The ground began to rumble once again, weaker than before.
"Peli, stay out of this," shouted Wellin, a piercing glare striking her.
The flesh of the worm still lingered on her talons. As she sat down atop a building watching Roako, she took a bite of the worm.
Roako ran toward the hole without an ounce of hesitation. Staring down into the hole, the worm crept closer to the surface.
Roako flared his markings, replacing the rune on his legs, as the rune of fire appeared on his hands. Heat coated the surroundings as he struck forward. A ball of fire traveled through the air, entering the mouth of the worm.
He leapt backwards, the worm breaking through the ground once again.
Towering over Roako stood the worm, steel-coated flesh, as vibrations traveled through the air. The worm turned toward Roako, its body flowing out of the hole, slamming its side against him.
Roako raised his guard as the worm smashed into him. The blow propelled him into a metal building. A dent formed as Roako let out a grunt, spitting out a pile of blood. He clenched his shirt, taking a step forward.
Jumping forward, he struck a fury of blows, the air fizzing as a barrage of fireballs erupted toward the worm.
The fireballs coursed through the air, each strike making contact, unable to break through its hardened body.
A second later, a muted explosion echoed from within the worm. Sparks and smoke burst out, but it still squirmed, far from defeat.
The worm twisted its body, thrashing around, pushing apart the ground as it did, smoke rising out of the mouth of the worm.
Upon seeing the smoke, Roako's brow rose in understanding.
He closed his eyes, power coursing through his fist. He struck forward, standing his ground, fire enveloping as it burnt off his fingertips, attempting to travel further up his arm.
The fire whirled through the air, growing in size with each second, the heat radiating unbearably.
The worm swung its body to the side, letting out a high-pitched screech.
Wellin stood far back atop a building, his arms crossed as he observed the situation. He looked around, commanding Peli to grab any citizens and bring them to safety.
Peli soared through the air, looking back at the worm in regret. She sighed in disappointment before swooping down to grab any citizens, bringing them to safety.
The fire grew to the size of a small house before burning into the worm, tearing away steel, but not slowing its advance.
The worm let out a loud screech, glass shattering around him.
Roako sprinted forward, making his way up the collapsed structures, before arriving atop a large apartment. He stared down at the worm, getting ready to attack.
The worm's body swung side to side, fully emerging from the ground. Buildings shifted, the worm pushed past, before chomping down on a metal building. Metal grinding as the teeth tore into the building, causing a scratching, scraping noise.
Roako lunged forward from the rooftop. He landed against the worm's rising back, gripping its steel coating. Then, he slammed his fist down.
Heat transferred through his fist into the steel coating. The beast shook its body, attempting to fling Roako off. Digging his hand into the worm, Roako managed to stay on.
Roako's eyes winced as he turned his fist into a ball of fire, burning the worm from the inside.
In a jolt, the worm let out a shriek before slamming backwards, the floor and Roako colliding, crushing him.
Blood exploded out of his mouth, his ribs ached, eyes flickered white.
The worm rose again, a roar igniting the air. Its mouth faced toward Roako, plunging.
Wellin stomped down, preparing to dash forward. His eyes narrowed, watching Roako intently.
Roako's eyes crept open before flickering closed. The roar entered his ears. His eyes shot open, and he saw the teeth coming down. Adrenaline rushed through his blood, veins bulging on the verge of bursting open.
His hands punched the air, aiming at the ground. A fireball expelled outward, causing an explosion, pushing him to the side. The blast sent rocks toward him, striking his stomach and leaving small bruises.
The ground plummeted as the worm ate through, reverberations connecting Roako.
The worm's steel body moved more slowly than ever. The beast pushed forward frantically, attempting to swallow Roako.
A tired sigh exited Roako. His muscles ached, each breath burned. He slowly clenched his fist, power painfully coursing through his veins. With one final effort, he shot forward.
He waited for this moment. His hand shook intensely as his vision narrowed.
Fire, sharpened and twisting like a drill, sped through the air. Vibrations shook the city as the worm pushed past, attempting to bash into Roako while it squirmed.
The city seemed to pause. Roako's fire pierced the worm's mouth, sparks scattering across the nearby crumpled buildings. The flame tore through, splitting the worm into two halves.
The worm's divided body thrashed once, knocking down nearby structures. Then it fell still. Fire continued to burn, scorching the steel coating.
Steam poured out from Roako's body, his blood burned, his legs giving out as he dropped to his knees.
Thud
His body collapsed to the ground. The city had gone silent. Dust coursing through the air, debris filling the gaps. The beast remained still, lifeless, a burning scorch marking the battlefield.
Slow, silent footsteps approached Roako.
Wellin stood over Roako, slowly clapping. "Job well done." His words, firm yet genuine. "Kyri will be delighted to hear this."
Taking a glance around, only a handful of buildings had been ruined, no citizens were injured, and the beast had been exterminated.
His face showed slight annoyance before calling over to Peli. "Tell Jackson I'll pay for the damages in his domain, but I'm taking the worm. We'll use it on the kid."
Peli opened her mouth in retort, yet a word didn't come out. She put her talon to her beak as she pondered. "Hmm, Jackson won't be happy about that... He needed material to fix up his mace! Buttttt, if you'll let me fight that one over there, I'll happily talk to him about it!" She pointed toward Roako, her fighting spirit lit up as she flapped around.
Wellin looked at Peli, then back at Roako. His eyes wavered before continuing. "The kid ain't ready for you, I know how you like to play with your prey. I can't allow that. Especially to someone who isn't under my control."
"Whatever, just give us the worm." Peli retorted back in an instant, letting out a pouting sigh.
Wellin crossed his arms, looking toward Roako's injured body. "Yeah, I can't do that. I'll give Jackson compensation, but the material is mine."
Peli twitched, dropping her wings. "All I want are the kid's eyes. You can have the materials."
He turned around and dashed toward the worm, ignoring her answer. He grabbed a bag from his side belt.
As the bag opened, it began to absorb the worm, shrinking as it entered. Wellin quickly closed the bag before waving Peli off. "Go on now, report back to Jackson. I have other business." His face remained emotionless, voice stern.
Peli huffed, her talons retracting. "Fine. But you better set up a match between us." She pointed toward Roako, then back at herself.
Wellin didn't reply. He simply strode forward toward Roako, a pleased look took over his once emotionless face. "Not bad indeed. Let's get you fixed up."
Sound faded. The burning metal scent vanished as Roako's body was carried away. Incomprehensible words called out his name.
Roako felt the world tilt as hands carefully lifted him from rubble. The heat of his body clashed with the chill of the night air. Somewhere, someone whispered his name.
Dust and smoke hung in the air. Buildings groaned under the strain, their steel frames bent and glass shattered. For the first time in hours, the city was quiet. Citizens peeked from hiding spots, their faces a mix of awe and fear.
Hours passed, a pulsing sensation beating against Roako's head, never slowing.
Voices echoed nearby, chatting loud enough for any patient to hear.
Roako's body was wrapped in bandages. Ointment was applied across his body as it glowed green. His necklace lit up, a sky-blue light pulsing through its crystal.
His body rapidly changed temperatures, radiating intense heat at times, while at other times it froze his blood.
Days passed as Roako lay still across the hospital bed. A single voice echoed in the room. It leaned close to his ear, muffled but recognizable.
Roako's arms twitched, his eyes inched open, a blinding light flashed before him as he winced, covering his eyes. He turned his head, spotting a familiar face.
Kyri sat beside him, her attention focused on her thoughts as she blankly looked at the ground, a spiteful frown on her sharp, annoyed eyes.
"Kyri? What happened?" His voice was soft, barely managing to speak.
Her eyes darted toward Roako, her arms crossed as she let out a relieved sigh. "Glad ya ain't die on me." Kyri's look softened, a caring grin appearing. "Wellin got ya a lil something." She crouched down, grabbing a bag under the bed. Kyri pulled up the bag, revealing a pair of steel gauntlets.
"These gauntlets were made using the worm ya killed. While the steel is normal, the inside is a layer of soft tissue that'll cushion ya blows. Hopefully, stopping ya from ending up in here." A playful laugh flowed through her words as she placed the gauntlets beside him.
Her eyes turned toward Roako, serious yet warm. "I apologize in advance, but the Guardians have decided we needed to place ya to be monitored by someone. So, for the time being, it seems like ya gonna be my underling..." Her voice slowed as she continued. "And this ain't a choice. Ya listen to me now." Kyri's voice hardened as she spoke.
Roako's ribs ached in pain, the world shaky as his ears picked up some of her words. His hand was grabbing hold of his chest as his heart started to beat faster, before slowing again.
A quiet, faint cough left his mouth before he spoke up softly. "I'll work under you, no problem, but just what was that monster?" His words were shaky, in disbelief. He had almost lost to a giant worm.
"Ah, ya talking about the Devouring Worm... They're normal worms that grow depending on what they eat. The one ya killed? I'd say on the same level as a Platinum fighter." Her eyes glanced down at her hands, sharpening her nails.
"Third-highest rank, I might add. Well enough of that talk, how was Wellin?" Her eyes didn't leave his face.
"He's strong. Ahem... but I think he's a good teacher?" His eyes narrowed as he recalled his experience with Wellin.
"Yeah, that's good. Now…" Kyri's eyes turned serious, her voice hardened. "You survived this time. Next time you won't always be so lucky."