast for something so heavily armored.
Elythia stepped forward, her bronze-ranked armor gleaming in the sunlight. She exuded determination as she gripped her twin lances, weapons equally formidable in strength. Akira and the others held back the smaller creatures swarming around the beetle, giving Elythia the space she needed.
The battle was brutal. The beetle charged at Elythia, its pincers snapping violently, each strike sending shockwaves through the air. Despite her armor, the sheer force of its attacks rattled her, the impact reverberating painfully through her body. But Elythia wasn't alone—her wasp drones played a critical role. These small, agile constructs projected holographic images of Elythia, disorienting the beetle and buying her precious moments to reposition.
She used her signature disorientation attack, a burst of light and sound that left the beetle momentarily stunned. Seizing the opportunity, she drove her lance into a joint in the creature's exoskeleton. Sparks flew as the beetle retaliated, but Elythia's precision and tactics gave her the upper hand.
Though wounded and visibly exhausted, Elythia triumphed, her lances piercing the beetle's heart. The creature collapsed, its electrical energy dissipating harmlessly into the air.
---
After tending to Elythia's wounds and regrouping, the team set their sights on the next encounter. Their destination was the domain of the Draconic Aegisfly, a formidable guardian known for its prowess in battle. This insectoid being stood at an imposing three meters, its green and black exoskeleton gleaming like a natural suit of armor. Four iridescent dragonfly wings fluttered behind it, capable of both speed and precision. Its face bore a striking resemblance to a dragonfly's, with large multifaceted eyes and slender antennae, which pulsed faintly with energy.
Akira had encountered the Draconic Aegisfly once before and knew its capabilities. This creature was just shy of silver rank and guarded a brood of dragon-blooded worms and butterflies. It possessed an arsenal of weapons: a laser cannon mounted on its left arm, a retractable energy sword on its right, and metallic claws sharp enough to cleave through steel. Its antennae absorbed and redirected energy attacks, while its natural camouflage allowed it to vanish into its surroundings at will.
---
Asura had been eagerly awaiting this moment. He approached the Draconic Aegisfly with respect, bowing slightly before speaking. "I challenge you to a duel. If I win, I ask you to join our cause."
The Aegisfly tilted its head, its voice clicking in an alien cadence. "You fight well, but I do not follow. However, I accept your challenge."
Asura's body shifted, adopting the Dracona Prime form he had recently mastered. His metallic frame morphed into a sleek humanoid armored dragon-like design, complete with an array of weaponry. Learning from past battles, Asura had adapted his fighting style, developing multiple forms tailored to different situations.
The duel began with a thunderous clash in the skies. Asura's raw power and durability were pitted against the Aegisfly's unparalleled speed and agility. The guardian darted through the air in erratic patterns, its laser cannon firing precise bursts of energy. Asura countered with teleportation circles, redirecting his attacks and launching concentrated bursts of fire through multiple angles.
The Aegisfly retaliated with webbing strong enough to immobilize most opponents. Asura countered by deploying flame barriers and drones, which burned through the webbing while launching coordinated attacks. The battle was a chaotic blur of motion and destruction, leaving scorch marks and craters in the serene sky.
The tide began to turn when Asura utilized his flame chains in conjunction with his teleportation circles, ensnaring the Aegisfly's wings. With its mobility hindered, the guardian was forced into a direct confrontation. Asura summoned a massive flaming sword, its hilt forged from his own metallic body, and clashed with the Aegisfly's energy blade. Sparks and fire lit up the battlefield as their weapons collided, each strike sending shockwaves rippling through the air.
Finally, Asura's superior durability and relentless assault overwhelmed the guardian. The Draconic Aegisfly collapsed to its knees, its wings battered and its armor scorched.
Asura stepped back, his voice calm but firm. "You fought well. Will you join us now?"
The guardian raised its head, its multifaceted eyes reflecting Asura's fiery form. "You kept your word. You are a warrior worthy of respect. But I will not follow. My duty lies here."
---
Despite the outcome, there was no animosity. The Aegisfly invited the team to share a meal as a gesture of respect and camaraderie. It was a rare moment of peace amidst the chaos of their journey.
The team sat together, enjoying the strange but nourishing food the Aegisfly provided. Akira couldn't help but admire the guardian. It was a creature bound by duty, unwilling to abandon its post but still capable of honor and mutual respect.
The lunch with the Guardian was an unusual yet fulfilling experience. The Guardian was a large, armored insectoid with a stern demeanor, his hardened exoskeleton shining faintly in the light. He was clearly a creature shaped by his duty, his life revolving around protecting his kin and ensuring their survival. His voice carried the weight of responsibility as he explained his goal: to achieve Silver rank and guide his offspring toward Bronze rank so they could grow strong enough to protect their colony.
We sat in a serene clearing, surrounded by towering trees that swayed gently in the breeze. The air was fresh, carrying the faint scent of the Guardian's prepared meal—a mixture of local fruits, honey, and roasted prey, a feast born of his hard work and care for his kin.
Despite his imposing presence, the Guardian's concern was evident as he turned to Elythia. "You hail from the Insect Empire, don't you? I've heard tales of it but have never ventured beyond these woods. Is the Empire truly a place where my kind could thrive? Is it... safe?"
Elythia's wings flickered, her tone calm but direct as she addressed his concerns. "The Empire is vast, with multiple colonies unified under one Emperor. Each colony is ruled by a Legend-rank King or Queen. It's a safe haven for civilized insectoid creatures like yourself, but it comes with its own challenges."
She explained further, detailing how the hierarchy worked. "In the Empire, all are welcome, but rank matters. A Silver rank, even with Gold-rank potential, would place you near the bottom of the hierarchy. You'd still receive housing, safety, and training, but high-ranking positions or significant influence would remain out of reach. You'd be one rank above the lowest class. Even so, life in the Empire offers stability and opportunity, far more than the wilderness ever could."
Her honesty seemed to weigh heavily on him. The Guardian's mandibles clicked softly as he considered her words. "And if a high-ranking creature required my service?"
"You would have to comply," Elythia admitted. "It's the price of protection and unity under the Empire."
The Guardian's antennae twitched uncertainly. I could see his internal conflict—the promise of safety for his offspring against the potential loss of freedom.
Akira, noticing his hesitation, leaned forward with a thoughtful look. "I think I can help you," he said, his voice steady. "You've already achieved so much on your own, but there's a path that might elevate you even further—one that doesn't rely on a fusion skill or the Empire's hierarchy."
The Guardian's eyes focused on him, intrigued. "What path do you speak of, human?"
"If you can subdue a humanoid draconic creature and form a bond with it, your evolution will occur naturally. Such a bond would not only enhance your strength but also unlock new abilities. It would make you a true guardian, a protector capable of more than you can imagine."
The Guardian processed this revelation in silence for a moment before bowing his head slightly. "Your knowledge and kindness humble me. If what you say is true, then perhaps I can forge my own destiny while ensuring my offspring's safety."
With that, the tension eased, and we all shared the meal in relative peace. The Guardian seemed more relaxed, asking Akira and Elythia about their travels and learning more about the world outside his territory. Elythia offered to guide him if he ever decided to venture to the Empire, and Akira promised to share more insights if they crossed paths again.
As the meal concluded, the Guardian thanked us sincerely. His voice carried a newfound resolve. "I will consider your words and choose the path that best secures the future of my kind. Should we meet again, I hope to greet you as an equal."
It was a reminder of how much Akira's journey was impacting others, not just his immediate companions but the world around him. The Guardian's gratitude was genuine, and it added another layer of purpose to their travels.