Game of Life

Chapter 15

"Well that was...interesting," Eric muttered under his breath.

I shrugged, not wanting to get into it. "It doesn't hurt anymore."

"Great."

"Ya, come on." The others had been collecting those still under the water while we dealt with Severin. Several new pillars had rose up from the lake and it looked like they were right about finished.

The beast looked angry, unable to swim properly while trying to avoid crashing into pillars and stuck watching its prey get away.

"Look out!" Eric shouted, he grabbed the hem of my shirt and pulled me to the ground, half covering me with his body. I was glad Severin had healed me or that would have hurt like hell.

"What the fuc-" my protest was cut short by the dolphin leaping over our pillar. Its belly inches above my head gave me an idea and I shoved Eric off, rolling onto my back and shooting a bolt of energy into the soft flesh of its underbelly.

The sound it made could have shattered glass, demonic shrieking while it flailed around, losing the aim of its jump and crashing into the side of a pillar.

Those on top of the now shattering pillar screamed, struggling to keep their balance. Fuck. I rolled to my feet, bending the elements to keep the pile of earth standing.

"Hold on!" I shouted, scrambling to keep them standing and push the beast away.

I sent it down the lake but it recovered quickly. My efforts had given it an idea and it launched itself into the side of the closest earth pile, using all the force it could muster and slamming its tail against the rocks.

"Fuck," I snarled. "Hurry them up!" I shouted the words to Eric and dove into the pool. Thankfully, they had removed my weights when they pulled me out of the water so I was able to stay floating at the surface. "Come get me beasty!" I hollered, pulling the water around me and skating along the lake, drawing its attention.

Fuck fuck fuck fuck fuck. I chanted as the beast turned its attention to me. I used the water element to keep myself just ahead of its nose, much easier to do when not weighed down, and shot fireballs at its flank to keep its focus on me.

"Calla!" The shout distracted me just long enough to lose my balance and go flipping across the water. Goddamnit. I wrapped my arms around my head, prepared to be consumed.

And....

Nothing.

What the hell?

I glanced up from the water to see the beast being bombarded with earth and fire attacks, a couple water users easing themselves into the lake.

"Calla get out of there!" I turned at the voice and slowly started making my way over to the nearest piece of land. A couple hands reached down and helped me out.

"Thanks," I panted, glancing up to see Adrian standing over me. "Thought I was a goner there for a minute."

"Don't mention it."

"Did they get everyone out yet?"

"Don't think so," he said. "Maybe two or three left. How's your back?"

"It's fine, Severin ah...helped."

He looked confused but shrugged, not bothering to question it when we had bigger problems to deal with.

A loud whistle made me jump and I whipped around. "Relax," Adrian laughed. "That's the signal, once those guys get back out of the water we're going to shock the hell out of that thing."

"Oh," I said, returning to my sitting position to watch. Those in the water, who had been splashing at the beast, changed course and were climbing out of the murky liquid. Another whistle pierced the air and Adrian nudged my shoulder.

"You're up."

I nodded once and crawled over to the edge of the pillar, summoning a crackling ball of lightning in my hands. "Tell me when."

"You got it."

Silence, interrupted only by the sounds of water swishing behind the beast.

"Now!"

I let the stream fly, a sharp burst of electricity. It was fascinating. There was about two hundred Lightning users still alive and every single one let out a constant stream of electricity into the water. The bolts, each one splitting apart as they hit the surface, created a web of lightning that covered the entire lake.

The beast was hopeless, trapped in the tangle of energy, able to do nothing but scream. Convulsing and howling its agony to the skies.

Sweat pooled on my palms as it dragged on, more dripping down my face. "A little help here, guys?" I said, wiping my free hand across my forehead.

"Right!" Adrian raised his voice so he could be heard about the screams. "Light it up!"

All at once hordes of energy rained down upon the beast, darkness eating at its flesh, fire scorching its skin, light burning its eyes. Suffocating air, a whirlpool of water, a rainstorm of earth, and sound bursting its eardrums.

I don't think any of us were prepared for the consequence of such a barrage.

It happened suddenly, just a massive explosion that rained bits of flesh and blood unto us, staining the once beautiful lake a vicious crimson.

I didn't flinch as one of the eyes landed beside me. The once beady eye just a dull lump on the floor.