Electric Boogaloo Pt. 5 .... WTH?!!!!
The creature immediately went on the offense, it charged quickly at the party with such speed that it defied all forms of logic. Govrin dropped his weapon and quickly reached for his shield, running forward to take the blunt of the attack as he put took defensive posture barely in the nick of time. It impacted Govrin’s shield with such momentum that both the creature and Govrin slid back roughly 10 feet from the might of the blow. The dark kin was surprised at both the speed and force this undead serpent had.
“What the hell is that thing?!” Plish gasped as his daggers bounced off the serpents back, not even leaving a scratch.
The creature relentlessly bashed its head on Govrin’s shield as it rapidly spun about as it struck with its tail. A large gash now donned the large shield, much to Govrin’s surprise.
“GATHER!” Eifraien commanded. On queue everyone closed in toward the priest, Eifraien with holy symbol in hand. Govrin, being the last, as he ran aside to get past the serpent as it recovered from its fearsome attack.
As they gathered, the creature dashed in. Eifraien was able to raise the ward against the undead. The creature stopped with in mere feet … as if it smelled something. It stood there for a few seconds and then began to sway sideways back and forth, almost as it if were dancing or waiting for something all while an odd sound emanated from it.
“What the …. what is it doing??” ask Tabithna worryingly. The creature kept swaying and the sound got louder. If it had a gaze, it was affixed on Eifraien with malicious intent, as it opened its mouth and added its rattler to the odd dance it was doing.
Holding his holy symbol firmly, Eifraien began to study the thing. “How odd, it is …” the priest looked deeper at the being “It is …. by Althares, it can’t be ...”
“What? It’s what?! SPILL IT OLD MAN!” demanded Plish.
The sound the creature was making was even louder as it stopped swaying and raised its head. “It’s … it’s …” Eifraien was speechless as he realized with horror.
“… laughing.” finished Ar’Kelos.
Had the creature been alive, one could have seen just where it would be salivating with delight at the situation. Just as it did initially, the creature dashed in with such ridiculous speed, slamming into the ward Eifraien put up with such force that it knocked everyone inside the ward out of it as Eifraien was thrown back. The ward’s barrier became visible as it shattered into pieces. The creature raised its head slowly, as if gloating, accomplishing to rid that which impeded its way. Were it to have flesh, it would be smiling with evil intent.
Plish, Tabithna, and Govrin quickly got up and in defensive positions. “No more recklessness. Prepare to strike in formation and switch it up. Eifraien, need you on full heal mode. Ar’Kelos, Tabithna, find a weakness. Plish, don’t bring a toothpick to a bludgeon fight!” barked Govrin. “Get ready!” as he drew his horseman’s mace, taunting the undead serpent as he banged it against his shield.
Wether falling for the taunt, or simply not caring, the creature gleefully lunged at Gorvin who sidestepped slightly as he used his shield to pin the creature’s head down as it struck. “There’s your opening, Plish!” The dwarf dove right in taking advantage of the opening, ready to strike the boney foe with the pommel of his weapons only to be flung in mid-air as the creature’s tail whip slammed him into the wall. The creature again made its eerie laugh as it hit the dwarf with such force.
“Plish!” cried Tabitha as she struck the creature with the pommel of her side sword.
“Tabithna, what is that thing? We need to know what we’re up against!” barked Eifraien.
“I don’t know every blasted myth and legend out there, Eifraien!” she scowled back.
“Get to work and buy me some time!” demanded Ar’Kelos as he began to chant.
“Ready yourself, Tabithna!” started Govrin as it prepared for the creature’s next onslaught. It swayed again back and forth and before anyone could blink, it lunged at Govrin. Even with his shield up, the blunt force was enough to cause his arm to bruise a bit. One strike after another it feverishly pounded onto Govrin while the dark kin held with all his might to withstand the blows. Tabithna would follow in with the occasional strike here and there as Eifraien struggled to heal Govrin hoping it would aid him to stave off the onslaught.
The serpent lunged in one last time, the blow was mighty indeed as it finally brought down the warrior to his knee. Eifraien quickly ran in and began to cast just as the creature went in for the kill. Its attack thwarted as even it was powerless to resist the incredible force of a Channel, scowling and hissing with displeasure and pain. “Heh, even you must succumb to the might of the Gods, foul creature!” teased Govrin as he spat blood at it.
The creature did its eerie chuckle as it eyed the helpless dwarf still knocked out from the impact it suffered. “NO!” yelled Govrin, trying to get up. The creature slithered quickly in the direction of Plish. Opening its mouth as to consume its prey. The creature bit, gnawing onto the limb it sank its skeletal teeth into.
“What?!” Eifrain, Govrin, and Tabithna gasped.
“Not while I live!” stated Ar’Kelos defiantly, as blood trickled from his mouth. The serpent stopped chewing as it realized it could not penetrate what it latched onto: a metallic arm attached to a giant … elemental?
“YEAH!” cheered Govrin.
“Took you long enough!” yelled Tabithna.
The Elorii smiled as began to bleed from his nose, the painfully stressful spell already demanding its heavy price.
The creature reared in agony as the construct slammed its fist into the snake’s head. It began to hiss at the metallic thing as it stood between the serpent and Plish. Steam exhausted from it as it assumed a pre-charge stance. Taking off, the ground shook from the things' weight, shoulder slamming into the undead monstrosity. Its mass shattering several of the rib-like bones that made up its 'hood'.
Eifraien took advantage of the situation to cast a couple of heals onto Govrin as Tabithna rushed to where Plish was at to retrieve him. He began to awaken as she supported him up. “Ow, ow, ow, ow!” he cried. “Did you get the tags on the Scmath that hit me?” the dwarf continued. “Not now, Plish, we’re in deep excrement here. I don’t know how much time Ar’Kelos’ construct will buy us.” she retorted. “One of these days you need to tell him …. OW!!!” as Tabithna dropped him. “If you’re healthy enough to make wise cracks, you’re healthy enough to get back to Eifraien on your own.” she scowled. “And she’s back.” Plish snuck in as he got up and gathered with the party.
Ar’Kelos was concentrating heavily on the fight, devoted solely on attempting to control the being he had summoned. The price of the spell still took its toll on him as the Elorii still breathed heavily and blood started to trickle from his mouth.
The creature gripped onto the construct again, using it as an anchor as it began a series of tail whips. Each strike began to make its mark as gashes began to appear on the metallic being’s body. The metal elemental struck the creature’s head repeatedly till it gripped both hands, landing a haymaker that finally caused the creature to release its hold on the construct.
Tabithna cast and then began to sing while Eifrain Channeled once more to providing healing aid to both Govrin and Plish. Tabithna rousing performance brought about an inspiring well of moral to the entire group. Ar’Kelos still deeply concentrating on maintaining control of the oddity he summoned.
The construct lifted the serpent, smashing it on the ground, and followed with a leap bombing itself onto the serpent. It hissed again, but this time in pain. It backed up to recover and coiled itself, rattling and preparing to strike it anything got near.
The construct began to charge again as did Govrin, Plish, and Tabithna once they saw the elemental take lead. Just as the construct was about to land a blow on the serpent, the creature struck. The construct stopped dead in its tracks as did the others. The serpent laughed in that eerie fashion as it retracted its tail. Black, ichor-like, liquid stained it … Govrin dropped to his knees and fell forward, the same black ichor began to spread from where he fell. His eyes dead open.
… to be continued.
_________________ Talendos, the Shadow Raven 3.0 Expert, Soldier of Retribution, Assassin "When you do something right, it's as if you didn't do it at all ..."
Echo B-lister, Super Human, Brawler "Bringing the noise!"
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