(There's an obvious strength increase as a creature rises in ranks, however when a creature reaches [rank-C] the obtain their class. This truly marks the first step in an awakened one's journey to strength.
But where a gap is truly created between the strong elements and the weak ones, the superior awakened and inferior awakened is [rank-B]. This rank not only increases ones strength but allows them to utilize spells.
A spell is the concentration of elemental energy inside and outside the body, balanced to create something greater than the power of the user alone. It comes in the form a spell circle or spoken words or sometimes both to invoke the corresponding element present in the world.
it is made similar to a class but also leagues different. It's a fusion of element type and strength, awakened personality, the awakened class, and will of the awakened.
Another similarity is an awaken can only obtain one spell and it grows stronger the more its practiced, studied and controlled. A key difference, however is each stage increase in the B rank doubles the amount of spells one can obtain a common max being 4.
That's the privilege given by strength and determination.)
"Be ready the [rank-B] is coming at us!" Gareth booms in Greg's mind.
The imp thrusts it's spear forward and with a loud shout it yells!
"Flaming Rush!" In it's demonic language and suddenly the blue flames around it began to flare up and engulf it, especially around the tip of it's spear. This was it's spell!
Like a cannonball it goes blasting forward tripling its speed and it's spear has one target, the skull of the dragon. In the next second it's spear was plunged into the skull and on impact it released a powerful explosion.
It shattered the dragon's body instantly!
This was a clone Gareth created a second before the imp reaches him. Thanks to Gareth's quick thinking they came up with a way to catch the imp off guard, however the plan went awry.
Greg and Gareth were now below the imp but the force of blast waves made Greg stumble. He prepares to fire a sharp bullet of darkness at the imp's heart, however his aim is thrown off and he only ended up hitting its arm.
Surprise was evident on the imp's face but it is quickly replace by fury. The imp started to fall towards them and as it did it slammed its spear down on Greg's head.
Greg quickly defends with his gauntlets mana shield but the imps strength as well as the strength of gravity prove to much for the shield, shattering it on contact along with Greg's wrist and forearm. However he avoided the fatal blow to his head.
Since Greg was on top of Gareth, he also felt the force of this blow and was caught off guard causing them to go plummeting to the ground.
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Morgania manages to make her way into the nest quickly and quietly. She spotted many imps heading over to support the [rank-B] imp and decided to act.
She activates her aura skin and her spell! She creates a spell circle on her chest then yells the words.
"BLOODLUST!!!"
Her strength, agility, reflexes, and mana tripled, then her aura skin is dyed a crimson red. A smile stretches across her face and her pupils shrink as her eyes go bloodshot.
She burst forward with speed comparable to a sports car with extreme precision movements. Every three steps she takes, leave a headless imp corpse behind her!
In only 30 seconds, over 100 imp corpses were headless and scatter throughout the simple labyrinth they call a nest.
As soon Morgania turns the corner she came face to face with the other two [rank-B] imps, however both instantly reacted when they saw her and tried to back up. With a quick reflexes and a quicker flick of the dagger she manages to slice off the left arm of one and cut the chest of the other.
The imps spring into action the one with one arm waves its arm sending three wind slashes at Morgania. While the other imp created a spell circle and starts shooting high speed black stone bullets.
Even with so many attacks headed her way Morgania, dashes forward with a crazed look in her eyes. Like wind moving through trees or water moving around jagged rocks, she flowed through the attacks with a murderous elegance.
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As Greg and Gareth fall they can see imps pouring out of the nest getting ready to attack, this coupled with the [rank-B] imp above them forced them into a predicament.
Gareth is not new to strategic planning during battle and this is a time where his mind thrived. "Greg we have to separate to deal with the enemies. I'll take the imp in the sky and you'll take care of the weaker ones!" he says telepathically and hastily.
It is the best and simplest plan Gareth could come up with in this situation, however when Greg heard what he said his mind begins to panic.
'Splitting up is what got them killed!' his mind flashed with images of Quill and Claw. The fear in his mind was evident to Gareth.
"Listen Greg, I am not as weak as those two and you are not as weak as before ensure our survival by snapping out of it and ensure my survival by taking care of them as fast as possible." He says as they reach 30ft from the ground.
It took a few seconds and although he didn't fully return from the depths of his mind, these words reach Greg and he responds with. 'I WILL!'
Only 15ft from smashing into the ground, when Gareth flapped his wings hard and landed soft. Greg immediately jumped down with fiery determination in his eyes. The [rank-B] imp is falling a few close behind them, so Gareth took off and flew to the side as Greg leaps towards the small army of imps with his blades fused and his flow and aura skin activated.
The imp slams down on the spot they were just at with an explosion of blue flames. It looks toward the dragon and begins fire bolts of blue flames, aiming to clip its wings.
Gareth tucks and rolls to avoid the flame attacks and responds with balls of dark breath. Unlike Gareth who avoided attacks the imp did not, it simple imbued it's spear with blue fire and split apart the attacks.
He does however, manage to lead it away.
While those two were engaged in battle, Greg is taking on the army of imps. Many rush at him with swords, daggers, spears, and axes. Other imps aim crude bows at him and at Gareth. This quickly makes him realize he has to take out the the archers first and block their line of sight to Gareth.
So he summoned all his soldiers which had increased to 12 and their strength had grown equal to a awakened [rank-D]{advanced stage} without elements that accompanied awakened. Greg mentally ordered them to attack the archers, as he dashes into the crowd of imps that are launching fire, black stone, and wind attacks at him.
He dodges and weaves attacks like a pro boxer, while impaling some imps with black stone spike and cutting others down with flurries of slashes and thrusts.
The army however didn't let up with two dozen [rank-C] imps blocking his path to the archers. They were weaker rank-C's but their number made them more of a challenge. As he fights the [rank-C] imps, 6 of his soldiers mow down the lesser ranked imps around him. The other 6 acted as a strike force rushing through the dwindling crowd of imps, over to the archers.
Quickly Greg ran into a big problem. More imps were flooding out of the nest and if Morgania wasn't there the amount would be doubled.
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Morgania reached the imps and very quickly plunged her dagger into the rock imp's throat, while the other imp turns and tried to slash her horizontally with wind claws. However it was interrupted by a vertical slash of her dagger severing it's only hand from it's arm.
The imp is about to roar out in pain but it was stopped by a a dagger to its heart and head killing it instantly. After that she rushed down a path, towards the sound of battle.