Noticing the arrows, the monster flies through the air spinning as it zooms down towards us. The vortex in front of the monster blows the arrows away and as it draws closer, it starts to speed up. Travys steps forward with his shield in hand, breathing out slowly as he watches the incoming attack. I activate Bone Totem as a precautionary measure while glancing at Howard, signally him to approach the monster with me the moment the attack happens.
"Iron Defense!" - Travys
Coating himself in a silvery veil, Travys meets the attack with his shield. A disgusting grating sound vibrates through the whole Abyss as the monsters spin on Travys's shield. Breaking the stalemate, I launch myself into the fray attacking with a vertical Cleave, while Howard approaches from the other side, attacking with a Cleave as well.
Our attack stops the monster's movement, however, it was because the monster stopped spinning and blocked both our attacks with its wings. Sparks flew from Howard's side while a small explosion rang from mine. The sudden deceleration from the monster created a burst of wind pushing the three of us in the front back, but that didn't stop the assault.
Song and Tsugi run past Travys, gripping onto their axes tightly as they swing toward the exposed monster's face. Its gray humanoid face made the girls squirm as its scarlet red eyes dart back and forth watching Song and Tsugi approach it. Using its wings, it pushes off the ground with one flap somersaulting in the air before diving towards the other group.
Crashing into the group and picking up dust, the monster screeches loudly, hurting my ears and making me drop my trident in order to attempt to block the sound. However, to little avail. A constant ringing could be heard in my head long after the screech ends and my surroundings feel distorted.
"Kingston… We need to engage the monster. We are at a disadvantage if it is just going to screech at us and then attack us with its high speed. Furthermore, I doubt I can block many of its frontal attacks. I can barely feel my arms." - Travys
"I know. I know. Rosanna, JenJen, and Kumiho keep shooting it with arrows regardless if it works or not. Aim for its face and eyes while Kaede and Rebecca protect them. Song, Tsugi, and Howard, approach it from the left. Travys you are with me on the right and Luna, go crazy." - Ian
"What about the other group?" - Tsugi
"Don't worry about them. We need to kill the monster first. I'm sure they feel the same way, and I'm hoping they will cooperate with killing it." - Ian
"So, we just approach the monster hoping we won't get backstabbed. Great…" - Song
"Just go. We just experienced its attack, and I'm not going to lie, I'm not confident. We need their help if we want to kill the monster." - Travys
"Alright, on my lead and…. GO!" - Ian
Song, Tsugi, and Howard sprint to the left with Howard leading them. Howard leads the other two while watching the monster's movement. Luckily it was preoccupied with the other group, and they could easily approach from the left side. Similarly, Travys and I sprint to the right. My Predator Instinct activates and I gradually widen the distance between Travys and myself.
Luna could be seen dashing right into the other group, dodging and zipping through them before pouncing toward the monster. Noticing, Luna's charge the monster slams off the ground and creates two blades of wind slicing the spot where Luna was as she rolls to the side. Clouds of dust cover the area as we got closer, to the point where I could barely see in front of me. However, it disappears instantly as the monster lands once more spinning on the ground and hitting me on the back with its tail.
A huge chunk of my HP disappears with that hit as I fly forward, rolling on the ground. I stop myself from flying too far by slamming my spider legs into the ground, creating marks as I slid. Taking out a potion from my pouch, I chug it down as soon as possible so that Travys and the others wouldn't see.
Recovering some of my HP, I glance around to see the other group had bunched up near a wall while Travys and the others were engaging in close combat with the monster. Wait, a minute there were 6 members in the other group when I last saw them but right now I only see 5 figures. I instantly stand on guard. The last member was obviously not near Travys and the others, so where could they be? The girls!
Looking back to where they were positioned, I see all 5 girls uninjured, with 3 of them firing arrow after arrow. I let out a sigh of relief, but it was too soon. My body freezes as I feel the tip of a blade touch the back of my neck. I didn't even realize someone or something had approached me from behind until it was too late.
"Move and I will kill you." - ???
"Please do not misunderstand. After walking up the stairs we came across this place, and while we did know you and your group were here first. After experiencing the monster's attack ourselves we wanted to team up with your group. Your group can still take the loot, we are okay with that." - Ian
"It seems like I wasn't clear enough with you. Move and I will kill you." - ???
"Please understand that we do not have even the slightest thought of kill stealing from you or your group. Wait a minute, this voice…" - Ian
I turn around suddenly and the unknown person pointing their weapon at me, grinning from ear to ear was Kingston. Blinking in confusion and surprise, an awkward laugh escaped my mouth. While the thought of the other group being Kingston, Gibing, and the others did pass through my mind, it was still a surprise to see them. However, Kingston was holding onto a Poison Fang and not his Spear of Light.
"Surprise! And don't worry about this. There was nothing I could do. Our weapons were stolen when we arrived at the Abyss. This was from a drop from those bat monsters on the way up the stairs." - Kingston
"That's fine, whatever, don't worry about that. Why didn't you wait down at the bottom for us? You knew I was coming to get you." - Ian
"Belial told me I should go up and after what he did to Gibing and the others I felt like we would be okay going up. No monster would be able to defeat us if we teamed up against it until we met this giant giant bat. It has slowed a lot since we first came up here, by the way, so we should join forces and kill it soon." - Kingston
"Wait slow down. What do you mean after he did something to Gibing and the others? What did you demon thing do?" - Ian
"Umm, long story or short story?" - Kingston
"Short. Keep it as simple as possible." - Ian
"Belial turned them into a form of demonkin or monster, but it was their choice. He gave them the chance and opportunity to become demonkin." - Kingston
"What the… Okay give me a slightly longer version." - Ian
"Inside the black cocoon, they were given an option to grow stronger. They would lose their current race and become a part demon or full demon or monster which made them stronger. It was kind of like a metamorphosis, but after the cocoon broke, everyone single one of them chose to give up their race to become stronger.
Gibing and Gopopo have become Oni, David had become a Djinn, Ken and Yor have adopted a demonic form of their current race. In other words, Ken has accepted Amorok's blessing, a wolf god similar to Fenrir. While Yor has become one of the Black Dogs or another word for it would be Hellhound. As for me, well I'm still human just with an actual demon attached to me, no biggy." - Kingston
"You know this is a lot to process, and I have a lot of questions, but the people over there are getting hurt. Howard and Luna can only take on so much damage. Why aren't Gibing and the rest attacking the monster as well?" - Ian
"We all noticed your entrance and decided to wait until you give the command to attack together. We weren't sure what we should do." - Kingston
"We attack all at once however we act like we don't know each other. Relay this message to everyone there and by the way, the guy with the shield." - Ian
"Yeah, what about him?" - Kingston
"I told him my name was Kingston." - Ian
"WHAT? WHY?" - Kingston
"I didn't trust him at the time and I still don't. He is part of Bones and they are eventually the enemy so I can't trust him. However, that doesn't mean I can't use him." - Ian
"So what should be do?" - Kingston
"Act natural and choose a different name. Tell everyone about the situation." - Ian
"Alright then, Kingston. Let's team up for now, shall we? My name is uhh... John Smith" - Kingston
"Alright, John Smith. Let's team up." - Ian
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