Chapter 124: From The Inside Out
Thousands of mages dressed in different colored robes stood in organized formations as they faced the colossal threat in front of them.
Prepare to launch your spells! Sylun shouted as she directed the entire group of mages.
Their target was the Behemoth of indescribable proportions, it was the height of a mountain and carried a god-like depth to its being that caused many to become intimidated. The black x-shaped pupils caused terror to anyone who couldnt bear the ferocity lying within them.
Keeper if you would, Sylun spoke in a humble voice to Ira who stood at her side.
Got it. Ira channeled the influence of the Red Moon and the Dark Elves felt their mana increasing.
Their target was the gigantic creature that was sitting in the middle of a seemingly endless desert so it would be hard for anyone to miss. What was strange was the fact that the Behemoth stopped moving and only surveyed its surroundings.
Sylun began chanting and those around her did the same and after a few moments she raised a short staff and fired off a ten-foot ball of fire. Rhys who wasn't a mage, but was able to control lightning contributed to the attack as much as she could by firing off lightning.
Spells of all types went soaring through the air as they rained down on the stationary target. There was a loud rumbling as the discharge of energy caused a crazy reaction and sand began to rise, but no one stopped. Overhead, the Telvian airships fired the mana cannons and large blue projectiles were released in rapid succession. After the attack stopped, a dozen winged silhouettes flew above the cloud of sand and released magic of their own but the most outstanding was the three massive flame arrows that were the size of houses.
The heat in the desert increased as the magic attack settled down and everyone watched with anticipation.
A low growl was what the Behemoth gave in response as its figure was slowly revealed. Pieces of the hardened bone-like segments on its skin fell to the ground. The Behemoths eyes burned with fury but other than the low growl, it remained silent.
The Behemoth was angered by the attack and slammed its fist into the ground causing a tremor to disrupt everyones balance.
Launch the restraint chains! A dwarf shouted and hundreds of thin chains interlaced with vines sailed through the air before covering the Behemoth. Some chains locked on while others slipped off and fell back to the ground. Once an adequate amount of chains were latched on to the Behemoth, they were activated and began to glow.
The Behemoth felt it and its rage continued to grow, but the chains worked as planned as sapped its strength or at least thats how it appeared.
This is what they call the City-Eater? A cocky magician spoke up and in response, the ground shook once again but with far more power.
The earth raised around the Behemoths body and slowly, a second arm could be seen emerging from the ground. The cause of the Behemoths stillness was due to its attempt to free its second arm and once it did its legs would appear next.
Again! Sylun ordered while a sense of danger ran through her body. Not only her but all those watching could feel an impending doom with each limb being freed.
The magic went flying and crashed into the Behemoth with far more ferocity, but then it continued its slow movements.
The metallic airships continuously fired and the Valkyries flew over to launch attack repeatedly, but the Behemoths arms moved toward the ground as it clenched the sand. The sand vibrated as the mountain-like body began to climb out of the sand.
Again! Sylun shouted as loudly as she could to speak over the sound of the quake.
Ira squinted his eyes and small trails of blood could be seen on the Behemoths skin so it appeared it was being hurt, but there were no fatal wounds to be found.
A three-toed leg was freed from the sand and a dreadful feeling caused many to have the urge to flee.
Again! Sylun yelled, but a human mage approached her and spoke in a panicked voice.
Your excellence, weve expended all of our mana. Only you and your people still have mana left.
Damn it, Sylun remembered that the high powered volley was supposed to be brief but it was clearly ineffective and the mages would need at least an hour to perform another one.
The Valkyries, led by Lauren, landed near Sylun while turning to evaluate the scene.
From above we saw very little damage, Lauren said to Sylun as she removed her helmet.
Thats problematic, especially seeing as the other mages cant continue the attack until after theyve rested, Sylun responded with a concerned look.
Avery approached Ira and the black helmet covering her melted away thanks to the features of the Formless Armor.
You didnt use your weapons yet? Ira asked while rotating his arms.
Not yet, Avery replied as she rested her hand on the pommel of the Godsteel sword.
It was right at that moment the Behemoth finally freed itself. The entirety of its monstrous body could be seen. Its upper body was similar to an ape with longer arms. Its legs looked similar to the hind legs of a horse and it was clear the Behemoth wasn't bipedal, instead relying on its hands and legs to move. Its sunken and skeletal face was decorated with two sharp tusks and one horn on its head curled upward. Its dark greyish leathery skin was littered with dark spikes that served as a natural defense.
After absorbing the feeling of being free, its four eyes scanned the battlefield with a clear purpose. A thick aggression radiated from its gaze as it looked at the Valkyries and memories of its battles with Kara came to the surface.
It slowly opened its mouth and then a terrifying and earth-shattering roar shook the air causing Ira to place his hands over his ears.
Fuck thats loud! Ira cursed while nearly all of the lycanthropes further away were stunned by the sound.
The Behemoth raised its fists that carried a deadly weight and dug them into the ground before it tore into the earth below it and threw enormous fragments of dirt and rock toward the crowd in the distance. Boulders the size of trees looked as if they would wipe everyone out, but neither Ira nor the Valkyries moved.
Run! Human, Elven, and Diavol mages started to flee in droves while the Dark Elves, as nervous as they were, stood by Ira.
A few dozen rocks arrived in front of Ira but stopped mid-air while the rest hammered down on the fleeing mages and crushed them into pulp eliciting screams of terror. The reason for Iras safety was obviously his control and manipulation of the space in around him. The rocks fell to the ground in an anticlimactic manner while Ira just laughed a few times.
Sylun you should get everyone else out of here. Ira didnt expect the combined efforts of the countries to be so weak, but then again, the Behemoth was a relic of an ancient past that was the boundary between ascension and death.
As you wish, Keeper. Sylun bowed while sharing a brief glance with Lauren before signaling for the Dark Elf mages to retreat. Rhys looked reluctant but didn't say anything as she moved with the Dark Elves.
You have a plan Ira? Lauren asked as she put her helmet back on.
Well...I guess you can call it that...All of you can harass it with magic while Ill hit it and we can see what happens from there. Ira removed his shirt and shoes before storing them away.
He started walking but his pace was slowly increasing until he was sprinting, the Valkyries followed his lead and took to the air.
Avery! Ira shouted as his speed increased. He raised one hand into the air but didnt stop his momentum.
Avery flew down and grasped his hand before lifting him into the air.
As high as you can, Ira said as her fiery wings carried them up.
They continued to climb higher and higher until the air became thin and the gargantuan creature below them became smaller.
This should be good enough. Ira looked at the border of the blue sky and the darkness of space that met.
Remember, Raveria is waiting for you, Avery whispered as she fought the lightheadedness coming from the scarce oxygen.
Ira nodded and then Avery let him go his fall was slow at first but as soon as he increased his gravity he fell even quicker. Feeling the temperature rising due to friction Ira bent space into an arrow-shaped barrier to protect himself while also becoming more aerodynamic. It was only when he finally used space to push the limits of his acceleration that he resembled something like a meteor plummeting toward the ground. Ira crossed his arms over his chest and made no unnecessary movements to prevent himself from interrupting the momentum.
Down below, a mid-air battle was taking place as the Valkyries continued to harass the Behemoth.
Move! Lauren shouted as she flew away.
A massive grey hand covered in dermal armor that looked like shale swung through the air and swatted the Valkyries away like flies disrupting their flight paths.
Ah! Casey was clipped by the massive arm and fell to the ground, smashing into the sand. She coughed as she struggled to her feet while blood poured from her mouth. She used her mana to heal herself while examining her condition.
Casey!? Lauren hovered over her.
A broken wing. Casey answered before continuing, Im fine.
Valkyries wings were made out of condensed spirit energy which made them incredibly durable and hard to break, but at the same time fractures would take far longer to recover from, unlike normal wounds.
Lauren nodded before resuming the attack on the mountainous-sized foe.
Casey retracted her wings and began moving away from the battle when the Behemoth spotted her. Its red eyes locked on her as it raised its arms again with the intention of killing her.
The Valkyries noticed that they werent the targets and turned to look at Casey before understanding what was happening. They flew toward her with the intention of saving her but it was too late for anyone to get there in time.
Casey looked up at the giant hand that seemed to bring her death with it but then her vision switched to a burning meteor falling toward the ground, more specifically, the Behemoths back.
Once the object struck the Behemoth, a shockwave was sent across the desert and carried a sheet of sand with it.
The monster which seemed so imposing before, staggered and missed its attack on Casey as its head smashed into the sand and silence fell.
Ira opened his eyes while feeling for his limbs only to notice his legs were no longer there. The barrier he made had shattered on impact and took his legs along with it, shattering some of his bones. Ira quickly healed and climbed to his feet only to realize he was standing in a crater-like wound that formed on the Behemoths back. It pierced through at least twenty or thirty feet of flesh while the force was sent throughout its body.
Woo! Ira jumped happily. He was less focused on the damage to the Behemoth and more about finally getting Avery to drop him from the sky.
He crouched down and was about to take some of the Behemoths flesh when a thought occurred to him and he berated himself for not thinking of it earlier. Ira leaped into the air and left the enticing wound alone since he planned on consuming much more than what it could offer.
Avery! Hit it with everything! Ira shouted at her as she finally made it back down.
She listened to him without question and took some distance before raising her God Steel sword and shield.
Inside of a large Airship, the leaders of each country and the people under them watched the battle from a safe distance.
Nothings working. Cyprian Aurell was visibly shaken as he watched the Behemoth climb to its feet.
As his temporary apprentice, Randolph was able to witness the battle and was also speechless. It was way beyond anything he could have imagined and after seeing the combined attack that was enough to reduce a city to ash he naively assumed that would be the end of it.
How are the mana cannons? Chancellor Orlov asked someone at his side who whispered to him.
Really?! The High Chancellor learned that several airships sent the signal that they were overheated due to the continuous fire and could no longer attack. The important part was that they withstood multiple uses and after some adjustments were made they could become deadlier.
Is now really the time to show such joy? A Diavol woman asked with clear melancholy as she looked at Victors grinning face.
Now, now, theres no need Chancellor Orlov nearly bit his tongue as he saw something happening outside. Though it was far off and hard to see, there was a fiery woman wearing black armor preparing to attack the Behemoth.
Averys body turned into a fire that could barely be contained by the black armor. Her eyes and hair were a darker red flame while her body was a brighter orange like the sun. The energy of the Solar Force had gathered into her blade while the shield orbited around her as if checking for threats.
The molten-colored blade began to radiate a strong feeling that pulled at the hearts of those watching.
The Valkyries began to retreat from the area after retrieving Casey and the Behemoth felt an instinctive threat, the first one it felt since its fight with Kara. Its anger caused its muscles to swell and increased its strength to the point where the restraint chains broke apart.
It raised its arms and moved to stand upright before swinging them downward in order to kill Avery before she could unleash her attack.
Suddenly, the Godsteel shield moved in front of Avery and a large sphere of flame appeared behind it and covered her completely. The Behemoths fist crashed into the sphere and bounced off causing another shockwave to spread out through the air. The flame sphere burst apart and gave Avery enough time to finish preparing.
The downward swing looked leisurely and unhurried, in fact, the Godsteel sword advanced at a snail's pace. Then, the image of a sword made of flame appeared above Avery and moved in tandem with her blade. As the image became more lifelike so did the speed of the attack increase until cut through the air without anyone being able to track it.
There was a bright light that threatened to blind those who would look too long. The heat came after the light, the sand within one hundred feet of the Behemoth was hardened into a glass-like state. After a few seconds, the light faded and everyones vision was returned.
The Behemoth had a long vertical wound going from its giant shoulder to its hip. It was charred and the inside of the wound was filled with a flame that showed no sign of dimming. It was due to Averys blessing called The Everlasting Flame which meant if she didnt stop it herself, some of her flames could perpetually burn. Though, that was only if the being she used them on was close to or above her level of power and could forcefully disperse them.
That was exactly what the Behemoth sought to do as it opened its mouth and began sucking in air. The force of its roar could push away the Airships if they moved to close so there was no reason they shouldnt put out the flames.
Avery fought off the massive wave of exhaustion overtaking her and fell to the ground but Ira appeared and caught her before slowing himself and gently landing on the ground.
Youve done enough. Ira smiled as he teleported her to her chamber in the Valkyrie hall and placed her on the bed before disappearing again.
Daa! Raveria chased after him, but he was already gone so she climbed onto the bed to see Avery who was on the verge of passing out.
Mum. Raveria crawled over to Avery and kissed her on the cheek before rubbing her head.
Avery grinned warmly as she stroked Raverias soft hair and closed her eyes. All of a sudden, the exhaustion she felt began to undo itself as if the clock was turned back and she opened her eyes widely.
Raveria giggled while looking at Averys surprised expression and kissed her on the cheek again before laying down right next to Avery.
Avery had used a large amount of power and to undo the fatigue that occurred from it caused Raveria to become completely spent.
Ira reappeared above the Behemoth while it was still sucking in air and flew toward its mouth. After getting close the Behemoth did the rest of the work and inhaled Ira into its throat. Once inside, it became incredibly dark and stuffy. The internal temperature of the massive beast was incredibly high, but it didnt bother Ira too much. His hands turned into two black claws that began tearing into the Behemoths body and then he entered a vein and was sucked into the current of hot blood.
If Iras face could be seen it would be a huge smile as he fought the urge to drink the blood right then and there. He stuck his claws into the veins as he was dragged away and did as much damage as he could, but that was only a small part of what he planned to do. He could hear a loud and powerful heartbeat that sounded like thousands of drums being beaten at once. After a few moments, he arrived at the powerful organ that kept the Behemoth alive for countless years.
It was apparent what Ira was going to do and the few people who had faced the Behemoth before would call him a cheater. It was far easier to kill it from the inside than the out, but there was no one who could survive inside of its body long enough to navigate their way to its heart.
Ira shifted into his wolf form and bit down on the heart and ripped chunks out before swallowing it down and continuing.
On the outside, the Behemoth wailed painfully as it clutched its chest at the pain it had never felt before. It was worse than Karas sword which was still inside of its body and if the cries of agony were anything to go by it was far more excruciating. It beat and clawed at its chest trying to tear out the invader but it did nothing to stop Ira from finally gorging on its heart.
Ira could feel the Behemoths blood seeping into him but he didnt halt even as his Wolf form grew. In fact, as Ira finished eating around a quarter of the heart, he used his spatial abilities to pull all of the blood into his mouth and it was also consumed.
The Behemoths struggle baffled everyone as it attacked itself for thirty or so minutes before falling to the ground and causing a tremor. As a beast who relied on its heart to survive, once it was gone it was as good as dead. Still, an ominous air hung over its warm corpse as blood poured out of its mouth like a river.
Further away from where the battle took place.
Gicae's eyes flashed with fear as he spoke, ...Ira went inside the body of the creature and now its dead.
So when do we attack? Myr asked impatiently. She knew better than to let an enemy grow stronger while the opportunity to strike them down was present.
Given that there was no sign of ascension it means hes either still alive or died inside of it, either way, we should wait for any signs...Avery Thynne has exceeded expectations and seems to be far stronger than she previously was, we have to distract Ira and focus most of our effort on getting her. Gicae spoke while the feeling that he was missing something important came over him.
Although he had been told by Ira himself via his mind, he didnt really understand the scope of Iras ability to devour and consume other living things. Though the real danger was the sigil on Iras hand that would soon be removed.
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