NOVEL NEXT Chapter 77 - The Hatcot and the F-bomb
Previously, Lucy had been attempting to manage dark flames that had scattered around the outer eastern walls of the capital. They erratically bounced and burst around the area, spreading darkened fires that helped her extinguish them when they did so. Wardi and Rhua watched over her during her attempts at cleansing the area.
The effects of continuous Lùth usage had been taking a toll on her once again as she drenched the unnatural flames. She was worn out from the efforts, hunching over with pain, verging on tears. Her backup core is on cooldown until the next day; it filled her with doubt. Can I really deal with this? Maybe Wardi can rush to find me potions; I can keep going for a little while longer.
A larger, alpha flame monster, spherical with a toothy fiery smile on its face, attempted to start consuming others in the area. It managed to grab and devour the thing. It let out an ominous laugh and began to grow as it did so. It spotted Rhua in the distance and began to roll in her direction.
As it rolled over the bodies of dead Gobheads scattered across the floor, metal layers melted onto its body in various places.
Wardi leapt at it stealthily; his blade easily pierced the firm outer layer with a forceful shink, though it was not enough to defeat it outright.
'Kekeke', it grew an arm with a molten claw that dripped magma around the floor. A loud HISS came from bubbling floors where the drops landed.
Hmph, I can defeat you; I'm confident of it. I just need Wardi to give me a hand, Lucy thought as she watched Rhua battle with it confidently.
"Wardi. I need you to run into the city and try to find me some potions. We can hold it off here."
Wardi wasn't so impressed with the idea, however. "That's a bit risky. Look, there's smoke rising from within the city now."
The three looked on as plumes of thick black smoke appeared just over the walls, rising high into the sky. A siren rang out across the city, blaring a mildly annoying buzz that was impossible to ignore.
"I can't keep up with this big one and all the smaller flames, Wardi. Can you, pleasepleasepleaseeeee, do this for me?" Lucy tried to look coy and cute; Wardi couldn't register her actions. Audible booms in the air caused the trio to look up. Robotic limbs, golden orange, shimmering vibrantly against the light, descended slowly from thrusters blowing dust around the vicinity.
"Bruh. What the fuck is this? Do you know how much it's going to cost to fix this up? I'm gonna throw hands; fuck outta here!"
The trio were confused about the arrival of this obnoxious metal saviour. Particularly as he seemed to take control of the situation within seconds of his arrival. They all recognised that it was Dornam in origin; there's no mistaking the fraternity vibes in the voice.
Wardi activated his scanning ability, trying to identify information about the arrival.
Wide Scan
The wave travelled across the field, covering both the metal man and flame creature. But it yielded nothing of use; the metal man was too high for his level, and the flame creature wasn't a normal monster.
Why does this thing not have any information at all…? How strange.
There wasn't much time for anything to sink in. The metal man looked over to them with a recently lit cigarette in his mouth. "Hey kids. This is how the pros do it." The new arrival BOOMED into the sky at high speeds and extinguished all the flames with waves of air that were so powerful they could be seen through the dust. Rhua could see their foe looking around with a stagger as the trio held their arms up, shielding from blasts of dust in their direction.
"What the hell was the point in turning up and disappearing? Fookin hell, mun." Wardi barked, scanning the sky trying to see where Fratman had flown off to.
Rhua was getting familiar vibes from the bloke but couldn't quite put her finger on it. "Ey. Does he seem a bit familiar to you!? Like someone we've been told about?"
"Beats me! The only Dornams I know are Horace and Barry's family. This dust is clogging my hatflap; where's the nearest leaky tap?"
"Ultra cold drill blaster!" Ringing out in the air, another BOOM came from high above, and the sounds of what seemed like a missile began falling faster than the trio's eyes could even keep up with.
Wardi, using his big brain, told the others, "We need to get the FUCK OUT OF HERE. He's coming in with a huge attack!"
"Oh, fuck me, there's barely time to run from that."
NEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeown
KABOOM
A single extraordinarily large blast of ice spread out from the ground, generating looming pillars in the area. It was a magnificent sight to behold. Standing there together, watching as this new arrival committed an unhealthy dose of overkill on the flame creature.
"Living up to that authentic Dornam reputation right there, aren't they, Luce?"
"Yeah, but Wardi, we still don't know WHO THEY ARE!"
The metal man began to activate some sort of procedure. Steam emitted from the sides of the suit and the front of it, slowly opening and revealing the miniature yeti inside.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
"FUCKING AY, BRAH." With endless hair and seemingly living on a diet of anything riddled with calories, Wardi & Co. stood around waiting for this newcomer to introduce themselves.
"Oh, I recognise you three, Gyagyagya. Where's my special little sausage? He's not returned my calls in ages; I'll slap the fucker into next week, no cap."
Rhua looked at the others, but they shook their heads and shrugged at her. Since no one else spoke up, she took it upon herself to do it instead.
"Sorry, pal. We don't know who you are like. Can you tell us your name? And who's your special little sausage?"
"Bruh. You don't recognise my beautiful mug or this rocking mechsuit? You three are deadass clapped. I'm Hayle Jones. RING A BELL YET? Gyagyagya"
"OH MY FUCKING GOD. IT'S HORACE'S DAD!?" Lucy shouted, shocking all three and falling onto her back from shock.
"LUCY, YOU SWORE!?" Wardi and Rhua, they said together, staring in disbelief. Lucy threw her hands over her mouth and began to sob in shame.
Hayle watched them for a moment, thinking to himself, 'He sure picked a bunch of average schmucks.'
"Sorry, what did you say, Hayle?" Wardi asked, catching him talking but unsure what he said.
Oh shit, I said that out loud!
"Nothing, bruh. "Oh, wait a minute." Hayle opened his status window, swiping away, and hitting ash that fell from his lit cigarette. "You three should get into the city. Got word Horatio is with your other friend."
Hayle jumped into the suit, leaving as quickly as he arrived.
Trying to understand what just happened was only making things worse for each of them. Helping Lucy up off the floor and looking to the city, Wardi silently led the way, because just like the others, he was speechless and needed some time to let it sink in.
I've seen what his dad's like… But his mom was meant to be the really scary one… Fucking hell, Horace, your family is completely insane.
***
Kiki lay face down on the ground. Broken by her sentient system malfunctioning. The overwhelming shock of losing her powers, stats, and items instantly sent her into a state of mental shutdown and physical paralysis.
"Feeble ants. The system was meant for Lissians. For our love for Serilia, we praise every waking moment."
"FOR THE GODDESS!" shouted her group in unison.
Kiki was still failing to process all that had happened. A boot met her face; she rolled onto her back. A heeled stomp thrust down at her.
Shing~ A padded glove met that heel, stumbling the woman off balance. Her companions jumped in to catch her and pull her back.
Looking at the Felidhan. He cracked a smile and cracked his knuckles into fists.
"Sorry I'm late, furball. It's not easy being in every place at once. Damn, you look rough. I'll take you for a bug bath later; get those nasty fleas off you."
Kiki was saved by the arrival of a young man. Hair silver and ferociously spiky. His eyes were the most tranquil forest green. Wearing a tight-fitting sea-blue t-shirt-like piece with loose black shorts and red sneaker-style shoes. His look was not something one could see in the world.
The woman threw her companions away, causing them to cower together. She flipped a switch in her personality, and she spoke to the man with a fake smiling persona: "Who may I ask? Has graced us with ~"
Interrupting her, picking at his ears and examining the contents, he spoke to the woman half attentively, "Hey auntie. I don't speak whatever that noise is. Speak the common tongue."
A vein began to form in her head. Kiki's saviour looked to the sky; in a moment of confidence, she tried to attack with all her companions. Grabbing hold of Kiki and throwing her into a pile of loose dirt, he danced around the attacks as if trying to dodge the draught.
Rotating blades whooshed past him, and chains from the floor attempted to latch on and around him, rattling & clanging high in the air.
"Hey, no fair. It's 5v1!"
A conjured hand slammed down at him, which he parried mid-air with a ka-thwack. Their leader attempted to strike at the saviour in the same manner as she did at Kiki. Clap-clap with her hands did nothing, however.
"Nice try." He said, falling back down to the ground, "But that's not going to work. Oh look, now it's going to be 5v4. That's cool, eh!"
Hayle had arrived on the scene, landing beside the man, folding the mech suit's arms. A Huundhan woman with her hair still in curlers appeared, with gear that screamed, 'I'm dangerous.' The particularly large gun rested on her shoulders, held with one hand. She darted on top of Hayle. An impie appeared out of thin air, wearing the most unnerving scowl, bouncing back and forth on its springy legs.
"Well, aren't you all a ragtag group?" The leader spat out sarcastically.
"We aren't a group, bitch. Is this the Rising Dawn C? I thought they'd be a bit more … worth my time."
"Ey. Careful now. She can block system access."
"Oh? That's a new one. I better watch my back."
"I've got your back, babe; don't worry."
"Shut up, Hayle."
"Yes, dear."
"Shush now. Shurry desires a fight now. These ones are not friendly; she is most wicked!"
No fighting would occur, however. The most horrifying roars came from within the walls of Eccles Ville, causing the four to look in that direction as huge fires and collapsing buildings could be seen.
The leader and her companions soared into the air. Taking advantage of the situation.
She waved both of her hands, and the mark of Serilia appeared in front of her, turning into a white portal.
"You will not take the last of us. Filthy Lessers.
And you will know our names!"
Each of them came forward to speak their names. "I am Gwyn – The Swift."
"Dafydd," he said with a bow. "The entertainer."
"I am Saorise – The bright."
"Hadrian, the Bull"
"And I am Morwen. The purest of all."
The portal drew the five in silently.
A calm filled the air again around them.
*System restore in progress.*
Kiki began to groan as she slowly regained what was taken from her.
"Fuck. I never want to experience that again. Hayle, Amelia and even you, Shurry. It's been a long time. Crack. Damn these old bones."
Kiki knew exactly who the mystery man was; she could never forget that overly happy persona of his. But she stayed quiet; it was more trouble to make a deal out of it. "Thank you… stranger. I'd be dead without you rescuing me." Her words came through gritted teeth. The man brushed it off.
"Jajaja, no problem. We have bigger fish to fry right now. I'll see you at the council. Kiki, go home and rest."