49 Rock Bottom
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POV: Astaros
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I could feel it in the depths of my being.
It was an understanding of danger that no other living thing could possibly hope to match without my longevity.
The moment I stepped into that tent I felt my soul swirl and my gut compact.
If anyone else went in we were going to die.
Instantly I whipped around and swung my arm, blasting back the others in a wave of wind element.
"GET BA-!!" {Astaros}
*THOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!*
...
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POV: Fillia
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*BLAM!!*
Less then a second after Astaros stepped foot within the tent we were knocked back.
'WHAT HAP-' {Dryis}
"GET BACK!!" {Astaros}
*THOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!*
A devastating explosion went off in front of us as flames and debris came flying at us. All I could do was pull Dryis and Christine under me as the heat came and washed over my back.
Yet the hell it heralded was nowhere to be found.
As I rose and opened my eyes I turned around to see an towering metal form enshrouded in smoke and glowing like the molten metal within a forge
In front of me stood the burning of Astaros who had taken the blast head on.
*FSSHHHHHH*
His breath turned to steam as it hit the cool night air, the radiance of the dying flames that surrounded us shining upon him.
'Dryis… Wind…' {Astaros]
Dryis whose eyes were wide at the sight of Astaros's current state snapped back to reality and put her hands out and gust cool wind enshrouded Astaros as he combusted into a boiling mist.
'A-Astaros?" {Christine}
The groaning and straining of metal grated our ears as a tall shadow took form within the shroud.
"I'm alright for the most part. Instead you should all pay attention to your surroundings." {Astaros}
As he stepped out of the cloud he motioned to our surroundings and I immediately brought out my bow as Dryis drew her sword.
We were alone.
The armored men and women who stood guard were now gone.
"Were they caught in the blast?' {Dryis}
Astaros stepped forward, staring at his hand as sparks danced across it. He then clenched his fist as he eyed our surroundings.
"Then we would be able to see their melted and scorched corpses . They obviously were not." {Astaros}
Suddenly Christine spoke up.
"They were teleported out by a witch." {Christine.}
I grimaced as I now considered the possibility of what we would have to face.
"Fillia, my mana is gone so I will be relying on you to keep those two safe." {Astaros}
My ears perked up as I heard this and I nearly broke my neck whipping around to look at Astaros.
'YOU CAN SERIOUSLY MAKE JOKES RIGHT NOW!?!" {Fillia}
Astaros looked over and met my green eyes with his own silver ones, the depths of which offered not a single ounce of humor.
"I am not."
He reached down and pick up a stone from the scorched earth and crushed it, watching as it crumbled within his fist. Christine's eyes looked Astaros up and down as she contemplated his words
"There was a curse within the explosive, wasn't there." {Christine}
Her face tightened as she pulled out her wand.
"Were likely facing two witches as such high level spells couldn't be done without them being casted. The teleportation indicates a spatial witch while that curse means we are likely facing a sorceress. The curse user will be the real problem." {Christine}
She then started creating a magic circle as she pointed her wand at Astaros.
"Come here, I'll see if I can dispell i-... what are you looking at?" {Christine}
Astaros's eyes searched the now clouded sky, ash and smoke swirling above us.
"Bombardment." {Astaros}
Shimmering yellow spots began to appear behind the grey clouds as he turned towards us.
"ITS A BOMBARDMENT!!" {Astaros}
"CHRISTINE COVER THEM NOW!!!" {Astaros}
And from the sky like howling lightning, hundreds of beams of light came crashing down upon us. Annihilating the scorched field and everything still standing on it.
…
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POV: Astaros
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The smell of ash and scorched earth filled my nose as I pushed debris off of me. I reached a kneeling position as I coughed up ash and dust, the now cluttered sky full of particulates.
Dragging myself to my feet the damage core began to spin as I considered my options.
"Damage core, report what skill options I have available." {Astaros}
A scarlet light came forth as the familiar voice spoke within my mind.
'Divinity Manipulation, Destructive Force, Deadlock, Outburst and Rampage are all available' [Damage Core]
Content with the fact I still had options I turned to my next task. The others.
'Are you all alive?' {Astaros}
My telepathy was met with silence for a moment before Fillia responded.
'Were alive, just a little messed up. Christine used void shield to absorb the assault but we were sent flying anyways. Are you intact?' {Fillia}
I sighed a small smile coming across my face as I granted myself some relief.
'I am going to investigate my surroundings and make my way to you. Do not hesitate to engage any opponents you encounter." {Astaros}
'Understood' {Fillia}
My mind was quiet as I searched the surrounding smoky haze, my eyes unable to pierce their depths.
However even without mana sense I could tell.
I was surrounded.
The smoke bulged and swirled unnaturally as I was encircled by a generous amount of opponents who seemed prepared to try and ambush me.
Though I had absorbed the curse to protect the others and limit its effects I was not helpless.
The damage core spun furiously as a burning sensation filled my chest.
In a flash of scarlet light I drew the Shattered Star, the thrum of divinity flowing through it's pulsating veins.
Suddenly the smog parted and a single person walked through the swirling depths of the smoke.
So you have arrived.
"High Priestess Heliodor Aurora, to what do I owe the dishonor of marring my sight with your visage?" {Astaros}
Hearing my voice lathered with displeasure and disgust, she winced, and through my empathic sense I felt legitimate pain and disappointment.
Her swirling eyes shimmered a myriad of colors as the moon finally managed to spill through the devastation, casting a shadow upon her face. Her mind felt incredibly... fragmented. It was as though she was in conflict with herself.
This entire situation screamed it out to me.
Something was very wrong with this disciple of Ira.
"I'm sorry. I really could think of any other way to rid you of those pigs that surrounded you my beloved. I couldn't wait to properly peel their revolting hands from you. I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry… but I can't help but love you." {Priestess Aurora}
Her eyes turned a rosy pink as a shining golden field enveloped her. The earth below her which was caught within the energy was pulled up and rose into the air as she began to float up.
"I'm sorry for what is to come but it is all necessary for us, because I am going to make you MINE AND MINE ALONE." {Priestess Aurora}
My eyes closed and I sighed as I finally had a full understanding of my situation.
This priestess was insane.
I lifted the Shattered Star High above my head as I gripped the hilt tightly with both hands.
It seems I will have to remove her head from her shoulders and personally inspect her mind.
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Separate A/N: Do you guys think the names I place beside the text blocks are annoying? Please warn me if they are.
