Chapter 60

Corrupted Beasts

Of all the rules of the universe, the one universal truth is that power exposes the truth. Those with power will inevitably show their true natures as either tyrants or benevolent kings, or so the saying goes. Thus, it should come as little surprise that when an apex predator like a dread-bear is granted excessive forms of power, their true natures as territorial hunters will be revealed to all.

Dread-bears typically range anywhere from three to four meters long, weighing in at upwards of five hundred kilograms. This is of course the standard sizes and weights of the larger members of the dread-bear species. When you factor in outside influences like overwhelming forms of corrupted qi energy entering their bodies and pushing their forms beyond the intended maximum and you get monsters of nightmares. The Corrupted dread-bear that roared out in defiance of the pests that had come to invade its territory was no different. This beast stood on its massive hind legs, letting it rise to its full six-meter-tall frame. The corrupted black fur of its body seemed to radiate red lights of power at the end of its fur. Its teeth gleamed with sparks of lightning, while its eyes glowed with pure wrath and malice.

The beast was so massive that its very existence caused Nayali to pause in her tracks. Lykan for his part used the moment of the beast’s showboating for his own purposes. A quick scan of the surroundings showed that no other predators were nearby, as none were foolish enough to impose on the great dread-bear’s domain. None save for those who quickly met their ends, as the piles of gnawed bones and entrails that were littered about could attest to.

There was no doubt, this monster had not just fed from the corrupted energy of the dark pillar behind it, but it was consuming the energy at a rapid rate. If left unchecked, it was clear that this beast would soon become a calamity class beast capable of wiping off whole cities from the face of the earth.

Then once cities were wiped off the face of the earth, the monsters could breed with other corrupted predators forming even darker and twisted monsters. These images of the future flashed through Nayali’s mind the moment she saw the beast. While it was only a momentary flash, the impact of the vision caused her to gasp out for air and clutch at her chest as her soul felt the impending darkness of the vision. Seeing the apocalyptic beast before her, it was clear this was part of the dark future she saw, the one where the entire world would end after seven years’ time. Seeing the beast now it was clear that should this monster be left to live not just Sidhertha, but the entire continent would be in danger. They needed to strike it down here and now. The only problem was the immense waves of energy coming from the beast were oppressive.

“ROAAARRR!” A second mighty roar was released. This time, the beast released its intense killing intent with the burst of sound. The resulting shock wave was a jolt of force so powerful that it caused Nayali’s body to spasm and constrict in fear. Worse, she felt an intense burning sensation in her meridians.

Paralyzed, she could feel the burning effect of the dark qi infused attack burning away at her meridians. With shock and horror, she realized this was an attack like the one she had unleashed against Lykan during their duel. While she herself was paralyzed from the debilitating wave her eyes were still able to move about and scan for danger. This was little comfort as what was worse knowing you were likely to die, or seeing the instrument of your death approaching and being powerless to stop it?

Yet there was hope. As her eyes scanned the surroundings, she saw Lykan fighting on and through the attack, just as he had during their duel. She saw his spear wedged into the ground standing vertical next to him, as he already had his orcish war-bow out with an iron arrow notched then he fired.

Thwack.

She must have blinked as there was a second thwack sound almost immediately after the first. She tried to see what happened, but the motion was too quick. She looked to the bear to see what had happened. The first arrow struck the beast’s left eye, the eye that was closest to them. There was also a second arrow that had missed the right eye by mere centimeters, as it sunk into and through the corrupted beast’s jaw.

“RAARRRRR!” The beast let out, though this time its cry of rage was filled with a few more gargling sounds.

Then the beast charged.

Nayali blinked again.

Thunk.

The sound of something skittering across the ground could be heard next to Nayali. She tried to look at the sound, but her body was still locked up from whatever energy the beast had originally used in its initial attack. With that she cast her gaze upwards to the two combatants, only to see the spear removed from the ground.

CRUNCH!

The sound of trees creaking and breaking as a large force slammed into them could be heard echoing around the forest. Each crunch causing birds and other animals that had been hiding nearby for scraps from the different piles of gore to scatter from their hiding spots, for fear that they too would be caught up in the wake of destruction.

Nayali scanned the area and had her eyes quickly fix onto Lykan and his spear. The beast charged forward, rage filling its eyes as its normally thick dark fur coat came to life with a deep red hue of power. Nayali couldn’t tell what type of power, if any, the beast was using but it was clearly gaining in speed. Fortunately, Lykan seemed to be faster, though just barely.

The beast lunged forward, only to be caught by Lykan’s spear which impaled the beast in its left rib cage. Not an instantly fatal blow by any means, especially as the beast forced its way forward, fighting both the ground, the spear, and Lykan. What was worse, the beast was winning as the weakest part of the whole chain, the spear first buckled and then bent entirely under the strain of the monster’s relentless power.

Being so close to Lykan, the prey that had eluded it all this time the beast let out another roar.

“ROAAARRR!” This one again was still hindered by the iron arrow that still protruded from the beast’s mouth as the beast had not had a chance to remove the arrow since the onslaught began.

Lykan for his part was not fazed by the roar in the slightest, as he used the moment the beast had anticipated having from a disabling roar to spin out of the way of the next violent slash.

Boom.

Giant clawed hands stabbed into the ground right where Lykan had stood moments before. The beast turned to see Lykan already up, as he had rolled out of the way and with his supernatural mobility managed to draw his sword and use the momentum of his turning body to add to a well-placed strike.

Slink.

The blade cut cleanly through the beast’s thick fur covered neck.

Blood began to spray wildly, all of it directed solely at Lykan who had no time to dodge, instead he swung his sword at an incoming paw that first went wide and then seemed to fly off into the bushes. It took Nayali’s mind a second to realize Lykan had cleanly sliced the appendage clean off with one forceful strike.

The beast collapsed, no longer aided by the ability to rest its weight evenly on all four legs. There was a quick struggle for a second as the dread-bear’s overtaxed mind tried to work out how to still function with only three appendages. Then after a moment’s struggle it staggered up, only to find that Lykan had used the moment of distraction to jump over the beast, landing squarely on the beast’s back. The force of the landing causing the still staggering bear to collapse to the ground once more.

“GRAOARR.” The beast let out, though this time its cry was far feebler than its previously intimidating cries of dominance. It was at this point that Nayali felt the control over her nervous system release as she found she had been taking involuntary steps forward. As she moved her left leg kicked something at about ankle height. Not wanting to be ambushed by a snake or other forest predator she looked down to see Lykan’s bow. She quickly bent down to pick it up in the hopes that it would help.

She looked up with the war bow in hand, only to see the action was over. Lykan was drenched in glowing red blood, his sword dug through the hilt in the beast. It was clear that Lykan had used a two-handed grip to stab at the beast straight downward. Judging by the location of the strike and how quickly the beast collapsed after the blow, Nayali guessed that Lykan had severed the beast’s spine with his strike.

Panting.

It took Nayali a second to realize she was panting. Not from the exertion of the battle, though that was part of the problem she was noticing. The real reason she was panting came from the fact that she was excited to see that Lykan was safe.

Part of her had feared the worse during the battle. Especially after she had been rendered all but useless from the very start.

Seeing Lykan standing there, waiting to strike once more should the beast only be feigning death something in Nayali’s chest broke. A protective seal she had placed over her heart long ago had crumbled. She had long ago hardened her heart to the idea of being a political pawn for her family, stuck in a loveless relationship. She had long ago come to terms with that fact by placing a protective wall around her heart.

One that now seemed to have shattered at the sight of the gore covered form of Lykan. He was strong, powerful, and graceful with every movement he made. Even when facing a superior opponent, he never faltered, never once hesitated.

She watched as he got down from the beast and rolled the beast over to retrieve his broken spear. He took one look at the bent piece of metal, tried to straighten it, only to have the thing warp and twist and snap under his iron grip. Seeing the two broken pieces of spear in his hand he shook his head angrily before throwing the broken piece of the shaft on the ground. The spear tip was not much better, but it seemed that he had ideas for how he could use such an implement.

So engrossed was Nayali in watching how Lykan’s blood-soaked clothes clung to him tightly, displaying every rippling muscle that she failed to notice when he began to speak to her.

“You okay?” Lykan asked, and like a fog had been lifted from her mind Nayali realized he was right there in front of him. His golden powered eyes staring at her with concern clearly etched in them.

Seeing the look of concern on Lykan’s face, Nayali’s heart began to beat faster. Pausing for a second, she faltered in her response before nodding and replying. “Yes. I’m okay.”

“Here, why don’t you sit down for a bit.” Lykan said, while gently grabbing her wrist and guiding her to the open clearing where the corrupted dread-bear had made its nest next to the dark pillar.

Nayali at first wanted to protest, but before she could say anything she was stopped by a surge of electricity that surged from his hand to her wrist. Comforted by the tingling sensation she gave up wanting to protest and instead followed him. Well, her body seemed to follow him on impulse.

There once seated, Lykan began staring deeply into Nayali’s eyes. A shiver ran down her spine as she felt so close to him. Only now did she realize that despite seeming calm he was still breathing deeply, as his hot breath washed over her, causing goose-skin to rise wherever the hot mist touched.

“I think you suffered some damage to your meridians.” Lykan said after a few seconds of observation.

Hearing that Nayali panicked, so this was the same attack I had used against him earlier. Naylai thought to herself, about the final strike she had used in her duel against Lykan. A final strike that had cost Lykan his ability to manipulate mana, and ultimately cost him his military career. A thought of shock filled her as she wondered if he would dismiss her now that she too could no longer wield mana. Fortunately, her fears were relieved somewhat by his next statement.

“I think if you avoid using mana for the next few days your meridians will grow back to be as good as new, if not better.” He spoke.

Hearing this Nayali felt relief flood her. It was clear from his statement that he didn’t intend to dismiss her, and second that he thought there could be a cure.

Then a thought filled her mind which she asked without thinking about. “Isn’t this the same type of attack that struck you?”

Hearing that a slight smirk filled his lips, one that didn’t quite reach his eyes but was still nice to see on his handsome features.

“Yes. Though before you get worried, my damage came from the burnout after the initial attack. I pushed my body beyond where I should have and am now paying the price for such actions.” Lykan said, a bit of sadness filling his eyes.

Seeing the expression Nayali knew the unsaid portion of his thoughts. The fact that he had pushed himself beyond what should have happened due to needing to stop a war. She wanted to ask, was it worth it? Was winning a battle to only end up crippling yourself worth it? But she decided not to dwell on such thoughts. That was a different path that could have been taken. One that had been taken long ago and splintered off from so many times that she had lost count of how far off from a known future she was now traversing. Nowhere in any of her visions of the future did, she find herself truly having feelings for Lykan. This was yet another great lesson for all Oracles to accept, that just because you can predict the different paths from a decision doesn’t mean the different decisions will lead you to a known conclusion.

With her mind still muddled from everything, and the effect of the direct attack on her magic system, Nayali’s eyes grew heavy as she slowly felt her mind giving way to the sweet embrace of sleep.