The wings of the stingers flapped with the speed of a rocket, propelling them towards me. Their sharp, pointed feet were aimed in my direction, ready to strike. As I dashed past them, the foliage slapped against every part of my body. The danger of the situation was clear - one wrong move, one misstep, and those stingers would slice through my limbs without hesitation. I had to be cautious, vigilant, and swift.
I needed to be.
With each step, I felt a surge of energy coursing through my veins. It started as a warm sensation in my palms before spreading throughout my entire body. It was as though I was enveloped in an aura of fervor, the mysterious energy wrapping around me like a cocoon. The pull of the earth seemed to lessen under my feet, as if the energy was lifting me, making each step lighter and more effortless. With this inexplicable energy infusing my being, even the weight of my own body seemed trivial, every muscle working in harmony and strength.
My movement became a blur!
Where before I had barely escaped the giant bees, now I moved with a speed that rivaled theirs. I was as swift as the stingers, perhaps even swifter.
"Just let the gauntlet be one with your body and mind, Idrish," the mysterious voice echoed in my head as I raced towards the spot where Sir Borracho and Bonbon were waiting. It was as though the invisible gauntlet was amplifying my speed, making me move faster than I ever thought possible. And that voice in my head, was it the ghostly echo of the dead Queen of House Calore?
Now I understood why everyone back in the seventh region was after this gauntlet. It held power - a power that I had unknowingly inherited from the queen. At first, the gauntlet allowed me to wield any weapon I desired. But now, it seemed to bestow upon me the ability to enhance my speed, to move as swiftly as a lightning bolt whenever I synced my body with the immense power coursing through my hands.
But why me? I was just a lowly elf. How could I possibly wield such immense power? I was a commoner, not meant for such extraordinary abilities.
The buzzing of the bees jolted me back to the present, adrenaline surging through my veins. I leaped from roots to branches with a newfound agility, a feat I had not accomplished before. Each time the sharp feet of the giant bees threatened to strike, I managed to evade them, my body reacting instinctively. The drive to survive heightened my senses and propelled my speed to new heights.
I covered the remaining distance quickly, spotting Sir Borracho and Bonbon by the large tree. Fear flickered in their eyes, a reflection of the danger that loomed. They gestured for me to join them as I approached. I clenched my fists, focusing my energy as I aimed towards them. It was as though my body anticipated the actions it needed to take.
My pace quickened, counting down to the moment of impact.
Five.
Four.
Three.
"Now!" I shouted, skidding to a stop and pivoting back towards the stingers. The forest floor erupted as I kicked off, using my momentum to charge back towards the creatures. I could feel the earth's texture under my fingers as I placed my left hand down for balance, the mulch crunching beneath my grip.
Sir Borracho sprang into action first, summoning two barrels of alcohol. With a powerful throw, he sent the barrels hurtling towards the stingers. The collision released a burst of liquid, but it wasn't ordinary liquid. The stingers recoiled as if their very essence was being burned away, their balance disrupted. They thrashed in pain, their struggles akin to a creature fighting against searing torment.
"Bonbon, it's time!" Sir Borracho's voice boomed with authority.
"Bonbon!" the Pranaiahn yelled. His body illuminated like a beacon, a radiant glow emanating from him. As his body shimmered, the silken threads that adorned his form seemed to come alive, each strand moving with a life of its own. The threads snaked their way towards the stingers, ensnaring them with a tenacity that defied their size. The fibers constricted around the stingers like a web, immobilizing them.
"Seize!" Sir Borracho's command punctuated the air as he lunged at one of the stingers. From his palms, he conjured two massive flasks of alcohol, and with a deft swing, he smashed one against the creature's head. The stinger's resistance ceased as its life was extinguished.
"Grab! Bonbon, grab!" The threads from Bonbon's form tightened further, constricting around the two remaining stingers. He exerted his inner strength, using the threads to choke the life out of them. His determination and command over the threads were undeniable, a show of mastery over his powers.
"Idrish, get your kill!" Sir Borracho's voice reached me amid the chaotic fray. I watched as the yellow energy flowed from the stinger's body into his, as if he was siphoning whatever power the creature possessed. The same happened with Bonbon, his luminous threads absorbing the stinger's essence. Their connection to the creatures was both mesmerizing and unsettling.
As I prepared to finish off the last stinger, its pointed feet suddenly tore through Bonbon's energy-infused threads, and it managed to take flight even with tattered wings. The acid-like substance oozing from its feet seemed to dissolve the ground beneath it, allowing it to rise into the air despite its injured state.
"Idrish! You need one of those!" Sir Borracho's urgent voice snapped me back to attention. The stinger was a few yards away, rapidly ascending.
Panic surged within me. The distance was growing.
Perhaps due to the heightened tension, the energy within me surged to life once more. The sparkles of energy illuminated the gauntlet's intricate design. I needed to act quickly, to make this power truly my own, to align my essence with its might.
I needed a weapon!
My palms molded the energy into shape, crafting the form of a weapon I was skilled with. Just like in the days of hunting, the familiar form emerged in my hands.
A bow and an arrow.
With the energy's guidance, I shaped the bow and arrow in my palms. A bow materialized on my left hand, while a quiver of golden arrows appeared at my right waist.
Swiftly, I grabbed an arrow from the quiver, feeling the material under my touch. I gripped the bow tightly, positioning the arrow on the string, its pointed head resting on the arrow rest. My fingers found their familiar positions - middle, ring, and pinkie fingers holding the string.
I positioned myself perpendicular to the target, standing tall with my feet shoulder-width apart. I aimed the arrow towards the escaping stinger, the bow and arrow gleaming with an ethereal light as I pulled the string back. I inhaled deeply, focusing my mind and steadying my aim.
And then, I released.
The arrow shot forth, trailing a luminous streak as it sped towards the stinger. I watched its trajectory, my heart racing in tandem with the arrow's flight. The moment the arrow struck the stinger's head, there was a resounding impact, the arrowhead piercing the creature's membrane with a satisfying thud. In an instant, the monstrous bee disintegrated into ashes, reduced to nothingness before it could touch the ground.
A sphere of light emanated from the dissipating form of the stinger, slowly drifting towards me. My body tensed, a mixture of awe and apprehension gripping me as the sphere drew closer.
I felt the coolness of the sphere as it touched my forehead, an icy sensation that seeped into my mind. It was as if the energy flowed through me, soothing my thoughts and anxieties. From my forehead, the sensation spread, enveloping every inch of my body in a calming embrace. The chilling energy seemed to infuse my nerves, creating a sensation of serene clarity.
I had obtained my stinger, just as Bonbon and Sir Borracho had.
"Bonbon fast! Bonbon strong! Bonbon power!" Bonbon's triumphant chant rang through the air as we stood there, collectively catching our breath after the intense battle.
"Let's keep moving," Sir Borracho finally spoke, wiping a hand across his sweat-drenched face before continuing. "The halt hour is over, and now we must start dismantling their defenses - the pax towers."
"Pax tower. Break tower..."
"The days ahead could be incredibly intense. We might soon face our enemies, and there's a possibility of a clash between our camps," he added, the gravity of his words hanging in the air.