Monarch Of Yngrave (5)

Time slowed to a crawl as I watched the roots I had summoned be wrenched from my control and turned against us, the things I had used as a defensive measure being utilized to pierce and bludgeon the soldiers around me as the Monarch made use of its almost boundless Nature Mana to do so.

But I couldn't see any of it happening as the flames the mage summoned flared around us brightly, burning away the thorns that were spat at us like bullets whilst a barrier of interlocking mana blocked the heavy weight of the Monarch as it leapt at us, making it impossible to clearly tell what the hell was going on.

When the flames dissipated and the thud of the monster landing nearby shook the earth, I got to see the damage that had been wrought by the spell that I had cast, and it made me clench my jaw as I tore my eyes away from the four wounded soldiers that had fallen to the ground, clasping at broken arms or legs as well as pierced shoulders; one was unmoving, a large pool of blood dripping out of her throat...

At least, what was left of it...

And they weren't done being stolen from me either, the roots crashing back down against the soldiers and trying to penetrate past their shields or wrap around their blades, all while the Monarch glowered at us from just outside the ring, its front legs singed while its long braids were splintering in some locations.

Snarling softly, the Monarch began to prowl around the circle and observe us, keeping its 'eyes' on the mage and I as it prioritized us primarily, all whilst using its braids to deflect any stray attack that was sent its way; when any sword swing or spell was close enough to be deemed a threat by it, the two wooden braids would come to life and smack them away, whilst also searching for an opening by the one who sent said attacks.

Its unhinged maw widened a few times, and it displayed its frightening intelligence as it drew out any sort of reaction it could, wearing down at our mana reserves and testing our nerves as it displayed that nest of brambles to us willingly, only to snarl again like it was amused at our actions.

Stuck in a difficult position, we were unable to go on the offensive thanks to the Monarch's control over the forest around us - even this charred, burnt hell scape that was left of the forest - as well as its natural strength that it was still displaying ever after all of this; the mana expenditure and the current wounds it had were doing little to slow it down.

When another barrage of thorns burst forth from its maw and peppered the shield wall, the mage beside me began to cast another spell, only for the monster to go ahead and leap into the air once more, sending its heavy braids straight towards him and forcing the Animus Wardens to make a move to defend him.

However, the triumphant screech as it landed short of our innermost defensive position and instead turned around to face the backs of the soldiers made my blood run cold, especially as the thorns burst forth and began to puncture the armor of the various soldiers who were slower to turn around.

Some of the soldiers managed to avoid the worst of it, raising their shields just in time to deflect the storm of thorns heading their way, but some were too slow, their bodies dropping to the ground as the wounds only grew more numerous on their bodies, taking them out of the fight for now.

Though they thankfully were still alive, but whether that would last or not was up for debate as the Monarch's braids whipped back around, the monster moving quickly as it capitalized on this advantage that it had found for itself.

Whipping the soldiers, it snarled as it forced them back a few steps and opened up some more space to work with, which it used instantly to press the advantage and keep us on our toes, spinning around and screeching at the mage and I as it slammed its legs into the earth.

The Nagamaki wielding woman rushed forwards alongside the hammer wielding Bearkin woman, the two of them batting aside the braids and trying to snatch away the monster's attention long enough for the mage to do something.

Roots erupted from the ground and tried to stab at the two warrior women, but a shout from the older man with a shield stunned the Monarch for just a moment, allowing them to attack freely; meanwhile, a spinning cyclone of wind slammed into the Monarch's torso, the Lizardkin stabbing his spear forwards and shooting off projectiles with each thrust.

The Monarch screeched again, this time in agony as the flame shrouded Nagamaki and rock laden hammer slamming into its legs, splintering the wood with a sharp crack and causing the Monarch to stumble, its weight crashing forwards as its balance was robbed from it.

The roots began to snake back towards the Monarch, grabbing at the ankles of the two women and trying to pul them away, while the Monarch itself rose to its feet again and snarled at us, the cracks and splinters in its body exuding a viridian glow that slowly became covered as new wood grew over the old.

Growing larger, the monster slammed its legs into the ground once more to leap away, only to screech for a third time as a net of mana slammed it back into the ground, sending a tremor through the root laden earth, allowing the warriors to pile in on it and begin hacking away at its body.

Their weapons rose and fell with power and speed that were hard to track, but the wet snap of wood and the pained howling of the monster were clear to us all, even more so when it began to quiet down as the Wardens joined in.

Beside me, the mage chuckled dryly and raised his hands again, muttering "No chances, right lass..? A shame... would have loved to pick apart a Monarch myself, but duty before research." to me before shouting "Back!"

Instantly, the warriors all leapt back and allowed the mage to cast his spell, a giant pillar of flames erupting up around the felled Monarch, who's screeches returned in volume for a couple of seconds before dwindling down once more...

And then, silence.