(Chapter 119 Gold's Worst Creation)
As the colossal golden Riftwolf slowly emerged from the swirling portal, its eyes gleamed with a predatory light. A guttural, earth-shaking roar erupted from its maw, reverberating across the battlefield. Chaos erupted below as warriors scrambled to defend themselves against the Abyssal horde, but the Riftwolf's focus was unwavering. Its gaze locked onto Tempest and Mavuika, standing defiantly near the extinguished Sacred Flame.
The Riftwolf's ragged jaws parted, crackling with raw power, and in an instant, it unleashed a blinding beam of concentrated Geo energy, hurtling toward Mavuika with lethal intent. The force of it splits the air, creating shockwaves that send debris flying.
"Tsk..."
Tempest hissed through clenched teeth. Without hesitation, he leaped in front of Mavuika, planting himself firmly between her and the incoming devastation. The Ashbringe in his grasp, its radiant blade shimmering with energy as he held it up to deflect the onslaught. The impact was tremendous, causing the ground beneath his feet to crack and buckle.
Compared to the strike he'd absorbed earlier from Mavuika, this was easier to bear, but it still demanded every ounce of his strength and resolve.
Mavuika, momentarily startled by the sudden assault, looked up at Tempest with a mix of gratitude and awe. Sweat beaded on her brow, but she remained focused, turning back to the Sacred Flame. She clenched her Pyro Gnosis, channeling its power as she continued the process to reignite the flame that would banish the Abyss's presence.
"You done yet?"
Tempest asked Mavuika.
"A little more time, please..."
Mavuika said.
"Got it."
Tempest said calmly, shortly, the Riftwolf seeing its attack failed, four heads of wolves made of Geo materialized in its left and right, before launching at Tempest and Mavuika, like homing missiles.
Tempest moved swiftly, using the Askbringer to counter the heads, as he was distracted by it, the Riftwolf launched itself at Tempest. Tempest jumped before he was devoured by its jaws before punching its head the ground trembled.
"Are you done yet?"
Tempest called over his shoulder, eyes never leaving the monstrous golden Riftwolf looming before them.
"A little more time, please..."
Mavuika's voice trembled slightly, each word laced with focus as she continued channeling her Pyro Gnosis, its glow intensifying around her.
"Got it."
Tempest replied, his tone calm and resolute. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the Riftwolf, its frustration palpable. Having seen its initial attack deflected, the beast's fury mounted. With a low growl, it summoned four spectral heads of wolves, each wrought from Geo energy, glowing a deep, molten gold. They materialized at its sides, forming an eerie, spectral guard that snarled in unison.
Without warning, the spectral heads launched forward, streaking toward Tempest and Mavuika like homing missiles. The air crackled with power, and the ground beneath them quaked as the heads tore through the battlefield, leaving deep gouges in their wake.
Tempest's reflexes were honed to perfection. With a swift pivot, he raised the Ashbringer, its gleaming edge slicing through the first spectral wolf, dispersing it in a burst of shattered light. The second head veered toward him, jaws snapping, but he spun and severed it with a clean arc, sending a shockwave rippling through the air.
The third and fourth heads moved in unison, coordinating their attack. Tempest sidestepped one and parried the other, a ringing clash of energy echoing out as the head splintered into glowing shards. For a moment, the battlefield stilled, as if holding its breath.
The Riftwolf, its primal intelligence guiding its rage, seized the opportunity. It lunged with all its might, its colossal form crashing down toward Tempest with open jaws that could crush boulders.
Tempest's eyes flashed with a fierce determination. Just before the jaws could close around him, he propelled himself upward in a burst of energy, leaping high above the beast's reach. Time seemed to slow as he brought his fist down in a controlled, devastating strike, connecting with the Riftwolf's massive skull.
The impact was cataclysmic. A thunderous boom resounded as Tempest's punch drove the Riftwolf's head into the ground, causing the earth to fracture and ripple outward in a jagged pattern. Dust and debris erupted, momentarily obscuring everything in a cloud of chaos. The Riftwolf let out a pained, guttural howl, stunned by the sheer force.
""You'd make a good pet."
Tempest said, a smirk playing on his lips as he gripped the Ashbringer tightly, its radiant blade reflecting the battle's flickering lights.
"Alas, beasts like you aren't meant to be tamed."
He lifted the sword high above his head, preparing to bring it down with the full force of his power, intending to pierce the Riftwolf's thick, golden skull.
Sensing the impending danger, the Riftwolf let out a feral snarl and thrashed wildly, its powerful tail whipping through the air like a battering ram. The strike connected with Tempest, launching him with bone-crushing force into a nearby stone wall. The impact shattered the stone behind him, and dust and debris rained down, partially burying him.
"Stupid mutt..." Tempest muttered through gritted teeth as he shook off the haze clouding his vision. Before he could rise, the beast surged forward, its eyes blazing with raw fury. It closed the distance in an instant, jaws agape and dripping with spectral energy.
Tempest's fingers reached instinctively for the Ashbringer, but one of the spectral heads, still hovering like an obedient sentinel, lunged and seized the sword in its fanged maw. The head flung the Ashbringer away, its metallic gleam vanishing behind the crumbling remains of a pillar.
"Damn it!" Tempest cursed, eyes narrowing as the main body of the Riftwolf lunged, jaws clamping down around him. He felt the immense pressure begin to squeeze, metal groaning as the Riftwolf's powerful teeth bit into his Paladin armor. Yet the sacred armor held firm, light seeping from its cracks as it strained against the beast's vice-like grip.
"You'd make a good pet," Tempest muttered through gritted teeth, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth as he glared at the colossal golden Riftwolf. "Alas, I suppose taming you is beyond reason."
The Riftwolf growled a guttural rumble that sent vibrations through the air. Tempest hoisted the Ashbringer high above his head, aiming to drive its gleaming edge through the creature's thick skull. The blade shimmered in the dim light, an arc of raw power that promised swift retribution. But before he could strike, the beast's primal instincts surged, and it thrashed wildly. With a ferocious swing of its muscular tail, the Riftwolf sent Tempest flying like a ragdoll. He collided with a stone wall with a bone-rattling impact, cracks spider-webbing through the ancient masonry.
"Stupid mutt..."
Tempest hissed, shaking off the daze as he rolled to his feet, muscles tensed and ready. Before he could recover his blade, the Riftwolf's ethereal, spectral head lunged forward with shocking speed. Its jaws snapped around the Ashbringer, wrenching it from Tempest's reach and flinging it far to the side, where it skidded and embedded itself in the dirt, sparking with residual energy.
"Damn it!"
Tempest swore, a flicker of genuine frustration in his eyes. Before he could strategize, the Riftwolf pounced, its gaping maw engulfing him. Teeth like jagged obsidian clamped down around his form, struggling to crush through the enchanted Paladin armor that encased him. The strain was palpable as Tempest fought against the relentless pressure, every second stretching into an eternity.
With a snarl, the Riftwolf shifted, preparing to fly. The battlefield below turned into a blur as the beast surged upward, Tempest still clamped within its jaws. The air thinned, a cold wind whipping against him as the Riftwolf soared higher, turning its attention toward the swirling, otherworldly portal that loomed above, a gateway to the Abyss itself.
"Unhand me, you wretched beast!"
Tempest roared, straining against the constricting pressure of the creature's jaws. His free hand, still charged with the essence of his Paladin form, clenched into a fist that glowed with radiant energy. He struck out, hammering at the creature's face with all the power he could muster.
A sudden, resplendent burst of flame erupted into the sky, casting brilliant hues of different colors across the battlefield. The radiant light surged upward like a beacon, its warmth palpable even from afar. Within moments, the flame stabilized and settled, burning steadily at the heart of the Stadium of the Sacred Flame. The Sacred Flame had been reignited, a powerful deterrent to the Abyssal creatures that plagued the land.
The colossal golden Riftwolf, sensing the flame's potent energy, shuddered violently, its growl turning into a guttural whine as the Sacred Flame's aura repelled it. The beast's eyes flared with panic, their molten glow flickering like a dying ember as it fought against the unseen force compelling it back.
"Hold on, Tempest!"
Mavuika's voice cut through the noise, sharp and determined. She soared through the air with practiced grace, her powerful legs propelling her high above the battlefield. Clutched in her hands was the Ashbringer, its edge gleaming with renewed energy. With a deft twist of her body, she hurled the blade straight at the Riftwolf with all her might.
The beast roared in agony as the Ashbringer buried itself deep within its golden hide, a pulse of radiant energy searing through its body. The Riftwolf's jaw slackened, and Tempest fell free. He tumbled through the air before Mavuika caught him mid-fall, wrapping her arms around him in a surprising display of strength. Though Tempest's form was as tall and imposing as a Ruin Guard, Mavuika carried him with ease.
The Riftwolf thrashed one last time, golden arcs of energy cracking around it as it let out a final, mournful howl. With a defeated snarl, it retreated back into the portal, vanishing into the void with a shimmer of light. The portal closed behind it, sealing the battlefield in an eerie silence.
Mavuika hovered for a moment before descending gracefully to the ground, landing on her feet with Tempest cradled securely in her arms. She looked down at him, a teasing smile playing on her lips as she spoke.
"I got you, princess."
She said, voice laced with both triumph and jest.
Here's an enhanced and lengthened version:
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"You did it, Mavuika. That's great. Now, let's join the others," Tempest said, his deep voice steadied as he regained his composure.
"Right. Let's move!"
Mavuika nodded, her eyes still glowing with the power of the Pyro Gnosis as they both sprinted back toward the heart of the stadium. The Sacred Flame burned brightly behind them, its radiant energy acting as both a beacon and shield. As they neared the main battleground, the scene before them was one of fierce determination and hard-fought resilience.
The Natlan warriors, now reinvigorated by the rekindled flame, fought with renewed zeal. Their war cries echoed through the air, a symphony of defiance against the Abyss. Tempest's soldiers, clad in their Fontaine armor, moved in disciplined unison, the rhythmic sound of boots pounding the ground punctuated by the crackle of flintlock fire. Some of the Abyssal creatures, stunned by the Sacred Flame's powerful repellent energy, faltered and turned, their dark forms retreating into the shadows with hisses of defeat.
"Push forward! Don't let them regroup!"
Rohan's voice boomed over the chaos, rallying the soldiers. His sword was a blur as he led the charge, each swing cutting down the faltering forces of the Abyss. The Natlan warriors pressed onward, their bodies painted with ash and sweat, their weapons flashing in the light of the flame. Gunpowder smoke drifted through the air, mingling with the scent of blood and scorched earth.
Tempest and Mavuika arrived at the front lines just as the defenders were making their final push. Soldiers exchanged quick, resolute nods with Tempest, their eyes burning with trust and shared purpose. Mavuika, still radiant with power, met the gaze of her warriors, her smile fierce and full of pride.
"One last dance, Tempest."
Mavuika said, her voice ringing with a blend of anticipation and camaraderie. She extended her fist once more, smudged with ash and lined with fresh cuts, but unwavering.
Tempest paused for a fraction of a moment, his steely expression softening as he met her eyes.
"Hmph, very well."
He said, a rare hint of a smile tugging at the corner of his mouth as he accepted her gesture with a solid bump.
The gesture, simple but profound, ignited a final surge of energy in the ranks. The warriors and knights pressed on with renewed vigor, fighting side by side, Natlan and Fontaine as one. Flintlock fire snapped like thunder, arrows whistled through the air, and the metallic clash of blades reverberated across the stadium. Tempest, wielding the Ashbringer with an unmatched blend of grace and ferocity, led a relentless charge that carved through the Abyssal line.
Mavuika moved like wildfire, her movements fluid and deadly, flames leaping from her strikes as she cut down anything that dared approach. She fought with the confidence of a leader and the strength of a warrior who knew her home depended on her.
The Abyssal forces, leaderless and weakened, began to crumble. The riftwolves whimpered as they fell, the twisted hulking Mitachurls staggered and collapsed, and the remaining Abyss Mages blinked away in desperation, their spells fizzling against the defenders' relentless onslaught.
The tide was turning, and hope surged across the battlefield. Tempest and Mavuika fought side by side, unwavering and unstoppable, until the last of the dark invaders had fled or fallen. The Sacred Flame, now burning strong and steady, watched over them as they claimed victory, its light bathing the city in the glow of a hard-won triumph.
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Here's an enhanced version:
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"Huh, boring~ Is this really all there is? I expected more of a spectacle…"
Columbina sighed, her lilting voice carrying a trace of disappointment. She lounged lazily above the clouds, the endless expanse of sky stretching behind her like a canvas painted in twilight hues. With her head resting on her delicate hand, she peered down at the unfolding scene, eyes alight with a mischievous glimmer.
The defenders of Natlan and Fontaine stood triumphant below, their unity and resilience pushing back the dark forces of the Abyss. The battlefield, once a chaotic theater of clashing blades, now began to still, victory hard-earned and palpable. Yet, to Columbina, it was all too predictable, too ordinary. She shifted slightly, strands of hair cascading over her shoulder as she sighed once more.
"Hmm?"
Her gaze sharpened, catching a new movement that piqued her interest. Tempest, his imposing form still gleaming from the aftermath of the battle, was dangerously close to one of the portals that shimmered ominously with a malevolent glow. Columbina's lips curled into a sly smirk, eyes dancing with newfound amusement. The portal pulsed as if beckoning, hungry and dark.
"Oh, Tempest… why don't you go meet your future friends~?"
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"Your Grace, the battle is ours."
Rohan announced, his voice carrying the weight of victory as he approached. Tempest stood amidst the remnants of the battlefield, his gaze fixed on one of the last shimmering portals of the Abyss. The rift pulsed with an eerie, unnatural glow, the only reminder of the chaos that had nearly consumed them. Around them, soldiers and warriors cheered, their cries of triumph echoing through the scorched air as the other portals slowly dissipated.
"That's good-"
Tempest began, but before he could finish, an inexplicable force surged against him, as if the very air had come alive. The world tilted as he stumbled backward, eyes wide with shock, and in the next heartbeat, he was engulfed by the swirling darkness of the portal.
"Your Grace!"
Rohan's desperate shout was the last sound Tempest heard before everything became an echoing silence. He reached out, fingers barely brushing the edge of Rohan's gauntlet before the portal swallowed him whole.
Tempest fell, an endless descent into a void that seemed to stretch forever. The sensation was disorienting as if gravity itself had become a fickle force. Finally, with a heavy thud, he landed on a cold, unyielding surface. The impact jarred him, and he rose to one knee, scanning his surroundings with sharp eyes, his breath steadying as he took stock. The darkness was suffocating, dense, and absolute, pressing in on him like a tangible weight.
"Hmph..."
He muttered, the glow of his Paladin armor dimming as if some unseen power leeched the strength from it. It was as if the sun's light, which had always empowered him, was smothered by this abyssal void.
"What in seven hells?"
He whispered the echoes of his voice swallowed by the void.
Suddenly, light flared to life, not warm and golden but cold and ghostly, illuminating the vast chamber he now found himself in. The space was cavernous, carved from obsidian-like stone that shimmered with veins of dark crimson. The room exuded an ancient, foreboding energy as if it had existed beyond the memory of the world itself. At its center, an imposing throne rose high, its jagged edges adorned with intricate carvings of serpentine figures and twisted runes.
Seated upon the throne was a woman, her presence striking and unsettling. She had long, flowing blonde hair that caught the cold light and eyes that burned with the hue of molten gold, vibrant yet devoid of warmth. A black crown, jagged and cruel, rested upon her head, casting sharp shadows across her delicate, unyielding features. She leaned slightly forward, her gaze locking onto Tempest with a mixture of curiosity and annoyance.
"You're not supposed to be here... yet."