Book 5: Chapter 16 — Menagerie (2) |
[Bloodwyrm] activated
If the tiny ones weren’t going to be enough against it, then maybe less was more. The single monstrous Bloodwyrm poured out, taking shape, one last surprise ally connected to his will. The one thing their adversary hadn’t seen yet.
They attacked.
Noah and Aurelia moved as one.. His Bloodwyrm coiled itself around the hydra heads and held them in place before biting down on the one on the right.
[Bloodwyrm] has inflicted [Wyrm's Curse]
[Bloodwyrm] has inflicted [Dragon Venom]
He went high; she went low. He drew the Menagerie's attention; she struck from its blind side. She created openings; he exploited them. His Chains of Binding erupted from his off-hand, wrapping around the wing just as it reached down to tear him apart. He cinched them down tight, trapping the wing in its folded state, then jumped away.
Bun Bun leapt up onto the Bloodwyrm’s back and, in a burst of mana Noah could feel halfway across the fight, savaged the other hydra’s head.
Tony flowed between forms faster than ever before. Constitution when attacks couldn’t be avoided, Power when Noah needed extra force behind a blow, Mystic when his summon came under too much pressure or he needed to conserve mana while teleporting, and Agility when repositioning non-magically.
Aurelia's flames poured into the wound before it could close, purifying the construct's corruption. The remaining hydra head lunged at Noah in desperate fury, but Bun Bun and his Bloodwyrm were having none of that. The massive crimson serpent, though it was leaking from countless punctures and slashes, continued to hold the head still just long enough.
The familiar hit the serpentine neck mid-strike, claws and fangs finding purchase, his own Wyrm's Curse stacking on top of the hundreds already ravaging the creature's system. The head thrashed, trying to dislodge him, but with only one head to focus on, the summon and familiar held it down.
Bun Bun creates opening, the familiar announced through gritted teeth. Noah should strike now!
Noah's blade swept through, taking the head clean off. Aurelia’s fire cauterized the stump before the creature's desperate regeneration could trigger.
The Menagerie staggered, its movements becoming desperate, uncoordinated. And from how much damage Noah was taking and healing from continually, Wyrm’s Curse had to be doing a number on it internally, however large it was.
The crystal crown flared one final time, brighter than before. A desperate attack, everything it had left poured into one blinding, devastating flash.
Noah's eyes filtered the light automatically, but even reduced, the brilliance was overwhelming. The flash of disruptive power dispersed his Bloodwyrm and burned away Wyrm’s Curse, and with it the last of Noah’s mana reserves.
But through that flash, he could see the creature's core exposed in its chest, pulsing with stolen life-force, vulnerable for the first time in centuries.
He met Aurelia's eyes across the chaos. No words were needed.
She gathered everything she had left—every drop of mana, every ounce of will—and released it in a single concentrated beam of fire aimed directly at the exposed core.
Noah tanked the final strike deliberately, stepping into the path of its remaining claw, letting his Dragon Scales and Tony absorb damage that would have killed anyone else. The claws raked across his chest, tearing through scale and flesh, and his Dragon's Heart pumped healing energy desperately to keep him standing.
But his sacrifice gave Aurelia the opening she needed. Her fire found the core and ignited it from within. Fire met flesh. Ancient power met purifying flame. Centuries of stolen abilities, consumed prey, accumulated strength, none of it mattered. Everything burned.
Your party has killed [The Menagerie].
Dragon Slayer title has increased to 21%
Wyrmblood Guardian has reached level 342.
Runebody Arcanist has reached level 335.
Abyssal Predator has reached level 332.
The creature's body collapsed in a cascade of dissipating energy. Stone cracked as the chamber shook and dust filled the air. The crystal crown shattered, the bone-wing dissolved, and the ancient predator that had ruled this arena for longer than human memory became nothing but a corpse on rust-red sand.
[Would you like to harvest The Menagerie]?
Noah gave it permission, then his legs gave out. He hit the sand, completely spent, his Dragon Shift fading as the last of his reserves burned away. His chest was a ruin of torn scale and bleeding flesh, but his Dragon's Heart was already working, pushing healing energy through damaged tissue. Tony had retreated into his body, the symbiote exhausted but alive.
Tony is... depleted, Tony reported weakly. Tony needs to rest...
Distantly, Noah heard Aurelia fall beside him. Bun Bun hopped over, equally exhausted, his scales singed and his fur matted with ichor.
The battle was over.
They'd won.
They were alive.
For a long moment, neither of them moved. Just lay there on the rust-red sand, staring at the distant ceiling, breathing. Noah could feel his heart pounding, could feel Aurelia's presence beside him, could feel the weight of everything they'd just survived settling over them like a blanket.
"Noah?"
"Yeah?"
Her voice was quiet, exhausted, stripped of all pretense. "I think I love you."
Noah turned his head to look at her, ignoring the protest of torn muscles and healing flesh.
She was already looking at him. Her eyes were soft, vulnerable, open in a way she'd never allowed herself to be before. The berserk warrior, the controlled facade, all of it stripped away, leaving just Aurelia. Just the woman who'd fought beside him, bled beside him, and apparently loved him through all of it.
His heart beat faster. His gut surged with triumph and terror combined. He opened his mouth to respond, to say everything he'd been holding back for months, to finally—
Bun Bun landed on his chest with a triumphant screech.
We won! the familiar announced. I was magnificent! I killed a hydra head! I blinded the compound eye! Acknowledge my valor!
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Aurelia stared at the murder bunny. Noah stared at the murder bunny.
But instead of the interruption feeling strained, it just... felt absurd. They both began laughing, and the laughter felt good. Real. Shared. The release of tension that had been building for months, finally finding an outlet even if it wasn't the one they'd planned.
Tony would like to note that Bun Bun's timing is, as always, impeccable, Tony added dryly from within Noah's body. Tony suspects this is intentional at this point.
"Bun Bun," Noah managed, still laughing, tears streaming down his face, "your timing remains horrific."
I know, the familiar preened, still blissfully unaware. I am perfect. My contributions were essential. Without Bun Bun, victory would have been impossible.
This is technically accurate, Tony admitted. Though Tony maintains that Bun Bun's social awareness leaves much to be desired.
He’s a murder bunny. Can’t expect social niceties from him. Noah replied.
Aurelia's hand found his in the sand, fingers intertwining despite the exhaustion, despite the wounds, despite the absurdity of it all.
"Later," she said, still laughing, tears streaming down her face. "We'll finish that conversation later."
Noah squeezed her hand, feeling her pulse against his palm, feeling alive in a way that had nothing to do with surviving the battle.
"No laters. I love you too,” he replied, and when she whipped her head to look at him with surprise, he merely winked. “We can make things official later, but I can’t not tell you this.”
Aurelia’s smile bloomed, making her look so absolutely pretty for a second that Noah felt like his heart would stop. And then the moment passed as she snuggled closer, Tony and Bun Bun chattering away around him.
Tony will hold both parties to this commitment, Tony noted. Tony has been waiting for resolution for an unreasonable duration. Tony's patience, while considerable, is finite.
Bun Bun does not understand what everyone is talking about, Bun Bun added. But Bun Bun is pleased that the pack is happy. Bun Bun will accept celebration treats when available.
Tomorrow, they'd face Death Valley. Tomorrow, new challenges would arise, new enemies would test them, new dangers would threaten everything they'd built.
But that was tomorrow.
Tonight, they had this. Victory, survival, each other.
For now, this was enough.
They lay there for a long time.
Neither had the strength to move, and honestly, neither wanted to. A moment of stillness after the storm.
Noah's Dragon Scales had already begun regenerating where the final strike tore through them, new scales forming beneath the damaged ones.
Bun Bun is tired, the familiar admitted from where he'd curled up on Noah's stomach, chittering satisfiedly when Noah gave it soft strokes. But Bun Bun is satisfied. That was worthy prey. Bun Bun grew stronger from the hunt.
Eventually, Noah's healing did enough work that he could sit up without his vision swimming. His Astral Script flickered with notifications he'd been ignoring, and he finally let himself check them.
Wyrmblood Guardian has reached level 327.
Runebody Arcanist has reached level 330.
Abyssal Predator has reached level 317.
[Life Siphon] has reached level 50. Skill point required to rank up.
Then there was the list of harvested and reclaimed items from the Menagerie’s corpse.
The first item was the biggest, a core the size of Noah's fist, pulsing with concentrated power.
[Menagerie Core (Unique)]
A monster’s Core containing Predator Essence and composite affinities - Spatial, Fire, Acid, and Construct. Can be used for crafting, absorbed directly, or used as part of rank advancement.
Next came a pile of other materials: crystal shards from the crown, scales from the hydra heads, fragments of the bronze arm's mana conduits.
[Shimmer-Crystal (Epic)] x12 - A crystalline material containing elements of light manipulation and power absorption.
[Sanguine Hydra Scales (Rare)] x47 - Scales containing a moderate regeneration affinity.
[Gladiator Bronze Panel (Rare)] x8 - A highly conductive material capable of seamless integration with both living and construct elements.
[Astral Wing Membrane (Rare)] x2 - A material with absorbed spatial affinity.
But the third item caught Noah's attention.
A ring of simple twisted metal that seemed to shimmer. When Noah picked it up, his senses tingled, Arcane Step resonating with whatever power the ring contained.
[Wayseeker's Band (Rare)]
A spatial enhancement accessory, the Wayseeker’s Band increases stability of spatial abilities and eliminates the identifiable signature of spatial movement traces. Provides minor spatial awareness in localised radius.
He slipped it on.
"Found something good?" Aurelia asked, joining them.
"A ring. Spatial affinity." He held up his hand, showing her. "It makes my abilities feel... easier."
Bun Bun found something too, Bun Bun announced, dragging something across the sand. It was a fang. One of the hydra's teeth, still dripping with residual acid. This tooth is saturated with power. Bun Bun claims it.
[Caustic Hydra Fang (Epic)]
A trophy from a unique monster. Contains the [Acidic Bite] ability.
"Go ahead," Noah told Bun Bun. "You earned it."
Bun Bun appreciates it, the familiar said, and promptly swallowed the fang whole. His scales flickered, a greenish tinge spreading through them momentarily before fading. Bun Bun feels... not much difference.
Bun Bun has absorbed [Caustic Hydra Fang]
Bun Bun has gained ability: [Acidic Bite]
Bite damage: +25%
Effect: Attacks apply [Corrosion] debuff
Your bites will sting much more now, I’ll tell you that much, Noah said to Bun Bun, who chittered satisfiedly at his words.
Tony must say, Tony mused. Tony likes the idea of collecting more loot.
Noah grinned absentmindedly at Tony’s words even as he checked Aurelia's status.
Aurelia Fauster
Level: 300
Mana: 7%
One more step and she'd be caught up, no longer needing to worry about being weaker or inadequate. All their efforts in this arena had been worth it.
"Check your stats," he said, offering her a hand.
She took it, and he pulled her upright. For a moment they sat there, hands still clasped, his Dragon's Heart beating faster at the contact before reluctantly separating.
"Three hundred," she breathed, examining her own notifications. Her eyes widened, flames flickering unconsciously around her fingers. "I should... I need to go through my B-Rank Advancement. Now. While the ambient mana is still saturated."
Noah understood immediately. The Menagerie's death had released centuries of accumulated power into the chamber—power that was still dispersing, still available to be drawn upon. If she advanced now, while surrounded by that energy…
“Here. Take this.” He handed her the Menagerie Core. “It’ll help make up the difference, and it does have Fire in there.”
“This is worth a fortune, I can’t—”
“Take it. I’m serious. Your advancement going well is more valuable right now than anything we could buy with it.”
She looked at him, ready to argue, then smiled and shook her head. “Okay.” She accepted the core this time when he handed it to her, then found a place to sit. “I'm ready."
Noah looked around the chamber. The Menagerie's remains had nearly finished dissolving, golden motes of power still drifting through the air. The mana node at the chamber's heart pulsed with residual energy. It was as good a place as any, better than most.
"I'll wait outside," he said. "Give you space."
Aurelia hesitated, briefly vulnerable. "You don't have to—"
"I want to. This is your moment." He managed a smile despite his exhaustion. "Besides, someone needs to guard the entrance. Make sure nothing interrupts you."
Bun Bun will guard with Noah, Bun Bun declared, hopping onto Noah's shoulder. Bun Bun will ensure she is undisturbed.
She held his gaze for a long moment, something unspoken passing between them. Then she nodded.
"Thank you."
"Always."
Noah retreated to the chamber's entrance, leaning back against the cool stone of the doorway. His Abyssal Awareness could still perceive Aurelia at the center of the space—a silhouette surrounded by swirling motes of golden light—but he deliberately unfocused his vision, giving her what privacy he could, his heart beating with a slow, restorative rhythm, pushing healing energy through his damaged body.
He was just settling in for the wait when an unexpected notification popped up in his face.
[Would you like to authorize Bloodline integration for Aurelia Fauster?]
Yes/No?