Monster Attack (3)

Together, we charged forward, closing the distance between us and the colossal monster. To bring it down, our strikes had to leave no opportunity for it to recover or regrow its limbs.

"We must keep attacking without a cease so that it doesn't have enough time to grow back its limbs!"

"Yep!"

The monster didn't remain idle either. With a guttural roar that shook the air, it lumbered toward us, each heavy step making the ground tremble beneath its massive feet. My gaze remained locked on the approaching monstrosity, my muscles coiled.

Suddenly, a tentacle coated in black, viscous slime erupted from its body, lashing out with terrifying speed. I barely evaded the attack, the tentacle slicing through the air above my head with a whip-like crack. The monster then veered toward Eleanor. She swiftly rolled to the side, narrowly avoiding the snapping tentacle that struck the ground where she had just been standing.

We gradually closed the distance, deftly evading the monster's relentless attacks. My focus remained unbroken as I noticed the beast preparing to slam the ground. Its massive, black slime-coated mass came crashing down, sending shockwaves through the sand beneath its feet.

The impact generated a powerful gust of wind, scattering sand in all directions and creating a blinding mist. It was a calculated move, designed to disorient us and obscure our vision. However, this wasn't the first time it had employed such a tactic. Anticipating its intentions, I steeled myself, ready to counter its next move despite the swirling veil of sand.

I shielded my eyes with my forearm, protecting them from the stinging sand particles while circulating the divine energy through my body. Channeling it, I commanded the floating sand grains to settle down. Obeying my will, the haze of sand dissipated, restoring our vision.

Just as the haze of sand died down, the monster lunged toward Eleanor with startling speed. It aimed a powerful punch at her, but she was quick to react and dodge the punch after regaining her vision.

She counterattacked with a fierce swing of her sword.

Her blade sliced through the monster's leg, cutting through the slime and leaving a deep gash on its ankle. The beast roared in pain but quickly retaliated with a sweeping motion of its tentacle. Eleanor leaped back, trying to evade the strike, but it wasn't enough. The tentacle struck her in the stomach, its rough surface grazing her skin and knocking the wind out of her.

"Aaargh!"

The tentacle cut through Eleanor's flesh, leaving a bloodied, horizontal gash across her stomach. Ignoring the pain, Eleanor narrowly avoided the monster's next swing. She gritted her teeth, realizing brute force alone wouldn't be enough. However, she continued her assault regardless, not letting the monster recover like the last time.

While Eleanor kept the monster occupied with her rapid sword strikes, I moved in with a flurry of kicks and punches. Though my attacks weren't as powerful, they still inflicted some damage, causing the monster to stagger. It struggled to cope with our relentless, simultaneous assault.

However, unbeknownst to the beast, we were gradually pushing it toward the sea. Its massive feet were already in the water. As it desperately swung its tentacles and hands to fend us off, it failed to notice its awful position. These frantic, aimless attacks not only missed us but also drained a considerable amount of its energy. The monster, now weakened and cornered, was at a severe disadvantage against our coordinated strikes.

We retreated a few steps, deftly avoiding the monster's aimless strikes. Mistaking our tactical withdrawal for fear, the creature lumbered further into the water, now submerged halfway up to its shins.

The monster had already sealed its own fate when it had stepped into the sea—the domain of Poseidon.

Eleanor raised her arm, channeling her divine energy into the sea, commanding the water to bend to her will. The sea responded, surging around the monster's limbs and tentacles, gripping them tightly and restraining the beast completely. The monster thrashed and struggled against the shackles of water, but it lacked the strength to break free.

As Eleanor tried to keep the monster under control, a violent cough racked her body, and she spat out a mouthful of blood from the strain of wielding such high divine energy. The wound on her stomach bled profusely, and it was obvious she was nearing her limit.

I wasn't in good shape either, covered in bruises and with my divine energy reserves nearly depleted. Yet, I could still muster enough strength for a final, decisive strike against the monster restrained by Eleanor.

"Eleanor! Sword!"

Despite her pale expression, she nodded and threw her sword towards me. I caught it mid-air, feeling its unfamiliar weight in my hand, and lunged at the monster with all the speed I had in me. In mere seconds, I was face to face with the beast. My eyes locked onto the red, glowing, eye-like shape on its face—the creature's vulnerable spot.

"Blake! Be Careful!"

Eleanor's urgent warning reached my ear just as the monster's right arm broke free of the water and darted toward me.

'Checkmate.'

As the black, slimy mass surged toward my face, I swiftly sidestepped, feeling its rush of air as it brushed through my hair but failed to connect. Seizing the moment, I leaped onto its massive arm, using the momentum to propel myself upward. Climbing rapidly, I navigated the creature's slick, sinewy limb until I reached its face, where the ominous red circle pulsed menacingly.

My target was clear. There was nothing else to stop me.

The monster tried to dislodge me from its arm but it was futile. With every muscle fiber in my body strained and my veins bulged, I propelled myself forward. My blade ignited with hues of crimson and black as I trusted it directly into the creature's eye, shattering it with a resounding crack. As the red glow faded, drowned out by the monster's anguished cry, its movements ceased abruptly. Its massive form began to liquefy, dissolving into a grotesque puddle of dark fluid.

The once-binding bodies of water were also dismantled, releasing me into the embrace of the sea. I swiftly made my way to the shore, where Eleanor awaited me. Despite the intensity of our recent battle, Eleanor's expression radiated excitement. Her eyes sparkled with adrenaline-fueled energy.

"We did it! We actually did it!∼"

She raised her hands, offering me a high five, which I awkwardly accepted, our palms connecting with a faint smack. As the rush of adrenaline from the battle began to subside, however, Eleanor's voice trailed off into a tired mumble.

"Yeah... Though we sti-"

*Thud*

Suddenly, fatigue washed over Eleanor, and she lost her balance. I caught her just in time, preventing her from falling. She leaned heavily against me, her weight pressing onto my chest as her legs gave out. I held her shoulders, trying to support her, but she struggled to stand straight.

I gently lowered her to sit on the sand and then sat beside her, letting her rest for a moment. She was struggling to even keep her eyes open.

"Uugh... My head is spinning..."

"You probably used too much divine energy."

"Well, at least we are still alive, no?"

A warm smile flashed across Eleanor's face, bright despite her exhaustion. Witnessing her genuine joy stirred a deep sense of nostalgia within me. It made me remember a specific time in my life, carrying with it the bittersweet reminiscence of a time when peace had been a familiar companion in my life.

Unable to resist the fatigue any longer, Eleanor's body slumped into my embrace. I let her head rest on my shoulder, and as I glanced at her face, I noticed she had already fallen asleep. The last part of the battle must have taken a toll on her.

*Sigh...*

'How can you even sleep in such a place...'

The evening sun cast golden reflections on the surface of the sea, and the soothing sound of waves crashing on the shore grazed my ears. A warm, gentle breeze brushed through my hair, displacing the ruthless atmosphere of the battlefield with the calm ambiance of the sea.

Eleanor's eyes flickered occasionally as rays of light hit her face. I could feel her breath warming my neck with each exhale, her chest rising and falling gently. Her cherry lips were parted ever so subtly, and now, with her face so close to mine, I couldn't help but notice the flawless beauty of her face. 

As I turned my gaze back to the horizon, a thought flashed through my mind like a fleeting shadow.

This feeling, both unfamiliar and yet strangely familiar, washed over me like a tide... This feeling of peace and tranquility, something I had been deprived of for a long time... This feeling was...

'Not bad...'

In that brief moment, amidst the chaos and uncertainty surrounding me, I felt a glimpse of the serenity of the days I had spent with my family.

Then it vanished, leaving me with a bitter taste in my mouth and a sore throat.