Chapter 16: Lawachurl

(Chapter 16 Lawachurl)

Deep in the forest clearing, a fierce battle was unfolding. The grass was littered with fresh blood and the countless corpses of fallen Hilichurls. The two individuals responsible for this carnage were none other than Tempest and Constantine. Now, the final part of the confrontation was coming to a head as they faced off against a colossal Hilichurl, known as a Lawachurl, a term that meant king or chieftain in their language. The air was thick with tension, the ground trembling beneath the weight of the mighty adversary.

"This one might be tough to one to gut, Young Master. Should we consider a tactical retreat and call reinforcements, Young Master?"

Constantine said while he gripped both his swords firmly, his gaze unwavering. The Lawachurl stood motionless, its eyes locked onto Tempest and Constantine, a palpable tension crackling in the air between them.

"Retreat? I've just found the perfect test subject for my Delusion, and now you're suggesting we retreat? Absolutely not. You distract it while I search for a weak spot."

Tempest said to his Teacher, a wicked smile then formed on Constantine's face as Tempest gave him his answer.

"Hah! Now we're talking, Young Master. Very well then! Your wish is my command!"

Constantine then without hesitation, Immediately charged at the Lawachurl.

"Oh, what!? Are you just going to stand there and cry for your fallen brethren?! Avenge them by killing me, you pebble!"

With a wicked smile on his face, Constantine taunted the Lawachurl. Enraged, the colossal creature roared and pounded its chest in fury before lunging at Constantine with primal aggression.

"Crazy old man..."

Tempest muttered to himself while watching Constantine effortlessly dodge the Lawachurl's fatal attacks.

'Once more..."

Tempest remained calm, focusing his thoughts inward. With a silent command, he summoned a fiery Pyro sword into his right hand, its blade flickering with intense heat. His eyes narrowed with determination as he prepared to join the fray against the formidable opponent before them.

Tempest charged at the Lawachurl, his fiery Pyro sword held high, while Constantine skillfully kept the massive creature distracted. With its attention focused on Constantine, the Lawachurl's massive back was left exposed, presenting a tempting target for Tempest's attack.

Tempest lunged forward, slashing at the massive Lawachurl's calves with his fiery Pyro sword, intending to immobilize the giant Hilichurl's movements. However, the creature's stony hide proved too tough to slice through completely, resulting only in a superficial scratch.

"Tsk... Bad move..."

The Lawachurl turned around swiftly, unleashing a powerful left hook aimed at Tempest, followed by a ground-shaking slam with both arms. Tempest dodged the giant's punch flawlessly, his agility and reflexes serving him well in the intense battle. With a quick leap backward, he narrowly avoided being crushed by the creature's massive fists as they impacted the ground with thunderous force.

"Aurgh!"

The Lawachurl groaned in pain, momentarily distracted from its assault on Tempest, as Constantine swiftly hurled his scimitar at its exposed back. The blade sliced through the air with precision, embedding itself deeply into the creature's hide.

"Don't turn your back on me! You one big son of a bitch!"

Constantine shouted angrily as he unsheathed his black long sword to replace his scimitar.

In response, the Lawachurl roared at him, and then immediately pointed his horns at Constantine and charged at him.

"Aim for its exposed back, Young Master!"

Constantine shouted at Tempest while dodging the Lawachurl's attacks.

"I won't make the same mistake twice."

Tempest muttered to himself, steeling his resolve as he gripped his Pyro sword firmly and planted his feet firmly on the ground. With Constantine's distraction holding the Lawachurl's attention, Tempest seized the opportunity. He bolted towards the distracted creature, his movements swift and precise. Leaping into the air, he landed squarely on the Lawachurl's back, driving his blade into the exposed area where the thick stone plating did not protect it.

"Aurgh!"

The Lawachurl screamed in pain as Tempest's surprise attack pierced its defenses. Feeling the creature writhe beneath him, Tempest tightened his grip on the handle of the Pyro sword with both hands and twisted it, aiming to inflict maximum damage and weaken its resolve in the fierce battle.

"Aurgh!"

The Lawachurl screamed in agony once more, its massive frame heaving as it tried desperately to dislodge the golden-haired human from its back. Tempest exerted all his strength, his hands steady on the handle of the Pyro Blade, slowly drawing the fiery sword across the creature's flesh. The air filled with the acrid scent of burning flesh as the Pyro Blade sizzled and seared with each deliberate movement Tempest made, determined to weaken the formidable foe beneath him.

"Yes! That's it! Young Master!"

Constantine shouted as he charged at the distracted Lawachurl, which was still trying to dislodge Tempest from its back. With a powerful leap, he swung both of his swords at the creature's exposed front. As he closed in, he deftly grabbed the hilt of his scimitar with his teeth, the blade already embedded in the Lawachurl's tough hide.

"Rurgh!"

The Lawachurl roared in agony, blood streaming from two long lines of cuts inflicted across its front. The creature staggered under the combined assault of Tempest and Constantine, its formidable defenses finally showing signs of wear against their relentless attacks.

Constantine continued his relentless assault, determined to wear down the Lawachurl. With a flurry of strikes, he focused on hacking at the creature's hamstrings, each blow aimed at slowly shattering its stone plating. He wielded his swords with unparalleled skill, utilizing both hands and even gripping one with his mouth, demonstrating his unwavering determination to bring down the colossal creature.

Meanwhile, Tempest maintained his hold on the Lawachurl's back, his Pyro blade steadily inching towards its heart. Despite the creature's desperate struggles, he remained steadfast, his focus solely on delivering the decisive blow that would end the battle. The air crackled with tension as the two warriors worked in tandem, their coordinated efforts closing in on victory against the formidable foe.

"Hmph?!"

The Lawachurl's massive hand finally seized Tempest, its grip strong and unyielding. With a mighty heave, the giant creature hurled him through the air, sending Tempest crashing into a nearby tree with great force.

"Hmpf!"

Tempest groaned in pain as he felt a sharp crack resonate through his body upon impact with the tree.

"Young Master!"

Constantine immediately ceased his attacks on the Lawachurl and ran up to Tempest.

"Young Master! Are you alright?!"

Constantine knelt down beside Tempest.

"Yeah... Think I broke one of my ribs..."

Tempest said.

"I'm fine... This isn't the worst pain I've felt in my life. I've had worse... I'm used to this..." 

Tempest muttered through gritted teeth, his voice tinged with determination despite the throbbing ache coursing through him.

"Hmph, we'll check on that later, for now..."

Constantine smiled confidently, reassured by Tempest's remarkable pain tolerance and resilience in the face of adversity. Indeed, Tempest had worst experience with his Father. They then both looked at Lawachurl.

It knelt down on one knee, using one of its massive hands to try to staunch the bleeding on its chest. The creature's breath came in heavy, ragged gasps, its strength waning from the relentless assault it endured.

"Hah, looks like it finally broke. I'll finish it, Young Master, you earned the rest."

Constantine smiled reassuring him.

*Heart Beat*

Tempest's heart began to race, pounding rapidly in his chest. The glow of his Pyro Delusion intensified, casting an intense fiery light around him. His eyes, normally calm and focused, now shimmered with a shade of deep red, reflecting the intensity of his emotions and the power surging within him.

"No... I'll do it..."

"Young Master?"

Tempest's body moved instinctively, almost of its own accord. He rose from where he had been thrown against the tree and began walking towards the Lawachurl.

"Ika... Kuzi..."

The Lawachurl spoke in its language and raised its head to gaze at Tempest, too injured to muster an attack against him.

Tempest didn't even reply to the Lawachurl, right now he wasn't controlling his body.

Tempest raised both his hands, channeling his Delusion to manifest a blade wheel. The blade slowly expanded, growing larger than two giant Pyro hands. Sharp, clawed manifestations appeared beside him, aiding in the propulsion of the blade wheel.

The Lawachurl simply looked at Tempest, its gaze conveying a sense of resignation and acceptance of its fate. Even if it managed to escape, the severe injuries it had sustained meant its time was limited.

With one powerful push, aided by the Pyro arm manifestations, Tempest unleashed the Pyro blade wheel upon the Lawachurl, slicing its body cleanly in half. Blood spewed everywhere as the giant's massive form collapsed to the ground.