2022-03-24 16:03:33The Wolfmore mining village lay in ruins. The roads and toppled houses were completely deserted. Only the piles and piles of elven bones covered the empty place. But, deep in the canyons, a battle was brewing.
The silence caressed Kana's skin like a cool summer breeze. The impenetrable water shield she conjured enveloped her completely, not letting even a single pebble pass through it. Her glare was unwavering. She didn't blink as she gazed at the terrifying beast she would have to face. There was no softness in her eyes. Just the sheer determination to win.
Her hands were steady stretched with confidence and leveled perfectly with the nose. From the look of it, she was ready. The creature, however, was not as timid. From losing its army, it boiled up inside, like a pool of hot lava.
- "You will pay for that, human!"
Kana didn't say anything, which made the beast even angrier.
- "You will beg for mercy! You will scream and grovel. But, I won't show you a swift death, little human. I will rip your body a bit by bit for every Groel you took!"
- "Groel?" – asked Aiko.
- "So, that's why we couldn't win!" – Vesryn gulped from behind the young girl. His eyes widened in fear.
- "Groel are a fearsome race of beasts from another world. Beings of high intellect. They've conquered countless regions and destroyed more than a dozen kingdoms in Elidy. He is referring to his army. The beasts I just killed." – Kana explained as she kept her focus.
- "A race? Is this the kind of beasts adventurers have to face?" – Aiko asked once more.
- "They are rare." – added Vesryn. "They only come when there is a massive prize to gain. Unimaginable power."
- "But, we are just a mining village! Slaves to the elves. What can we give them?!" – Aiko mumbled. Her tiredness made her hands hang limp. She loosened up her grip around Ren, not realizing he was slowly losing consciousness.
- "That's exactly what I've been wondering, girl!" – Vesryn nodded as he laid down on the ground wounded. His legs were constantly bleeding.
- "Enough!"- joined the beast with a deep menacing voice.
Then, it roared. Kana sharpened her gaze. She stayed focused on her prey, but she could tell the beast was overflowing with anger and hate. From the fury, its body started to change. The ice on its back melted and its absurdly long spikes grew even bigger. The toxic ooze that spewed forth from its feet turned into a fire so hot, it dug a deep hole in the ground. The gnarled and crumbled skin on its face was no more. Its rancid hide morphed into a blaze, turning the monstrosity into a fearsome fiery beast. That's when the odd green symbols in its eyes finally took shape - four dots and a line in between them.
Aiko saw it all. This thing made her blood run cold. Vesryn, the last remaining warrior of the elven fleet, decided to use this opportunity. He crawled over to Aiko's side. He left behind a long blood trail as he struggled to carry his wounded body.
- "Girl, use this chance and run. Save yourself while you still can."
- "But...Ren..."
Without warning, the ground under their feet shook, creating a loud noise that made their ears feel like they were going to explode. Aiko flinched and instinctively hugged Ren. In that frozen second, over a dozen gazers of hot lava spewed forth from every corner of the mines. The heat was so strong it melted the entire canyon, turning it onto a flat landscape. What took years to form disappeared in a matter of seconds. The red beast smiled as the lava flooded the place. But, as soon as the gazers disappeared, the beast saw a big watery shield floating in the air. Kana emerged from the water without a scratch, while still keeping Ren, Vesryn, and Aiko inside, away from harm.
- "Impossible." – the creature mumbled.
- "Now, it's my turn." - Kana declared as she faced the beast. Her water magic kept her afloat.
In Kana's eyes, there was no emotion, no fear, or hesitation. It was as if she had completely detached her soul from her body, and what was left was only a vessel. The beast panicked. He had never met a human so strong. Someone so powerful, their mana would engulf them like a warm blanket.
At that moment, she snapped her fingers. The clicking sound soon dimmed and with it came a typhoon that enveloped her from top to bottom. The strong cyclone made Aiko and Vesryn shudder. The overwhelming winds and water entered Kana's body. When they disappeared, her eyes glowed like the purest sapphire. Then, to everyone's surprise, Kana's clothes, hair, and toes morphed and shifted until they turned to water completely. Her once black hair became brighter than the waves. The only human trace that was left of her was her honeyed skin. Aiko was speechless. She had never seen someone so beautiful yet horrifying at the same time.
Kana stretched her hands and moved her arms as if the sky was made for dancing. The ground started to shake forming fissures so deep, even the ferocious red beast couldn't keep its balance. Then, gallons and gallons of water emerged from the ground forming into a fearsome watery dragon. The magic being was so huge it made the beast tremble. But, the creature couldn't afford to be afraid. It stood firmly on the ground and was ready to take the dragon head-on.
- "You will all die!!!" – it screamed.
The two colossal monstrosities clashed. Their power was so intense it sent shockwaves across the desert, the village, and the canyon. Even the travelers who were miles and miles away felt it.
Suddenly, the watery dragon clawed its way into the body of the red beast. The water entered through the beast's eyes, mouth, and ears. It traveled through its insides so quickly, while the creature laid defenseless. Then, the eyes of the red beast lost their fierceness. That's when it realized the water was too strong.
- "Impossible! Impossible! How...can...a mere human do this to me? Me?!!"
The creature's stomach doubled, then tripled in size. The monstrosity roared in pain.
- "What is going on? What just happened?" – Aiko couldn't believe her eyes.
But, Kana, knew exactly what was about to happen. She hurried to Aiko, Vesryn, and Ren. Then, she covered herself and them with another watery shield and waited for the beast to blow.
Its stomach got even bigger and bigger until it finally exploded. As the body burst, fireballs came with it and ravaged the place. Or at least what was left of it. The watery shield was undamaged. After the fire subsided, Kana slowly moved the shield towards the ground before removing it completely. When the water disappeared, Vesryn and Aiko just stared at everything around them. The entire canyon was gone. All the watchtowers, carts, and even the camp were obliterated.
- "What happened? How is this possible?" – Aiko's voice trembled.
- "This is the power of the Groel. If Kana didn't come when she did, the surrounding villages would have faced the same fate. We are lucky." – Vesryn explained while covering his wound with a thorn piece of cloth he took from his clothes.
- "We are lucky? You call this lucky? Wolfmore is gone! Daisuke is gone! Why?"
- "They came for you, girl." – Kana turned to face Aiko. There wasn't even a shred of kindness in her gaze. She just snapped her fingers and the water disappeared, returning her body to her former shape.
- "Me? Ridiculous! I'm a slave. A miner." – Aiko sneered in disbelief. Then she turned towards Ren who laid right next to her. "You hear that, Ren? This crazy lady says the beasts came for me!"
She reached for her friend and touched his soft paw. That's when she realized his body was cold and utterly still. His snout turned blue, his eyes dull, and his fur had lost its fluffiness. He was as lifeless as the dust and stones that stood around him.
Aiko froze. Her heart ached.
Over a dozen memories flashed through her mind. She remembered the time baby Ren and she ran through the village. How the guards used to chase them. How they both listened to Daisuke play his broken lute under the tree. How they ate the stale leftover bread from the tavern, but it still tasted great. How they slept under the same roof with Ren, with him as the pillow.
At that single moment, something snapped.
The hope in Aiko's eyes evaporated. Tears ran down her cheeks. She screamed. Her voice tore through Vesryn's armor. It cut through the nearby stones and pebbles. It traveled through the desert, killing all the lizards that stood at the wrong place at the wrong time. The elf tried to shield himself and his open wound. But, Kana didn't waver.
- "What is happening?" – Vesryn mumbled.
- "Her power. It's awakening." – Kana explained.
- "Power? She is a human born in Elidy. She can't have power! Humans don't have power!" – Vesryn protested.
- "There is some truth in it, elf. We adventurers obtain power the moment we are summoned to this realm. But, she is different. She is unique."
- "What do you mean, witch?"
- "She was born with it."
- "That's absurd!"
Vesryn watched in awe. The more Aiko screamed, the stronger her voice became. Then, her eyes turned bright yellow shining brighter than the sun. Suddenly, a series of lines and curves carved themselves into Aiko's skin, healing her broken arm. They covered her hands, shoulders, and neck with a beautiful flurry of language that no one could understand. The symbols trapped themselves into her body before they finally glowed yellow, exactly like her eyes. Magical yellow dust emerged from Aiko's drained body, but her screams grew louder and louder. Her heart was shattered into a million pieces.
- "The power of the light? She wields the light?" – Vesryn mumbled.
- "That's right." – Kana uttered.
- "But, there hasn't been a human with this kind of power in...centuries."
- "Right again." – the sorceress nodded, emotionless. She seemed well aware of what Aiko was capable of.
Strange magic dust emerged from Aiko's body. It hung low in the air, spinning around the barren wasteland reflecting the last rays of the sun. Wherever the dust went, a comfortable smell of apricots followed, as if they were released from a magical cloud.
Aiko was completely unaware of what was happening around her. She was drowning in her own sorrow, while the dust swirled in the air above her. Then, the magical sparkles found their way into Vesryn's open wounds. The round gash closed and his injuries disappeared. Now, the elf could walk again.
But, the rhythm of the dancing dust didn't end there. It entered Ren's corpse engulfing it in bright energy. In a matter of seconds, life returned to Ren's eyes once more. He coughed while struggling to get a bit of fresh air. The moment she heard Ren's breathing, Aiko regained her composure. Her screams died out. Her agony dissipated and she just stared at her best friend in disbelief.
- "She is a cleric." – added Kana.
- "Cleric?!"
Kana saw the look on Vesryn's face. He was in complete shock unable to grasp what happened before him. His face washed blank. Every muscle in his body froze.
Previous Chapter
Related Chapters
We Are Taking Down the Goddess New Dawn
Aiko curled her fingers around Ren’s paws. Every muscle in her body was shaking, and tears streamed down her cheeks from her half-closed eyes. She held her breath behind the pursed lips as she struggled to stay still. The moment her fingers touched him, happiness flowed through her, warming her skin like the rays of the warm sun. -“I can’t believe you are alive.” – her face lit up as she continued to cry. -“What happened, Aiko? I thought I was dead.” – uttered Ren, while checking his body for any open wounds. But, there was nothing he could find. His body was as good as new. -“Welcome to the world of adventurers, Aiko. You are now a full-fledged caster – a cleric.” Kana approached the girl and greeted her with respect. She bowed with grace without the unnecessary flattery. In her eyes, Aiko was someone worthy,
We Are Taking Down the Goddess One Step Ahead
Plums of dust erupted the moment Aiko stood on solid ground. When her view cleared, the girl shaded her eyes and peered away across the vast desert. The sun was shining bright, the land was untouched, and the lizards roamed free. It was a completely different scenery from that of the Wolfmore mining village. -“Where are we?” – she mumbled. -“I’ve teleported us to the closest village. Glanaram, I suppose?” -“Glanaram?! But, that’s weeks away!” – Aiko yelled in surprise. At that moment, Kana’s legs started to shake. Her perception of time distorted. Everything slowed down a little, as the ground seemed to swallow her whole. The sorceress was losing balance. Aiko immediately noticed and hurried to her side. She grabbed her by the waist, barely holding onto her weak body. -&nb
We Are Taking Down the Goddess Glanaram
The torched sand twinkled under the intense sun. Although one day has passed since the battle at Wolfmore, it is too early for the sun to set. It was impossible to find shelter in the desert. The only thing to do was to enter the village. After a long nap under magical watery blankets, Aiko, Kana, and Ren passed through the village gates with ease. Glanaram was not as heavily guarded as Wolfmore once was. But, the two places had buildings made quite similar to one another. They were constructed of sturdy stones that can handle the desert heat. However, Glanaram was a lot more sophisticated than Aiko’s hometown. After all, it wasn’t a mining village meant for slaves, but a merchant town booming with business. The houses here were like heaven on these sand dunes. Each stone was stacked neatly to create a wall with dignity. The wood on the windows was enchanted with magical energy so they won’t burn, and the roofs were properly taken care of to prevent any leaks. <
We Are Taking Down the Goddess The Demon Apple
The door opened to a narrow wooden corridor. The dust and wind from outside banged some of the pictures on the wall, creating a loud noise that announced their arrival. Aiko, Kana, and Ren dusted off the sand from their shoulders and made their way into the building. What started out as a simple hallway paved the way to a much bigger room, larger than anything Aiko has ever seen. The young girl was taken aback by the unusual harp music that echoed around the room, and the sharp smell of cigars and drinks. She pushed her tattered hood off her face and raised her head. At that moment, her jaw dropped and her cheeks flushed bright red. -“Welcome, my lady. Care for a drink?” A stunning woman with horns pointing from her head and wings tucked behind her back greeted Aiko with a smile. Aiko gazed upon her perfectly shaped body, that glistening dark skin with a hint of sensual sweat. She barely wore any clothes, except
We Are Taking Down the Goddess The First Challenge
The Demon Apple laid silent. Everyone stood there, like some lifeless statues waiting for one to make a move. Aiko’s large breaths and rapid beating heart broke the silence. From the look of it, she and Ren were the only ones who were terrified in the entire room. As she raised her head to look at the assassins that stood not far from her, one of the enemies recognized her.-“Target located. Move in for extraction.”Every assassin was dressed the same. Dark leather clothes, masks that cover everything but the eyes, and black gloves that shield them from leaving any fingerprints. The only difference was in the necklace. Each warrior wore a pendant drenched in gold. While the man who issued the order had an iron necklace wrapped around his neck.Suddenly, the thieves in the room vanished into thin air. They disappeared right before their eyes. Aiko just stood there, speechless.-&
We Are Taking Down the Goddess Meeting Fate
Amid massive green landscapes, countless roots that stretched far and wide, vibrant flowers, and delicate petals that kept falling endlessly from the bright blue sky, Aiko woke up to the sound of dancing birds. She listened to those calming screeches that flew above her head. The whole area felt like liquid magic washing her sanity away. The girl stood up to take a better look at her surroundings, only to realize there was no end in sight. The trees lined perfectly with the lawn stretched across the entire horizon. While the fields were almost completely covered in those bright and mesmerizing flowers. -“What is this place?” For a moment there, the garden looked and smelled like heaven. As if the entire place was woven into the very fabric of nature. When she tried to reach for one of the flowers nearby, the girl felt a strong divine force forming in front of her. Rays of light danced in the sky, before creating a woman-like figu
We Are Taking Down the Goddess Blue Lust Guild House
The bright morning sun poured through the cracks in the blinds from a small window and went straight for Aiko’s sleepy eyes. Still tired and dreary, the young girl hesitantly rubbed her eyelids, while clinging onto the very last bit of fragments from her dream. That’s when Aiko noticed something strange.There was a certain coolness in the air. A cold breeze she wasn’t used to. Then, she noticed her body didn’t stay still. Instead, she was inside a carriage that had been jolting joyfully down the road for who knows how long. A strange salty smell lingered in the air. She felt an odd humidity wash over her skin that whisked all the remaining heat away. There was also the sound of seagulls singing in the sky – creatures she only heard about in stories. The girl pushed herself off the crates she had been laying on and stuck her head out of the window to see what was going on.Her jaw dropped in awe. The carriage was riding over a pure white r
We Are Taking Down the Goddess Life of an Adventurer
A massive doorway stood in the middle of the grand hall, inviting the visitors to a new journey. Aiko and Ren followed the archer inside. It was a vast space, to say the least. Warm light radiated from the windows, while the warmth from the fireplace served as a beacon of comfort, soothing Aiko’s wary heart. The walls were covered in a warm brown color, completely different from the outside scenery. Each brick was placed with such dignity that created the ideal welcoming place. The floor was a rustic parquet with a mix of homely yellows and browns. At the center of the room, there was a long wooden bar that shone brightly under the suspended chandelier supporting about a dozen candles made of animal fat. The air was thick with the scent of booze and noisy chatter. Laughter and the loud happy music soaked the place, inspiring the listeners to enjoy and dance to the beat. There were hand-crafted wooden tables and chairs scattered all around the grand space. But,
Latest Chapter
On the Rocks
The rain came with a confident wind, rousing the trees and fires into a vortex. Each raindrop – a kaleidoscope, covering the library in a comforting blanket. The phoenix couldn’t help but wonder, as it was lying on the floor exhausted, what it would feel like if it could stop time and just look at it. Observe each watery bubble before it touched the ground. The fires on its wings dimmed, and the phoenix morphed into a small human. Welcoming every drop with his outstretched fingers. Like he always wanted to. Soon, the rain formed puddles, followed by a cool freshness in the breeze.Most of the Library of Pergamon was in ruins. Thankfully, the rain came when it did, or the rest of this grand building would have succumbed to the flames.Paige woke up suddenly, not because her clothes were soaked, but because she remembered what she was up against. An entire demon army. Her eyes tried to adapt to the light and rain. She had no idea how long she slept. The only thing that sent her on edge
Memoir
With a crack as loud as thunder, the third statue split from its pedestal. The entire thing accelerated down and crushed into this unfamiliar woman. Amplified by the figure’s powerful magics, this statue sent forth an immense shockwave, toppling the walls and limiting their visibility. The woman coughed.- “Really?”- “It was worth a try.” – the figure shrugged.- “There…is…no need to fight.”Aiko retaliated as she tried to release her neck from the woman’s suffocating magic. But, as soon as she said that, the mysterious woman waved a hand, and Aiko found herself glued to the wall and with a fractured skull. Although Aiko was out cold, her godlike powers focused on stopping the bleeding and getting her body back in shape.- “You know you can’t kill us, right?” – the figure added.- “Who said I want to kill you?”- “You are damn sure acting like it.”- “I just want you to know your place. That’s it.”- “I can relate to that.” – the figure chuckled. “Actually, I’ve been meaning to ask.”
Third Trial
[ During the rule of the God of Time - 5,000 BE* ]*BE – Before Elidy*AE – After ElidyA woman strode forward. Her long legs and slender arms exposed beneath her silky, almost transparent dress. Her massive wings carried her across the sky, leaving behind a powerful gust of wind. Her green, transparent hair, decorated with a dozen golden accessories danced with the breeze. When she landed, the elf guards greeted her with respect. This woman was a stunning beauty, with a slim face, full lips, and a distinctive jawline. She resembled an elf, as she was almost as tall as them. But, her eyes were a lot bigger, and her ears pointer. Her leaf-like wings tucked themselves neatly on her back.- “Lady Ayesha Elmcup, welcome. The royal family is expecting you.”- “Can you call your queen? We don’t have much time.”- “Right away.”The elf queen soon came and the two conversed.- “Ayesha, if you are here, it means…”- “War is coming. He took them. Erased them from existence. The creatures are to
Sacred Lands
The cavern expanded like some natural ballroom. A tiny hole on the roof paved the way for white-gold rays to shine through. Blessed spirits did their nightly dance, channeling their essence into the magical staff ahead. This place would be a sanctuary in any storm. But, when unwelcomed visitors were to enter, the spirits would release an ear-splitting screech. Just as they did right now. Blood ran down their necks from their raptured eardrums as Aiko and Kana battled their way inside.Aiko had finally mastered her skills, supporting Kana with impenetrable shields and quick healing spells. No matter what the spirits would throw at the sorceress, she kept fighting back. Without Aiko’s endless rejuvenation, Kana wouldn’t be able to come this far. But, with Aiko by her side, she couldn’t care less about the injuries she suffered. Like those sharp stones that sliced her skin, tore apart her dress, and broke her bones. After all, everything would regenerate as soon as it got damaged. These
Floating Candles
Barefoot, naked soles on grass… once that was a unique kind of bliss. It felt natural for the grassland to tickle her soles. But now, it was different. Every inch of her skin was covered in deep cuts and bruises. Even walking on the gentle grass felt like running over a billion shards of glass. Her stunning braids, adorned with the most beautiful flowers, came undone. Her short dress was all torn apart. Yet, that pain felt like a passing memory. There was something else that consumed her mind.This young child, a forest spirit, who was supposed to emit this bright and joyful energy, had succumbed to darkness. The kind of darkness that would render anyone insane.She looked at her hands.She looked at her chest.She looked at her own reflection in the pond.Blood. So much blood.The girl tried to wash it clean. Wipe it off. But, it didn’t work. Every time the water went over it, the blood would come back. As a reminder of what she did. She knew it didn’t come from her own wounds. She w
On the Edge
Once hollow, the shadows solidified into a person capable of outrunning even the tracker demons. From her fingertips, fog condensed into an apparition quite like the demons that roamed this place. Creating the perfect distraction for her to pass through. There was no joy in Nora’s eyes, nor a suggestion of a smile, just pure seriousness as she ran across the narrow corridors. If luck would have it, she would leave unscathed.Grey shadows formed into platforms which she used to climb to the top of the tower, and reach that single hole she opened when she infiltrated this place – her only exit strategy. The shadows were like patient clocks, waiting for her feet to land and then disappear. But, the further she ran, the more demons came out. Many emerged from the walls, trying to block her at every turn.Nora would let her eyes see how close they would get. And when they were at the right distance, the tip of her blade would exterminate them. Even the shadows that were steps for her to wa
Momentum
Stars filled the sky, splitting over the black marble. In this vastness of eternal space, a couple of shadows blended into the dark as their flames died down. Frost grew over their limbs. Soon, ice crystals covered their entire bodies, allowing their brain to empty and become one with the flow. Karma felt the wind blow her hair over her eyes like a choreographed cyclone. In this place, days, seconds, months, and hours didn’t matter. Even the seasons moved like a fast clock, turning and changing in an infinite loop. Walking here rendered their souls to the greatest clarity. How the stars moved where he walked felt as though the galaxy could follow his shadow. Merge with his essence. This young man. He was somewhat too thin for his height. His body seemed malnourished. Stretched even. A very large wooden bead necklace hung on his skinny neck. His extremely pale skin peaked through his loosely fitted robe. His long blond hair was now a dusty grey. It changed with his sudden growth. As
Coldness
The smell of smoke was one thing, the shaking another. But, it wasn’t the million primitive arthropods that left Yakeru panting, but, the thin air that was difficult to breathe. Ever since they set foot on this plane, getting a breath of fresh air felt like a lucid dream. As soon as the army of giant and heavily deformed metameric creatures fell, the adventurer focused his gaze onward, not letting a single moment pass him by.The gate though solid, it was slowly split open. Massive claws dug deep in the bricks, and on the other side, an ominous presence lingered. The stink. It was polluting his lungs. Like some kind of sewage that had filled with centuries and never got cleaned. A place where corpses would get dumped and stay there for all eternity. Stacked one on top of the other. When the gate swung open, demons and mutated insects swarmed by the dozens. As if they couldn’t wait to feed on this man’s essence.Fire came as a golden ball, igniting the
Soul Searching
Merging with the shadows came naturally to Nora. Long time ago, she learned to live rootless, able to transform into the strangest of situations and still appear like everyone else. She has been in the game longer than she can remember, and the ties to her dark self only grew deeper. Her magic allowed her to take any shape she pleased. To command any voice, she deemed necessary. She would walk alone, then select a few others and walk by their side, as if she’d known them for ages. She pinned the tip of her blade in specific points, masking their magical essence with a shadowy cloak. These markings, they saw and heard everything about everyone, like a goldmine of information. The only difference was that her power would only register the voices, images, and thoughts of targets weaker than her. Not a single demon grew wary. But, the fact that most of them were a bunch of mindless brutes, thirsty for blood, made her work a little more taxing than she predicted. She need
