She stumbled upon a jagged rocky outcrop, using it for cover as she caught her breath. Her kunai, scratched and battered from the chase, was her only weapon.
Ria watched as the hydra's heads continued to thrash around, its frustration evident. The beast's multiple heads darted around, searching for any sign of her. She noticed that the hydra's heads were beginning to tangle together in their frenzy, their movements becoming erratic.
An idea sparked in Ria's mind. She grabbed some nearby vines and rocks, quickly improvising a trap. She began to set the vines between the rocky outcrop and the surrounding trees, creating a makeshift snare. Her hands worked swiftly, the urgency of the situation driving her.
The hydra, still searching for her, continued to lash out with its heads. As it moved, its heads became increasingly entangled in the vines and branches. Ria's heart raced as she saw the opportunity she needed. The hydra's heads were now tightly bound, struggling to free themselves from the snare.
With the hydra immobilized, Ria took a deep breath and approached cautiously. She knew she had only one chance to finish this. Her kunai, though not ideal, was her only option. The hydra's thick skin was nearly impenetrable, but the trapped heads provided a vulnerable target.
Ria moved cautiously targeting the Hydra's neck. As she got closer,one head struck,its fang grazing her arm. Pain flared,but she pushed forward gritting her teeth.
She thrust her kunai into the junction, the balde ,the blade piercing through the tough hide. The hydra let out out a deafening riar, its heads thrashing wildly in their entangled state.
Ria held her ground as the hydra's movements grew weaker. The kunai, heated from the struggle, began to cut deeper into the beast's flesh. The hydra's roars turned into pained hisses, and its thrashing slowed.
Finally, with a final, earth-shaking convulsion, the hydra slumped to the ground. Its heads fell limp, and the beast's once-mighty form lay still. The clearing fell silent, save for Ria's labored breathing.
Exhausted and injured, Ria sank to her knees. Her arm throbbed where the fang had scratched her, and her body ached all over as a result of the fight. She had survived, but the battle had taken a toll on her. She looked at the fallen hydra with a mix of relief and weariness.
Ria took a moment to catch her breath, the adrenaline fading. The beast was defeated, and she had won this fight. Now, she needed to tend to her injuries and find a way to journey on. Her vision suddenly became blurred and she began feeling dizzy.The effects of the Hydra's poison were now starting to take effect. And she soon blacked out.
In the midst of the black void, Ria found herself standing alone. The surrounding darkness seemed endless, and a chill crept through the space. Before her, a serpentine figure materialized, its form shifting and changing. What had once been the menacing hydra now appeared as a massive cobra, its scales glistening in the dim light.
"You—" The words died in Ria's throat as the snake's eyes fixed on her.
"You!" The cobra hissed, its voice echoing ominously. "It's all your fault!"
Ria stared, taken aback by the accusation. "My fault? How is any of this my fault?" she retorted, her voice tinged with disbelief.
*And I'm now arguing with a snake. I have definitely lost it,* she thought, trying to process the situation.
The serpent's eyes narrowed, and it began to speak with a venomous edge. "You think you can just waltz in and challenge me without consequences? Your very presence disrupted my plans!"
"Okay, obviously if we continue arguing, it won't get us anywhere," Ria said, her frustration evident. She crossed her arms, trying to maintain some semblance of control.
"Do you have any idea who you're talking to, mortal?" the snake spat, its voice laced with disdain.
"A giant annoying snake?" Ria shot back, her tone defiant.
The cobra's eyes glowed with fury. "If I had known you'd be such a bother, I would have never targeted you in the first place."
"And by that, you mean?" Ria's curiosity got the better of her.
The snake's form began to shimmer and shift, revealing a more majestic and imposing figure. The scales transformed into intricate patterns, and the once menacing snake now exuded an aura of ancient power. With a final flash, the snake goddess revealed herself, her presence overwhelming.
"I am the Snake Goddess," she declared, her voice reverberating through the void. "The hydra was merely a pawn in my greater scheme. But your interference has caused more disruption than you can imagine."
Ria's eyes widened in shock. She had been battling not just a beast, but a divine entity. "And what do you want from me?" she demanded, her voice steady despite the revelation.
The Snake Goddess's gaze was penetrating. "You have meddled with forces beyond your comprehension. Now, you must pay the price or find a way to redeem yourself. Your actions have set in motion events that cannot be undone."
Ria stood her ground, her mind racing. She had entered a realm of gods and monsters, and her struggle was far from over. The Snake Goddess's presence was both a threat and an opportunity—an opportunity to understand the true nature of her journey and find a way to resolve the chaos that had been unleashed.
😅
👘🍜Manesta.