The Chronicles of a Scalebound Sage: Wandmaker Vol.2

WM [84] Looks Worse

The new construct was different. Humanoid, its sleek, metallic frame shimmered faintly with an aetheric glow. Long, swept sword-like arms extended from its elbows, and arcs of faint energy trailed behind the blades with each step. Its head was featureless except for a single, piercing blue light where its face should have been. It was an immediate difference from the others which all had red lights.

Bjorn growled low, stepping in front of Tanisha protectively, his tail lashing in anticipation.

The golem stopped, its single glowing eye scanning them both before it suddenly darted forward with a Flash Step. Tanisha barely had time to react, raising her bardiche just in time to block one of its sweeping strikes. Tanisha didn't think any of them could use magic but this one was somehow different.

Sparks erupted as its blade clashed with her weapon, the force of the blow sending her skidding back. Her arms stung from the impact and were forced up leaving her vulnerable. The golem was already moving to capitalize, its blades were inches from cutting her down.

Bjorn lunged, his form becoming a blur as he slipped into the shadows but the golem didn't hesitate. It turned sharply, its blade arcing through the air in a glowing crescent of energy. Bjorn growled in pain as the slicing arc hit, revealing his position as he stumbled out of the darkness, a deep gash across his shoulder.

"Bjorn!" Tanisha shouted.

The golem was relentless. It closed the distance to her in an instant, forcing her to raise her bardiche again. The construct's speed was blinding, its strikes precise and unyielding. Every time Tanisha tried to counter, it would parry her attacks with effortless precision, its glowing blades ringing against her weapon.

She attempted an Arcane Shift to get behind it, but the golem anticipated her move, twisting at the hip in a way that would be impossible for a human. It struck with lightning speed to deliver a sweeping strike. The blade narrowly missed her neck, instead slicing clean through her left pauldron, the metal shattering into pieces. With the armor piece destroyed the magical retaliation didn't activate.

Tanisha gritted her teeth as a follow-up strike grazed her arm, drawing blood. The pain was sharp, but she forced herself to stay focused, darting back to create some distance.

Bjorn roared, charging again despite his injury. He managed to lock his jaws around one of the golem's arms, but it reacted instantly, slamming its other blade into his side. It effortlessly stabbed through his Aetheric Scales and threw him across the hallway, sending him crashing into the wall with a thud.

"Damn it!" Tanisha growled.

Her breathing ragged as she pushed more power into her bardiche. The weapon flared with energy, and she launched herself forward, aiming a powerful overhead strike at the golem.

It sidestepped with ease, its blade flashing upward to meet hers. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, and she felt the haft of her bardiche crack under the strain. Before she could recover, the golem's other blade slashed across her chest, the edge slicing through her armor and leaving a deep, burning gash.

This time golden feathers erupted in retaliation. The golem used a Flash Step to back up and avoid. Tanisha stumbled back, blood seeping from the wound. Her breaths came in heavy gasps as the golem advanced. She glanced at Bjorn, who was struggling to his feet, blood dripping from his side. They couldn't keep this up. This thing was faster, stronger, and smarter than the others.

"Bjorn," she said through gritted teeth, her mind racing. "We're pulling back. Now."

As the golem lunged, Tanisha shifted at the last moment, reappearing beside Bjorn. Her hand trembled as she placed it on his broad shoulder, her fingers slick with her own blood. Channeling what aether she had left, she activated Arcane Shift again, teleporting them both in rapid succession to the far end of the hallway.