~Kana POV~
As I watched Lilly charge forwards towards the undead elf I wasted no time and instantly drew my bow and loosed an arrows towards the mage that was just now raising its staff.
As the arrow approached a blue force shield flickered into existence causing the arrow to skitter off to one side, not letting that let me down I quickly fired two more whilst making my way over to one of the pillars for some potential cover. Similarly to the first arrow neither of these did more than cause the shield to flicker ever so gently.
In return the mage waved her staff and spawned into being 5 small force balls which rapidly shot in my direction. I felt my eyes open wide as I diver for the pillar managing to avoid the rapid blows but wincing as I saw the bolts leave visible divots in the ground where they landed. Making a mental note to not get hit by them I popped out the same side that I just came from and fired again this time using some of my own magic's.
A wind cutter imbued arrow sailed towards the mage with a regular arrow following right behind. When the first arrow hit the shield instead of being redirected it exploded out with waves of razor sharp wind mana and managed to shatter the barrier, before the mage could respond the second arrow arrived striking the undead in its right shoulder. In retaliation the mage went to raise its staff but faltered slightly as the arrow restricted it movements. Saddly for me though it could still cast magic.
Instead of multiple smaller missiles a singular spear of force quickly manifested and the second it was fully formed it flew at me faster than any arrow I have ever shot. Thankfully I was already ducking back behind the pillar ready to burst out the other side when a muted explosion rocked the pillar I was hiding behind and to my shock and horror I was the head of the spear erupt from the pillar before sailing past me at significantly reduced speed. Note to self definitely don't get hit by that!
Undeterred I popped back out and fired my favourite spell true strike this time I was aiming to do some serious damage and was aiming for the head, a newly cast force shield did manifest but only succeeded is slowing down my arrow giving the mage enough time to tilt its head slightly turning what should have been an arrow between the eyes to instead shear off the right eye and a decent chunk of face surrounding said eye.
A scream of rage errupted from the creature at that point and not one to let a chance go I quickly followed up with one of my less tested spells. Splitting arrow caused the initial arrow I shot to multiply into 5, they tend to do less damage but sometimes quantity is a quality all of its own. Somehow a new shield was already recast causing 3 of the arrows to impact and be redirected, the 4th managed to shatter the shield and the 5th struck true piercing through the throat of the mage.
Taking a moment to see how Lilly is doing I watch as she is being heavily pushed back by a flurry of blows from the sword wielding undead. Grimacing I focus back on my fight only to swear and dive backwards just in time to avoid a salvo of the smaller force missiles. Quickly climbing to my feet I draw my bow again ready to end this holding the draw I imbue as much of my mana into both the strong and arrow as I can wanting the arrow to be able to both pierce any shield still cause as much damage as possible.
The mage in turn also seems to be readying a powerful spell as not one but 3 of the force spears are forming around the mage. Just as I feel my mana beginning to become unstable I loose the string and am thrown back with the force of the arrow I released. This might have saved my life as I instantly see 2 spears fly right above my head unfortunately 1 still lands managing to piece me through the side of my stomach ripping a scream of pain in the process.
As for my arrow I see out of the corner of my eye as it reaches the force shield it instantly shatteres it and strikes true in the chest of the mage. For a moment I think that is all it does until a bright explosion of mana errupts from the impact point tearing a hole almost a foot wide through the chest of the mage. Gaping slightly at the brutal effect of my arrow I watch in satisfaction as the mage collapses bonelessly to the ground, once more returning to true unlife.
[Congratulations you have learnt the spell - power shot]
Ignoring the notification for now I quickly look over at Lillys fight only for my eyes to widen as I watch a fiery explosion to engulf her. I feel my chest tighten in pain that matches the feeling from my gut being torn open as I watch in muted horror at the deviation that spell wrought.
———-
~Lilliana POV~
As I watched the ord of firey death approach I try to summon as many roots as possible in front of me whilst also pumping as much mana as I can spare into my dress for some added protection.
As the explosion engulfs me I feel a scream rip itself out of my throat as the heat scorches my skin and sends me stumbling back, however thanks to the roots I summoned I seem to have avoided the worst of it. I do notice a system screen trying to get my attention but I shove it aside for now returning my focus to the fight in front of me.
Once the flames die down I look up to see that the undead elf is no longer looking at me but instead to the side, quickly following its gaze I first see the collapsed form of the mage feeling hope rise from within. Only for my sight to continue on and see the state that Kana is in, she is sprawled on the ground with one arm holding her side where I watch as blood flows out between her finders and the pale expression on her face. Our eyes meet briefly and I see the relief flicker across her face before she nods in the direction of the undead elf.
Turning back to face my opponent I frown when I realise it hasn't moved since its gaze is still locked on the corps across the room. But not one to miss a chance I unsteadily get back to my feet and stumble into a run forwards. Before I can get more than half way their through I feel a shiver run up my spine as I watch the mouth of the elf slowly open as its head titls back slightly.
With my eyes widening in remembered pain from when they first emerged I slide to a stop and drop to one knee whilst raising my hands to me ears. Saddly it doesn't help.
A soul wrenching scream errupts from the elf shaking me to my very core. The overwhelming sense of devastation and loss the scream invokes causes my brain to briefly blank as I too join in with the sorrow filled howl. I am unable to think or act in any way but I can feel the sensation only getting stronger and stronger. With the last shred of my sanity left I throw all the mana I have left into summoning as many root strikes as possible.
The scream is suddenly cut short as 3 roots impale the creature, one through its guts, one through its chest and the last hits right at the back of its neck ripping right through its spine. The elf is left hanging there unable to collapse but most definitely dead once more.
With the silence I feel a bone deep weariness that I struggle to hold off but I force my weary mind to fucus as I stumble my way over to Kana who is sprawled out on the ground pale as a ghost and still lightly cluthing at her stomach. When I reach her I collapse by her side muttering to myself. "Nonono you can't die, your not going to die." As I place my shaky hands over her blood soaked hand I forceably drag the last remnents of mana from my weary body and push it into her side using natures touch. I watch as a gentle green glow covers the wound with it focusing solely there.
My vision slowly grows dimmer as I drag every scrap of mana I can out willing myself to just keep healing as long as I can. I last as long as possible but as darkness closes in I can only pray that what I did was enough as I loose consciousness and collapse to the floor next to Kana. My last thoughts before I pass out being 'please let it be enough.'
I slowly come too and open my eyes with some effort to see the concerned face of Kana looking down at me, forcing a weak smile onto my face I say in a horse voice. "Hey you, glad to see your alive." This is immediately followed up with a small coughing fit and my spinning as all my aces and pains decide to come back to me at once drawing a grunt of pain to escape.
"You silly girl." Kana says softly. "Who told you to use all your mana on me only to pass out eh?" She lightly rebukes me, but their is only warmth in her tone.
Taking a moment to take a couple deep breaths I reopen my eyes and see a gentle smile across her pretty lips. "Are you ok though." I insist. Seeing her roll her eyes at me brings a smile to my lips but she answers none the less.
"Yes I'm fine there is only a small wound that isn't even bleeding anymore so you don't have to worry." I breath out in relief at this feeling a weight being lifted off my shoulders. Lana continues this time in a playful tone. "But unless you want me to potentially reopen that wound due to over exertion might I recomend putting your dress back on?" I freeze before slowly looking down to realise that I am once again as naked as the day I was born. Feeling my entire head flush I quickly conjure my dress once more silently curing the fact that it dissapates whenever I'm not awake.
Hearing Kana's laughter at my embarrassment make me smile nonetheless before I sigh and sit up only to wince in pain and decide that I should probably use some healing on myself. Putting action to thought I use natures touch once more focusing on myself, I make sure to leave some mana this time to avoid the low mana headache from reappearing. "How long was I out for?" I ask Kana.
She hums before answering. "About 2 hours, also fun fact turns out your summoned roots only last for about 30 min. Have me the scare of my life when the elf's body suddenly collapsed, I thought she'd come back to life!" She ends with a laugh. Smiling at that I pull myself to my feet and give Kana a hand up as we make our way over to the two corpses.
"So what do we do now?" I ask Kana.
"Well I think the most prudent thing would be to loot everything we can, destroy the dungeon core and run away before the dungeon collapse!" She replies cheerfully.
"Well I do like the sound of loot!"
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An intense fight there, ngl did struggle with how to make a bow vs mage fight interesting, let me know your thoughts on that and any improvements will be welcomed!
So what do you think they will get as a reward?