Chapter 116: The Firebird

Chapter 116: The Firebird

This was the first time Dallion had seen a firebird. He knew of their existence, both from his current memories and those from his Earth life. In all instances, he imagined it to be a large bird with flames for feathers that scorched everything that came near. The creature that filled the chamber utterly shattered those preconceptions. More owl than eagle or peacock, the creature represented one plump yellowy-reddish flame composed of thousands of smaller ones. However, they werent so much feathers, but droplets of fire that kept pouring down. It was as if someone had lit up a wax figure and then given it life.

Green eyes, larger than Dallions buckler, stared at the intruders, glistening bright green.

Dallion saw Janna and Kallans markers move from flame to flame, attempting to find a weak spot, yet there were none.

Just great, Dallion thought. A creature that could barbecue them all, and it didnt even have a weak spot. Right now, the idea of leaving the siblings to fight it seemed pretty good although Dallion was starting to get worried whether they could handle it. Guild emblems ensured that a person couldnt die, yet they did little to counter the pain.

COMBAT INITIATED

Janna squeezed the trigger of the crossbow. The bolts flew at their target, splintering moments before hitting the birds chest. The firebird exploded with a dull pop, engulfing a quarter of the chamber in flames, very much like a helium balloon set on fire. A wing of green markers emerged. Not expecting the blast, the siblings rushed back, hiding behind Kallans tower shield. Even Dallion felt the warm wave of air pass through him, causing him to take several steps back.

Was this what a real exploration mission was? No more simple guardians with limited powers, no more hints or easy victories, these creatures fought to win.

Kallan let go of his shield, leaving it to drop to the ground. While it had protected him from the initial expansion of the flame, it had become too hot to handle. Reaching out, he called another from Dallions back. Meanwhile, Janna readied her crossbow.

There was no trace of the fire owl. After the flame had burst, the only thing that remained were a few lingering flames on the floor, no larger than campfires. Before anyone could react, though, the flames trickled together, as if they were made of liquid, then erupted into a fiery fountain. Moments later, the giant burning owl was there again, fully restored.

Thats how a phoenix comes to life? Dallion wondered. He had always imagined the event to be far more epic. There was no denying that this method was much more terrifying.

Without hesitation, Janna aimed for the creatures head and shot another volley of bolts. This time the guardian shielded its body with a wing of flame. Another explosion followed, far smaller than the previous one. Droplets of flame rained down on the floor like beads, then trickled to the owl, up its leg, as they reformed the wing.

Dallions mind raced through options, trying to figure out a way to fight such a beast. The closest thing he had fought to this was the slime back in the awakening shrine near Dherma village. That too had proved impervious to slashing and piercing attacks, although back then Dallion didnt have the dartbow. If the logic held, the only way to defeat the firebird was to bash him with blunt weapons.

Looking at the white rectangle above the creature, not a single percent of health had decreased. In turn, Kallan had suffered another injury, reducing his health by another ten percent.

Use a shield to attack it! Dallion shouted.

His advice wasnt requested, though clearly welcomed, for Kallan spun around and threw the smaller shield he held at the guardian. A dull thump was heard as the shield smacked the side of the firebirds head, causing it to tilt slightly.

CRITICAL STRIKE!

Dealt damage was increased by 150%Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

A large chunk of the owls health was gone, along with its balance. Twenty percent with one strike was no joke, and everyone in the party knew it.

Not wasting a moment, Janna threw her crossbow on the floor and summoned her bucklers. The two large metal disks appeared in her hands and were immediately hurled at the firebirds torso in an attempt to topple it over. A dull sound was heard, like a stick hitting a bag of flour and then nothing. Both shields had passed through the fiery body, barely doing any damage at all.

It only worked on the head? Dallion wondered. That would make things considerably more difficult, especially since at present the only shield that was nearby, and potentially cool enough to handle, was the original tower shield.

Now its my turn, the guardian whispered. Or rather, Dallion thought he heard it whisper. Jenna and Kallan didnt seen to have reacted at all, standing in their positions expectantly.

Whats wrong with them? Dallion wondered. Why arent they moving?

Move back! he shouted. Its about to

Before he could finish, the owl spread its wings. The flames that composed them splattered sideways like thrown liquid, increasing their size threefold until they covered a third of the chamber, stretching along the walls. At this point, the siblings dashed towards Dallion. A massive green wave wall covered them, indicating where the guardian would strike and it did.

FATAL HIT!

Dealt damage was increased by 500%

Dallion covered his eyes with his elbow, bracing for the explosion that was to follow. Janna and Kallan also curled up on the floor, ready for the worst. Luckily for them, no blast followed. The flames that composed the firebird suddenly turned to smoke, evaporating towards the ceiling. It wasnt only the wings that had vanished; it was the entire guardian itself, disappearing like a blown-out candle. And to confirm their victory, the entire chamber lit up.

KALEIDERVISTO Level 1 has been cleared!

Continue on to fulfill the KALEIDERVISTOs destiny.

The familiar rectangle appeared.

Were alive, Dallion thought. Engaged so much in the fight, he really thought he was going to die. As he slowly calmed down, though, he remembered that this was nothing more than a level in a sphere item. There was no dying here, just a shameful restart of the level exploration. Now the only thing he had to do was to convince his heart of the same.

Ive never seen one of those before, Kallan said, nowhere as relived. To him, this remained just a job. Well have to tell dad about it.

Yeah. Janna nodded.

Shields and weapons were scattered all over the chamber like discarded towels. A few of them remained scorching hot after their contact with the firebird.

Shields are still hot, the girl noted.

This shouldnt have happened. Theyre supposed to return to normal once the guardian vanishes. Kallan summoned his tower shield. The moment it appeared in his hands, he quickly let it go again. Well have to stay here a while, he said rubbing the palm of his hand in his shirt.

Im fine with that, Dallion managed to say. I just need a few minutes rest.

You need more than that. Janna pointed at his handthe tips of his fingers were raw and bloody. You pushed yourself too hard.

It worked, though. Dallion forced a smile. Not sure Ill be able to pull it off for the next one.

Well take care of it. Kallan quickly added. Weve already gone through a fire guardian. Its unlikely there will be another.

Are you sure? There were two shadow guardians in the dagger.

Its rarely happened. The boy shrugged, changing his stance. If there are two fire guardians in three levels, itll be really weird. The certainty was gone from his voice.

To be honest, Dallion wanted Kallan to be right. Facing another guardian like this, even after they had an idea regarding the weak spot, would be too much.

Anyway, lets just get our reward Dallion stood up and think it over afterwards.

Reward? Janna blinked. What reward?

The leveling up?

Theres no leveling up. This isnt a training dagger. Its an item, and items only increase skills when fully improved.

Dallion felt a chill down his spine. Still unwilling to believe it, he looked at the blue rectangle once more. There was no denying itthe rectangle didnt say anything about choosing a focus, nothing at all