Chapter 33
To break the limit on his body, Gray thought of a way to do so by using the blood of naturally superhuman creatures, and he had already spotted some candidates in this army, such as centaurs and minotaurs. "When some of them fall in battle, I will collect their blood." It was as simple as that, since everyone getting ready for battle.
The sky was filled with tension as a Gryphon, one of Gray's targets, flew in, delivering the grim news, "They come, your highness, in numbers and weapons far greater than our own." Oreius remained unshaken and declared, "Numbers do not win a battle." Peter, standing tall but still grappling with the enormity of his responsibility, couldn't help but remark, "No, but I bet they help." It didn't take long for the Witch's army to arrive, and the sight of a massive army and the types of creatures only made Gray salivate as he thought, "Never mind, she has a lot more suitable ingredients." Gray didn't see any enemies, no, all he saw were ingredients—precious ingredients—and he was going to do whatever it took to acquire them.
As the enemy drew near, Gray smiled as he drank three potions: a speed potion, which put him at a total of 9 times; a strength potion, which put him at a total of 9 times; and lastly, a magic-enhancing potion, which put him at a total of 9 times. He then took on his animagus form. It didn't take long for the two armies to clash, and Gray, who was in his animagus form, was one of the first to arrive. His first opponent was a bear, which he easily slapped to the side so hard that the bear face-planted into the ground.
Gray tore through the battlefield with cold precision, his mind sharp and body honed to the very limit of human capability. The effects of his potions surged through his veins, enhancing his speed, strength, and magical power to their peak. His claws, in his animagus form, sliced clean through the bear's throat, hitting the jugular with perfect accuracy. Blood sprayed as the massive creature stumbled, collapsing into the dirt with a loud thud, but Gray was already moving on. He ducked beneath a wild swing from a minotaur, his body low to the ground as his eyes flicked to the beast's exposed chest.
Without hesitation, he struck. Gray's clawed hand shot upward, slicing through thick fur and muscle, aiming directly for the minotaur's heart. The giant creature roared in agony, but its cry was cut short as Gray's talons punctured through its ribcage, ending the beast's life in one swift move. It fell to its knees, eyes dimming as Gray yanked his claws free. He wasted no time—his enhanced reflexes caught sight of a dwarf charging at him from the corner of his vision, axe raised high.
With a fluid motion, Gray pivoted, using his speed to sidestep the dwarf's attack. The axe swung wide, and in that brief moment of vulnerability, Gray struck again, driving his fist into the dwarf's throat with brutal efficiency. The dwarf crumpled, choking on blood, as Gray stood over him, already scanning for his next target. A herd of centaurs was galloping towards him, arrows flying, but they were too slow. With the potions at full effect, Gray dodged each projectile, his body a blur as he dashed toward them.
He leaped, claws extending as he brought down the first centaur with a slash across the neck. Another centaur aimed a spear at his back, but Gray spun, catching the spear in mid-air and driving it into the creature's chest. The battlefield was chaos, yet Gray thrived in it. His movements were calculated, each strike aimed at a vital point: necks, hearts, lungs—anything to end the fight as quickly as possible.
But then, a sudden flash caught his eye. Gray's instincts screamed, and he threw himself to the side just as a massive ice shard slammed into the ground where he had stood a moment before. The ice shattered, sending shards scattering across the ground. Gray's eyes narrowed as he straightened, looking toward the source of the attack. And there she was—standing atop a rise, draped in golden armor that glistened in the dim light of the battlefield. The White Witch. Her cold gaze met his as she sneered, "We meet again, shapeshifter."
Despite the chaos surrounding them, her voice cut through the din of battle like a knife. Gray returned to his human form, his body reforming seamlessly as he stood tall, brushing dirt off his shoulder. "I hope you're ready for round two," he said, his voice calm, almost mocking, as he removed his mask.
Before he could say anything more, a large wolf lunged at him from the side, its fangs bared. Gray reacted instantly, his sword flashing as he sidestepped and beheaded the wolf in one clean stroke. The creature's head rolled to the ground, and Gray chuckled as he sheathed his sword. "You're right," he said, turning his attention back to the Queen, "My sword might not harm you... but I'm no knight."
The White Witch raised an eyebrow, momentarily taken aback, before Gray reached into his coat and pulled out his cane. Magic flared visibly around him, a palpable force that sent several nearby monsters skidding backward. "Now, meet my wand," Gray said, lifting the cane like a conductor preparing for a symphony.
With a swift motion, he slammed it into the ground, chanting, "Fiendfyre!" Instantly, an inferno erupted around him, wild and untamed. Cursed flames spiraled into monstrous shapes, devouring everything in their path. The White Witch recoiled from the heat, raising a hand to shield her face. Several creatures near Gray screamed as the fire consumed them, their bodies reduced to ash in moments.
The Queen, glaring at him, was about to retort when Gray suddenly vanished from sight, leaving only a small vial spinning in the air where he had been standing. "Face me, you coward!" she screamed, her eyes darting around as she conjured a thick sheet of ice, just in time for it to be sliced in half by an invisible force.
Gray, now invisible, wasted no time. With a flick of his wand, he cast, *"Depulso!"* A massive force slammed into the Queen's side, sending her skidding across the ground. She cursed, rising quickly as she swung her wand blindly, sending bolts of ice flying in every direction. One hit a nearby monster, killing it instantly.
Gray smirked as he weaved around her attacks, each spell missing its mark, while her own soldiers began to fall to her reckless strikes. The battlefield was starting to thin as Aslan's forces, seeing their opportunity, pressed the attack. The Queen's frustration grew, her magic lashing out wildly, striking down anything in her path.
Gray kept her occupied, casting, *"Expulso!"* A violent explosion rocked the battlefield as it tore through her ranks, sending creatures flying in all directions. The Queen conjured another ice barrier, but Gray's next strike came too quickly. He shattered the barrier with another invisible blow, his speed enhanced to such a degree that she couldn't keep up.
She lashed out again, ice spears flying in random directions, and though she couldn't see him, her attacks were growing more frantic, more desperate. Each time she struck, she would inadvertently kill her own soldiers, thinning her ranks further. Gray's movements were precise, each spell timed perfectly to keep her on edge while also allowing Aslan's forces to close the gap.
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A/N another chapter and hope you guys like it.