The abyssals retreated, bleeding and panting, their corrupted forms bearing the marks of Zhao's precise attacks.
The leader looked at its companions, their purple bodies trembling from numerous wounds, but their eyes still gleaming with dark determination.
"There is no other choice," its three mouths spoke in different tones that created an unsettling harmony. "Complete fusion."
A shiver ran through the other abyssals, their corrupted flesh rippling with either fear or anticipation.
"We need 2 people's mana. And if we fail..." one began, its tentacles writhing with nervous energy.
"We've already failed," the leader cut in sharply. "At least this way we'll have a chance, we must reach that cave."
Zhao emerged from his invisible state for a moment, launching more feathers that nearly eliminated the tentacled one. The silver projectiles sliced through corrupted flesh with surgical precision.
The four beings began to... flee.
♢♢♢♢
While Ren maintained the illusion with his mushrooms, the calcium snail remained defending the group of students.
His beast manifested across his body created whitish barriers that stopped the occasional attacks that slipped through the other auxiliaries' defense.
"Keep calm!" he ordered when a stream of purple acid splashed against his barrier, generating an intense reaction that made the protective surface sizzle ominously.
Klein's group stayed organized, their manifested beasts ready to support if necessary.
Feng and Astor flanked their leader with practiced coordination, while Jin's group, still resentful about being dragged into the shelter, at least had the common sense to remain behind the protections that all those capable of defense had created.
Another attack, this time a fireball that bounced off the boar auxiliary's defense and headed toward the hole.
The calcium barrier rose just in time, its surface hardening to deflect the corrupted flames.
"Professor!" Klein called out, his golden lion manifesting more fully. "We can help the other auxiliaries!"
"Maintain your position!" the snail master reinforced another section of the barrier, his determination unwavering. "Your job is to survive!"
From the center of the hole, Ren maintained his concentration with iron discipline.
The mushrooms in his hair shone with an intense white glow, reflecting off the mirror mantis plates while Taro and Min manipulated the skinless Shadow Stalker body above them.
"A little more to the left," Ren whispered, adjusting the light angle with precise control. "We need it to look like it's floating more naturally."
Taro struggled to keep the Weaver threads taut. "It's harder than it looks," he grunted, sweat beading on his forehead.
"Move it like this," Min took control of the improvised "puppet" with more fluid movements.
A cry of pain drew their attention, cutting through the tense atmosphere.
The lynx auxiliary had been struck by one of the abyssal's limbs, a purple myriapod with legs like spears.
The corrupted beast had overcome the lynx master's speed, wounding his side, and now turned its attention toward where Ren was manipulating the illusion.
"The brat," the abyssal hissed, its multiple legs moving like poisoned needles. "He's the one interfering with the swarm."
The abyssal launched itself toward the hole, but Luna's shadow wolf emerged from the darkness like solidifying ink, its fangs finding one of the attacker's feet with deadly precision. Find your next read on empire
The abyssal screamed in pain but its speed barely diminished, the numerous long legs of its beast keeping it perfectly stable despite the injury.
But that moment was all the lynx auxiliary needed. His manifested claws flashed in a deadly arc, severing two of the myriapod's legs. fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com
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