Chereads / Chimera ascension / Chapter 3 - Tethered Fate

Chapter 3 - Tethered Fate

Likely due to a skill from the other adventurers," seen in the distance, while it was immobilized. A barrage of long-range attacks hit the beast, knocking a few health points off. 

"Whoosh!" The beast's massive body shuddered with the impact, muscles rippling under its hide as dark blood sprayed, splattering the ground. The twins' twist of fate seemed to be turning around, and Jacob felt an upsurge of hope. Maybe we're going to make it through this after all, he thought, a flicker of relaxation washing over him as he looked over at Connor, smiling as if they already made it. But just as the thought seemed all but confirmed, the beast broke free from its suspended state. 

A low, terrifying shriek erupted from the beast. The brothers, who had grown too comfortable, were shocked and unprepared for it to be unfrozen and catching them off guard. A swift slash can be heard what followed as the beast swiped its claws right below the knee, which severed the connection between their legs. Immediate, searing pain shot through them both as they yelled out, "Ahhh!" Their legs were gone; they couldn't feel what was supposed to be their leg anymore. Blood was everywhere, its sharp metallic scent hanging heavily in the air. 

The two worries and fear about the beast right now took a back seat; in the moment they were looking at the aftermath of the beast attack. Connor and Jacob stared at their amputated legs lying on the floor. They were shocked and in disbelief at what had just happened. Then, a sound—"Rah"—reverberated in their ears and brought them back to their state of impending doom, letting them know their situation was very real and could get worse ears; the beast was staring dead at them, and then they proceeded to start walking toward the twins, sending shivers down their spine. In that split second, they were legless, and the beast closed in, bringing its face dangerously close to them. Conner and Jacob's hearts raced, muscles tensed—this could be their final moment flashing before their eyes time slowed down.

Whether it was fate or whoever was in charge of writing their life event had taken pity on them, a slew of long-range attacks—arrows and fireballs—were thrown at the beast. registering the greater threat from the adventurers, in the distance the creature abandoned or disengaged the twins and sank into the shadows. 

Jacob's vision started to blur as darkness crept in, the dull ringing growing louder with every passing moment. His body felt frail, and the floor beneath him swayed. He tried to hold onto reality, but he could feel it slowly slipping. It was like trying to hold onto water; it was no use, but cold sweat gathered on his forehead, his breath becoming shallow. Danm it, Jacob, he said to himself, trying to wrestle with the inevitable. thing started to be so slow that he could register Every blink felt like it was in slow motion, as if reality were slipping away. His eyelids grew heavier with each blink until they no longer opened. Jacob succumbed to blood loss and passed out. 

His body gave in, and suddenly Conner felt the extra weight dragging his right side down. "Ohh… oh shit," Conner said, confused about what the best course of action was. He scanned the surroundings, trying to locate the beast. Suddenly, the creature reappeared near one of the adventurers. 

In an instant—Shrripp!—the wet sound of blood gushing out filled the air as the beast claimed its victim. A cacophony of wailing and screaming followed, with the sound of flesh and bone being slashed piercing through the jungle.

The beast continued traveling through the adventurers' shadows, attacking, retreating, and repeating a cycle that had worked well for it due to its nature of catching the adventures off guard. Conner watched as it again made its way into another adventurer's shadow, continuing onto its assault. This time, however, the individual all the wiser dodged and fought back fiercely, likely having seen the previous attack. Meanwhile, another adventurer, taking advantage of the fact that the beast had an opening, shot an arrow at the beast. 

Using an activation ability, Jacob saw the beast's hp.

{Skill activation: identify}

health points (HP) drop to 125/200. 

Conner vision of the seen started wavering, and a struggle to stay conscious began. He knew that if he passed out and the adventurers killed the beast, they might leave him and Jacob behind. Or worse, they would fail, and the beast would return to finish them off. Glancing at Jacob, who was already unconscious, Conner knew his brother wasn't dead—they shared a body after all. If Jacob were dead, so would he be. 

Conner checked his {MP}. The mana bar was down to ten. Desperate to stop the blood loss, he envisioned a stainless-steel cable tie around his leg. The mana bar continued to drop until it reached three. 

Ding! 

Skill unlocked: {metal zip tie (common)} 

A magic circle materialized over his injured leg, placing a metal zip tie, halting the bleeding. Relieved, Conner tried to roll over but was reminded that Jacob was unconscious. Their bodies were one; after all, even though Connor did not like Jacob's unserious attitude and annoyance right now, he really misses him, and all his bad qualities right now don't seem so bad, and without Jacob, he couldn't move or use the attacking spells Jacob knew. 

Suddenly, Conner had an epiphany, looking at his missing leg and the one lying on the floor. sharp and biting through the clench of his teeth. Each and every single syllable is laced with tension and furry with a tightness in Connors's throat, making the following words sound harsh. "Where the fuck is that beast?" cutting through the air like a blade, every word felt like a threat. 

Connor scanned the area in the middle of all the chaos. Where was that danm beast? 

The battle between the beast and the adventurers had reached a stalemate, with both sides holding their ground. However, the beast was in a much worse state than it had been just a few minutes ago. Despite its health being one hundred out of two hundred, the creature was relentless.

The beast crouched low, taking a battle stand, muscles rippling beneath its onyx black fur, green eyes beaming with a focus toward the adventure. A deep growl can be heard vibrating escaping its chest. The beast was sizing them off, flickering slowly in the wind. The air was thick with tension between the beast and the adventurers.