Chapter 86 - Comeback

Linda held her gaze for a moment before backing a single step as the Deziun Alle gradually came closer to her. Kazan with the utmost effort came by her side and prepared to aid her at any cost. Unconsciously, his body straightened up, and clutches hard his sword. Truly, he doesn’t know what made him act this way, is it because he felt the excitement or his instinct telling him not to screw himself again?

The brim of Deziun Alle’s sword brimmed and cast sprinkling lights that might blind anyone who straightly look at it. They quickly ran away as they realized what it was doing. It aims to decrease the level of vision so that it could surprise them. Although it’s effective for a surprise attack, they already know who’s the targeted individual. With its obvious regard to someone, it doesn’t take much effort to know who’s it’s aiming with.

They sprinted away from the source of light. They can feel the slow but terrifying and gradual movements of the giant black-cloaked monster. Under the impression of gaining an advantageous pace, a jet red flew past them. It landed and explodes in front of them, which not too far. The blast was not enough to bring them down. They ignored the dull blossom of pain that enveloped her ears and her arms. They got up quickly as possible.

Their speed remains steady as they trudge over the mountain of bodies of the previous enemies that they’ve encountered. An open space away from the rest of the group is needed to somehow restrict the movements of the enemy.

“Shit! They never said it can use magic.” Kazan said.

“Just don’t look back.”

In his viewpoint, it doesn’t seem right to left that monster unnoticed its movements and so, Kazan risk to look over his shoulder and saw the monster with large walked paced with its sword raised to them emanated another flare.

Another blast came to them, close enough for him to felt the air part next to his left ear stinging and whistle with incredible speed that causes him to slow down. Nevertheless, his mind was dulled enough to accept any more of it. This time they evaded the radius of the blast and didn’t get caught by the shockwave. It was too close, far too close.

They turn left and entered the forest. All that was left to hear as they entered was the deafening and animalistic roar of the monster that causes her to shiver convulsively before realizing she was marked.

It was the same before, the path is too narrow for the monster to move quickly. It might destroy the trees but its footpace will decrease and in turn, give them time to flee to the training ground of the trainees.

The unimpeded traces of rumbling acceleration of the enemy as it gets inside the path. It effortlessly brought down the trees and had the nearby monsters scared and fled the ground. The speed of the enemy was beyond their anticipation. Both of them kept their pace steady and could not allow themselves to distract from the enemies that are glaring at them. Sacrificing a second of speed would likely give the enemy another advantage on catching up. Another animalistic rage of roar came to shiver them again, they were marked and it's coming for them.

They turn to an uncharted path of the forest. It was a shortcut to a certain part of the training ground. They haven’t still forgotten the necessity of a cleared field so that Cid can perform his plan. It’s a stadium type of field. It was wrecked though, it hasn’t been fixed ever since the incursion of the Renegades, but it is still good enough for them to use for luring the enemy. The cold breeze ruffled Linda’s air as she catches her breath. She surveyed the surroundings to find a suitable hiding place while waiting for Alastor and Cid to come.

“Follow me.”

Kazan willingly followed her into a vacant part of the stadium, where there are fallen debris that would help them cover.

A black blurry figure landed in the middle of the stadium and howled. It took aim with its sword and a flare blasted the nearby building. The enemy turns its back on them. The opportunity is enticing but there is no need for them to act rashly. They’d be sitting ducks for now until the reinforcements will come.

The tense feeling sunk down as the enemy’s attention was not on their line of vision. Their footsteps remain in stealth and guarded as they risk a gaze on the enemy. They immediately felt the creeping presence of its gaze even though it was not looking at them.

“Shit.” He whispered. “What the hell is that?”

Whatever it was it didn’t stop on that, the cry echoing behind with its giant footsteps pounding towards them relentlessly and certain. They’re prepared for the worse. Glancing at one another they nodded and began to count. It was a matter of seconds before the enemy came to charge and, at that moment, its giant sword came crashing down destroying the debris that they use as cover. To its surprise, they already parted ways and jumped out in the field.

Kazan uses her fire magic to bombard and distract the enemy. By that, Linda uses her ice magic to hold down its feet. Kazan charges towards it and attacks it. His sword bounces back but obviously, he’s not going to back down. Deziun Alle releases its massive sword and swung it at him. Kazan manages to guard himself but the impact shocked him psychologically as the attack led him crashing to the ground. His consciousness barely processed what just happen. His perception of time slowed down to a near stop.

His thought was vague, disoriented but regained his memory to breathe from his muddling mind. The enemy’s preparation for attack was intercepted by Linda by launching an icicle to the flare itself exploding right into its face. Rancid smoke swelled up. Its black cloak singed, part of its cloth was peeled and burned but its armor is still intact.

“Are you alright?” She asked. “Obviously not,” She answered herself quickly, stating the obvious. “Can you still fight?”

Kazan deeply inhaled and shrugged, “Still buzzed, but it’s nothing serious.”

The Deziun Alle’s finger slightly jerk. It is safe to assume that the monster was too in shock that she indeed returned the favor to it. The blast from its attack had been powerful and proves that even the monster itself was stunned by it, even though it’s completely an overstatement. She was unnerved by the blast and blatantly uses her ice magic to restrict it, just to be sure, it is safe to assume that it is still conscious.

Kazan got up. There was a paused and he finally asked her, “It’s still alive, isn’t it?” The question was rhetorical. He did not need a reply to confirm if it still alive. Deziun Alle growled and removed with ease the ice that encapsulated its lower body. Its massive fist raised and punch the air, then there came a mighty clap that produces an air that is comprised of what it seems to be a ball.