The Cosmic Vessel

Chapter 6: Astraquil

The party members took their positions as the ground began to vibrate, and everyone could feel it. One member said, "This is the first time I've felt the ground shake like this. I've never fought more than 20 beasts at once, but this time it's over a hundred. It feels exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time."

Another member added, laughing, "Just like the spiritual beasts keeping an eye on their meal—they're waiting for us!"

Some of the lower-ranked members couldn't sense the approaching auras, but the higher-level adventurers could feel the intense energy closing in.

The party started to hear voices coming from the dark forest. One member spoke up, "Is that a survivor in there? I hear someone—we should go help them."

Eira quickly stopped him from moving. "They aren't people!" she warned. "That's a Sovereign-rank beast. Once a spiritual beast reaches Sovereign rank, it gains the ability to speak. It seems none of you new members have faced a Sovereign-level threat before. Don't be fooled by the voice—it's a trap."

The member spoke, "I've only heard from other adventurers that the beasts can speak, but I never imagined they were also intelligent."

Eira said, "They can even lure people with their voices and create illusions to set traps. The next time you're in a beast's territory, always stay aware and alert. Don't be fooled by such simple tricks."

They began to notice a strong gust of wind coming from above. Under the full moon, it was as if the moon itself disappeared for a second. When everyone looked up, they saw the beast known as Astraquil—a creature with features of both an eagle and a serpent. Its elongated, serpent-like body was covered in shimmering, iridescent scales of deep blue and silver. Large, eagle-like wings extended outward, adorned with glowing, silvery feathers that emitted a soft, ethereal light.

Eira's eyes widened in surprise. "Astraquil usually stays in water or near water bodies. I've never seen one come this far inland."

Ash glanced at the beast, his expression growing serious. "It looks like the beast inside the dark forest is commanding it."

Thorin said, his face filled with worry, "This is bad. I can sense Astraquil's enormous aura—it's about to break through to the Mythical level. That means we're going to be facing two beasts at the same level. This is insane." He glanced at the carriage and muttered curses at the manager inside.

Everyone was in shock. One party member muttered, "I hope it doesn't evolve! This is bad—we're facing a disaster."

Another member added, "Who would have thought it'd turn out to be this much of a mess?"

A different member spoke up, "I joined because I thought it would be safe with the three famous adventurers leading us. But I still have hope in them."

Hearing this, a few members felt their morale rise, drawing some strength from the confidence placed in their leaders.

Astraquil circled the sky, its sharp eyes observing the ground below. Ash watched it carefully and said, "It looks like it's taking note of the terrain. If it sends that information, they'll gain an advantage. We have to act fast—we need to do something now!"

Thorin nodded, "You're right. That beast is water-based! Eira's ice magic won't work against it—both of their powers are neutral, canceling each other out. Neither will have any effect."

Ash said, "Even if it won't cause damage, Eira can still support us by using her ice prison magic to bring that bird down. Once it's grounded, I'll take the chance to cut off its head!"

Eira said, "You think it's that easy to bring it down while it's flying?" She looked up, her eyes fixed on Astraquil circling above, worry evident on her face. She began thinking of a way to trap the beast while it was still airborne. Following Ash's suggestion, she cast her ice prison magic, aiming to ensnare the bird, but Astraquil dodged effortlessly, gliding out of range.

The beast laughed, its voice booming across the sky, "You puny humans! You think you can touch my glorious body and harm it? How pathetic!" It sneered, "You can't fight like a true beast—without your little tools. We beasts rely on our raw power, while you humans develop your so-called magic just to shield yourselves from threats. And over time, you even turned it on each other. Once your magic defenses fall, I will feast on all of you!" Astraquil's laughter echoed through the night, mocking their efforts.

Eira sighed, "I'm reactivating the eight magic circles to try and trap it again. This is going to use a third of my aura to cast the spell—Ice Prison Chain Seal!"

Eight glowing ice circles appeared around Astraquil, forming chains that shot out to ensnare the beast, locking it inside the eight-pointed magic formation. The chains began to freeze Astraquil, ice slowly creeping over its body. Though it became encased, the beast kept breaking through the ice, its strength too great to be completely contained.

Seeing the struggle, Eira clenched her teeth and cast another spell, "Ice Boulder!" Massive boulders of ice formed in the air, falling onto Astraquil, adding weight to force the beast down from the sky.

The massive ice boulder weighed down heavily on Astraquil, and the beast struggled under the immense pressure while still bound by the magic chains. It tried to break free, but its strength faltered, and it began to fall from the sky.

As it fell, Astraquil roared, "Once I'm free, I will hunt you all down and devour your kin, you filthy humans!"

The beast's fall was interrupted by the invisible wall of the defense array, which immediately activated its lightning strikes to repel intruders. The lightning crackled violently, striking Astraquil repeatedly. The beast roared in pain, its body writhing as the electric energy tortured it. Slowly, it slid down along the invisible barrier, crashing to the ground with a heavy thud, still bound by the magic chains.

Astraquil roared, "Come out of this array! Face me, you coward!"

Ash drew his magic sword, his aura flowing into the blade to unleash its power. The sword began to crackle, releasing a brilliant lightning effect, the energy surging along its edge. The air around Ash rumbled as the lightning sparked and crackled, creating shockwaves that echoed through the battlefield as the sword drew more power from him.

Ash moved swiftly to face the beast, aiming his sword at Astraquil's neck. As he swung, Astraquil flapped its massive wings, generating sharp gusts of wind that sliced through the air like blades. The powerful attack was capable of striking multiple targets, disorienting and forcing them back.

The fierce winds shattered the ice prison chains that bound Astraquil, freeing the beast. Ash was caught in the gust and forced to fall back, barely maintaining his stance. Enraged, Astraquil roared and unleashed a beam of energy from its mouth, blasting toward Ash and forcing him to retreat back to the defense array for safety. 

Everyone was stunned. Thorin muttered, "Of course it's hard to kill that damn beast—it's nearing the Mythical level. Once it reaches that point, it will evolve, and its power will receive a massive boost."

As soon as Ash was inside the array, he called out to Eira and Thorin to regroup. "Join up!" Ash ordered. "Hold that beast to the ground again. Thorin, you'll tank its attacks and keep it distracted."

When Ash looked at Eira, he noticed the worry in her eyes. She hesitated, "If I use that spell again, I'll lose two-thirds of my aura. It will be difficult if the other beasts arrive while I'm weakened."

Ash nodded, his expression serious. "If we can take it down, it'll buy us some time and delay the reaction of the other beasts. We have to do this."

Astraquil received a telepathic command from an unknown beast deep within the dark forest. It sneered at the humans below and said, "Wait here, humans. Once my master arrives, you will all die!"

With that, Astraquil unleashed a powerful wind attack, creating a massive dust storm to disorient and distract them. Under the cover of the swirling dust, it retreated back into the forest.

As the dust storm swept inside the array, Thorin cursed, "Damn it! The defense array only keeps invaders and their power out, but it can't block natural disasters. A Level 6 array isn't enough—we need a higher-level defense array!"

Eira turned to Ash, her voice urgent, "What should we do, Ash? That beast has left."

Suddenly, Ash heard a telepathic voice in his mind, instructing him, "Follow Astraquil!"