Tales of Undeath: The Von Virtus Chronicles

LXIV. Entangled Nightmares

Now defenseless, Novilunium had no means of absorbing the trio's relentless advance. The vehicle smashed into him with a bone-crunching impact, the unyielding metal frame pulverizing his body. The sickening crunch of bones echoed into the night, followed by the wet squelch of limbs crushed beneath their wheels as they roared over him.

Driver: "Wanted to help, Virno?!"

Without missing a beat, the driver slammed another button on the dashboard. A massive turret hissed and clicked as it rose from the back of the vehicle -- this one wasn't automatic.

Driver: "Turn that freak into a strainer!"

Virno scrambled toward the turret, his hands fumbling over the unfamiliar controls.

Virno: "I'll try...!"

Noting the hesitation in his voice, the driver barked out instructions.

Driver: "Just grab the handles and squeeze when you've got him in your sights! The damn thing'll handle the rest."

Virno clutched the padded handles, aligning the crosshairs on Novilunium's mangled form. He squeezed the trigger. The turret roared to life, belching steam as it fine-tuned its aim with eerie precision. The barrel spun faster and faster until a torrential hail of bullets screamed through the air, peppering the fallen figure.

Driver: "Hah! Just like that...!"

As they tore further down the road, Ballo's face glistened with sweat, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His hands wove frantic, glowing patterns in the air, conjuring another shimmering shield around them. But it was clear -- he was tiring.

And then came the voice.

Novilunium: "S-STOP..."

The words clawed through the night, low and guttural. From the ground, his shattered body began to rise, limbs grotesquely contorted, bones crunching back into place. Black smoke poured from him like a living thing, wrapping him in a swirling shroud as he floated after them.

Ballo: "Faster. We must go faster...!"

Driver: "We go much faster, and this thing's gonna rip itself apart!"

The vehicle rattled violently, its frame groaning in protest as it barreled forward far beyond its design limits. But the driver didn't ease up -- not even a little. Clavia's invention was holding together by sheer will and metal, but Novilunium wasn't about to let them escape.

Virno: "Guys... He's trying something!"

Virno kept the turret locked on their enemy, but Novilunium's form began to blur. The smoke thickened, coiling tighter around him. His speed surged, and in a blink, he shot upward, disappearing into the night sky like a shadow melting into darkness.

Ballo: "What? What's he doing?!"

Driver: "Is he... retreating?"

Virno: "No. No, he isn't -- WATCH OUT!"

Novilunium streaked back down from the sky, faster than before. The black cloud collided with Ballo's shield with a deafening crack, shattering the barrier like glass. The impact sent shockwaves through the vehicle, leaving them utterly exposed.

But Ballo was ready.

Ballo: "BACK OFF...!"

He thrust his hands forward, releasing a blast of grey energy just as Novilunium lunged for Virno. The magic struck true, sending Novilunium spiraling off course -- but not far enough. The creature crashed into the front wheel with bone-breaking force, shattering it into pieces.