Flying Rubble
A tide of atmospheric mana converges inside of the witch.
I watch in awe as she absorbs and purifies the mana inside of her.
Even with 「Absorption」 and 「Assimilation」 to help me process mana, I do not think that I could ever be on the same level as her.
"… …. .."
The witch began muttering something, her words completely indecipherable to me.
I receded my mana and presence, doing my very best to stay hidden.
The witch glanced towards my direction.
She smiled.
Even though I'm doing my best to stay hidden…
It was then that a loud rumble erupted from the cave opening.
*rumble*
The beast woke up.
*crumble*
The beast got up.
*BOOM*
The beast attacked.
With speed unbefitting it's size, the Rock Serpent charged at the witch, it's gigantic body causing light earthquakes.
In response, the witch slowly lifted off the ground. A large stream of green mana engulfed her, to the point that I had difficulty seeing the witch's figure.
Wind covered her from head to toe with a sphere made of wind. It served as both a shield and a constant counter for anybody foolish enough to attack her.
Just like the beast.
The Rock Serpent, ignoring or not even noticing her conjure up magic, continued to charge at terrifying speed.
Then…
*CRASH*
An explosion rang out again, this time from the force that each side exuded.
I moved away from my current hiding place, trying to get a better look.
They were in a deadlock.
Despite the beast's large and heavy frame, terrifying speed, and sturdy body… the witch resisted stayed standing—floating technically.
The beast, noticing that it's first strike proved useless, tightened it's body on the green sphere that contained the witch.
It continued to grip tighter and tighter until the sphere began to change shape, influenced by the beast's strength.
No
The sphere shattered.
No!
A cold chill ran down my spine, my mind befuddled.
Then, as if to betray my expectations, a loud shout echoed throughout the cavern.
"Ya' think I wouldn't have considered that?!"
She said, her voice directed at the beast, her eyes glancing to where I was every now and then.
You're ruining it
The witch's robes fluttered as she used her 「Flight」 spell without even needing to chant.
Wind engulfed her, covered and supported her.
Then, she muttered something.
The stalactites hanging from the ceiling began to shake, eventually snapping from their original placing.
They floated in midair, much like the witch.
Then, they began spinning.
The dozen of sharp rocks became drills, all of them aimed at the beast.
The witch raised her hand, and like a conductor beginning an orchestra, she brought it down.
A song of destruction fell on the beast.
It came at even, rhythmical intervals, almost like a well-practiced melody.
The beast, in response to the witch's song, curled up. The plates of earth crashed upon the spinning pillars of the same element.
Dust flew everywhere, and I had to blink a few times to get them out of my eyes.
*whoosh*
Wind came out of nowhere, sending the cloud of dust away.
What I saw shocked me.
How…
The beast was intact. It's entire body did not even have a single dent to it. The scales suffered no damage.
No way…
I look back at the witch, worried.
She had a confident, fake smile on.
She knew this would happen.
The beast uncoiled itself.
The beast's cold, serpentine eyes glared at the witch. It let out a hiss, too.
It was angry.
Then it swung it's tail.
Rubble flew everywhere, flying this way and that.
Most of them flew towards the witch, to no avail, unsurprisingly.
With a flick of her wrist, a wind barrier appeared before her, blocking all of the stone.
「Skill 'Instinct' is warning you」
I could not do the same.
My mana was currently receded — as the witch instructed — so I could not cast any spells or enhance my body.
「Skill 'Quick Step' is activating」
Using my only mobility skill available, I maneuver out of the flying rubble's way.
I was at a considerable distance from the ensuing fight, thankfully, so only a small amount of rubble flew my way.
Urk…!
Just before I was in the clear, my feet ached from the backlash of using 「Quick Step」 consecutively. This caused me to tumble forwards, landing roughly on a stalagmite with my head on the floor and feet to the air.
Owwww
*rumble*
The ground shook again, much harder this time.
The snake was on the move.
I quickly reorient myself, then peek from the ledge I was on.
*ruuuumble*
The ground shook some more, and after a bit, the entire cavern did so.
The snake is rampaging
Even without seeing it, I could tell for certain.
Is she…
No, she will be fine.
Unlike me, she's strong—much more so
I take a deep breath and focus on the obstacles before me.
「Skill 'Quick Step' is activating」
Without 「Reinforcement」 to soften the backlash of using the skill, I had to be creative.
Using 「Quick Step」 only when necessary, I pull out my sword.
Now!
Then, I swing it in a wide arc, cutting apart a boulder half the size of me.
Then another one came, one bigger than me. I dodge this one.
The flying rocks and boulders were seemingly never-ending, the snake's rampage was still ongoing.
Then, something changed.
The very air seemed to freeze as the surrounding temperature dropped like an anvil.
My breaths made misty clouds and it did not take me long to notice that the rampaging has stopped.
Making my way through the rubble, I find that the gigantic snake was not moving.
It coiled on itself, it's serpentine eyes closed.
Did she do it…?
Looking back at where the witch should be, I find that nobody was there. In fact, she was not anywhere.
No…
My eyes darted around as I desperately searched for her.
Then the snake moved, it's body sliding out of it's coil.
I pulled out my sword, ready to go into battle.
What I saw made my eyes go wide as a plate.
What the hell is she doing…?
The witch summoned powerful winds and lifted herself to where I was.
Her clothes were torn and damaged. She had a few scrapes here and there but she was otherwise fine.
She crouched beside me and spoke in a low voice.
"I can't keep this up for long. We need to kill the beast now." She looked at me. "And you're going to do it."
Of course I am.