Superior Vessel

Beneath the Abyss

Exams are going crazy rn, psychology, philosophy, Law, Financial and more. It's so over bro, i'm cooked!

Anyway enjoy this chapter.

O-Or don't! Bak- (no)

━━━

Virion Leywin

BOOOOOOOM!

Rubble rained down from the sky like miniature meteors, as if heralding the end of the world. Each tiny fragment hurtled through the air with such absurd speed that any ordinary mage would be pierced by these seemingly insignificant stones as if they were arrows loosed from a thousand bows. The chaos was a cruel reminder that even the smallest of things could wield the power to obliterate, I should know...

I grunted as I dodged another stray aether blast, the force of the attack erupting behind me sending me skidding forward. Behind me, the environment erupted in a frenzy of bluish flames that devoured the already limited air, leaving a stifling void in their wake. My eyes quickly readjusted, just in time to see the creature leap toward me, claws extended, ready to shred me to ribbons.

Thinking on instinct, I leaped back and unleashed a wave of wind attacks at the creature, eager to test its defensive capabilities. Instantly, the creature's smooth onyx scales unfurled, enveloping its soft underbelly and forming a cocoon-like shield. I watched in frustration as my wind attacks ricocheted harmlessly off the scales, barely making a dent.

Rougher it is!

Using a touch of mana, I launched myself at the creature with blinding speed. Mid-flight, I braced my hips and threw my body back, delivering a haymaker straight to the chin of the corrupted beast, my knuckles sinking into its flesh.

*Crack*

A satisfying crack reverberated through the tight battlefield as my fist connected, breaking the creature's bones like melted butter-

Wait.

As waves of pain spread throughout my body, I realized with disbelief that the crack I heard hadn't come from the creature—it came from my own hand. The creature's scales were so incredibly tough that my attack had redirected its own force back at me, resulting in my hand being broken.

HAHA!

I couldn't help but let out an internal laugh despite the pain coursing through me. I saw it now: this creature was far from ordinary. My eyes narrowed into pinpricks as I watched the uninjured beast dart around the cavern like a playful animal. My mind gradually assimilated the information, and the realization settled in quickly—this creature was not native to Dicathen.

Instantly I relaxed as I let the heat of my Beast Will wash over me, soothing my injuries and bathing my form in a light warmth as my senses improved slightly. This creature, whatever it was, was far stronger than I thought, but I will not die here.

As that thought formed, I conjured a blood sword and swung it in an arc toward the creature, imbuing the blade's edge with blue flames that surged forward like an inferior version of Grey's Destruction. The flames eagerly sought to consume everything in their path, adding to the bright inferno that blazed around us, working tirelessly to reduce everything to ash.

The creature tried to dodge my attack, but I had already anticipated where it would end up, and was right there to meet it. My fist, mid-swing, was aimed at its snout, but at the last moment, I redirected my punch upward, sending out a shockwave of wind magic. It shot toward the fragile ceiling, shaking it like a drum as cracks appeared on the roof.