"I hope we're wrong and it isn't an exponential progression", Gamila thinks while studying the bodies of the Golems. She investigates whether there are any effective ways to destroy them. "They're made of mud mixed with that drug we found in the swamp, probably. The civilian police took over the case and didn't get any more info from the deliveryman", she concludes, nervous.
_ Mooya! Can you shine me some light? I'm running out of ideas here.
The Paladin laughs, creating a small sphere of light that floats to the girl and dances around the specimens. She exclaims:
_ It's a figure of speech, cuz! _ She gets up at the same time that the ball disappears.
"Hm, it seems to be melting faster now", Gamila thinks, looking at the body one last time. She leaves to help with other tasks.
Simultaneously, Yago and Phil bury the mines that just arrived throughout the forest. Manan said that the District will assume the damages of environmental destruction, as long as there is no damage to the buildings and houses nearby. She and her sister fly among the trees looking for traces of the creatures. Gatsumiya sets another crossbow on the hill and Melissa prepares harpoons. Edgard and Dreyfus leave the fort to evacuate nearby houses, under the pretext of urgent pest control. The civilians are sent to a hotel. Vanessa is still resting, but does her best to help, preparing weapons and armor, on which she draws various symbols.
Amadeo, awake and refreshed, walks around the room in circles. Multiple thoughts run through his mind: How to protect the fort, how to kill the Golems, how to prevent everyone from getting hurt again... Suddenly, his eyes light up with a brilliant idea. He runs outside, calling out for Mooya.
He is discussing something with Johan, but the blonde interrupts them:
_ Mooyaaa! Do you know how to conjure?! I've tried it a few times, but I'm not very good.
_ What...? _ He notices Amadeo's huge smile _ Conjuring what?
_ A Nurikabe!
Mooya starts to laugh without hesitation. Johan looks at Amadeo with doubts.
_ Why are you laughing?! It's a great idea!! I just don't know how to do it... _ He turns to Johan _ Nurikabe is a Fabulare from Flavi that's like an invisible wall-creature. The cool thing is that it's impossible to go around or jump over it! You can only get through by asking permission, but I don't think the monsters will make it.
_ To conjure a creature that isn't your familiar, you need an absurd amount of energy, boy. How do you expect to get it? _ Mooya asks, but realizes that Amadeo already considered this.
The Paragon and the Paladin draw a seal with multiple mysterious signs and call all the Fabulares present to form a circle. Mooya explains that performing a group conjuration reduces the expenditure of spiritual energy for each one involved. Moments later, they begin the spell. The seal glows, floats and absorbs the energy of everyone around it. Penan feels tickles during whole the process. Finally, before them, the air becomes murky and they hear a grunt. Amadeo says:
_ Good afternoon! We need your help, sir. _ The wall becomes slightly more visible and the sound it emits becomes softer; Amadeo touches it _ Thank you. We'll reward you for your help later.
Everyone celebrates and Amadeo takes the Nurikabe to the base of the hill, while explaining that it should not let the monsters pass, but let the arrows and friends go through. Mooya thinks it's cute how sweet he is with the Fabulare. The wall becomes completely invisible and only the seal can be seen floating in the middle of the night.
_ Harpoons? Confirmed. _ Gatsumiya fills in her check-list of preparations _ Magic wall? Check. Mines and explosives planted? Confirmed. Okay, I just need check if the evacuation worked and redo the trenches... It's just sad that we couldn't divert more gas.
Gamila puts her hand on the Priestess's shoulder, but before she can say anything, Johan appears behind the two, startled. He hunts something with his eyes; Gamila says:
_ What is it, boy?
_ The earth... is vibrating. _ His face is overly concerned _ Amadeo will feel it too.
_ What about me? _ The blonde emerges from inside the fort, holding a helmet.
Johan takes his hands and exclaims:
_ Do that thing of feeling what I feel.
The blonde doesn't hesitate and focus. He feels a constant tremor spread from the ground through Johan. Slowly, his eyes widen. Johan's expression is similar. He turns to the Rangers and says, in an uncertain voice:
_ I think there's something coming. Call everyone.
They don't hesitate and Gatsumiya's whistle resounds far away. Quickly, everyone comes together, except Dreyfus and Edgard who continue the evacuation. Gamila begins to distribute tasks:
_ I hope everyone's prepared. _ Some of those present adjust the armor to their bodies _ We don't know what will happen, so feel free to improvise. Let's count on the mines in the forest and concentrate our forces on the battlefield. Gatsumiya and I will shoot from here. The rest are distributed to cover the largest possible area.
_ Amadeo and Mooya should be on the hill. _ Manan interrupts _ They have strategic skills.
_ I don't disagree, Gaan, but I won't be left behind. _ Mooya snaps his fingers _ I don't know if we have the same concepts of "strategic skills", but I know my place in combat.
_ Do as you wish, but the Paragon should stay here. _ Manan insists; her eyes sparkle an angry red _ He can handle the Nurikabe and heal wounds. _ She shows her fangs to Mooya _ If that is not enough reason...-
_ I agree, Gaan. _ Amadeo stands between the two _ I've some ideas and it'll be easier if I stay up here anyway.
The atmosphere becomes uncomfortable among the team members, but Gamila regains control of the situation and asks everyone to take a stand. Johan remains close to the edge of the forest, resting one hand on the ground. The soft vibration does not cease, but he also can't say whether it is increasing.
Yago stretches. Gamila and Gatsumiya prepare the harpoons. Amadeo remains with his eyes closed, breathing slowly. Vanessa has the emergency decree in hand, ready to declare the complete evacuation of the City, if necessary. Everyone seems nervous, with weapons ready.
That lull is an extraordinary terror.
Johan suddenly turns around. The others startle as he shouts:
_ IT'S HERE!!
Along with his words, the earth begins to shake and crumble. Everyone flee from the earthquake's epicenter until a crater forms before them. Huge paws emerge from the hole, followed by a horned elephant head with enormous teeth. The creature rises, revealing the colossal serpent's body. Its roar reverberates in the chest of everyone present. Simultaneously, the humanoid Golems begin to come out of the crack.
_ Ah... It can't be. _ Gamila says, in a low voice _ Is that a Grootslang*...?
-------
Author's notes:
*Grootslang: Creature that inhabits the deep caves of Richtersveld, in South Africa, also called "Wonder Hole" and "Botomless pit". It's typically from Nigrum, ancient and quite rare. Regardless of the context in which it's identified, it's classified as a Grade 4 threat due to its extraordinary destructive potential. Its appearance is that of a giant snake, with front legs and the head of an elephant, typically with horns, thorns and huge teeth.
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Three Spheres
FantasyAmadeo is 20 years old young man, with a sword attached to his waist and an insatiable desire for freedom... The burden of his title, and the weight of his cape don't let him forget such destiny that he never chose. However, what he doesn't know is...
