She darted toward the trees, arcing her body back and forth so the bird of prey didn’t get a lock on her. She dared a peek back and could see it coming in greater detail now. It was a massive hawk with onyx colored feathers, a razor-sharp beak, and clutching talons that would rip through her. It was quickly closing the distance.
She couldn’t outrun it. However, she might be able to outmaneuver it. As soon as it reared back its talons, she triggered her [Coiled Strike] and veered right.
She lunged to the side with a brief burst of speed over the distance, and the hawk clutched nothing but grass and clumps of dirt. It let out a screech, rising and banking around at a turn radius Neska didn't think was possible.
But it wasn’t fast enough to dodge the [Mana Bolt] she spat out at the creature, hitting it full in the body. Neska let out a hissing laugh as the bird tumbled to the ground and landed in a heap. Its wings flapping awkwardly, and its talons scrabbled, stuck upside down.
Take that, you giant feather duster!
But the bolt hadn't hit as hard as she wanted, because the bird righted itself quickly, clacking its beak angrily. It rose from its position, feathers scorched, yet was still alert and moving fast. Its wings also seemed to possess a strange set of claws on the knuckle joint, and it used the wing claws to dig into the earth and propel itself forward.
One shot isn’t going to cut it! She fired off another shot, but the bird swerved and tumbled to the side–a very not birdlike maneuver. It continued crawling, flapping its wings and lurching toward her.
She sprang away again using her [Coiled Strike], but the bird must have read her motions, and a talon clipped through her scales. She let out an internal cry of pain. At least it had been unsuccessful in grabbing her before it flew upward. Another [Mana Bolt] was blocked by a tree limb, as the bird rocketed back into cover, and out of sight.
Foo. Risha made it look easy. And hers were clearly packing some power behind them. She knew she did not have the upper hand right now. That bird didn’t seem the type to give up, and hunting it was out of the question. She slithered into the underbrush, running through her situation and her options.
It was faster than her, and it had only taken two shots from her mana bolts for it to learn to evade her. It might be as smart as me. Maybe even more so. It read my evasion with [Coiled Strike] the second time around. I won’t be able to trick it again like that.
She did have her [Rooting Hex] and her [Venomous Bite], two abilities the hawk had not observed. And, she had more than she could pull from her unspent Essence Point. It was time to gather knowledge while she was on the back foot–or back tail, as it may be.
Vivi, how fast can I access new abilities when I select one?
The process is brief; mere seconds.
It might be nice to have emergency power in the middle of danger. I’ll hold my selection for now.
She had to play this as a strategy game move. She peered around, hearing the fluttering of wings but no hawk in sight. It was probably waiting for an opportune moment when she let her guard down.
She couldn’t keep running. She needed to pick a terrain favorable to her and bring the hawk to her. How long does rooting hex work? I know Intelligence is tied to it, but…I need an estimate.
The duration and area of effect is dependent on your intelligence; the strength of the roots is dependent on your vitality.
She pulled up her attributes. The roots would last a while since her intelligence was so high. But…the strength of the roots…her vitality was still baseline. But it was just a hawk. She’d tangled the Mimicoid without difficulty. This shouldn't be an issue, and she doubted it had stronger vitality than a human.
And poison was still poison. She extended her fangs, then retracted them at will. Can I activate the roots at will, after using the ability?
As in, activate the ability, then manually trigger it? Yes.
Now she had a primary plan and one back-up option.
Neska pondered on what single word described her state of mind. She felt little tingles along the length of her body, and a gnawing doubt that this may not work. She would call it fear, but this wasn’t that. Doubt in her abilities was something different.
Above, she kept hearing flutters of feathers above her, indicating her opponent had not given up the chase and instead used the treetops as cover. She’d set up her arena with three mostly undisturbed patches in the clearing, just by the edge of the trees. She felt a drain of energy more pronounced than before as she prepared, those prickles now travelling the length of her body.
Her investment in her quick test indicated that the duration of the root effect only started counting down after it triggered. Or, it might dissipate much slower with the primed setting. That was another test for later.
Right now, the hawk bore the title of her existential threat. The fact that it kept circling the area meant she’d either wandered into its territory or it was focused on her, specifically. She’d find out, soon enough.
An opportune bait came out of hiding–a large lizard trying to sun itself on a rock jutting out in the middle of the clearing. It lay down with pebbly green scales and relaxed its body, its tail lazily flicking back and forth.
She slithered forward, moving through the tall grass stealthily, and peeked her head up briefly to make sure she was on target. Sorry, lizard. But if I don’t get you, this monster hawk will.
She’d had enough practice using her [Mana Bolt] to know she was somewhat more accurate when casting it using her mouth. She moved close enough to the target to feel confident she could land the shot.
She fired out a low-power [Mana Bolt] with a single flick of her jaw. The bolt sailed through the air and struck it right in the head, its body instantly going slack. The sound of the impact reverberated through the air, a high-pitched cracking sound that made birds take off with agitated chirps.
Hope that got his attention. She slithered toward the lizard, intent on eating it. She needed to recover her energy, and this substantial meal would tide her over for a while.
She wasn’t disappointed as a dark silhouette flitted above her, finally coming out of hiding, drawn by the sound. She heard the screech as it came down from above, zeroed in on her.
She veered around, her body making a U-shape as she sped off with scales scooting over the terrain effortlessly. She led the hawk in a straight line toward the tree line. She hoped he’d trail behind her.
But instead, it shot over her, still high up, and then swooped to touch down in a menacing pose on the grass. It leered at her with golden eyes and let out a loud squawk, then trilled angrily. It rose on its legs, flapping its wings to look bigger than it was.
It was also close enough to one of the root traps that she could probably hit it at the extreme maximum area of effect. Come closer, you ugly chicken. Never thought Risha’s peck-happy chickens would be more appealing, but here we are.
Then, the situation changed entirely as the bird let out a cawing sound that almost sounded like…laughter?
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You’re hard to track down. You’re no ordinary snake. It was as if you knew I was there, waiting.
Neska’s mind recoiled in horror as two disparate things came into focus. She’d just heard words that weren’t hers inside her head. She peered around frantically, looking for the source.
But, on instinct, she knew where it came from. The hawk arched its wings, looming menacingly but otherwise remaining in position, and let out another clack of its beak.
Was…was that you?
Oh, finally figured it out? The bird tilted its head quizzically, clacking its beak and making chittering sounds. It's been a while since I last saw an Awakened. Your color pattern…you’re all tainted. Easy pickings.
Hey, I’m just a lonely snake, looking to get somewhere! You just tried to make me dinner! Neska shouted out. She heard a low chuckle in response from a distinctly male voice, tinged with amusement.
Lunch, actually. Normal prey such as squirrels and lizards aren’t too filling. But you? Oh, you’ll make a tasty prize.
Neska realized the rules had changed yet again. The monsters could project thoughts to one another? And they were aware, thinking like her?
Were all the monsters former people? She couldn’t discount it. Eating prey was one thing; she had no regrets about chowing down on mice, bugs, and other small creatures. But this made her hesitate. She rose, her head elevated over the rest of her serpentine length.
Are you an Awakened?
No. Just a smarter monster than others. And we’re here to claim this world. But you? You’re just a meal.
Risha had spoken warily about the monsters. How they appeared, started spreading like a plague of beasts from the north, beyond the swamps, beyond the mountains, and far past the edge of the world she could see. Neska hadn’t understood then, but she understood more now. Is that all I am? A meal? Funny. I was going to say the same thing about you. But I’m in a hurry, so we should go our separate ways. Consider it a generosity.
The bird cawed mockingly. You’re nothing more than futile facsimiles from doomed prey who still think they can fight and win, using our own kin against us. All you are is meat to fill our bellies.
Neska sensed the shift in his posture and realized that peace was never an option. She tensed her body in anticipation. His wingtips gleamed with a dark purple glow, and she sensed danger was imminent; her higher perception allowed her to feel a tingle of energy on her snout--a charge of mana building.
She triggered the [Rooting Hex] without hesitating. Simultaneously, she used her [Coiled Strike] to evade, depleting her endurance further.
She was mid-leap as the hawk thrust out its wing, as though it were throwing something. A dark purple sheen shot off its wing as though it were a variant of her [Mana Bolt], slicing through the air with a sharp hum. It sheared a path through the tall blades of grass and barely missed her, with flower stems crumpling to the ground.
That could have been deadly, in hindsight.
At the same time, the roots reached out and grabbed the hawk’s legs, wrapping around tightly and restricting its movements. It screeched in rage, summoning another of its dark energy razors on its wing to try and cut itself loose. She was already in motion, closing in to deliver a quick bite of venom, and ducking her head back as that deadly beak snapped dangerously close to her, while its talons were entangled.
You think that’s enough to stop me?! It screeched in pain. Neska could almost feel the venom at work, breaking down tissue and delivering continuous damage. It was a strange sensation that was disjointed from her own body.
She slithered to her backup root trap, shooting a [Mana bolt] and feeling the prickles intensify across her body. The shot left a charred mark on the bird’s beak, and it gaped and flailed about. All of this was playing into her strategy.
She had to drag this fight out. Her venom was potent, but it took time to reach full effect, and the hawk had a deadly razor strike ability and unusual endurance. It was already freeing itself by slicing away the roots with a razor cut of its wings, then it grabbed and tore free of the roots with its beak.
It took off into the air at an angle she didn’t think possible, closing the distance between it and her. She triggered her second [Rooting Hex] out of instinct. She then sped forward, zig-zagging so the hawk couldn’t line up a shot. She was almost in the clearing!
The hawk must have sensed the danger and pulled up out of its dive, the tangle of roots unfurled outward, but failed to entrap him. Crap! Okay, don't panic, I'm not out of moves yet!
She had one more trap, but she couldn’t do this until the last second. She’d triggered the trap too early that time, and she hurried toward her last rooting hex.
She felt a glancing blow on her midsection, partially avoiding the worst of the attack. It left a bleeding gash, though not deep. That raptor could hover over her indefinitely and keep peppering her with those until she got exhausted or got in a lucky hit.
Her venom was still working; the longer she could keep him at bay, the more the fight favored her. Its flaps seemed more labored, but it was capable of throwing those dangerous energy attacks of its own. She had to dodge yet again as he flung more from mid-air, swerving wildly from the imbalance of his wings as he did so.
I need to even the odds. What would Risha do? What would I have done? Even though she was evading as best she could, she remained calm internally. She was not out of options, and a few ideas came to mind. She projected her thoughts so she knew the hawk could hear her. Hey, you bully, why don’t you come down here and fight?!
You think I’ll fall for your little tricks twice? You’re out of chances, snake. You’re my next meal!
She’d gotten his attention. He tucked his wings for a dive, energy gleaming off his wings. She triggered her evolution menu.
No going back, now!
She waited patiently in the spot, as the energy from the evolution took hold, and she felt her scales tingling with power. This would be an untested ability, but it was one the hawk wouldn’t see coming.
All out of options, huh? Don’t worry, I won’t make you suffer. He threw his razor attacks during his dive, and she coiled her body in anticipation.
[Spring Scales] Activated.
She thrust herself at an angle upward and away from the hawk, who let out a trill of surprise as his razor attacks missed, and he had to angle upward–right in a trajectory path she’d predicted for him based on his last few strikes.
Her little hop she’d been capable of before had turned her into a snaky spring as each scale flexed and pushed like a small piston. She was screaming internally, both out of terror and exhilaration.
She curled her body in anticipation of his path, and he tried to evade. But she was already too close and coiled her body around his, snugging herself tightly against him and away from his talons. She snapped down and dug her fangs in, giving him another dose of venom for good measure.
Get off! Get off!
The hawk flailed its wings and tried to scrabble with its talons. But, she'd pinned them against his body so that he couldn’t try to gouge her again. He veered toward the ground, unable to carry the increased weight, and he let out a mental scream.
She uncoiled and used her [Spring Scales] to leap away from the hawk, slowing her descent temporarily; meanwhile, the hawk face-planted into the meadow, toppling end over end, its wings flailing frantically.
She positioned her body to land like a coiled spring; her tail and lower body took the brunt of the impact. But she’d counted on a soft landing–the ability came with a rather interesting secondary effect that cushioned her fall from a height. Still, she did fall to her belly in the effort and shook her head.
Snakes were definitely not meant to fly.
Oh. Vivi, that was a terrible idea. She noted the beak had gouged a few of her scales, and a trickle of blood was present. Based on the rate of bleeding, it wasn’t life-threatening.
She turned her gaze toward the spasming hawk, one wing broken from the impact, and it gasped for air, its tongue lolling out. It glared at her accusingly, eyes locked on her. It attempted to right itself with its taloned legs, but it couldn’t rise from its position.
Why? Why could you not be a good little snake and die? Was being a meal for your betters not good enough? His words were now pleading, his breath labored. That second dose of venom must have done the trick, along with crash landing into the ground.
She returned the stare right back, eyes fixed on him. I have a promise to keep, hawk. On the dying words of my witch.
You are nothing more than a broken thing, trying to piece itself together with too many missing shards of yourself. You make promises to the same humans who did this to you, broke you, and tried to harness our power for their delusions of ascension. Its gaze grew weaker, its breath shallower.
It tried to rise again, one taloned leg helping it rise to a staggered position, its broken wing lame and extended loosely from its body. You won’t survive. None of your kind do for long.
I’ll be the first, hawk. She posed defiantly and kept her head high, feeling the strength of the words resonate within her. The hawk continued trembling, his legs threatening to give out again. She should end him–there was a possibility the venom wouldn’t kill him. She didn’t have an accurate read on its potency yet, only that it took longer to have an effect on the monster than the mimicoid she’d killed earlier. Maybe this creature had higher Endurance?
He finally sank, his breath shallow and his eyes glassy. Then claim your power, snake. Finish me.
I have a name. It’s Neska. Surely your masters gave you the courtesy of one? She stared down at the hawk, waiting for an answer. Strangely, he did.
They only name the things they don’t want to lose…
Neska considered this so…inhuman. They hadn’t even given him a name. She tried to think of a name from the villagers who came into Risha’s shop.
Then you are Zhuren, Razor of the Skies. She summoned up the energy for one last [Mana Bolt], the energy twitching along the scales of her tail. Now you have a name.
The hawk closed its eyes and bowed its head low. It would have been…a strong name.
She never took her eyes off him as the mana bolt sailed through the air.
I won’t make you suffer, either.
Zhuren, Razor of the Skies, Defeated; experience gained
Level Increased: Witch 2 → Witch 3
Abilities Increased, expand for further details
1 Essence Point and 3 Attribute Points added.
Title Gained: Merciful, expand for further details
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