Chapter 30. Speed versus Strength.
Gavin grinned wolfishly after he heard Veronica's plan. You're insane! He jumped back while he concentrated on his mana flow. The red crimson began to swirl around him. He stayed on the move, out of reach of the massive Draconian warrior.
Veronica chuckled in response. Her tone was filled with confidence and warmth. By my calculations, it is the only viable option you have to avoid dying to the first enemy on this floor.
You haven't led me wrong yet. Gavin replied as he focused on his mana and darkness spread out along the ground. Pitch black tendrils stretched out across the volcanic plain. Soon the entire area was covered by his spell.
The Draconian snarled out in confusion as the black shadows covered the ground under his feet. "More tricks, you worthless dog?" He swung both his weapons as tendrils of shadow rose out of the black shadow that coated the ground.
His mighty weapons did nothing against the mana infused darkness and shadow. Gavin didn't reply as he followed Veronica's plan. The beast is too slow to keep up. His greatest strength is his ability to take the damage from others, and counter with a massive blow. So, the trick is to hold him in place, then use your speed to deliver a fatal blow he can't easily survive.
The wolf shook his head and jumped into the shadows, as Gavin dissolved into the shadows in front of the Draconian. He fell through the ground and into the black abyss. How does Tessa get used to this? It disoriented Gavin when he jumped into the home of the shadows. It was nearly impossible to tell left and right. Up from down. Front to back.
It was a vast abyss of darkness and shadow all around Gavin. The home of shadows and darkness was cold. Eerie. Not like a winter night's chill, but cold like pure, absolute silence. No sound. No ambience. Just utter silence all around him. Gavin couldn't even hear his own heart beating in his chest. To have any sense of direction in the ocean of the abyss, Gavin had to concentrate on his objective.
Step 1. Use the shadow tendrils to wrap around the Draconian's body, holding his limbs in place. Step 2. Dive into the shadows and wait for the moment to strike using speed and surprise. Step 3. Try not to die.
He focused on the warrior and light appeared above his head. Gavin looked up and saw the volcanic plains through a shimmering portal. The warrior growled and snarled as he looked around. The shadow tendrils continued to snake out of the ground and wrap themselves around the warriors' bulged limbs. He struggled against them and even managed to break free a few times.
Every time he managed to break his arm free, his muscles strained from the exertion. Another tendril made of living shadow would snake around his arm and wrap it securely. Each new tendril thicker and darker as it absorbs more mana from the caster. The struggle became apparent as it took longer for the Draconian soldier to break free from each new tendril of shadow.
Gavin kept the image in his mind. He added depth and precision to it as the spell persisted. The hulking warrior cried out in frustration and fury. He swung his hammer and his axe at the tendrils, determined to find a way out of the trap Gavin set for him. But it was all for nothing. Gavin's spell, though it covered a large area and was a long-lasting spell, was simple in its design and thus drew minimal amount of mana from him to keep it going.
Gavin watched with smug satisfaction. It isn't the most honest way of fighting, but hey, a win's a win. Honestly, he never would have thought of this tactic if it wasn't for Veronica.
Gavin waited, poised to jump from the shadows and strike his blow. He would have to be quick and precise if this was going to work. If he missed, then it would all fail. I doubt I'll get a second attempt at this.
His body burned slightly from the constant mana output as his eyes glowed in the dark abyss. He coiled his body. He focused his mana on him and harnessed the energy into a physical extension on his fur covered hand. He formed a long thin blade made of crimson energy as he saw an opening.
The Draconian warrior had both arms trapped. His chest heaved and his breath was ragged. Sweat covered the warrior's body as his struggles ceased. He roared his frustrations and anger out into the world.
Gavin jumped from the shadows behind the warrior. Sound, color, everything came flooding back to Gavin's senses and for a moment, threatened to overwhelm him. He gritted his teeth and with a swing of his arm his blade of energy sliced through the Draconian's throat.
The Draconian's roar of anger was cut short as his head rolled off to land in the warrior's lap. Blood, thick and green poured out of his neck as Gavin stood there with a grin on his face as he ended the shadow spell.
One out of five Draconian warriors have been slain.
Alert. The other warriors observed your fight and the way you killed their brother without honor. They will not engage you in one-on-one fights now. They seek only to kill you.
Two messages popped up in Gavin's vision. The first one he expected. The second one worried him.
So, they watched the fight. They must be nearby then. This is just fantastic. He thought in frustration as he turned his head, half expecting to see a group of mountainous tanks of fire and war bearing down on him.
Now what? Any ideas for how to survive the next four Draconians? Gavin asked Veronica as he saw a cloud of dust and ash billowing to the sky from four different directions and his heart sank.
Yes. Try not to die.
Her droll tone made Gavin laugh as he watched the four pillars of dust that headed his way. I really doubt that they will stand still for the shadow tendrils to trap them in place. Oh well. No real plan so let's get this party started.
With grim determination, Gavin chose the cloud of dust and ash that was right in front of him. It really didn't matter which one he started with. He would have to push his physical body to the limits either way if he was going to have a fool's chance to succeed here.
He took off running, fur and limbs moving in a black blur. The ground beneath his feet cracked with every impact of his steps as he picked up more speed and velocity. He ran at full speed towards the Draconian warrior who looked surprised when Gavin jumped, spun and slammed his leg into the warrior's side.
At the last second the warrior lifted his arm and braced himself as he took the full impact of Gavin's strike. The Draconian grinned at Gavin as he blocked the strike. "Not bad for a wet dog." His voice was thick and gravely. Like someone that smoked two packs a day.
Gavin grinned as he focused on his mana and pushed off from the warrior, using fire to enhance his body. Sparks ignited from his leg, which propelled it away from the Draconian's side and helped spin Gavin into another roundhouse kick on the other side. This time the momentum was faster and deadlier as Gavin used fire magic to propel his leg like a rocket.
The result was what Gavin had hoped for. Too quick for the Draconian to react, Gavin's leg smashed into his ribs. Gavin could feel bone and scale crunching under the force of the impact as the Draconian coughed up grin blood. He was sent flying off to the side in a crumpled heap as Gavin stood there.
His breathing was ragged as he winced and knelt on his other knee. He rubbed at his leg that impacted with the Draconian's ribs. "Damn he's got some thick scales." Gavin muttered as he tried to rub the bruise that was already forming under his fur.
That was actually impressive that you thought of that on your own. Veronica's words of praise felt like a biting insult at the same time.
What? Did you doubt my ability? His reply relayed his hurt emotions to her.
She didn't answer him and instead warned him. Watch out, the other three are getting closer. Finish that one off quickly before they arrive.
Yes mom. Gavin's short reply to her annoyed Veronica but she chose not to continue their banter as he sprinted forward towards the wounded Draconian.
The beast of a warrior struggled to get to his feet. He was coughing up blood that spattered on the cracked, burned stone. He noticed the black blur that was fast approaching, and he grabbed one of the clubs at his waist and brought it out in front of him.
Gavin winced as he kept up the enhanced speed. He could tell it was draining his stamina rapidly as he moved circles around the warrior. His lungs burned.
His chest ached.
He was almost to the point of regretting this damn dungeon. But he pushed through the fatigue as he harnessed his mana into a blade that covered his claws and hand. One strike as all he needed with enough speed to get through that thick-scaled hide of his. He lunged in, took a swipe and the Draconian threw himself back at the last minute and raised the steel club defensively.
Gavin's crimson blade screeched along the club, the sound piercing among the otherwise silent plains. The distant thunder of the other Draconians slowly grew louder and reminded Gavin of the need for urgency.
Gavin spun before the Draconian could get to his feet and tried a back-handed strike. He intended to cut off an arm or the beast's neck. The Draconian wasn't expecting another strike so soon and didn't react quickly enough to block it.
Gavin's blade sliced through the thick scale of his right arm, just below the shoulder. It slowed as it sunk deep, the resistance from the tough scale hide almost too much for the blade to go through. But it cleared the thick heavy arm and the club clattered to the ground with a heavy thunk as the arm fell with it.
The Draconian gripped the stump that was his missing arm, lifted his head and bellowed out in pain and rage. Gavin didn't waste time as he winced and fought back the urge to cover his sensitive ears. "Oh, will you just die already!" Gavin shouted as he drew back his arm and slammed it into the skull of the warrior right between his eyes. The blade sunk deep before it protruded out the back of the warrior's head.
The roar abruptly ended as the light went out in his eyes.
Two of five Draconian's have been slain. Three more remain.