Rein could feel his knees buckle beneath him as claw and shield collide once more. The teostra roars as its tail lashes out behind it, catching an un prepared Zephyr. The charge blade user groans as he can feel the shifting movement of his ribs, with a few making a concerning popping sound. The lion monstrosity swipes at the stout man in front once more, only to meet air.
The Teostra yelps in pain as a metallic tackle slams right between its eyes. "Should 'ave stuck with mice ya oversized house cat!" Rein then thrusts the lance into the right foreleg, the constant force only being able to create three puncture wounds on the magma encrusted limbs. Cursing up a storm, Rein backpedals as the teostra began to blast out a constant stream of fire, the heat scorching the ground and a faint crackling being heard throughout the terrain.
As the back and forth continued between Rein and the flaming emperor, Elise catches her breath, with zephyr being dragged back towards the nearest medical station. It was a good thing he had forgotten to don his usual heavy plated armor, otherwise not only would she have not been able to drag him so far, but he might have gotten a heat stroke from the rising temperature of the area. "Wait... shit!" her mind now catching up, Elise leapt to her feat and rushed towards the battlefield, panic marring her expression.
"Dumb! beast! just! LAY STILL!" Rein's roars accompanied by the clanging of his weapon against the Teostra's skin resounded in the area as the big fire cat roared in response, both fighters agitated beyond doubt. Likely reaching its boiling point, the Teostra spreads its wings, the air pressure forcing dust into the area. Rein is slightly forced back as the living magma that meows took to the skies. Believing it to be retreat from exhaustion Rein points the lance upwards. "Ya better run! let yer kin and their descendants know Ill still be around to kick yer ass!." It was at this moment that Elise finally arrived at a distance where she could be heard.
"You idiot, run! that thing isn't retreating!" Ash cascaded down from above, like a cindering rain of snowflakes. The duo of hunters run, understanding that ash falling is abnormal, especially when an elder dragon is near. A guttural roar resounds as the already bright red mane of the creature begins to glow an unbearable hue of white for any that had dared to witness. The world went still, as if it were holding its breath. And then then everything went white.
Back in Astera, the remaining hunters were putting themselves together. Sullivan could feel the air leaving his lungs as he played a song for healing for who knows how many times today. Kane approaches after having helped the medical team as Sullivan drops himself onto a nearby stool. "Ay thanks bro! the next meal is on me for sure!" to tired to respond verbally, Sullivan nods his head as one of the usual goers of the cafeteria saunters off, in a good mood to his now less agonizing burn.
"Really pushing yourself out here to help these guys huh?" Kane Sharpens his Great sword as the words hang in the air. "Yes... I have come to like this place more than my own home across the seas really. Out here risking their lives to keep us safe as we lounged in the largest buildings and enjoyed the finest delicacies." A somewhat mirthful expression appeared on Sullivan as he recalled those days. The way his farther looked at him. His mother's actions and even his sister's words. Being in Astera was truly...liberating.
Kane doesn't comment, knowing that Sullivan is having a moment of his own. The two sat in a comforting silence for a minute before Kane spoke. "I worry about Rein. You think they are ok out their?" the question was so strange that Sullivan couldn't even believe his ears. These two had FOUGHT in a siege against a creature much larger and more volatile and hes asking if his brother will be okay? Just as Sullivan was about to mock Kane's unnecessary concerns, The ground shook. hunters aplenty fell to the ground, having not been able to brace themselves in time. "Look!" a sickly hunter pointed into the distance as he drew the attention of the hunters. A bright flash of light was seen turning into smoke that grew into a mushroom cloud that even made the heavens seem small.
A wave of air soon rushed past, with felines and furniture being tossed about. The dread only grew as the hunters watched the teostra glide out of the smoke, its trail making an ashen robe for burning royalty. They watched as the beast flew beyond the setting sun, A bestial war cry hammering in a message loud and clear. WEAK. Pathetic. Fragile...and foolish.
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A/n: Oh yeah, this was a real gem I made. Unfortunately, like the ashes, im a little smokey around the edges. I'm gonna put this on pause to write another work that has been itching on my mind for a while. BUT don't worry! I still wish to finish this work as it was my first and honestly it feels like a treasure to me. I'm also planning something, but more details on that in the future. Thank you for staying this long and don't let the paolumu lull you to sleep!