The cave was steeped in an unsettling silence, the only sounds being the distant rush of wind and the steady drip of water echoing against the rocky walls. Erenyx's stone wall stood resolute between Loretta and Kaku, its surface marred with cracks yet still holding firm. Even in her slumber, Erenyx exhibited an impressive command over Essentia, her subconscious power keeping the barrier intact. Loretta lay asleep, but not entirely, his mind trained to let only parts of his consciousness fall into the depths of rest, while a vigilant section remained on high alert, prepared to counter any threat that might dare approach.
Kaku and Nala remained awake, their faces serious as they maintained a steady gaze locked onto one another. Time passed in silence until, finally, Nala turned away, her body relaxing as she allowed herself to slip into sleep. The cave held its breath, the stillness only interrupted by sudden gusts of wind that whistled through the cracks, mixing with the rhythmic drips from the damp ceiling.
Kaku, needing an outlet for his restless energy, traced a curved line into the dirt, summoning a small white snake that slithered forth and darted into the cave's dark recesses. Suddenly, Loretta's eyes snapped open, sharp and searching, scanning the cave as if responding to an unseen sound before he reluctantly closed them again. Kaku, sensing the tension dissipate, relaxed his posture, his expression shifting to one of playful amusement.
Moments later, Nala stirred, her hands moving fluidly to sign a message to Kaku. As Erenyx's stone wall crumbled with a loud crack, Loretta seized the moment, feigning a natural awakening as his senses ignited. He sat up, gaze darting to the scales still covering his wound, poking at them absently. A sharp spike erupted from the patch, defending his fingers. He shot Kaku a disapproving glare, who merely smiled and waved cheerfully.
"Tch," Loretta scoffed, dismissing Kaku's antics as he turned his focus to the small flames dancing at his fingertips. He conjured tiny flowers of fire that glimmered momentarily before being extinguished by the cave's chill. Kaku's grin faded, replaced by a sense of urgency.
"Get up! I sense something huge heading our way!" Kaku's voice sliced through the stillness, reverberating against the cave walls.
Loretta sprung to his feet, fire dripping from his fingers as his attention fixed on the cavern's shadows. Erenyx, though still groggy, was jolted awake, her body thrumming with the power of Essentia already coursing through her veins.
From the depths of the cave, ominous footsteps echoed, heavy and relentless, each step laced with a menacing power. As the creature lumbered forward, a chorus of low growls accompanied its every movement. When it finally emerged from the darkness, the sight was nightmarish, a grotesque chimera, a monstrous fusion of beasts. Its lion-like head exuded smoke from flared nostrils, while its eyes glistened like those of a spider. The upper torso appeared human, grotesquely merged with the body of a wyvern, dark purple wings stretching ominously from its front legs, goat-like hind legs propelling its grotesque form, and a long, sinuous snake for a tail.
The creature's growl resonated through the cave, its voice dripping with malice as it let out a chilling curse: "N-Nova…"
Loretta wasted no time. He clapped his hands together, summoning flames that ignited his heart, spreading through his veins until they engulfed his hands. "Art of the Moon…" Erenyx whispered, her fingers dancing in an intricate series of signs. Her locs floated in the air like serpents, her silver-gray eyes gleaming as they left a misty trail behind. "Luctus Arborum Constrictum!"
From the ground, roots of the Weeping Forest erupted, snaking upward with alarming speed. They surged toward the beast, wrapping around its limbs and constricting its movements. Loretta launched himself into the air, his flames propelling him forward as he prepared to deliver a devastating punch to the chimera's head. His fist connected with bone and flesh, smashing the creature down into the cavern floor, where it released a harrowing, blood-curdling scream.
Erenyx grimaced, feeling the drain on her Essentia as she poured more energy into the roots binding the beast. Nala, seizing her moment, took aim. "Art of the Archer: Eight Surging Arrows!" she announced, her voice ringing clear as she unleashed a barrage of arrows, each one imbued with potent energy and aimed for the beast's vulnerable spots.
"Art of the Wicked: Serpent's Coil," Kaku declared as he began to shrink in size, channeling kinetic energy into his form. With a swift motion, he launched himself at the beast, transforming into a massive white serpent of pure Essentia that coiled through the air, striking at the chimera.
The combined force of their attacks crashed into the beast, sending shockwaves through the cave as it howled in pain. Erenyx finally released her roots, exhaustion washing over her as she slumped forward, panting heavily. The chimera, however, staggered back, raising its head to unleash a roar filled with rage and fury.
With a powerful flap of its wings, the chimera summoned a torrent of wind blades, sharp gusts infused with Essentia that sliced through the air, targeting the group with lethal precision. The sudden onslaught left the team reeling, cuts opening up across their bodies as they struggled to block the attacks.
"Art of the Lotus: Fire Flower!" Loretta screamed, determination fueling his voice as he jumped into the air, inhaling deeply before exhaling a volley of fireballs towards the beast. The flames struck, but the creature barely flinched. "Tch, fire resistance," he grumbled as he landed back on the ground, frustration etched on his face.
"Kaku, try every element you have until you can do some damage. Same for the rest of you." Nala infused water into her arrows, but they splashed against the creature's hide with little effect, barely registering as an annoyance. Erenyx and Kaku joined forces, hurling rods of electricity that crackled and scorched the beast's rotting skin, causing it to recoil in pain.
Regrouping, Loretta felt his energy surge anew as he clapped his hands together once more. Flames erupted between his palms, twisting and curling as he crafted a sword of fire, the chains around his wrists morphing into glowing embers. "Let's end this shit," he declared, his voice heavy with resolve. He rushed toward the chimera, channeling power into his blazing sword, increasing its size and intensity.
Kaku placed his hands on Nala's back, infusing her with thunder-based Essentia. Her bow transformed, jagged and crackling with electricity, as she pulled back the string. The arrow emitted a chorus of sounds like a thousand birds chirping, ready to take flight.
But before Loretta could land the final blow, a sudden flash of light burst forth as Nala's arrow moved slightly, piercing into the back of Loretta. He screamed, a raw cry of pain that echoed off the cave walls as he collapsed, paralyzed, his eyes turning white as he slipped from consciousness, his body crumpling to the floor.
"Loretta!" Erenyx's heart dropped, shock and fury flooding her system. She rushed to his side, panic surging as she summoned Shiki's massive form to coil protectively around them. The enormous serpent shielded them from the beast's relentless attacks, providing a fleeting sense of safety. "The hell is wrong with you!" she shouted, fury directed at Kaku and Nala.
Kaku, unfazed, smiled and waved at her before casually turning and walking out of the cave, Nala following closely behind without a word.
"Art of Life: Lesser Healing Aura," Erenyx murmured, a soothing green aura enveloping Loretta as she tended to him, her heart racing. "It's all I can do, but it's better than nothing," she told herself, determination hardening her features as she summoned both her axes, glaring at the chimera with renewed ferocity. "I'll fucking murder them when I get out of here." Her eyes glowed a fierce crimson, a reflection of her rage and the blood moon looming above them, the final standoff ready to commence.