How To Fight A Greater Monster

A greater monster in Elsvaert?

I want this to be a coincidence, but what are the chances. I've been staying in Elsvaert with a leaking mana store for 6 months. For a greater monster to be here this soon...

Gaia was right.

Elizabeth was right.

It must really be me. I can't imagine proof much more definitive than this.

Elizabeth. She's in the town neighboring Elsvaert. If she hears about this, I'm sure she'll head out to fight it, like she did for me. With her ability, she should be more than okay, though.

But I can't stay here in Sheere. I'm here to kill the greater monsters. To kill the demon lord. So that's what I'll do.

Magic has been one of my greatest weapons against the greater monsters I've fought in the past. Without it, I'll have to rely on my physical abilities, my mind, and the tools at my disposal. No matter how long I wait, this won't change. I "borrow" one of the elves' horses and rush out through the main gate before anyone can stop me, heading in the direction of Elsvaert.

But what tools do I have at my disposal now? The most obvious is my weapon. Shortly after arriving in Elsvaert, I gave Elizabeth back the knife she had lent me, and I bought a proper short sword. It's a decent weapon, but nothing special. I don't have nearly enough money to hire a smithing mage, so the sword is even without enchantments. I could have done it myself if I my mana store was still intact, but that's obviously not an option. Now that I'm lacking my mana control, I'm really starting to notice how much I relied upon it.

I race through the forest, as fast as the horse can muster. I haven't reached the plains yet, but I can already sense the mana of the greater monster. It feels somehow familiar.

What is the best way to deal with the beast without magic? I look back on my past successes for anything I can use. There is one strategy that might work. All the greater monsters are predators, and their eyes are often pointed towards the front, leaving them with a narrow field of vision.

So. Give the monster an obvious target to hunt, and strike from a blind spot when it's distracted.

I'm starting to hope that Elizabeth makes it to the scene. She's best equipped to deal the strike. I guess I'll have to be the bait, then. After all, what's a clearer target than an ocean of uncontrolled mana.

I finally arrive on the other side of the forest and the horse skips across the grass plains. I can hear the greater beast's screams even from this far away. Its roars quake the very ground beneath our feet. I can see the beast now, even larger than last time. And... a glint of golden armor. Elizabeth.

---

Elizabeth's glowing sword flies across the greater monster's thick skin, getting in some good cuts on its main body. The beast's matted fur is occasionally lit dull blue from the dull glow of the sword. The monster screams and throws its whole mass to the side, throwing Elizabeth against the guild building. The beast's black eyes fixate easily on Elizabeth's golden figure. It opens its jaw wide. Stuck up against a wall, Elizabeth's options to move are limited.

The greater monster clamps down and Elizabeth dodges hard to the side. Too slow. A long, sharp fang penetrates Elizabeth's golden plated armor, continuing straight through her chest, and crushing her ribs. She falls against a wall, dropping her sword, and landing on the fang's twin, strapped to her back. The sword drops to the ground with a clunk some way from her, and the blue light fades from it.

The beast gives another scream as a short metal blade pierces the skin on its neck. Blood spills from the small wound. The monster thrashes around wildly. Furiously, it brandishes its long claws. With a great roar, it spins around to face me, ripping the blade out of my hand. Pain and fury are embellished on its grotesque face.

The greater monster screams as it lays its eyes on me. I imagine that it recognizes me. I hope that it thoroughly regrets not killing me when it had the chance.

The horse I was riding turned tail as soon as it saw the greater monster. I'm sorry I couldn't be here earlier, Sofia. I. Mean. Elizabeth.

Focus. Focus!

The greater monster lashes out and I duck under its slash just in time. Its wailing and screaming is making my head ache. I leap over a large claw, coming in from behind me, and find myself staring into a massive pupil. Now that's a weak spot if I've ever seen one.

Sharp teeth snap shut closely behind me. A narrow miss.

I can't keep dodging. My short sword didn't cut nearly deep enough to kill it. I need a better weapon. Something stronger. Something I'm certain can injure it. Something like...

My eyes land on Elizabeth's sword. It's lying against a rock, hilt in the hair, practically waiting to be picked up again. I dodge another strike as the beast claws at the ground, obliterating the surrounding area.

The monster notices me looking away and lunges forwards, maw open wide. This is my best chance. I jump as far to the side as I can, the beast's jaw clenching together hard. It grinds its teeth furiously and screams insanely, like it's losing its mind to pure rage.

My hand closes around Elizabeth's sword just as the monster spins madly to face me once more. Then, it stops.

The greater monster which, mere moments ago, was thrashing around in absolute fury, has stopped, eyes locked on the sword in my hand. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't caught off guard. Not just by the monster. By the sword.

I had seen Elizabeth use it in battle many times. Though it always glowed blue, it never seemed to come close to the blue light in the hallway the night my parents died. But now. Now the light from the blade is so, so much stronger. Looking straight at the light is painful. The glow of the sword is like the sun, piercing a hole through my iris.

Something Elizabeth once told me replays in my mind.

"You made it run away."