We struggled against A'grappa. The ground cracked and kicked up dust. Even though we could hit him, almost nothing seemed to harm his hard muscular body. None of Campbell or Baen's attacks drew any blood. It didn't even stun his movement. A'grappa's wings nullified Abryi's long-range attacks. His short-range attacks were blocked easily. I, on the other hand, had the most effect. And, that wasn't saying very much.
The immediate area burned with all kinds of flames. Some from A'grappa and the rest from Abryi's deflected attacks. A'grappa flexed his wings, crouching down low. His chest began to swell. I could tell he was about to release more flames. Immediately, he turned to Rammel, eyeing Hina and Silas.
I summoned my hell-hounds to help keep A'grappa busy while I ran over to them. I had to make it in time. Something told me this attack was not like the others.
My father put his hands together. Took a breath. And, in a blink, he erected several multicolored barriers as A'grappa spewed forth a laser stream of hot plasma, cutting through them as he did, shattering each one from the force of his attack. I doubled the barriers, trying to buy time. Hina and Silas were too scared to even move. My barriers were just as ineffective as my father's. We could do nothing but wait for the attack to hit.
But, it didn't come.
Abryi had thrown himself in front of his wife, taking the residual force of A'grappa's attack. While it didn't stop the attack, it deflected it enough to cause it to pass between the two of them. The cost, however, meant that Abryi's lung had been rendered useless. He was breathing very heavily. With a weak smile, he said, "Never fear, Abryi is here."
I instructed Kratos to go and heal Abryi while I focused on A'grappa. I redoubled my efforts. I concentrated on using only melee attacks, coupling them with my long-range attacks at point-blank range. I had the best chance of fighting this monster.
A'grappa wasn't even bothering dodging Campbell or Baen's attacks at this point. "You know, I thought you young Fractions would provide some kind of challenge. I am severely disappointed. I'll never make myself sleepy at this point."
"Ten Ton Blitzkrieg." I took a deep breath. I covered all my hands with my barrier to enhance its power. I bulked my muscles up using the black ash. I began pummeling him with attacks, all while, warping around him so that he couldn't even begin to anticipate or react to my punches, kicks, or slashes. I finished it off with a combined attack from all my arms. I punched A'grappa into the ground so hard, he bounced several times across the hard ground.
Another laser shot out from all the dust. It barely grazed my cheek as I tilted my head out of the way. I was breathing too heavily to move completely. The black ash began to heal my wound instantly.
As the dust settled, I could see A'grappa. His body was covered in cuts and blood. Yet, none of his wounds seemed too deep. There were only minor injuries. A'grappa began to laugh that slow menacing laugh. "I am too grateful for this dragon armor." He shakily rose to his feet. "You can barely pierce it." He began to laugh harder. "Well, time to stop playing." He cracked his neck. "Let me show you the truth of the power you face. The reason you should fear contesting me. Why it is you should bow before my very self."
Blackness enveloped A'grappa. I could feel the power emanating from within. I braced against it. Abryi finally collapsed from exhaustion. Kratos was still trying his best to heal him with the black ash. Campbell and Baen were breathing even heavier. They were already close to running out of stamina. Yet, A'grappa's power grew even more. I could smell decay. It festered. It rotted. When the blackness dissolved around A'grappa, the form that was left behind made my stomach churn.
The monster that stood before us was a long lizard body with four wings and a row of spikes that ran down the length of his back all the way to his tail made of eyes and scales. The first set of wings were made of torn flesh stretched over his first pair of forelimbs ending in black flames, billowing soot and dust from the burning flesh. His second set of wings, like the first, emerged from his second set of forelimbs; except, these wings were made from tentacles of eyes and flesh. Each of his six limbs ended in sharp knifelike claws. His body was covered in crimson ochre scales all along his sides and back. His underside was a lighter amber red, which drew attention to the large gaping maw upon his chest. The fangs in his mouths were elongated and jagged, looking as though they could snap us in half with a single bite. His body was wide like a tarasque and yet still lithe like wyvern. His head bore a large jaw full of fangs, with many tentacles hanging down covered in eyes. Several dozen eyes littered his forehead, each frantically moving about at any little motion. Atop his head two horns adorned, curling back and then up, then back forward. It was formed from the thickest bone. A menacing and sinister wave emanated from his body. The tentacles waved about, searching for something.
"I'm not using this form because I have to." A'grappa hissed, slowly opening his jaws as he spoke, letting his black spit drip down as it clung to his teeth. Where it landed on the ground began to burn a hole into the dirt. "All of you are a hundred thousand years too early to begin giving me a challenge. But, I will have your submission."