NOVEL NEXT Chapter 114: Run
A mighty roar shook the very ground beneath the feet of the four girls as they dashed away. The rain continued to fall in steadily increasing amounts, the wet ground underfoot was slick and easily torn as the group dashed away.
Not caring for stealth they solely focused on speed, aware that if the mighty beast caught up they fared little chance of fending it off.
The sound of shattering ice announced that the beast had chosen to crash straight through the hasty wall Luna had thrown up, yet it had provided them with the initial moment of surprise and allowed them time to gain some distance.
Still it was not enough to escape from this foe. Violets instincts suddenly screamed at her and she unhesitatingly used blink to disappear from her current spot to reappear sever meters to the side. An instant later a pressurised beam of water obliterated the ground she previously stood on, Violet took a moment to glance back and her heart skipped a beat as she witnessed the deviation wrought by that singular attack. She knew that if that attack had landed she could have easily lost her life.
Luna who had managed to avoid the blast also noticed the damage and shivered internally at the raw power displayed there. She unleashed her Arctic manifestation and dropped back slightly so as to be at the back of the group, from there she froze the very ground they passed over in an attempt to slow the chasing beast.
Yet it was in vain, for the shear weight of the beast ignored her attempts at slowing it, for it simple tore through her hasty ice slick. The beasts fearsome claws providing all the traction it could need in the loose soil.
Whilst the 6 legged beast was by no means designed for prolonged chases, due to its overwhelming strength when compared to their group that became a null factor.
The group dashed through the forest, using the mighty trees to block the beast line of sight, and to provide cover for its sporadic attacks. Each time it launched one they would either dive behind the nearest tree, or utilise a movement skill to rapidly move away from their previous location. Violet and Luna had the best skills for this, yet Luna took the rear guard after telling Violet to take the front and guild them to safety.
In this time of need, Luna chose to trust her companions instincts to find them a way out of this dire situation.
Violet lead the group in a zigzagging pattern through the mighty trees, running at her full speed, Susan who was lacking in the speed department was superior picked up by Rhyana and tossed on her back, allowing the group to maintain maximum speed. From her position of relative safety the dogkin chose to focus her attention to try and slow down their pursuer.
Utilising her natural water affinity she threw everything she had at the beast. From bubble shields to try and block its path, to bolts of water sent its way. Yet nothing she did even caused the beast to slow down in its relentless chase. Hopelessness threatened to overtake her as she watched the beast that must be over level 100 barrel through everything she threw at it with laughable ease.
Despite how fast the group ran the beast was slowly gaining on them, its long stride crossing the distance with worrying ease. Violet was getting worried as she feared that they might not be able to escape after all. Yet just as she thought that she felt something up ahead, something powerful, and something that just might be their ticket for survival.
She swiftly turned in the direction of the presence she felt from ahead, not caring for how much noise she made in her mad dash. Rhyana and Luna dutifully following, even when they felt the presence up ahead they still followed, choosing to trust in her.
Seconds slowly passed as the group ducked and dashed to avoid the continual onslaught of the mutated crocodile that chased after them. Its attacks becoming a touch frantic as it too sensed the presence they were running towards. A furious growl ripped out of the best as the rain began to coalesce around the beasts body, its speed increased and the distance between them began to shrink rapidly.
It was then that Violet crashed through a small bush and found herself before a small lake, and rising from the water of said lake was yet another monstrous creature of immeasurable power. It resembled a frog, if a frog had tentacles erupting from its back and had razor sharp teeth lining its mouth. Its skin was a dark green, water magic swirling around it as its slit pupils glared down at Violet and her party.
As the rest of the party crashed out into the clearing before the lake they too bore witness to the beast before them. All of them skidding to a halt lest they fall into the churning waters the beast called home.
A might crash resounded behind them as the crocodile burst into the clearing. The monstrous frogs gaze snapping up to lock onto the powerful creature that invaded its domain. Both beasts glared at each other momentarily forgetting the foolish dragons and beating inbetween them.
"They will fight soon, once they do we need to run, but do not do anything before then." Violets voice echoed out in all of their heads. Seeing the terrified nods of everyone they all looked back at the two mighty beasts as they sized each other up.
The crocodile had the advantage in size and likely raw power, yet the frog had the home field advantage, and based on the swirls of mana that coalesced around it, the frog likely had it beat in magical prowess.
A tense silence hung over the area, only interrupted by the continual pinks of the rain as it fell into the lake.
Then, without hesitation both beasts attacked one another.
A mighty roar burst from the crocodile as it charged, matched by the deafening croak of the frog as it answered the challenge. Dozens of spears formed from the surroundings water and flew towards the crocodile, each at least 4 meters in length. The croc for its part absorbed all the water into its leathery hide causing its dull brown colour to gain a blue tint.
At the same time the party of underleved girls sprinted away from the upcoming confrontation between the two beast lords.
As they ran away with all their might, cacophonous booms and crashes could be heard. With a quick glance over her shoulder Violet witnessed the might of the two beasts as they clashed with claw and magic. The shear violence on display was humbling to the young dragon, who for the first time in her life had to admit, she was no longer the strongest beast around.
With that sobering though running amuck in her head the group managed to escape from the two beasts and slip away into the rain.