Chapter 160: Cursed beast.

Chapter 160: Cursed beast.

The next morning, we were woken up by morning prayer. A loud one. One that had been started right outside the front door of our temporary place. We couldnt even get mad, since they had let us sleep there for free.

It took another five minutes to get through the crows, once we had finally made up our minds to leave and head back out into the savannah. By the time we got to the elevator, the woman that had led us inside the day before was already there, waiting for us.

I never introduced myself, did I? Swahili, captain of the guard here at Asaai. Before you go, I have a request for you.

It took everything I had not to groan at yet another slowdown of our journey, but I held on, hoping they were proposing we hunt down a monster or something. The experience was always nice

Since she was asking Emeri, Emeri was the one to reply. We would love to help, as long as it is within our means.

Swahili nodded, and pointed to the savannah that loomed on the horizon.

Out there, a foul creature roams. It was created by a necromantic tribe many years ago, and wields unholy strength. The creature had been hunted by nearby tribes many times, but never stays dead. With the help of you, a holy maiden, we can kill it permanently.

Before accepting, Emeri fished for some more information. Either way, this sounded like a great challenge. Furthermore, with my essence destroying gauntlets, the creatures pseudo-immortality could easily be thwarted.

How strong is this creature?

It borders on tier 5, but its size makes it much more deadly and powerful than other, similar monsters.

Emeri looked at me to gauge my reaction, but I, sensing the levels, simply nodded.

Very well. We will see if we cant destroy this creature for you. However, we wish to do it alone, no spectators. Emeri argued smartly. After all, my mana couldnt be seen by people this religious. We would be hunted down.

Swahili opened her mouth to argue, but was silenced when Emeri brought up her hand.

This is my proposition. Refuse it, and we will simply leave.

Swahili still looked like she wanted to argue, but kept quiet in the end, only responding with a downcast nod.

Then, we were guided back onto the moving platform and brought to the base of the tree. We made to leave the outpost, when we noticed that Swahili was still following us.

Chosen one, I will help you track the beast, but will leave once we find it. She promised sincerely, causing Emeri to sigh and acquiesce. Always with the secrets.

Like this, our party of three departed into the savannah, in search of the cursed beast. On foot, of course. Revan would certainly scare Swahili enough to part my head from my neck, and I wasnt keen on finding out whether she could or not.

Half a day later, we arrived at the cursed beasts territory.

So what are we looking for? I asked, intrigued. This area certainly didnt look any different from the rest of the savanna, after all.

Swahili, however, completely ignored me and looked in the other direction. Only when Emeri repeated my question more loudly, as if she hadnt heard the first time, did the guard captain answer. Even when she did, she was only looking at Emeri.

Chosen one, the cursed beast takes the form of an elephant, though pieces of stone buildings protrude from the creatures body. Remnants of the necromantic village that created it, they say. For the curse to inhabit such a sacred creature it can only be to spite us.

Without hesitation, I drew my sword and sunk it into one of the eyes. It cracked like glass, allowing a bright, purple flash to shine through the biggest crack. The light passed through my body, creating an immense headache.

I started hearing voices whisper in my mind.

so much pain

Release us

Im scared, mommy

Release us

Spare me, please!

Release us

I rolled out of the light, clutching my head and feeling the pain recede, the voices disappearing with them.

The creature trumpeted again, before bucking me off like a horse. Still stunned by the strange phenomenon, I rocketed down to the ground like a bag of bricks, landing with the grace of one too.

Arthur! I heard Emeri shout in concern. Slowly, I dug myself out of the pit, feeling my body heal the broken bones pretty quickly. The fall hadnt been too bad

Emeri, weve got a problem. That thing doesnt just have one stubborn essence, its had a whole village worth. I explained quickly, relaying to her what I had heard In my head.

Oh, Helios Those poor people she gasped, holding a hand over her mouth, even as the giant beast rampaged in the distance.

I know, but weve got no time. As I see it, we need to strategize. We cant kill it like this.

Emeri nodded, but before we managed to make some more distance, the creature regained enough sense to notice our presence and charged at us.

If before it was fast, now it was blitzing. The beast reined us in in seconds, the increased gravity not impeding us. Its tusks lit up purple and started to pull us in slowly. Then, it sunk them into the ground below by craning its neck. The purple glow of gravity only intensified, pulling in the nearby trees and earthy. All of them circled around the tusks to form a maelstrom of debris.

Emeri and I continued to run, but it was gaining on us. We had to do something

Suddenly, out of nowhere, my mana sense picked up a new presence, though it felt similar to the elephant.

A figure appeared in the sky, shooting down on top of the elephants head while surrounded by a purple blaze.

Nearby trees started to be pulled up instead, but the elephant was too enraged to notice.

Then, the figure crashed down on top of the elephant, causing a shock wave that threw Emeri and I into the air and launched us into the distance.

The last thing I remember mumbling before blacking out was: I hope thats a good guy