Edward and the others rushed out of their hiding spot just outside and moved toward the velociraptors. As they charged forward, everybody who was capable of long-range attacks made their moves. Ikarus flew toward the velociraptors at his usual top-not speed, quickly shooting a breath attack at the closest one.
The velociraptor was soon drowned by flames, causing it to scream in pain. The other velociraptors soon turned to face their new foes. As Edward and the others ran into the room, the three velociraptors charged forward. They each moved faster than Edward could even see, but he disregarded them entirely.
Instead, he focused on the fourth velociraptor— the one that Ikarus attacked— as it was the weakest of the bunch. He and Leila took a step forward, their bodies moving in unison, as flames danced around their hands. Then, just as the charging velociraptors made contact with their group, Edward and Leila unleashed their attacks.
Two eruptions of flames shot forward, destroying everything they touched. Soon enough, the two flames collided with the fourth velociraptor like a blast from two individual shotguns. The velociraptor fell to the ground in dozens of parts as the flames tore it to smithereens.
With one velociraptor dead, Edward turned his attention to the three behind him. As Edward turned around, his eyes fell upon Markus. The party tank had activated his provoke skill, which allowed Edward and Leila to attack the fourth dinosaur without any resistance.
In doing so, however, he had to take the brunt of several attacks. He and Brandon weren't able to fight back, either, because neither of them could do enough damage to outclass the velociraptors' Defense stat. As such, Markus's body was covered in bloody wounds— coating both his cloak and armor until he looked like a red candy. Occasionally, Edward would see a green flash of light erupt from Edward's chest as he healed himself, but Markus's health was dropping fast.
Ikarus quickly flew over to the velociraptors, once more, and targeted the weakest one. Edward and Leila did the same, though Ikarus was able to reach the target first. As Ikarus released a dragon's breath toward the velociraptor, Edward raised his hands and unleashed two separate attacks— each aiming for a different dinosaur.
One attack was fired toward Ikarus's target while the other was directed toward the only other velociraptor with low health. Leila took to the skies, then fired an empowered dragon's breath of her own once she was high enough. Her attack landed against Edward's second target.
One of the velociraptors exploded underneath the hailstorm of fire attacks, though the one Ikarus and Edward hit was still alive, but only just. It dropped to the ground, rolling around as it tried to put out the flames.
Markus saw an opportunity as the velociraptor fell, so he dashed forward and slammed his sword against its skull. As his sword swung through the air, a green glow of energy surrounded it— though there were some red particles near the base of the blade.
As soon as the blade struck the bony exterior of the velociraptor's cranium, Markus's blade pierced through with the same proficiency as a blade cutting through butter. The green and red energy quickly fell to the velociraptor's head and began to consume all of the bone it could find. Compared to the last time Markus used this attack, the mass of all-consuming energy was much smaller.
When it finished off what remained of the velociraptor's health, the mass of energy quickly became docile. A few moments later, the mass of energy began to evaporate from the skeleton's corpse.
The final velociraptor struck Markus with its tail, perhaps to capitalize on his distraction, and lifted Markus into the air. Markus's body flew forward and slammed into the opposing wall opposite him. Before his body even touched the ground, however, the velociraptor was already ahead of him, waiting for Markus like a hungry child.
His body struck the velociraptor's tail once more, causing him to bounce around the room like a pinball. Ikarus, Edward, and Leila reached the battlefield by now and immediately intercepted the velociraptor.
Combined, their three attacks easily brought the beast to death, despite it having full health only a moment prior.
︽
+ 20% XP
\
"Markus!" Brandon yelled aloud as he ran forward. Markus was lying on the ground, much of his body beaten and bruised. His armor was torn to shreds, probably causing its durability to plummet. As Brandon crouched next to Markus, Edward, Leila, and Ikarus also turned away from the battlefield and ran to Markus's side.
"I'm okay," Markus managed to whisper in an exhausted voice. Edward was able to hear the pants of breath echo through his helmet. His hand was placed upon his stomach, a green glow surrounding it, "Just give me a few minutes."
Edward quickly appraised his friend, intending to see just how badly hurt he was.
︽
HP: 10/250
\
'Damnit, Markus,' Edward thought as he sat down.
"That was too close. If that last attack had done more damage, you wouldn't be here right now," Edward sighed. Markus turned to look at Edward, then pulled off his helmet. Edward was expecting his friend to be more concerned about his own health, but he was surprised when Markus revealed his excited expression.
"Appraise me further. I've done it," Markus smiled. His grin was full of elation and excitement, even though half of his face was covered in his own blood.
'Hmm?' Edward appraised Markus one more time, this time intending to see the full status screen.
︽
Lvl: 13
XP: 62%
Title: The False Immortal
Origin: Vitakinesis
—
HP: 250
MP: 70
SP: 80
—
DMG: (Great Sword - 11) 55
DEF: (Plate Armor - 15) 65
—
POW: 44
AGI: 16
END: 50
WIS: 14
LUC: 1
—
Stat Points: 60
—
Active Skills: [Perfect Provoke], [Quake], [Intermediate Heal], [Sacrifice]
Passive Skills: [Healing Aura], [Minor Regeneration]
︾
"You've upgraded your Origin?" Edward cheered.
"I won't have Warden's Aura, because of it. The skill's been upgraded to something that'll give you all Minor Regeneration," Markus smiled, "It's a new day, Edward."