NOVEL NEXT Chapter 73: Crossing
To any outside observer a strange sight could be seen, a small army of beasts numbering around 50 were rapidly making their way across a series of stepping stones over a river of lava. During which intermittent battles would take place between this invading army and the denizens that called this spot home.
The strange part was that the invaders were by no means a homogeneous group. Sure their were some packs and other groups of the same species but for the most part this was a varied group of convenience. Only one thing seemed to unite the wide array of beasts.
That being the creature that they followed.
Violet landed on another pillar now around 1/3rd of the way across. She didn't focus on her landing though, instead she kept her gaze looked on the small pack of lizards that lay claim to the large platform that would be her next landing spot.
As the dragon summoned a few void bolts the leopardkin woman next to her carried on diving across to that contested platform. Her usual ice magics were not present as the overwhelming heat made them next to useless whilst so close to the lava. But that didn't stop her spear from being deadly, something that she quickly proved upon landing.
Several rapid strikes were launched by the girl as she alternated between going for kill strikes and simply throwing others off the platform.
Right as the agreeved lizards looked to respond to this seeming random act of violence they were instead struck by a small but powerful barrage of void bolts. A series of contained implosions occurred wherever the bolts struck, fist sized chunks of flesh being simply removed from existence. The wounds themselves if not in a vital spot took a few moments to even bleed, almost like the bodies needed a second to even register that they had been injured.
This rapid a surgical strike was only one of many that was taking place currently. To the girls right the alpha wolf landed on another platform in a explosion of lightning scattering the strange snakes that called that pillar home. He was soon joined by another of his pack who joined in on that attack and securing a path for the rest of the pack.
To their left however a slightly different scene was taking place as a giant beast took slow and ponderous steps across the platforms. Its enormous feet simply crushing any foe foolish enough not to get out of its way, whilst its massive trunk swatted away any attacks launched its way from the fron. If it was attacked from the back it simply tanked the attack and carried on as if it didn't even register them striking its thick leathery hide.
These three groups were the proverbial tip of the spear with violet and Luna staying just ahead of the others. But behind them the rest of the beasts followed, they dealt with any of the stragglers that were left behind by the 3 leaders. Whilst their role was most definitely taking advantage of the power displayed by the front runners, they did help in their own way by preventing any previously defeated but still alive foe from attacking them from behind.
Well except for the giant beast as it was just such a large creature that it would be seen by all denizens of this section of the river.
Still whilst the initial charge went well the resistance they were facing was only growing stronger the further across they traveled.
By the half way mark the platforms had growning much larger now some being alost 20 meters across, however, this in tern meant that most fire aspected beasts or singularly strong beasts would call them home.
Luna arrived on one such platform which was home to a singular creature. It was vaugely humanoid in shape but made entirely of fire. Very similar to the lightning elementals they faught in the previous domain, only made of fire.
Knowing that she would need an elemental form of damage if she wanted any chance of defeating this foe she coated her spear with ice but grimaced as within but a moment she could already see it beginning to melt.
Not wanting to waist any time she struck out with a classic multistrike managing to sever on of its flaming limbs that was whipping towards her. She was still struck by the limb but now separated from the body it collapsed after striking her side, still leaving a scorch mark but not much else.
The elemental then tried to use its other arm to strike down at the girl. Its limb raised and began to decend with stunning speed, yet Luna did not react to it simply pulling back her spear and thrusting forwards aiming to impale its core. As the limb of fire was about to strike a spear of nothingness struck it and then exploded, the limb simply vanishing. A distorted mix between a scream and the sound of a fire being extinguished ripped out of the elemental momentarily stunning Luna with its intensity.
Thankfully she was able to respond in good time and carried on with her strike, the tip of her ice encased spear struck true piercing deep into its body. The elemental froze for a moment before the ice exploded from within and the form of the elemental flickered before being extinguished as its life was snuffed out. Leaving behind a panting girl as her dragon companion landed next to her.
[Your group has defeated flame elemental lvl 57 exp rewarded]
[You have leveled up]
Ignoring the rest of the notification Violet spoke up. "I'll handle the next one you catch your breath." Saying so she looked over her companion with slight worry. The heat was really beginning to get to Luna and she seemed to be struggling with dealing with the overbearing heat which was directly clashing with her Arctic ice specialisation.
Looking up with tired but defiant eyes Luna spoke. "No I can keep going, I'm fine."
But violet was having non of that especially as they were still in the middle of the river. "I know but it's my turn, so meh." Then without giving Lima time to respond she leapt forwards and engaged the overgrown snake that called the next platform home. Luna stared at her companion as she torn into the poor snake with vicious abandon for a moment before snorting in amusement, taking a deep breath to centre herself before looking up and charging in to join her friend in slaying the unfortunate snake.