Village (3)

Nox felt a strong resistance as he was pushed back. The monster in front of him was no small fry, and his strength was almost comparable to the brute.

However, where it was lacking in strength, it made up for in speed.

Its nightmarish blade whipped through the air, aiming for his neck. Pivoting to the side, the Mythmaker allowed the strike to rush over him as he delivered a stab to the monster's chest.

The sword went a centimeter into the plated armor but paused.

'Not good enough. I need to wear him down first.'

A kick to the body took Nox by surprise as he tumbled backward. He didn't expect that one.

The lizard snarled as it took advantage of the opportunity to lunge in for a cleave.

Quickly getting up, he raised his blade as the monstrous katana slammed into him. His eyes turned a pale purple as the lizard widened his eyes and stepped back.

'Slice.'

It wasn't able to get far before an almost instantaneous attack sliced into his stomach, drawing blood even through his thick armor.

Nox grinned, trying to hide the aching of his arm muscles.

Even with green blood spilling out of his body, the lizard's stance remained perfect. He tried to bait the monster with a few faints, but it wouldn't bite.

'Shit, it's smarter than I thought…' he cursed.

His green eyes remained focused on the Challenger, focusing on every minute movement he made.

Nox knew something big was coming. He dove into the world of strings as he gazed upon the foundations of the beast.

It was almost entirely made up of green strings. However, one small detail caught his eye. The slash that Nox landed earlier had opened the monster up, revealing a pulsating purple mess deep inside the lizard.

Then, the Mythmaker blinked. The momentary repercussion of his Divinity gave the other swordsman an opening.

The ground below him broke as the lizard leaned forward. His monstrous katana squirmed, and Extended.

Nox barely had a chance to dodge as the black blade dug into his shoulders. Following up with another kick, he was sent hurtling into a nearby hut.

Rushing at him once more, the lizard didn't intend to give him any room to breathe. Suddenly a green arrow pierced through the air, managing to hit the monster on its leg.

'Elysia!' Nox thanked his teammate in his head.

In the distance, a magical duel was occurring between the two mages.

Verdant energy clashed with an ugly, cursed mana as the two evenly met each other at every turn.

A floating green saw was torn apart by a dark burst of energy as miniature arrows stopped the lizardman's advancement.

The lizardman waved his corrupted staff. Screams echoed from the relic as bolts of black blades were manifested.

Unleashing the projectiles on the black-haired Challenger, the monster held back a singular arrow, choosing to aim it at Nox.

The air around them vibrated as a torrent of green wind blew back the dark magic. Then, concentrating carefully on the lone arrow, Elysia diverted the attack away from her teammate.

A single drop of sweat dripped down onto her elegant robe as the other mage let off a smirk.

It quickly released a burst of energy, throwing the girl back. Then, the lizard floated up into the air. The bolts that had been blown away previously vibrated and unearthed themselves from the surroundings.

Clenching his staff, the scaled hands of the dark magician slowly crushed the handle of his weapon. A mess of voices radiated from his action as the dark bolts began to Converge.

As the arrows broke and condensed with one another, the shape of a snake gradually appeared. The surroundings trembled as a large amount of cursed energy was gathered in one spot.

Green blood burst from his hands as the wooden staff broke apart, and with that…

The serpent was released.

Rushing towards Elysia at a deadly speed, the evil manifestation devoured everything in its way.

The girl hurriedly gathered the ambient energy but instinctively knew that she wouldn't have enough time. She would be devoured.

Through the rapid beating of her heart, the mage was about to say her regrets when a yell broke her out of her daze.

"Hurry, I can't hold it up for long!"

A myriad of burning runes seemed to hold the dark serpent in place. The lizardman let off a scream as a blob of cursed energy flew at the seer. However, with the loss of his staff, he was unable to control his magic as Ruby was able to dodge it, hopping off the tree.

Meanwhile, Elysia's eyes suddenly shone with a purple hue. She glanced at the two Otherworlders who were risking their lives for her.

'I can't betray their expectations.'

The magic around her condensed into the form of a hawk as she felt all the energy leave her body. Unbeknownst to Elysia, the necklace on her neck suddenly fractured. The mage fainted as through her blurry vision, she saw her most beautiful creation.

Green feathers glowed like emerald gemstones as the bird rushed at the dark serpent. The fiery rune formations broke apart at their impact, creating a large shockwave that shook the entire forest.

Glimmering with power, the eyes of the hawk narrowed as it pierced into the snake. The dark serpent fought back as it coiled around the bird, unleashing waves of cursed energy. 

Two beasts clashed into the air as Ruby lightly touched the avian, coating its beautiful feathers with flames. With the boost of energy, the bird bursts through the reptile, shaking away the black smoke as it went deeper.

The lizardman stared in awe as his eyes turned cloudy. Raising his arms, he accepted his defeat as Elysia's magic ripped him apart.

Ruby sighed as she propped herself up against a tree.

'I didn't think highly of them but… these kids are quite talented. Seems like our next generation is in good hands.'

"WATCH OUT!"

She heard a scream from Nox as she turned around, but it was too late.

Staring into the lifeless eyes of the other lizardman, she managed a sad smile as a black katana pierced into her chest.