Shroud Arcanum

Chapter 9: Chapter 9 - Crystal Onslaught

Liam, thinking on his feet, tried to quickly devise an effective strategy.

The slimes didn't have discernible eyes or ears. Yet, they managed to target their prey with frightening accuracy. "So, how do they sense their prey?" Liam wondered in his mind, "What's their secret? Trick do you have any idea? I think they should use some kind of echolocation."

(echolocation, they emit a wave, which bounces off objects and provides them with a distorted picture of their world.)

With his playful tone, Trick piped up, "You know, it's like they're holding mini disco parties with every movement. Dancing to the rhythm of refracted light! Doing their own deadly disco moves"

He laughed at his own joke before continuing, "But on a more serious note, They're infusing this light with arcane energy. It adds a whole new layer to their hunting strategy. Not only can they gauge the size and distance of potential threats or prey using the refracted light, but they can also sense the concentration of arcane energy around them."

Liam's eyes narrowed as the realization dawned upon him. "That explains the eerie calm during my fight with the young titan. The slimes didn't pounce on me because they were biding their time, waiting for the right moment to strike."

Trick, leaning in with his characteristic playful smirk, elaborated, "Exactly! When the titan fell and its engram dropped, the slimes sensed a veritable feast of arcane energy awaiting them. Think of it as a lavish banquet being set out in the open, or ants spotting a massive sugar cube. How could they resist?"

Liam took a deep breath, absorbing the information and weighing his options. Trick's gaze gleamed with mischief, His voice dripping with excitement, "Here's a thought: equip your engram. Summon Talonstrike. With the combined aura of your weapon and the engram, you'll look way more tantalizing than the stranger over there. The slimes will flock to you like fans at a rock concert."

Liam hesitated for a moment, the weight of the decision heavy in his chest. Then, with a determined nod, he began to equip his engram. The atmosphere around him shifted immediately. It pulsed with energy as Talonstrike manifested in his grasp.

The blade hummed, glowing with soft blue with a tinge of purple, arcane luminescence. It was as if the very essence of the cosmos converged upon him, making him the beacon in this treacherous land. Liam took a moment to admire the feeling, a deeper connection to it than before.

This was more than just a tool; it was a part of him, a manifestation of his will and determination.

Liam didn't waste a second. Crouching low, he launched himself forward, his feet barely touching the ground as he darted towards the closest slime.

However, the moment Liam neared the enemy, a change in their behavior was evident. The slimes, previously focused on their prey, started to veer off course. Their gelatinous bodies, acting like prisms, caught the ambient light and refracted it in mesmerizing patterns, casting myriad rainbows across the battlefield.

The haunting beauty of the scene was a stark contrast to the danger it represented.

Liam found himself at the center of this glistening storm, the sheer force of their attraction evident in their movements. "Isn't this a tad too effective?" he thought, feeling a mixture of satisfaction and apprehension.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted the stranger. The man had a sharp, analytical gaze, studying Liam intently, probably pondering how he managed to draw the attention of the slimes so effectively.

There was an undeniable curiosity in those eyes, mingled with a hint of admiration. But that moment of observation was brief.

Wasting no time, the stranger leaped back gracefully. With the agile movements of a seasoned warrior, he delved into a pocket, retrieving a small metallic sphere with ornate runes etched deeply into its surface.

Liam didn't need to understand the runes to grasp the imminent threat it presented. With a swift, calculated motion, the stranger hurled it into the thick of the advancing slimes.

Liam's instincts screamed danger. Changing his trajectory mid-dash was no easy feat, but the warning signs were too potent to ignore. Pushing off with all the strength he could muster, he catapulted himself backward, creating as much distance as possible between himself and the ominous device. The world seemed to slow for a moment.

"Booooom!!!"

A radiant explosion ruptured the air, its brilliance rivaling that of a second sun birthed amidst the battlefield. This blinding light was accompanied by a ferocious wave of heat, which swept over everything in its path, scorching the ground and searing the air.

The blast was so brilliant and radiant that it momentarily turned the crystalline arena into a dazzling field of stars, each facet and shard refracting the light in a multitude of colorful prisms. It was a spectacle of beauty born from devastation.

The explosion's force sent shockwaves rippling through the ground, causing the crystal spires and formations to sing – a haunting, ethereal melody borne of vibrations and resonance.

It felt as though the very soul of this crystalline domain mourned its momentary disfigurement.

When vision returned, and the shimmering heatwaves began to ebb, the crystalline terrain bore scars of the confrontation: melted and warped formations, the ground turned to glass in places, and a vast emptiness where the slimes had once congregated.

Cautiously, Liam emerged from his hiding spot, his ears still ringing from the blast. He was met with the sight of the stranger, who, though appearing winded, had a hint of satisfaction in his eyes. They exchanged a brief nod, a silent acknowledgment of their collaborative effort.

The silence in the aftermath was deafening, only the soft whistles of the wind flowing between the crystal spires breaking the stillness. Liam and the stranger took a moment to regain their bearings, ensuring the immediate threat was eliminated.

But as the moments ticked by, a deep, ominous rumble began to resonate from below. At first, it felt distant, like a far-off storm, but it rapidly grew both in volume and intensity. The ground beneath them started to tremble, gently at first, but then with increasing violence.

"Did the bomb...?" Liam's words trailed off as he looked puzzled at the stranger, searching his face for an answer.

The stranger's gaze locked onto the epicenter of their explosive encounter, his expression clouding with confusion and then slowly morphing into dawning horror. "That wasn't just any explosion. It was a contained detonation, specifically designed to implode rather than expand."

Suddenly, his eyes snapped to Liam, the weight of the situation clear in his intense gaze. Without a word of warning, he lunged forward, seizing Liam's arm with a grip that spoke of pure adrenaline.

"We've got to go, right now!" Without allowing even a breath's hesitation, he pulled Liam into a full sprint, their boots sending echoes through the shimmering crystal landscape as they fled from the unseen menace that lurked behind them.

As they began their desperate dash, a deafening roar, primal and resonant, echoed behind them. The very ground they tread upon trembled violently, sending crystal shards skittering in all directions.

Liam's mind raced, grappling with the insanity of the day. It felt as though every ounce of misfortune he'd ever accumulated was pouring into this singular, tumultuous day.

Why does everything have to go sideways on my birthday? He grumbled internally. The stranger, now running alongside him, risked a quick glance back. Liam followed up. The sight that met their eyes was both wondrous and terrifying.

A colossal behemoth erupted from the earth, its presence turning the night almost as luminous as day. Carved of resplendent crystal that pulsated with ethereal light, this creature was a sight to behold—a grand fusion of man and dragon.

Towering wings, vast and membranous, stretched out, each one shimmering with a tapestry of radiant hues. Its humanoid torso was robust, chiseled as though sculpted by the gods themselves. Its legs, powerful and sturdy, anchored it to the ground.

However, what was truly intriguing were its four arms. The upper pair was molded into muscular, beast-like claws, hinting at raw strength and savage prowess.

In contrast, the lower pair wielded twin crystal blades, each one gleaming wickedly in the ambient glow. The twin crystal blades held by the creature were nothing short of mesmerizing. Each blade was masterfully crafted and seemed to be forged from a single, flawless crystal.

These were not just mere weapons but pieces of art. Their transparency was interspersed with veins of luminescent azure and emerald, pulsating softly in rhythm with the creature's own heartbeat. Their razor-sharp edges promised swift and lethal retribution.

The creature's face bore a stoic expression, yet there was an undeniably fierce intelligence in those cavernous eyes, which seemed like abysses of molten darkness amidst its crystalline visage.

"What the hell is that?" Liam gasped, his grip tightening on Talonstrike.

"The Guardian... It's awake," the stranger panted as he quickly fastened his pace.

Yet, amidst this chaos, Trick's unmistakable jovial tone rang in his ears.

"Seems your little fireworks display might've ruined its cozy abode," Trick remarked with a chuckle.

"Oh boy, you've awoken an angry Crystal Asura. You know, birthdays are all about surprises, right? You should count your blessings. Today alone, you've snagged a rare artifact, danced with a young titan—something people would trade fortunes for a mere glimpse—and now you've discovered an ancient guardian. Oh, and let's not forget the tiny detail of getting killed than coming back to life. You're practically winning the 'Most Interesting Day of the Year' trophy!!"

Liam grimaced, feeling a pulsating throb in his temples. He shot Trick a sidelong glance, replying through gritted teeth, "Right now, I'd trade this 'most interesting day' award for a day without surprises."