Mana hissed in the space between Vesper and the Grandmaster. Sparks of azure whizzed about. Invisible waves of energy clashed against each other, shrieking with a dissonant crackle, like opposing ripples amidst a stormy sea. The two mana users exchanged commands and spells without rest in a fierce battle for dominion.
"Udan!"
"Maceria!"
The fire elemental expelled a deluge of projectiles from its body. Stones drenched in flaming magma rained down from the skies. Vesper responded by erecting an earthen wall, desperate to block the oncoming projectiles. The ground shook as the storm of magma descended, splattering its surface in ruined flames. Vesper's wall began to fracture against the incessant barrage, but he immediately reinforced weaknesses with another layer of earth.
"Secare!"
Unwilling to lose the initiative, Vesper countered. With a swipe of his hands, an invisible blade of wind flew at the Grandmaster.
"Thukul."
The fire elemental suddenly expanded—ballooning its size to get in front of Vesper's errant attack. The blade of wind carved into the fire elemental's body, serrating chunks off of the construct's humanoid form. Immediately, however, the damaged portion of the construct reformed—the severed part regrew automatically without intervention.
Vesper grimaced. It's just like the ogre. Regeneration continued to be a thorn to fight against. Vesper narrowed his eyes, noticing that the foot of the fire elemental was still connected to the pool of magma that had erupted onto the chamber surface.
That must be connected to the bottom of the chasm. It's probably remaking itself from the sea of magma each time it's struck. If his hypothesis was correct, then he would need to find some way to severe the elemental's connection to the magma pool. Otherwise, he was locked in a battle of attrition. It was the worst outcome for him. His faulty constitution guaranteed his loss.
"What are you think so hard about, I wonder?" the Grandmaster suddenly spoke. His voice dripped in sarcasm. "A way to overcome this elemental, I presume?"
Why is so he nonchalant?
The Grandmaster's attitude made him uneasy. Vesper expected him to be fighting with more vigor and desperation. So far, they had been content to sling spells at each other. And while he was keeping the Grandmaster occupied, Suisei was eliminating the villagers that could transform into ogres. The occasional boom of gunfire to his right signaled that she was making good progress. Vesper thought the Grandmaster would be fighting to keep them safe, but his attitude has been largely indifferent.
Were the villagers not his trump card? Does he have something else planned?
"Vesper! Kersen!"
Marine's voice rang from behind. Vesper spun around—something enormous was barreling down his view.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Another ogre. The hideous abomination was charging straight at them.
Kersen was the first to respond. The fixer immediately abandoned the ogre occupying his attention to halt the one rushing at their flank.
"Nyurung!"
The airy construct surged at the ogre. Once it made contact, the sylph expanded, widening its form like a net. The ogre pressed forward, gradually being slowed in the sylph's gaseous trap. Then, suddenly, like an elastic, the airy construct slingshot the ogre backwards, redirecting its momentum. The ground shook as the ogre landed flat on its back.
YOU ARE READING
A Distant Reverie
Fanfiction"Careful now. Try not to move too suddenly, alright?" Vesper Noir wakes up one day in a foreign land with gaps in his memories...and a sharp blade pressed against his throat. His assailant? A beautiful, self-proclaimed female pirate with a sweet voi...
