The beast charged toward Captain Wiart with great speed, only to be suddenly halted by a massive rock that slammed into its jaw from below, splitting it in two. The wound seemed severe, but the beast's jaw immediately mended itself, snapping back into place as though nothing had happened. It let out a shriek of rage.
Captain Wiart sneered. "Let's see what you can do."
The beast extended its tendrils, propelling them like arrows, each one racing toward the captain in an attempt to impale him. Several tendrils were intercepted by boulders that shot up from the ground, but four of them managed to pierce through. Just as they were about to strike, a metal blade erupted from the earth, slicing two of the beast's tendrils. Captain Wiart caught the blade midair, swiftly severing the remaining two. Suddenly, the beast burst through the protective wall of boulders, jaws wide open as it lunged to bite off Wiart's head. But a large metal spear erupted from below, piercing the beast through the chest. Blood gushed from the wound as Wiart advanced, swiftly bringing the blade down to slice its head.
"How disappointing," Captain Wiart muttered. "I expected more."
Without warning, the beast's severed tendrils regenerated, lashing out in all directions, tearing through everything they struck. Dust filled the air as Wiart leapt back, losing sight of his opponent. Then, the beast re-emerged, leaping over Wiart in an attempt to escape.
"Not interested in me, are you?" Captain Wiart taunted. "I'm offended."
Barbed wires erupted from the ground, coiling around the beast and trapping it in mid-air
"Let's end this," Wiart declared. Above, dozens of large metal spears materialized, hovering ominously before plummeting down with incredible force, creating a massive crater on impact. A thick cloud of dust blanketed the area.
Captain Wiart brushed his hands off. "That should do it."
Lieutenant Lane approached him. "Seems you did find something interesting after all."
Wiart scoffed. "I thought so, but it appears I was wrong. How disappointing."
A sudden, vicious roar erupted from the crater, so powerful it dispersed the dust cloud, forcing nearby soldiers to cover their ears. At the bottom of the crater, the beast lay impaled by countless metal spears, blood trickling from its many wounds. It let out another roar as its body began to change—growing larger, its skin forming bony armor. Its claws and tendrils extended, and a single, massive horn sprouted from its forehead. Now on all fours, it took a stance like a wild beast preparing to strike.
Captain Wiart's eyes narrowed. "Ah, so you want to prove me wrong? Well then, have at it!"
He summoned a sword, readying himself for combat. But then, something unexpected happened: the creature's armor began to crack, its tendrils retracting. Its massive frame shrank and shriveled until, finally, it transformed into an old, gray-haired man who gasped for breath and then passed out. Lieutenant Lane looked down into the crater, a mix of awe and confusion in his eyes. "What just happened?"
Captain Wiart straightened, watching the old man's frail form lying unconscious at the crater's bottom. "It seems the creature exhausted itself," he replied.
Lane cocked an eyebrow. "A transformation, huh?"
"Not quite," Wiart responded, his tone sharp with disappointment. Before he could elaborate, they were interrupted by a sharp voice.
"Where is he?" Dahlia's voice rang out across the clearing. She stormed toward the crater, with Perus trailing behind her, calling out, "Hold on, Dahlia!"
She reached the edge, her gaze settling on the old man lying motionless below. "There you are," she murmured.
Lieutenant Lane glanced at her. "And you are?"
With a touch of pride, she replied, "My name is Dahlia Trena Ashault, but you will refer to me as Dahlia."
"Ashault?" Lane repeated, surprised.
Captain Wiart's gaze hardened. "Dahlia, how do you know this... man?"
"I don't," Dahlia replied coldly. "But I presume he's a thief of some sort."
Wiart's brow furrowed. "Then what interest do you have in him?"
Dahlia folded her arms, a hint of impatience in her tone. "He came into contact with a priceless piece of ancient technology, which likely triggered what you witnessed. I intend to study him and observe any further effects."
Captain Wiart nodded slowly, a calculating look in his eyes. "I see." He turned to Lane. "We'll have to transport him. If he goes on another rampage, it could endanger the locals."
Lane nodded. "Yes, sir."
Wiart addressed Dahlia once more. "Where is the commanding officer of this site?"
Dahlia shrugged. "I haven't the faintest idea."
Perus stepped forward. "Unfortunately, sir, the commander was killed during the rampage."
Wiart's jaw tightened. "Who is the second in command?"
Dahlia raised a hand slightly. "She stands before you."
Captain Wiart stared at her for a moment, then gave a curt nod. "Very well. There's a branch office of the Cobalt Moons in Jiron, a town not far from here. We should be able to contain him properly there. We'll move out after tending to the injured and honoring our fallen. Does that work for you?"
Dahlia smirked. "A reasonable course of action. People do seem rather attached to their corpses."
Wiart shot her a glance but continued. "Very well." He turned to Lane. "Send word to the Jiron branch. Tell them to prepare for our arrival."
"Yes, sir," Lane replied. He pulled a scroll from his satchel, unfurled it, and placed his hand over the parchment. The scroll absorbed his mana, causing glowing symbols to form. When he finished, he released it into the air, where it transformed into a paper bird and flew swiftly toward Jiron.
As dust settled over the battlefield, the Cobalt Moons and the remaining Jade Circles gathered the bodies of their fallen comrades. They moved quietly and with reverence, laying each form beside the other, covering them in cloaks and placing their weapons by their sides. When the task was done, the soldiers lined up and saluted, a silent tribute to those who had given their lives.
Some of the Jade Circle soldiers wiped away tears, while others maintained a hardened gaze, their grief buried beneath layers of discipline. The survivors then turned toward the road, prepared to continue on with their mission.
Dahlia and Perus rode alongside Captain Wiart and Lieutenant Lane, while Hex—now an old man—lay securely chained in a metal cage, crafted by the captain's own abilities. The journey to Jiron would not take long, the soldiers kept watch, wary of any sudden transformations.