Chapter 11: Twisted Drake
Regaleon felt it’s presence before he saw the creature. First came the pressure; it was heavy, ancient and suffocating. Like the cavern itself had suddenly began breathing...
Then, there was that primal sound... The roar. It echoed throughout the chamber, causing dusts to drift as the cavern shook as though startled by the sound itself...
Even the glowing Essence Crystals flickered faintly as though reacting to the creature’s presence and then... It emerged.
From the deeper darkness beyond the flowers, something slowly slide out... And for the first time since arriving in the Nether Lands, the group finally understood true terror...
Even Regaleon’s pupils shrank as he beheld the sight before him...
The creature was enormous... Far larger than the puny serpent he killed earlier. It’s body resembled a Drake’s, but in a twisted, corrupted and wrong way...
The thing possessed the long serpentine body characteristic of Drakes, yet it’s flesh looked partially decayed as though rot had fused with living scales...
Black scales covered most of it’s body and between them pulsed crimson veins that glowed faintly like molten blood beneath cracked stone...
Two massive wings extended from it’s back. They were bat-like and torn, having membranes that were riddled with holes. As though something had eaten through them long ago...
Jagged bones protruded from the wing joints like broken spurs. It’s mane; what should have been a beautiful flowing mane around a Drake’s neck, hung in filthy strands resembling blackened flesh and burnt hair intertwined together...
It’s horns curved backward grotesquely; twisted unevenly like malformed branches. And it’s face... gods above...
The first half looked normal with elongated features and a glowing eye, just like a normal Drake’s and the other...
The other side looked melted and monstrous. It was skinless with exposed muscles twitching visibly while rows of uneven fangs protruded outward grotesquely from it’s jaw...
Red saliva dripped endlessly from it’s mouth onto the cavern floor, burning holes into the flowers beneath it...
Kaeloris stumbled backward as he stared in horror at the monstrosity that towered over the group. His lips trembled violently as he asked, "I-isn’t that a Drake?"
Veyrath stared at him blankly and asked, "Does that look like a Drake to you?"
No one answered but they understood that question. Everyone knew how a Drake looked. They were beautiful and majestic. They were ancient creatures with shimmering scales, glowing wings, noble horns and regal presence...
However, this thing that towered there looked nothing like the Drakes from legend. Instead, it looked more like a nightmare wearing a Drake’s corpse...
The creature slithered slowly through the cavern towards the group. As it moved, massive coils crushed the flowers beneath it’s enormous weight carelessly...
CRUNCH! CRUNCH!! CRUNCH!!!
One by one, Saintsky Roses disappeared beneath black scales instantly. The sight was pretty disheartening, especially to Veyrath whose eyes widened in horror as he watched...
"...No..." He whispered at first. Then, "NOOOO!!!" His scream echoed heartbreakingly throughout the cavern.
"My flowers!" His hands grabbed his hair desperately while despair consumed his expression. "All those Saintsky Roses!"
For a moment, the rest of the group though that it was his parents that were being crushed beneath the dreadful scales...
The creature ignored his scream entirely as it’s crimson eyes slowly scanned the forgotten children that dared invade it’s space...
As it’s crimson eyes swept over them, the atmosphere tightened instantly. Regaleon’s instincts screamed danger so violently that every muscle within his body tensed...
He knows what this reaction meant and so his thoughts moved rapidly as he began calculating how to face this monster and their chances of defeating it...
But no matter how hard he thought or calculated, he realized that there was no way they could defeat this creature. At least, he has yet to figure out a way...
Infact, even slowing it down would require luck beyond reason as the difference in strength that existed between them and that thing was overwhelming...
Then he began assessing the group. There were eight of them but four actual fighters; himself, Aureleah, Valmyr and Vaelorin.
The others lacked combat ability entirely and could only rely on them. Next, he assessed the Soul Essences they have:
His Count Tier Armour might be slightly useful for defence against the creature’s attack but his Baron Tier Halberd would barely do well in offense as it might not even scratch those scales...
Aureleah possessed the strongest weapon among them, her twin King Tier Daggers. But to use them effectively, she needs proximity and against a creature with senses so sharp, her Shadow Cloak would not guarantee stealthy movements...
Valmyr’s Earl Tier Broadsword might inflict shallow damage through sheer force and lastly, Vaelorin’s flames also possess destructive potential...
But even together, their chances of taking down that nightmare was terrible. Still... They had no choice. No one forced them to come hunting for treasures...
Regaleon stepped forward immediately. "Listen carefully..." He started, his voice cutting sharply through the panic engulfing the rest.
The group turned towards him instantly and Regaleon pointed toward the four noncombatants. "On my mark, the four of you are to run. Fast!"
Kaeloris paled. "What about you guys?" He asked, his voice trembling.
Regaleon turned back toward the Drake and replied. "We would stay back to buy you time."
Veyrath wanted to say something but Aureleah cut him off. "Just do as you are told."
The Drake suddenly spread it’s massive wings. The cavern trembled violently as it’s wings unfolded...
RUMBLE!
Wind exploded outward from the force alone, nearly causing several of them to lose balance...
Then it’s red eyes locked unto Regaleon completely now. It’s gaze was predatory and malicious with hunger lurking within them...
Regaleon’s instincts flared and suddenly, he shouted. "NOW!"
Veyrath reacted first. The failed Alchemist forgot about his precious flowers as he turned and sprinted instantly...
"RUN!" Seeing the other three still dawdling, he shouted at them...
Kaeloris nearly tripped while clutching the Rainbow Stream Sprout he managed to successfully dig out...
Caelestra grabbed several Essence Crystals and stuffed them into her Treasure Chest before fleeing after them...
Sylveris hesitated, fear filling her eyes as she looked toward Aureleah, "Sister..."
"GO!" Aureleah shouted sharply. "I am right behind you." She assured.
Tears gathered within Sylveris’ eyes immediately but she obeyed. Biting her trembling lips, she turned and ran after the others...
The moment the twisted Drake noticed it’s prey escaping, it opened it’s massive jaws. Crimson light gathered deep within it’s throat...
But Regaleon moved instantly. Since his Halberd would barely damage the creature, the failed Knight relied on his Armour instead as he ran towards the creature...
BOOM!
Using the full momentum of his dash, Regaleon slammed directly into the twisted Drake’s exposed underside. His armoured shoulder collided against flesh with explosive force...
The creature reeled backward slightly... But it was enough.
Valmyr roared as he raised his Sword, "MOVE!"
Then, his massive Broadsword descended violently against the creature’s flank...
CLANG!
Sparks exploded as the impact echoed throughout the cavern. Yet, only a shallow white scratch appeared upon the black scales.
Valmyr’s face paled slightly. "...You have got to be kidding me." He muttered in disbelief.
And that was when Vaelorin acted. Flames erupted as the failed Pyromancer thrust his staff forward as streams of blazing fire shot directly toward the creature’s half exposed face...
The twisted Drake screeched angrily as flames exploded against exposed flesh. Finally... There was an actual damage. Burnt flesh hissed beneath the fire as the creature recoiled furiously...
Then... Aureleah suddenly vanished. Her Shadow Cloak activated completely as shadows swallowed her form. One second she stood beside them, the next... She was gone. Just like that.
Not caring about it’s burnt flesh, the twisted Drake snarled violently as it senses searched desperately for the failed Assassin...
SHING!
Suddenly, silver flashed briefly as she reappeared near the Drake and one of her Daggers pierced between the scales near the creature’s neck...
Black blood sprayed instantly as the twisted Drake roared in genuine pain...
For a moment it looked like they would succeed in bringing the creature down as:
Valmyr kept attacking relentlessly, hacking away at the creature’s scales with his heavy Sword...
Vaelorin continued to bombard it’s face with flames...
Regaleon repeatedly slammed and struck vulnerable areas, preventing the twisted Drake from fully stabilizing...
And Aureleah kept moving through the shadows like death itself as there was cutting, disappearing and reappearing...
Through all of these, the Drake’s fury intensified rapidly as it’s enormous body smashed against the cavern walls violently causing the flowers and Essence Crystals to scatter everywhere...
The chamber was chaotic as the battle raged on...
Then, everything changed as the Drake suddenly stopped moving completely.
Regaleon was mid-motion when his eyes widened as his instincts exploded. "MOVE!"
He shouted instantly, trying to dodge but it was too late...
The Drake’s crimson eyes glowed brighter than before as it’s maw split open unnaturally wide and then, a horrifying screech exploded outward as it made sound itself into a weapon...
BOOOOOM!
Shockwaves erupted through the cavern instantly as: Valmyr was thrown backward violently against the wall. Blood spilled from his mouth as his back slammed into the cavern wall...
Vaelorin crashed across shattered crystals while spouting copious amount from his mouth...
Even Regaleon, despite the protection offered by his Armour, staggered backwards heavily...
And Aureleah was forced out from the shadows abruptly, skidding across the stone floor painfully...
Then, the twisted Drake moved... It was fast. Far too fast for a creature it’s size. It’s massive tail whipped across the cavern like a a black hurricane towards...
CRASH!
Valmyr barely raised his Shield before impact sent him flying back into stone walls. The force behind that tail was overwhelming as cracks spread across his Soul Essence...
Vaelorin desperately unleashed flames again at the creature but the Drake lunged directly through them as it’s monstrous jaws snapped towards him.
For a moment, Vaelorin smelled the stench of death until silver flashed...
Aureleah intercepted, slamming her Daggers against the Drake’s fangs desperately as shadows erupted around her. But the sheer force behind the Drake’s movement hurled her backward violently with blood spilling from her mouth...
Then, Regaleon moved again. His Halberd struck directly against the Drake’s wounded neck, where Aureleah had once sliced open with her Daggers...
CLANG!
But this time, the impact barely staggered it as the creature didn’t seem to register the pain.
The Drake turned towards him instantly; it’s monstrous red eyes burning with hatred as it regarded with the cruelty of a predator. Then, slowly... The Drake’s eyes drifted downward. Toward the faint crimson lines pulsing beneath Regaleon’s rusted Armour.
And suddenly... The nightmare smiled.
