By "Nothing," I actually meant "What kind of bullshit plot is this!". Once the big explosion from the ground subsided and the dust settled, I got to see the most wonderful pit I've had the pleasure to come across. And the only one, on top of that.
First, the creature had no reason to be that big. Luckily, it killed the other phantasms when it appeared. Meanwhile, that cool power-up I had a few seconds ago… went as fast as it came. I can't figure out how to use it, and my Aether is getting low.
As that thought crossed my mind, I had another, but I had to cut it short since we had to move out of the vicinity of the monster and reassess. "Lilith, can you make illusions and send them in different directions so we can escape?" I asked her. With just a nod, her eyes shimmered in a rainbow-like fashion, and several copies of us appeared, running in loops and spreading out in different directions near the creature.
"What the hell even is that thing?" Vallen said, a little groggy as he finally woke up.
"Hush. We only got into this situation because someone wanted to rush in. I'm pretty sure that whatever it is will initiate the next wave. It knows we are here, so it won't stop until it finds us if we go by the logic of most phantasms," I replied as mywe started moving quickly, looking for a place to hide out for a bit.
As we made our way toward the cave Nico had scouted, my mind raced, grappling with the weight of the situation. Each step felt heavier, burdened by the enormity of what lay ahead. I glanced at Vallen, who stumbled slightly, clearly spent from the earlier skirmish. Seeing him like that tightened the knot in my stomach. We were all exhausted, but we couldn't afford to stop—not with that thing still out there.
When Nico returned, his face was serious. "The cave's clear," he said. I nodded, and we hurried inside.
The cave was dim, with the last rays of daylight filtering through a small opening above. The walls were damp, covered in patches of moss that thrived in the shadows. The floor was uneven, scattered with rocks that threatened to trip us up. As we ventured deeper, the air grew cooler, the scent of earth and something ancient filling my lungs.
Vallen collapsed against the side of the cave, conjuring a small flame that cast flickering shadows across the walls. Lilith quickly placed a barrier at the entrance, her eyes narrowing in concentration. The barrier shimmered briefly before blending into the surroundings, refracting light and sound. It wasn't foolproof, but it was better than nothing.
I leaned against the wall, trying to steady my breathing. My heart was still racing, my chest tight with the pressure of what was to come. We were in a small, dark space, surrounded by enemies, and we were far from safe. The reality of it all hit me hard, and for a moment, it felt like the walls were closing in on me.
"This is bad," I thought, clenching my fists. "We're running on empty, and the worst is still out there. How are we supposed to get through this?"
I glanced at my friends—Nico, pacing restlessly; Vallen, fighting to stay conscious; and Lilith, sitting with her back against the wall, maintaining the barrier.
"Before we all take our rest, let's discuss some things first," Lilith said, her tone cutting through the silence.
"Val, you dumbass, how many times have we said not to rush in like this? Each time you do, we have to save you, and you always get put into a position where your life is leverage. Not cool, dude. Second, Nico, you are the shadow assassin. What the fuck were you doing this whole fight? You didn't even have any lines for most of the fight, so I doubt you actually did anything to begin with. And Lucian… WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!" Lilith finished her rant, her eyes drilling into me.
"Val, me personally, I wouldn't let several people call me a dumbass since you did more than Nico, I'm just saying," I said, lifting my hands in mock defense, only to get a hard punch that knocked me straight into the firewood.
"OW, you damn beast of a woman! Are you sure we killed all the monsters, 'cause she's up there with them," I groaned, only to get another, harder punch that buried my head in the ground.
"Ve…Uness…..ary," I muffled from underground. She yanked my head out of the hole she had made for it.
"What did you say, Lu?" She looked like she was about to finish the job. In a desperate attempt to save my life, I pleaded.
"Ok, I'm sorry. Next time we go into a fight, we'll send you first since you can take out an arm with your gorilla muscles," I joked, which was going to be my last. She took me and prepared to slam me into the ground again, but right before impact, I slipped out of her hands like a snake and landed in the pose of my beloved red-eyed family assassin from that one manga.
"I need you to hate me to grow stronger," I said, imitating the character, only to face another attack.
"Haha, in all seriousness, Val, what the hell, man? I thought we agreed to work on impulse control?" I asked him, getting back on track.
He looked around and then at the ground. "I'm sorry, guys. Just leave it," he replied, his voice quieter than usual.
"What do you mean? Is something wrong?" Nico asked, concern creeping into his voice.
I had a feeling Vallen was about to be left here after I leave for Vesperia. Maybe he was trying to make this enjoyable since it might be our last time together. But I could be wrong.
"Ok then, hear me out, Val. Let's do another challenge. The first to take down that behemoth gets to make the other do whatever the winner wants. Huhhh, come on noww, I know you want toooo," I baited, holding out my hand in a fist bump.
"Wait, no. We have to get out of here, guys. We can't beat that thing with the level of Arts and Gifts we have. We're only 16 and 17, so let's find a way to escape and leave it to the authorities," Lilith pleaded, trying to bring us back to reality.
"She's right, guys. I don't think we can take this. I'm fine raiding green rifts with y'all since they aren't a threat, but we could get hurt or die here before our careers start," Nico added.
I knew what they were saying was true, but the issue is… something is telling me I can beat this thing. My chest thumped hard, making me grip my chest. "To answer your question, Lilith, I don't know. I've been feeling this intense pressure in my chest every time I start to use any actual Art that isn't basic Aether. Once I start using Water Arts, my heart and body start to build up with this pressure. But it disappears when I'm running low on Aether—I summarized that much in this short time. Then there's also this other thing that I did at the academy that let me absorb Aether from things, but I don't know how that works either." I looked down at my hands, opening and closing them, then meeting the eyes of my friends who all looked as confused as me.
"Lucian, what if your ability works like mine and you need to come into contact with the target somehow? Did the issue at school happen after Jason came into contact with you?" Nico stated, shocking me since I hadn't fully told them the specifics.
"Yes… how did you know that?" I asked, narrowing my eyes at him.
"I heard through some of the bystanders, hehe," he smiled, rubbing the back of his head.
"Hmm, well anyway, yes, that's what happened to Jason, but some of those bystanders also got absorbed since they all had the same symptoms as Jason. Except I never attacked them… directly," I replied.
"Well, then why not try to use your ability like a combo counter? If you can absorb Aether from things, it only makes sense to touch it, right? Plus, it'll give you a better way to focus it, and since Aether depletion seems to be the issue, then I see it as a win-win," Nico stated, looking like he had just solved a major puzzle.
"Lucian, didn't you say before that your ability was hard to control? Do you think you have enough power to control it?" Lilith asked, everyone now staring at me.
"I don't know why y'all are looking at me like my abilities are the only ones that can get us out, but I can't say I'll have full control. But if it's focusing and condensing to a point… that I can do. Aether manipulation is my highest skill, remember? Hehe, I mastered telekinesis in third grade," I boasted, trying to lighten the mood.
"Then maybe this can work. What were those creatures from earlier? Were those you too?" Vallen asked, his curiosity piqued.
"I have no damn clue about that. I did notice earlier that any phantasm I killed would slowly turn transparent and liquify. During this process, I could feel my Aether reserves expanding. The phantasms from earlier looked like them but also not. It seemed they were converted or reimagined stronger and more powerful than the originals. When this was happening, it was like I could see some otherworldly plane or something parallel to ours, and those new phantasms passed through this invisible watery veil to appear here," I explained, trying to make sense of it all.
"This is getting way too confusing… I've heard of complex Gifts, but it seems like you have multiple. I thought people were born with one Gift since the soul can't handle more than one. Regardless, what if this ability to absorb Aether from phantasms and the summoning art earlier are the same? Summoners are rare but also considered the weakest since you need phantasms to make a contract with, and your Aether is continually being shared with the summon to keep the link active and to summon them from their realm to ours, so having multiple summons at once is difficult. You seem to be doing the same, but you have a lot more creatures. On the same note, that ability to absorb Aether could be a way to counter the Aether depletion if you think about it," Vallen suggested, surprising me with how much sense he was making.
"You might be onto something, Val. I want to test it now. I had a feeling before, but now for sure, if it works, I can kill that thing. It's time to go on a monster hunt. We'll save the big guy for last," I said, my eyes glowing with determination as I smiled, getting up and starting to stretch.
"Lucian, you're no better than Vallen, if not worse. Leaving you by yourself isn't a good plan either," Lilith stated, exasperated.
"I'll go with him, Lil, if that makes you feel a little more at ease," Nico offered.
"Fine, but watch each other's backs," Lilith finalized her command, and with glee, I pretty much disappeared. I dashed out of the cave, jumping from the tops of the trees to get a better view in search of a monster den. You can kill other phantasms inside rifts, but you'll never know what creature is the "Wave Initiator," the creature who triggers the waves. Since we believe that big one is the initiator, I'll take the gamble.
"Lucian, how are you feeling? Are you still hot like you said before?" Nico asked, catching up to me.
"N-no, I'm fine… why do you care so much?" I replied, a little surprised by his concern.
"No reason, just want to make sure you're good. As your bro, gotta make sure my friends are coolin'," he said, slightly bashful.
"Oh-ok, well then yes, I'm ok, thank you," I replied, the conversation dying down into uncomfortable silence.
Nico and I moved through the dense underbrush of the rift, our eyes scanning the area for any signs of phantasms. The air was thick with tension, the kind that only came when you were about to do something risky—something that could either be a breakthrough or a disaster.
"This place is eerie…," Nico murmured, his voice barely above a whisper as he navigated the shadows with ease. "So, how do you want to do this, Lu?"
"Simple," I replied, though there was nothing simple about what we were about to attempt. "We find a phantasm, I make contact, and then we see if I can absorb its Aether. If I can't… well, I'll need you to make sure it doesn't tear me apart."
Nico gave a slight nod, his eyes sharp as they darted around the darkened landscape. "Got it. I'll be ready."
We continued our hunt, the silence between us only broken by the occasional rustle of leaves or the distant sound of a phantasm prowling through the shadows. Eventually, we found one—a lesser phantasm, nothing like the colossal beast we had encountered earlier. It was small, humanoid in shape but with features twisted by the rift's influence—sharp claws, glowing eyes, and skin that seemed to shift and ripple like liquid.
"There," I whispered, nodding toward the creature. "That one's perfect for a test."
Nico phased into the shadows, moving silently to position himself behind the phantasm, ready to strike if things went south. I took a deep breath, feeling the pressure in my chest build again as I prepared to use my ability. This time, I focused on it, trying to channel that pressure into something usable.
"Here goes nothing," I muttered to myself as I stepped forward, making my presence known to the phantasm. It turned to me, its eyes narrowing as it hissed, sensing a threat.
I raised my hand, reaching out toward the creature, and as soon as my fingers brushed against its skin, I felt it—a surge of energy, raw and wild, rushing into me like water being drawn into a vacuum. My heart pounded in my chest, the pressure growing as the Aether from the phantasm began to flow into me.
The creature's body shimmered, its form becoming less solid, more fluid, as if it were dissolving into the very Aether I was absorbing. It felt like water, cool and smooth, flowing through my veins and filling the empty spaces within me. The sensation was overwhelming, but I held on, trying to control it, to direct it where I wanted it to go.
"Lucian, are you okay?" Nico's voice came from the shadows, tense but steady.
"I think… I'm okay," I replied, though my voice was strained. "It's working, but… I don't know how much I can take before it overwhelms me."
I focused on the flow, imagining it as a stream, something that could be controlled, redirected. I thought of the water Arts I had practiced, the way I could manipulate the flow of water, and applied that same concept to the Aether now coursing through me. Slowly, the pressure began to ease, the Aether settling into a steady rhythm.
The phantasm's form continued to dissolve, its Aether merging with mine, and I could feel the effects almost immediately—my Aether reserves replenishing, my strength returning. It was like drinking cool water after being parched for days, revitalizing and refreshing.
"That's… incredible," Nico said, stepping out of the shadows and watching as the last remnants of the phantasm disappeared, absorbed entirely into me. "You really did it."
"Yeah," I said, breathing a little easier now that the pressure had lessened. "But I need to give this a name… something that fits."
Nico looked at the spot where the phantasm had been, now just a faint shimmer in the air. "How about 'Osmosis'? You know, like how water moves through a membrane, the way you absorbed that Aether."
"Osmosis…," I repeated, letting the word roll off my tongue. It felt right, fitting for what I had just done. "Yeah, that works. Osmosis it is."
As I stood there, the last traces of the phantasm's Aether fully integrated into my system, I realized just how powerful this ability could be. If I could refine it, control it better, I could use it to not only sustain myself but also turn the strength of my enemies into my own. But for now, I had to be careful—too much Aether at once, and I could easily overload myself.
"Let's head back to the others," I said, feeling a renewed sense of purpose. "We have a plan now. I think we can take that big one down."
Nico nodded, a rare smile on his face. "Yeah, let's show that thing what we're made of."
As Nico and I started our way back to the cave, the weight of the situation began to settle on us. My heart still thudded with the lingering intensity of absorbing that phantasm's Aether, and I couldn't help but feel a mix of exhilaration and unease. I had tapped into something powerful, something that could tip the scales in our favor, but it was also something that could easily consume me if I wasn't careful.
Nico kept pace with me, his eyes scanning the surroundings even as his mind seemed to be elsewhere. The usually lighthearted and sarcastic edge in his voice had dulled, replaced by a seriousness that I wasn't used to seeing in him.
"What's on your mind?" I asked, breaking the silence as we moved through the thick trees.
Nico glanced at me, then back at the path ahead. "It's just… seeing you do that, it made me think about how much we don't know about our own abilities. We've been thrown into these situations without really understanding what we're capable of or what it might cost us."
His words hit home. We were all still so young, still figuring out who we were and what we could do. Yet here we were, in the middle of a rift, facing down monsters and trying to survive. The stakes were so high, and every mistake could be our last.
"Yeah, I get that," I said, nodding. "But that's why we're here, right? To push ourselves, to learn, to figure out just how far we can go. I mean, we don't have much of a choice now. We've gotta see this through."
Nico's expression softened slightly. "True. But just promise me you won't let that power consume you. We've seen what happens when someone lets their abilities take over."
I nodded, appreciating his concern. "I won't. We're in this together, remember? Besides, if I start losing control, I expect you to slap some sense into me."
He smirked at that, the seriousness in his eyes giving way to a familiar mischievous glint. "Oh, don't worry, I'll do more than just slap you if you start going off the deep end."
We moved through the thick underbrush, the silence between us heavy with unspoken thoughts. As we pressed on, I couldn't shake the growing weight in my chest. We had a plan now, but plans had a way of unraveling when faced with real danger.
As we trudged forward, the dense foliage rustling around us, we encountered more phantasms. These ones were different from the earlier ones—smaller, perhaps, but faster and more cunning. Each one we faced was an opportunity to test the limits of my new ability, Osmosis.
I reached out, letting the cool sensation of Aether flow through me as I absorbed the phantasms' energy. With each encounter, I felt the power growing within me, but with it came a subtle, creeping exhaustion. The more I used Osmosis, the more I realized how easy it would be to lose control, to take in more than I could handle. Nico was always nearby, his eyes sharp and alert as he watched me work, occasionally stepping in to take down a straggler with his void powers when necessary.
"Hey, Lu," Nico said after the third phantasm dissolved into a faint shimmer. His tone was casual, but there was an underlying tension there. "How's it feel? Using that power?"
I paused, considering his question as we kept walking. "It's… strange. Like I'm pulling in more than just energy. It's almost like… memories or fragments of something. But it's fleeting, hard to hold onto."
Nico hummed in response, his gaze flicking over to me. "Sounds intense. You're not overdoing it, are you?"
I shook my head, but I could feel the weight of his concern. "No, I'm fine. Just trying to get a handle on it, you know? There's a lot of potential here, but it's a double-edged sword."
"You've always been good at handling double-edged swords," Nico said, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Just don't get yourself cut."
His words lingered between us, the weight of our situation pressing in again. Before I could respond, another phantasm emerged from the shadows, its form shifting and rippling like smoke. Without hesitation, I reached out, activating Osmosis once more. The Aether flowed into me, filling the space within, but this time I felt something else—a strange, almost magnetic pull.
Nico moved closer, his void energy flaring as he prepared to back me up. But as he stepped into my space, something unexpected happened. The void energy surrounding him reacted with the Aether I was absorbing, creating a strange, swirling effect around us—a yin and yang of sorts, with dark tendrils of void wrapping around the cool, blue energy of the Aether Sea within me.
We both froze, eyes locked as the energies intertwined. For a brief moment, it was as if our powers were connecting on a deeper level, resonating in harmony. But then, just as quickly, the connection faltered, and a sharp, electric shock jolted through us, sending us stumbling apart.
"Ow, what the hell was that?" I muttered, shaking out my hand, which was still tingling from the shock.
Nico looked equally surprised, his usual cool demeanor momentarily shaken. But then, he broke into a laugh—a genuine, lighthearted laugh that seemed to break the tension that had been hanging over us. I couldn't help but laugh too, the absurdity of the situation hitting me all at once.
"I have no idea," Nico finally said, rubbing the back of his neck with a grin. "But maybe we should avoid doing that again unless we want to electrocute each other."
"Yeah, good call," I chuckled, though my mind was still buzzing with the strange sensation we'd just experienced. There was something there, something neither of us fully understood.
Finally, we reached the cave entrance. Lilith and Vallen were waiting for us, their expressions a mix of worry and determination. I could tell they had been talking while we were gone, and there was a tension in the air that hadn't been there before.
"Did it work?" Lilith asked, her eyes searching mine for answers.
I nodded. "It did. I was able to absorb the Aether from the phantasm. It's like I can draw in the energy and use it to replenish my own reserves. We're calling it 'Osmosis.'"
Vallen raised an eyebrow, impressed. "That's… incredible. If you can control that, it could give us a real edge."
"That's the plan," I replied, though I couldn't help the flicker of doubt that crossed my mind. "But we still need to be careful. This ability is powerful, but it's also dangerous. I don't want to bite off more than I can chew."
Lilith nodded in agreement, her gaze shifting to the cave entrance. "We need to make sure we're ready. This isn't going to be easy, and we can't afford to make any mistakes."
"Right," I said, clapping my hands together. "So, here's what we're going to do…"
As we continued testing Osmosis on the smaller phantasms, Nico and I decided to push further into the rift, scouting for the larger threat that we knew was still out there. We moved cautiously, my senses heightened, each successful absorption making me more attuned to the Aether around us.
After several encounters, we finally stumbled upon it. Hidden within the dense, shadowy undergrowth was the colossal creature—the Flora Naga. Its massive, serpentine body was coiled around the remnants of trees, its scales dark and hardened, almost metallic in sheen. Vines and tendrils extended from its sides, each one tipped with razor-sharp thorns dripping with venom. The miasma it emitted was thick and toxic, clouding the air with an oppressive energy that made it hard to breathe.
Nico and I froze, barely daring to breathe as we took in the sheer size and malevolent presence of the creature. We exchanged a quick, tense look, both of us knowing this was the monster we had been searching for.
"This has to be it," I whispered, my voice barely audible. "The Flora Naga."
Nico nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving the creature. "It's got to be. Look at the size of it… and that miasma. It's like nothing I've ever seen."
We stayed hidden for a few moments longer, observing the creature's movements. It was clear that this phantasm was unlike anything we'd faced before. Even with the power of Osmosis, the thought of confronting it head-on sent a chill down my spine. But we didn't have a choice—if we were going to survive this rift, we needed to take it down.
After memorizing its patterns and movements, we retreated back to the cave where the others were waiting. As soon as we were inside, I quickly relayed what we had seen.
"Listen up," I said, gathering everyone's attention. "Nico and I found the source of the rift—the Flora Naga. It's a high-end Expert rank, almost Master rank, phantasm. Its size alone is enough to send chills down your spine, but it's not just the size that's dangerous. It emits a toxic miasma that clouds your mind, and its body is covered in hardened scales, with vines that can drain your Aether dry if they catch you."
Vallen's eyes widened slightly, but he quickly nodded, his face set in determination. "So, we've found our target. What's the plan?"
Lilith frowned, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Right what he said. How do we fight something like that? It sounds almost unbeatable."
I nodded, acknowledging the difficulty. "It's going to be tough, but it's not impossible. We need to hit it with everything we've got, and we need to do it in a way that doesn't allow it to recover. Vallen, you'll be our distraction. Your job is to keep it busy with your fire abilities. Target its roots and vines—anything that can ensnare us. The goal is to keep it from getting a solid grip on the battlefield."
Vallen nodded, a determined look in his eyes. "Got it. I'll keep it on its toes."
"Lilith," I continued, turning to her. "You'll use your illusions to create multiple copies of us. Spread them out and make them run in different directions. We want to confuse the Flora Naga and keep it from focusing on any one target."
"Understood," Lilith replied, her eyes already shimmering with the beginnings of her illusionary magic.
"Nico, you'll handle the miasma," I said, turning to him. "Use your void abilities to create a vortex around the Flora Naga. Draw in the miasma and clear the air around us. If we can't see or think clearly, we're as good as dead."
Nico gave a sharp nod. "Consider it done."
"And me…" I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of what I was about to do. "I'll get in close and make contact with its main body. If I can use Osmosis to start draining its Aether, we'll have a chance to weaken it. But it's going to be dangerous. I'll need you all to keep it occupied while I do this."
The cave was silent for a moment as the weight of the plan settled over us. Each of us knew the risks. Each of us knew that a single mistake could mean the end.
"Once I've drained enough Aether, we'll go for the kill," I continued. "Vallen, you'll aim for its head with a concentrated solar beam. Nico, you strike from the shadows—target its heart. Lilith, you disorient it with a massive illusion. This will be our best shot to take it down."
"And if things go south?" Vallen asked, his voice steady but laced with concern.
"If things go south, we have an escape plan," I replied. "Lilith, you'll create an illusion of a collapsing cave. It should buy us some time to retreat. Nico, you'll use your shadow step to get us out of immediate danger, and Vallen, you'll unleash a fiery barrier to slow down its pursuit."
Vallen let out a low whistle. "You really thought this through."
"Had to," I said with a tight smile. "This creature is no joke. We need to be prepared for anything."
With the plan set, we took a moment to prepare ourselves. The tension in the cave was palpable, but it was undercut by a sense of determination. We knew what we had to do, and we were ready to do it.
As we made our way out of the cave, the air felt heavy with anticipation. The Flora Naga was out there, waiting. But so were we. We moved as one, our movements synchronized, each of us knowing our role in the upcoming battle.
The creature came into view, its massive form slithering through the rift with a terrifying grace. Its eyes glowed with a malevolent intelligence, and the air around it shimmered with the toxic miasma it exuded. The ground beneath it was scorched and withered, a testament to the countless lives it had claimed.
"Ready?" I asked, my voice low but steady.
"Ready," the others echoed.
"Then let's do this," I said, and with that, we launched into action.
Vallen was the first to strike, his body igniting with solar energy as he unleashed a barrage of fiery blasts at the Flora Naga. The creature hissed, its vines lashing out in response, but Vallen was quick, dodging and weaving as he continued his assault. Lilith's illusions followed, creating a dizzying array of targets that scattered in all directions, confusing the creature further.
Nico moved next, his void abilities swirling around him as he concentrated on the miasma. A vortex of shadow formed around the Flora Naga, drawing in the toxic air and clearing the battlefield. The creature writhed, its senses momentarily dulled, giving me the opening I needed.
I sprinted forward, my heart pounding in my chest as I closed the distance. The Flora Naga's massive form loomed above me, but I didn't falter. I reached out, my hand making contact with its slick, scaly skin, and I activated Osmosis.
The effect was immediate. The Flora Naga's Aether began to flow into me, a torrent of energy that threatened to overwhelm my senses. I gritted my teeth, focusing on controlling the flow, directing it where I needed it most. The pressure in my chest built, but I pushed through, feeling my own Aether reserves swell as I drained the creature.
The Flora Naga roared, its body convulsing as it struggled against the sudden loss of energy. Its vines lashed out wildly, but Vallen and Lilith were there, intercepting and deflecting the attacks with precision. Nico moved in, his shadowy form darting around the creature as he waited for the right moment to strike.
Finally, I felt it—the tipping point. The Flora Naga's Aether reserves were nearly depleted, its movements slowing, its attacks growing weaker. It was time.
"Now!" I shouted, pulling away from the creature as I signaled the final assault.
Vallen raised his hands, gathering the solar energy into a concentrated beam that he directed straight at the Flora Naga's head. The creature screeched, its scales cracking and burning under the intense heat. At the same time, Nico emerged from the shadows, his blade striking true as he drove it into the creature's heart.
Lilith's illusion followed, a massive wave of disorienting images that overwhelmed the Flora Naga's already weakened senses. The creature convulsed one last time before collapsing to the ground, its body dissolving into a pool of Aether that quickly evaporated into the air.
We stood there, panting, our bodies trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline. But we had done it. The Flora Naga was dead, and we had survived.
For a moment, none of us spoke, the reality of what we had just accomplished sinking in. Then, slowly, a grin spread across Vallen's face.
"We actually did it," he said, a note of disbelief in his voice.
"Yeah," I replied, my own smile forming. "We did."
Nico sheathed his blade, a satisfied look on his face. "That was intense."
Lilith let out a shaky breath, her eyes still wide with the remnants of adrenaline. "Let's never do that again."
We stood there, panting, our bodies trembling with exhaustion and adrenaline. But we had done it. The Flora Naga was dead, and we had survived.
For a moment, none of us spoke, the reality of what we had just accomplished sinking in. Then, slowly, a grin spread across Vallen's face.
"We actually did it," he said, a note of disbelief in his voice.
"Yeah," I replied, my own smile forming. "We did."
Nico sheathed his blade, a satisfied look on his face. "That was intense."
Lilith let out a shaky breath, her eyes still wide with the remnants of adrenaline. "Let's never do that again."
But before any of us could even begin to relax, a dark, oppressive presence filled the air. The ground beneath the Flora Naga's dissolving body started to tremble. A sinister energy, colder and more malevolent than anything we'd felt before, began to seep out from the cracks in the earth.
"What the…?" Vallen started, but his words were cut off as the Flora Naga's remains convulsed violently.
The sinister energy wrapped around the dissolving corpse, and with a sickening pulse, it started to regenerate. Not just that, it began to grow larger, more monstrous, its body warping and twisting as the void's influence infused it with terrifying power.
"No way…" Nico breathed, backing up instinctively.
The Flora Naga's body shot up, its form more grotesque and terrifying than before. Its scales had darkened, taking on a hardened, almost metallic sheen. The miasma it emitted was thicker, more toxic, and its eyes glowed with a savage hunger. Vines and tendrils burst from its sides, writhing as if they had a mind of their own, now tipped with razor-sharp thorns and dripping with venom. This was no longer just a Flora Naga; it was a void-infused abomination.
Lilith barely had time to react before one of the creature's massive tendrils shot out, faster than we could have anticipated, striking her across the midsection. She cried out in pain as the force of the blow sent her crashing into the cave wall, her barrier around the cave entrance shattering instantly.
"Lilith!" Nico shouted, but he didn't have time to react further as another tendril whipped out, coiling around him and lifting him into the air. The tendril squeezed tightly, and I could see Nico struggling to breathe, his face contorted in pain.
Without thinking, I sprang into action, summoning water constructs from the Aether around me. Blades of water, spears, and even a massive trident materialized around me, all aimed at the abomination that had once been the Flora Naga. With a flick of my wrist, the weapons shot forward, striking the creature from all angles, slicing through its scales and gouging into its flesh.
But the void-infused Naga barely flinched. It shrugged off the attacks as if they were nothing more than an annoyance, its body already beginning to heal the wounds I inflicted. It was like trying to cut down a mountain with a butter knife.
Undeterred, I called upon more of my power, this time invoking the full force of the water element. Streams of water erupted from the ground, wrapping around the Naga's limbs and trying to bind it in place. I concentrated, forming hundreds of water constructs in the air, all poised to strike at the creature's weak points.
"Gates of Aquilon," I muttered, and with a thought, the constructs launched themselves at the Naga, each one a precise strike meant to bring it down.
But the Naga roared, a horrifying sound that reverberated through the rift, and with a surge of strength, it broke through the water bindings as if they were nothing. My constructs shattered against its hide, unable to penetrate the dark, void-infused scales that now protected it.
I tried again, forming more constructs, each one more intricate and powerful than the last, but nothing worked. The Naga was too strong, too resilient. I could feel my Aether reserves depleting rapidly, and the pressure in my chest was building again, threatening to overwhelm me.
"Damn it," I growled, watching as the Naga turned its attention back to Nico, who was still struggling against the tendril that had him trapped.
Before I could act, Vallen charged forward, his body radiating with intense heat as he called upon his solar abilities. Flames erupted around him, and with a battle cry, he unleashed a massive wave of fire at the Naga, aiming directly at its face.
The flames collided with the Naga, and for a moment, it looked like it was working. The creature screeched in pain as the fire seared its flesh, the heat too much even for its void-infused form. It released Nico, who dropped to the ground, gasping for air.
But the Naga wasn't finished. It turned its furious gaze on Vallen, its eyes burning with rage. With a quick movement, it lashed out with its tail, the sheer force of it creating a shockwave that sent Vallen skidding back across the ground.
Vallen managed to stop himself, his hands digging into the dirt as he struggled to stay on his feet. But the Naga was relentless, and it launched itself at him, its maw wide open, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth. Vallen barely had time to react as the creature lunged, but he managed to dodge to the side, narrowly avoiding being swallowed whole.
With a grunt of effort, Vallen turned his dodge into an attack, slamming his fists into the Naga's side. The impact sent shockwaves through the air, and the creature let out another roar of pain. But even as its scales cracked and burned under the heat of Vallen's flames, the Naga retaliated, whipping its head around to strike Vallen with its venomous fangs.
Vallen ducked, but the Naga was too fast. It caught him with a glancing blow, the venom seeping into his skin and causing him to stagger. But he didn't back down. Vallen gritted his teeth and forced himself to stand, even as the venom burned through his veins.
He raised his hand, summoning more solar energy, and with a shout, he unleashed a concentrated solar beam directly at the Naga's head. The beam struck true, piercing through the creature's skull and searing its flesh. The Naga howled in agony, its body convulsing as the energy tore through it.
But even then, it didn't stop. The void energy within the creature surged, healing its wounds faster than Vallen could inflict them. The Naga lashed out again, this time with both its claws and its tail, forcing Vallen to go on the defensive.
The two of them clashed in a fierce battle, each strike more powerful and desperate than the last. Vallen's flames scorched the earth, turning the ground to ash as he fought to keep the Naga at bay. But the creature was relentless, its void-infused power giving it an almost limitless reserve of energy.
I watched, helpless, as Vallen fought with everything he had. But it wasn't enough. The Naga was too strong, too fast, too powerful. And Vallen was starting to tire.
"Lucian!" Nico's voice cut through the chaos, bringing me back to the present. "We need to do something!"
I gritted my teeth, forcing myself to push past the exhaustion. I couldn't let Vallen face this thing alone.
I summoned the last of my Aether, forming one final, massive water construct—a weapon of pure, condensed Aether, shaped like a spear. It shimmered in the air, the water swirling around it as it waited for my command.
"Nico, I need you to distract it!" I shouted, my voice hoarse from the strain.
Nico nodded, his body dissolving into shadows as he moved into position. He reappeared behind the Naga, launching a volley of void-enhanced strikes at its back. The creature roared, whipping around to face him, giving me the opening I needed.
I hurled the water spear with all my strength, aiming for the Naga's exposed side. The spear flew through the air, cutting through the void-infused miasma as it sped toward its target.
The spear struck true, embedding itself deep in the Naga's side. The creature screamed in pain, its body convulsing as the Aether within the spear reacted violently with its void-infused form. For a moment, it looked like we had finally done it—that we had finally brought the beast down.
But then, with one last, desperate surge of power, the Naga broke free. It tore the spear from its side, its wounds healing almost instantly as the void energy surged through its body. The creature's eyes glowed with a terrifying, malevolent light as it turned its gaze on Vallen.
"No…" I whispered, the horror of what was about to happen sinking in.
The Naga lunged at Vallen, its maw wide open, ready to devour him whole. Vallen tried to dodge, but he was too slow, his body weakened from the venom and the relentless assault.
In that moment, time seemed to slow down. I could see everything—the Naga's fangs closing in on Vallen, the look of determination and fear in his eyes, the blood that stained the ground beneath him. I could feel the pressure in my chest building again, stronger than ever before.
"VALLEN!" I screamed, my voice breaking as I tried to reach him, to save him, but it was too late.
The Naga's fangs closed around around Vallen and all I saw was blood…so much blood.