Chapter 134: 7,5 and 4 (2)

The energy contained in Oliver's storm of lightning strikes caused the onlookers to cringe and cower. The sight of lightning striking the same point repeatedly evoked a primal response. Unlike natural lightning, or even magical lightning Oliver's spell took on a purplish appearance. The same purple energy, mingled with blackness that each of them had seen the Archmage use many times over.

Even Ryo was forced to shield his eyes as the lightning reached its ninth strike before finally exhausting itself. It was only then that the effects of Oliver's attack became apparent. The thick cloak of miasma which coated their adversary had been zapped away, its greyish black flesh made plain for all to see. It's shape was unnerving to say the least. The creature hovered several meters off the ground, it was bi pedal with humanoid legs though they were unnaturally short. The abdomen was also human save for seven long tentacles which sprouted from the creature's body every few degrees from all angles.

The creature had no neck or shoulders, instead the 'head' resembled a deformed dome. If Agni had to make a comparison, the creature looked like an octo-human hybrid. It's tentacles were amazingly long, easily three times the size of its body and several red eyes dotted what could be assumed was the creature's forehead. No irises or pupils, simply the blood color of red.

Then, just as quickly as the creature's strange visage was revealed, it began to gather miasma to coat itself once more.

*Oh no you don't!* Oliver's voice echoed, followed by a beam of purple light which both illuminated his current position and traveled like a piercing lance. The beam found it's target and pierced the creature in what could be described as its torso. Purple blood spurted outwards as the creature gave a shrill cry. The sounds of pain were abhorrent to the ears, especially Vivian's and she shrunk away even as she struggled to keep her eye on her enemy.

"Make it stop!" Shula grunted as the noise reached a fever pitch and everyone guarded their ears. Then silence. The group of adventurers half expected the creature to die, but far from it. The miasma, which had begun to flow more freely within the area, seemed to halt itself. Small spheres formed as the particulates clumped together and were pulled towards the creature, coating it once more in an armor of miasma.

*This is going to be harder than I thought.* Oliver transmitted. There was an obvious hint of annoyance mingled within his words.

*Indeed…* Vivian agreed. And yet her expression was that of a smirk.

*This thing? Are you seriously saying this poses a challenge?* Ryo asked, before adding. *I'll take this out in one blow.*

Ryo then cracked his neck and began to stretch his shoulders. After doing so he started to flex his fingers, as if examining the state of his body. All the while magical energy flowed upwards, it was so thick and ominous that everyone nearby felt as if they should take a step back -- all save for Vivian who seemed unperturbed.

Ryo lifted his hands, bringing them upwards as the sound of crackling and pops filled the air. Thick scales of earth and rock began to sprout from his forearms, starting at the elbow and quickly covering his body all the way to his fingertips.

*I'll show you how it's done.* Ryo transmitted as he further prepared himself for battle. The air around him seemed to shift and for a moment Agni felt as if she were witnessing some kind of distortion.

*What the hell is he? That's..not normal…* Gigi remarked. Even she was beginning to feel clammy and uncomfortable despite the distance between them. The sinister energy flowing through Ryo's body quickly began to flow towards his fist. He then raised his hand high above his head, a demented smile revealing a pair of fang-like canines, before lowering his arm in a downward motion.

The ground was the first thing to give way crunch as the creature's body lurched, as if a great weight now rested upon it. Everyone watched as the thick miasma covering the creature's body seemed to react to an invisible force, falling downward as Ryo's attack grew more intense.

*This is...gravity magic.* Agni remarked as the realization suddenly dawned upon her. She watched as a radius around the floating creature flattened and sank downward. Downed trees were pressed into the ground and a near perfect circular shape was pronounced by the weight of Ryo's power.

Gravity magic, something Agni had only read about in her limited magical studies. The idea of using such magic appealed to her originally, that was until she realized the requirements of activation. Gravity magic required combining multiple 'heavy' elements at its most basic level. Agni could barely combine Fire and Wind magic without Katrin's help, let alone use two elements simultaneously. The only attempt she made backfired, resulting in a rather shocking growing pain.

Yet, the demon-kin before her made the application of such a magic seem effortless. What's more, it seemed to be working. With each passing second the ground jutted downward, causing deep grooves in the ground. Everything within the spell's sphere of influence was pressed down mercilessly -- including their foe.

And yet-- the creature's armor held up. In fact, for as much miasma as it lost even more appeared to replace and further strengthen it. The creature could no longer move, as its tentacles were pinned to the ground yet it became clear that no matter how fiercely Ryo bared down upon his enemy that no real damage was being done.

A scowl spread across his face as the energy concentrated within Ryo's fist finally ran its course.

"Tsk." He said, verbally expressing his disapproval.

*I'll take this thing out in one blow.* Oliver's voice transmitted, there was an obvious tone of sarcasm present.

Ryo shot a fearsome glare to his left and for the first time the rescue team noticed Oliver had slinked back towards them. From the look of things he had been clobbered pretty good. His hair was disheveled and much like the others, the cloth on his outfit had been burned away by the fiercely strong miasma which coated their foe like a suit of armor.

The creature drew their attention once more as all seven of its tentacles freed themselves from the dirt and began to push the creature upwards from its place at the bottom of the depression.

*Ugh. I wouldn't have even asked you to come along if I was going to do all the work anyway.* This time Vivian was the one commenting.

It was a strange sight, to see an adventurer who presented like a teenager step forward.

*I didn't want to use this in front of so many people.* She thought to herself, even as she activated one of her most closely guarded class abilities.

"Fox Fire - Oni Enchantment." Vivian said as she lifted her right blade above her head and brought it downwards with blinding speed. The blade barely had time to alight with an eerie blue flame before a supersonic slice ripped forward and cut into the creature's body. The single strike was enough to cleave the creature's tentacle clean off and severely damage another. Thick, purple blood spurted through the air as the miasma armor became defenseless. The sound of the creature's snake-like appendance thudding against the ground was accompanied by flopping and seizing.

The creature once more shuddered as a high pitched shriek rang through the environs. Not wishing to deal with the creature any longer, Vivian dashed forward. Her movements were so elegant and agile that Agni almost lost track of her in the moment. Three quick slashes -- this was all it took for Vivian to savage the creature. Blue flames issued from the deep slashes inflicted on the creature. She easily claimed more of the creature's arms, whittling it down to three instead of seven. In addition to this, a large diagonal shaped gash opened up along the creature's torso.

This blow was enough to make the creature shudder and shake.

*Hmph. I could have done that with one more strike.. Finish it now, Doyenne.* Oliver transmitted. It was difficult to tell if he was being impatient or jealous.

*It seems like we were worried for nothing.* Shula remarked as she hovered near to Dealla.

*No. Stay on your guard.* Bracha cautioned. Her eyes were focused on the unfolding battle yet to most everyone present, her council seemed unnecessary. The creature attempted to counter strike with its remaining tentacles, but it was pointless. Vivian slashed upwards, once with each sword and easily severed the creature's threats with precision and power.

*Holy shit. I never knew the Doyenne was this strong.* Gates remarked. His eyes were transfixed on the sight of Vivian in all of her glory. Dual wielding two katana, each blade was coated in a beautiful blue flame which seemed to easily cleave through the miasma and allow for direct strikes.

*Yes yes. I suppose it would be easy to destroy miasma with the flames that consume everything.* Oliver remarked.

Vivian shot him a death glare, as if he'd spoken a bit too freely. This, in turn, caused Oliver to reconsider speaking any further.

*Finish this thing off already.* Ryo transmitted. He seemed disinterested and disappointed rather than eager. Perhaps his earlier failure to end his foe contributed to that.

*Fine. You all are no f--* Vivian responded, only to be interrupted by the creature's strange behavior. It's body shaked and shuddered for the briefest of moments before it launched itself skywards, rising so high in a matter of seconds that they could barely see the creature's shape amidst the miasma in the sky.

*Is it running?* Vivian asked as she flung more supersonic fire from her blade with a single swish of her arm. The attack struck the creature once more, causing blood and chunks of flesh to fall from the sky.

*Lucky shot..* Oliver remarked.

*Wait…* He then said.

*Doyenne, above!* Oliver's thoughts spilled over and everyone immediately felt the urgency behind them. The miasma condensing at an alarming rate high above the battlefield.

*Bracha! Protect them!* Oliver shouted as he slammed his palms together and quickly raised both hands above his head. A barrier of purple energy quickly formed and shaped itself to extend outwards, this occurred just as a barreling beam of concentrated miasma pierced the thick veil of stagnant mist and traveled downward.