Tyranny: Onwards

Chapter 87- Battle for Life

The sword releases a sound as metal on metal, despite the Mortubrae not being made of any metals, as I force it further into its head. A red light peers out, vibrant and almost blinding, the crack from the sword is just wide enough for me to see the soul further down in its chest.

"It's in this ones chest!" I yell just so everyone knows and can strike if I can't or if they get the chance.

I get a few yells back and others don't have time to respond, nor do I have time to glance around at them. Genesis continues to force the beast to split its attention and give it less time to hurt me or fling me away.

Pulling the sword out quickly, I use the force made to take it out and leap off swiftly. The Mortubrae turns and whips about in an attempt to find me, but Genesis keeps it occupied and I keep hidden with much effort. Trying to make sure I go to the side where there is no shadow from it and sprint swiftly up its side, roll underneath it as it screeches in pain and twists about, crawl quickly up to its chest and try to thrust the blade into it.

The body deforms and releases many claws of shadow at my arms, yet it does not move; this must be what Aegis was talking about when he said that they use the shadow of their bodies and strike without having to move, control them. Pain burns through my arms and my heart pounds heavily. No noise do I allow to escape, attempting to hide my whereabouts for as long as possible.

Genesis nips at its nose and irritates it, the Mortubrae stomps its feet and growls, shaking its large wolf-like head vigorously. I stab again but the blade only goes halfway through the thick skin which has begun to pile desperately around the soul in protection.

"Left front paw!" Hester calls out where the soul of hers is and I let out a yell back in response.

How am I supposed to kill this thing?

What if I attack its hind leg so much it needs more shadow to keep it there and ready to use, thus drawing it from protecting the soul? Will that work?

Genesis trusts me fully and doesn't understand the things I do, yet still wounds the monster where she can. I roll back beneath the beast and out from its side, go to its hind leg and stab its muscles. It screeches again, loud and piercing, red light spills out.

It is plain to see that the back legs are slimmer and also weaker from the shadowy transfer. Again I thrust the sword with anger into the beast. The Mortubrae slices its head around in an instinctive flash and I barely dodge the teeth so brutal, they rip my pants.

I can't move fast enough as I'm still in movement from the first when it comes at me again, this time it gets a firmer grip on my pants and tosses me high into the air. My heart leaps and is noisy in my ears as I fall, fall, fall from high in the sky where freedom lie. A gaping mouth below, cruel gravity pulling me to my great despair; but even through this I see the plain opportunity, and I will use it!

The wind whistles and catches harsh in my ears as I plunge down straight into the gaping black mouth below, sword point first, I am straight as a pencil. Fear yet confidence and firmness in my plan conflict in my mind and in my heart, but at least I know I must do it.

Darkness consumes my body until there is a red light, still I have the force from my fall as the sword cleanly slices the soul of crimson and pain in half. Even with the force I can tell it was a lucky occurrence.

I drop weightily to the snow below as the creature swirls into a nonexistence. Genesis approaches and tackles me, licking my face and also barking in scolding. I could have kept the mouth open with my sword instead of taking the risk of diving in at the soul.

"One down!" I yell out and a few answers return my victory.

I glance about wonder where to go now and find that Aegis is doing alright; since he has fought them before and he is a Luzumi, very well skilled in battle too. Hester has the staff with the flame helping her, but Rin has nothing.

My decision is final and I go to assist Rin. Wait! Weren't there five of these things? Where's the fifth one? Peering about gives me no consolation or answer but now I must go assist Rin.

Pointing at Rin, Genesis understands, and since she has always been able to run swifter than I, she speeds ahead flawlessly to give her a break from the constant use of energy, bouncing about just to stay alive. She falls into the snow panting and I give her the cloak; as I have found it to offer much comfort anywhere and at any time. She nods to me in thanks, unable to form any words and I stand in front of her, ready to die for her.

Genesis has already left a few marks as I try to do same thing I did with the last beast, attempting to hop onto its back and slash its head; but it strikes me away as a flea with its head and I land thankfully into the snow, winded. I force my body to stand even from lack of oxygen and roll underneath the Mortubrae, but before I can even start to strike with my sword, it sends shadowy spikes off its body at me.

I gain a few slices in my face, and many in other places but release no sign of pain to satisfy this monster. Then I stab it and desperately glance about for it, that red soul of pain.

"Right thigh!" I call and Rin repeats to everyone else.