The Culmination begins.
The beast's breath was hot and rancid; its maw dripped with splattered blood - Xerxes' Blood. Aya's hands fell loose - mana not even daring to enter her body to form wind magic.
Her breath came in ragged gasps, each one burning her throat like fire, despite the blistering cold her body felt from the snow.
She couldn't think, speak or make any moves. She was completely paralysed by fear. The world had narrowed to the monster's glowing eyes and the guttural snarl that was rumbling from the beast.
Xerxes collapsed many feet away, his body layered in a thick layer of blood that dyed the snow red. Aya's heart thundered in her ears, so loud she was certain the beast could hear it and have joy in it.
Was he dead? The thought clawed at her mind, sharp and unrelenting, not wanting to accept that reality. Its arms flexed as it stepped closer.
Her legs felt like water, her body betraying her natural instinct of survival. She tried to scream, but there was no voice left in her throat; she wanted to run, but there was no will to do anything. Frozen like the winds that crossed over Layne.
Was this what her decision amounted to? Her foolishness and recklessness.
It was strange; memories surfaced, just as they had when she had run away from that 'place' many years ago, of how she had entered the Kingdom of Layne. Her body had a chilling feeling comparable to when she was on the brink of death all that time ago. For some sick reason, it was nostalgic, in the worst way possible.
Back then, she had no fight left in her, despite the gruelling years of agony she had to endure within that place; her energy was expended once she finally escaped. This was until he arrived. Despite his wimpy attitude and his overly cautious demeanour, something was charming about him that reinvigorated her.
It wasn't the quality of him not being afraid of 'injury' or even his determination when it came to battle; it was something more intricate. Instead it was the fear he held for anything happening to the ones he held dearest to him.
Aya knew that the thing that kept Xerxes pressing on was exactly the ones he cherished, it was all but comfirmed the day Xerxes and Vanessa saved her from.
Xerxes was kind and pressed on the fact that she needed warmth, despite never meeting her. There was a connection that they felt was something you could only describe as unyielding. This was only exacerbated by the necklace Xerxes had given her. It was a necklace with a ruby that was held by portions of brown string, and it actually radiated small amounts of heat.
When she arrived back at the guild, she spent time getting to know her allies, stumbling across Dorian, Vanessa and the rest of the guild, till eventually the 3 aspiring adventurers created the party, 'Fate's hand', and now, as if in slow motion the beast swayed it's hand effortlessly.
She had been a victim of one of the strikes, with the ruby crystal bursting in front of her eyes, that left a burn on the floor, as she hurdled across the snow, her body buried beneath it. Another chilly wave of ice covered her body, this time more apparent as she had lost the necklace.
Aya with consciousness immediately slipping began to push herself up, she repeatedly said with sorrow entangled in each word, "I'm sorry Xerxes, I'm so sorry, but if this is my end, I will do my best to kill this thing." She then got up, tears or blood - she couldn't tell that rolled from her eyes dropping on the floor. She looked towards the monster, activating her magic.
"Tier 6 open, Wind magic Gale force." Tendrils of rotating wind spurred across her forearms, with the beasts' smile stretching even more, the beast then began entering a running like stance.
Despite that, Aya didn't give him the chance; she shot off two shots of ranged mana with roughly 25% of her total capacity. The projectile of gale force winds cut through the air as snow followed along with it hitting the beast directly, a layer of snow covering the air.
Aya heaved slightly - using that much mana in one singular go was exhausting on her body, she had a rough idea on the beasts strength from reading about them prior to the mission.
First was the ordinary rank of 'beast'. They were the most typical type of beasts that adventurers could find, they had enhanced physical ability which included: strength, speed and durability. They averaged 5-6 metres in height and had strength comparable to a 5th tier Mage.
The next were 'Mana Beasts'. They had less of a disfigured form and were found slightly deeper within the fallen kingdom. They were known to have the ability to wield magic and recite magic without incantations.
These Mana beasts not only had a step up of strength compared to regular 'beasts', they also could utilise magic. These monsters averaged 3-8 metres and had the strength of a high-level tier 5 mage, that was breaking into the 4th tier.
The Last beast that was known, thanks to the efforts of the 'Army' and other adventurers, 'Convergers'. These were generally found quite deep within the Fallen Kingdom. They had the anatomy similar to a human and roughly equal in size. Their strength and mana was extremely power rivalling 3rd tier mages and the most terrifying thing was that they were able to utilise their intellect in co-ordinated combat.
Though this creature was definitely a regular 'beast', Aya's attack had done nothing, as it charged towards her at terrifying speeds, making the Orc look sluggish in comparison, as it drifted through the snow.
Incapable of making an idea that could potentially save her, she was grabbed by the beast, her leg being held as it spun her around multiple times building momentum as she was thrown threw the trees crashing into a stone wall.
A thick layer of blood escaped from her mouth, her eyes barely staying open as she screamed out in pain. It was excruciating; no portion of her body felt like it wasn't being swarmed with fire, as her body began to roll down from the rock.
The beast chuckled in a horrid manner, understanding slightly that this was causing her pain, that she was losing hope. It didn't want to slow down now.
Aya saw through blurred vision that the beast was charging as it was running towards her again. She weakly said, "Tier 6 open, Wind Magic, By the divine grace I call upon thee to bestow my entire body with mana, consuming all and ravaging through what I see." A cyclone of green energy splurged from Aya's arms.
From the display of power, it was safe to assume 60-70% of her mana was being utilised, even if she could cripple the monster slightly that would be enough for her. Then she could grab Xerxes with what strength she had left and go to Mr Hilt's wagon and go home. She wanted to go home, and she set her mind to it.
She aimed her hand towards the beast, and the potent magic recoiled from her hand, breaking it into pieces. Despite the pain, it wasn't enough to match what she was feeling internally; she roared through the spell, committing every ounce of strength into it, expelling everything from her like a dam. With a torrent of magic being shot out, making contact and ripping the arm of the beast from its body.
Though her attack had the desired outcome, the beast became considerably slower - she couldn't do what she originally intended to do. To escape. Acting like a final plea, not having regard for her own life she said to him, as if he was listening in his state, "Xerxes run.."
Even with the slower movements, the beast was closing in, as Aya closed her eyes before looking at Xerxes with a stream of tears coming from her eyes. "Goodbye, Xerxes."
Thuds through the snow were audible as the beast raised it's hands, only for the attack to never land.
Aya weakly opened her eyes, and miraculously, she noticed it had a searing burn upon its body.
"Aya, you don't decide when we say goodbye. If you ever need my help, I will be here. That. That is my promise!" He said confidently, whilst walking forward, blood leaking from his body with every step he took.
He held his sword, which was attached to his hand by his clothing, denying him the leverage of letting go.
As if pain didn't become a sensation to Xerxes anymore, he trod through the snow, Xerxes used fire upon wounds to cauterize them, closing them completely. There were twitches of pain on his face, but what was more paramount than pain was survival.
The beast, angered, slammed it's hands down. Not only had a puny girl taken out its arm, a relentless boy that should have been dead had attacked it. Preventing it from taking its 'well-deserved' life.
Xerxes raised his blade close to his face, the silver of the blade reflecting on his face, whilst Aya watched helplessly. The beast, similar to Xerxes, ran aimlessly towards him, as Xerxes' reflection shifted to a hue of orange as he increased the temperature of his sword.
Xerxes was visibly not in the condition to run but he tried his best. The beast approached and began to slam down viciously.
Xerxes exhaled as he ignited his blade with as much fire mana as he could muster. He then clashed with the beast, using every lesson Dorian had given him within the strike.
His blade began wrestling with the beasts' flesh. Xerxes persevered and pulled his blade upwards, with a spew of blood that had become normal to him, spraying his body. The beast had a huge gash across its chest, though it didn't slow the beast down.
It was getting ready to immediately retaliate. The monster's muscular leg began scraping across the floor, signalling to Xerxes that it was attempting a roundhouse kick, or at least something similar.
Xerxes didn't have the body to be agile at this point. He quickly reduced the temperature of his sword, creating a guard that had his forearm and bicep enclosing his face and his vital organs, alongside the sword. The beast swung as it made direct contact.
Though these oppressive attacks had worked once on him and Aya, they hadn't worked this time.
Xerxes gambled with the odds that he was presented with, and upon the exact second of impact, Xerxes used a huge deal of fire to propel himself to match the energy the kick expended to create a point where there would be a reduced level of impact.
Even though it had been blocked, his left arm had lost a great deal of sensation, the arm becoming an appendage useless to him now. Xerxes drove his feet into the floor, propelling himself with another burst of flames as he was sent towards the beast, with his voice booming, "Shooting star."
His entire body lit with flames, the beast trying to do what it could to brace for impact, as Xerxes crashed into the beast's sternum, sending them both quite far away from Aya.
Xerxes didn't know if the attack was sufficient to take it out, as his entire mind felt like it was in a haze, but one thing was clear. He seemed to be atop the beast, so he did his best to rise. He stammered left and right whilst trying to get his footing as he stood over the beast, with it's head rested back.
The sight was mortifying, but it was evident Xerxes had won.
Xerxes and Aya had actually killed a beast of the Fallen Kingdom. Xerxes almost tripped as he went to face Aya, her being falling in and out of consciousness.
From a mix of falling asleep because of the pain, but reawakening, like electricity shot through her body, to confirm that Xerxes was still safe.
"I'm glad Aya.." He slurred through the blood, which was practically choking him.
But something felt off. He had deactivated his fire mana, but the snow around him slowly melted, and it was more prominent around the beast. Xerxes gazed at the beast, with its blood practically boiling.
It was just his luck that things were never this simple for him.
Xerxes immediately re-entered a fighting stance, expecting the worst scenario. And the worst came.
Unbeknownst to Xerxes, a thick flame that had been building up within the creature had taken form, it's eyes lit up once more paralysing Xerxes. Was it his senses being dulled from the initial attack? He should have noticed this, but he didn't.
The beast opened its mouth, and Aya saw it. She desperately bellowed one word, "RUN!"
But it was fruitless.
The ball of inferno completely engulfed Xerxes, who was standing in front of Aya. Without any mercy, the wool of his clothing began to incinerate, and his sword was immediately hurled from his grasp.
Xerxes was hurled quite a distance away, and the damage took its course.
Aya looked at Xerxes, fear controlling her set of emotions. Her face grimaced as she saw what had become of Xerxes. His magenta hair had been burned causing it to become more white; it was practically lilac. Portions of flesh were melting from his body like tender meat; his clothing meshed together with his flesh. Worst of all, Xerxes had lost his arm.
The arm was totally incinerated, turning into ash, leaving his body. The only thing that remained was a piece of bone stuck out of his arm, as he groaned, but his natural instinct drew him towards Aya. It always had.
Aya began sobbing. This was certainly the end; her life was coming to an end. Her dreams were crushed, and her confidence plummeted. The boy she had grown to adore began dying before her.
"Why...why is this happening to me?" She whispered.
The fire that erupted from the beast could only mean one thing. Her head lifted as she looked towards the beast; the blast of fire mana confirmed a dark thought. What were the odds? She tried screaming at the beast, "Why is something like you here! A mana beast, you aren't...you aren't supposed to be here."
The beast ignored her cry and carried on walking with that traumatic smile that was ingrained in her head. The temperature was rising once more, as the beast was preparing for another attack that felt more powerful than the one that had caused Xerxes to dance with death.
The charge of magic was rising and rising, as Aya held her hand toward Xerxes, his flesh slowly crawling along Aya's hand. "I'm sorry, Xerxes, I didn't mean for this to happen, I want you to know that my life has never been filled with so much joy till I met you."
The fire from the newly discovered 'Mana Beast' began spiralling towards the two adventurers. With Xerxes knowing that he was already going to die, he made a decision he felt like he had to.
The boy, with the last strength of his being, turned with all of his strength, covering Aya with his entire body. The Flames scorched across Xerxes' back; he was done for. There was no energy left in his voice, his body. There was nothing.
He sheepishly said to Aya, "Run, Aya..carry on our dream. You've never listened to me ever just listen now. Run."
Aya didn't want to leave; she couldn't, but who was she to defy his last dying wish? She nodded her head and covered her mouth. Then, with all the strength she could gather, she began to rise under the shield Xerxes' body had created.
Xerxes smiled, closing his eyes, as Aya ran, incapable of looking back.
Xerxes thought in his last moments, 'Live on Aya...'
Aya had tears as she struggled to leave the battlefield. She ran and ran, and suddenly there was hope. Dorian was running fast with his sword in hand, and Vanessa had an obvious look of worry while running towards her.
There was a large boom that then propelled Aya forward, coming from the forest, as Xerxes' mana slowly began fading away from Aya's mana sense.
His mana then faded away, leaving the planet as the entire forest blew up in a devastating explosion caused by the fire.
And on that day, Aya's decision had caused Xerxes to die, with help just a slither away.