Chapter 174 - Terrorcotta Lord

[Come on...where is this damn thing?!], I cursed as I ran around the battlefield, analyzing every statue within the Fog of War.

[Did you find the leader yet?], Voxea asked while holding a Terrorcotta Soldier in an arm lock, [I'm getting bored and I swear these guys are multiplying]. Another Terrorcotta Soldier was about to swing it's sword down at Voxea's head, only for Voxea to suddenly flip upwards and slam the soldier she was holding in the arm lock into it.

She then proceeded to land on her feet and blast a burst of ice towards another charging Soldier, sealing them in a block of ice.

[I may have a monster's stamina, but even I might run out of steam eventually], Voxea said as she did a back flip onto the shoulders of another monster, [Or one of these idiots get a lucky shot in]. Voxea's fists glowed purple for a moment right before she smashed them both into the skull of the monster she was riding. The soldier immediately turned into aether from the devastating blow.

[I am try-Wait! I think I found it!], I said as my Dragon's Eye began to act up when I used it on a standing statue armed with a spear that had armor that looked slightly different from the rest.

[Oh that can't be good], I commented as the information began to flow into my eye.

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Species Name: Terrorcotta Lord - Piercer

Affinities: Earth/Fury

Grade: Gold

Traits: Mimic, Armed, Yellow Thunder Jade Heart

Description: Unknown

Voxea's notes:

Crusher, Cutter, Piercer, Lasher and Chopper.

When the Clay Overlord was alive, it was known that among his Terrorcotta Soldiers were several unusual "generals" that seemed to have looks and abilities that were...non-standard for their model.

These generals had weapons that were rather exotic in comparison to their "mundane" counterparts and were able to exhibit elemental abilities that deviated greatly from Earth and Fury. It was also believed that their mere existence could cause other, weaker monsters under their command to suddenly grow stronger.

Piercer was considered "The Swiftest" due to its ability to channel the power of Lighting through the yellow elemental jade embedded in it's core. It was said his spear could hit like a lighting bolt, literally and figuratively.

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[Voxea! It's this guy! Here!], I said as I pointed out the statue and moved out of the way.

[Got it], Voxea replied as she disengaged a sword-wielding Terrorcotta Soldier armed with a sword by kicking it in the stomach.

Turning to face the unusual statue, Voxea manifested a large spell circle that radiated Wind aether, while pulling a fist back.

[Twister Ram]!

Voxea punched forward into the spell circle, causing it to a ripple for a moment. Immediately afterwards, a huge ram's head made of Wind aether came flying out of the spell circle like a cannon ball, aimed directly at the Terrorcotta Lord.

As the ram head flew onward, it left a literal trail of destruction as the intense wind pressure shattered statues and knocked Terrorcotta Soldiers left and right.

I was fairly certain that this attack was going to reduce this Terrorcotta Lord to rubble, up until I felt the aether levels suddenly spike.

I'm not sure how other maji and binders detect this stuff, but to me, it sounded like rumbling thunder happening right next to my head.

[What was that]?!

[Oh ho ho! It appears our opponent is deciding to honor is with his full attention!], Voxea answered with a vicious smile, [Things are about to get interesting]!

As the ram head got closer and closer, the Terrorcotta Lord suddenly rushed directly . I could quite literally feel this thing circulating Earth aether within itself and somehow converting it into Lighting aether. The aether then gathered into the spear, giving it a dense, dangerous glow.

Once it got into range, Piercer lunged his spear forward and released a bolt of lightning that pierced the ram-like tornado.

A loud bang followed by a burst of aether that nearly blinded me happened when the conflicting energies collided with one another. An absurd amount of dust and rock was kicked up as a result.

If it wasn't for the Fog of War, I'm pretty sure I'd be either full of holes from all the debris or actually blind by now.

[You okay Silvia?], Voxea chimed in as the room darkened once more.

[Yeah], I replied while blinking a few times, [I was not expecting that].

[Well look alive my darling apprentice, I might actually need your help for this one], Voxea said as she took on a fighting stance. Unusually, Voxea condensed a glaive made of ice before entering her fighting stance.

[Wait, what? Why?], I asked confused.

[Because he's getting serious].

As the dust began to settle, the semi-broken form of the Terrorcotta Lord began to make itself clearer.

Aside from being covered in cracks from head to toe, I could see chunk of it's armor and body falling off of it. The spear it was holding, however, looked surprisingly immaculate...and glowy.

Normally, I would assume a majimonster in such a state would be close to being one with the aether again, but Voxea's warning had me concerned.

*CRACK*! *THWACK*!

Seeing the Terrorcotta Lord suddenly whack itself with it's spear had me a extra concerned.

[What the hell is it doing]?!

[Shedding some weight], Voxea calmly replied, [Those chunks falling off of it is just excess materials that had gathered on it over the years. I imagine it has been a rather long time since it had a proper fight].

{She's right}, a smooth yet grinding voice suddenly commented, {It's been a very, very long time since I had a proper duel}.

[How is he doing that?!], I asked while taking a more defensive posture. The bond between binder and majimonster is suppose to be untouchable, so this thing suddenly chiming in on our conversation is downright terrifying.

It didn't help that he punctuated his words while smashing parts of himself.

{And I have been very}, he said while smashing a chunk of his shoulder.

{Very}, while smashing part of his hip.

{Bored}, he said while smashing his face.

"Oh...that is not good".