Chapter 45: Zak'nagi Titan
The dark portal swallowed Raf il-Cul, leaving the giant zak'nagi behind for the people of Cardinal Peaks to deal with. The conflict within the courtyard had now become a battlefield filled with tension and desperation.
Mayor Rachmat and the remaining guards rallied together, their determination unyielding despite the overwhelming odds. They knew they had to protect their beloved town from the menace of the enormous zak'nagi.
The zak'nagi titan was fueled by the dark energies of Raf il-Cul. It unleashed a barrage of devastating attacks with no remorse. Its mandibles snapped, crushing brick and metal with ease. Its claws tore through the air, leaving deep gashes in their wake. The spike tails whipped around, striking with deadly precision, injecting venom that induced excruciating pain.
As the zak'nagi titan wreaked havoc, the guards under Mayor Rachmat's command fought valiantly, their weapons clashing against the monstrous creature's exoskeleton. They coordinated their attacks, aiming for vulnerable spots between the armored plates, striking with precision and determination.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Keep your eyes open!"
"And don't let that tail hit you!"
Amidst the chaos, the zak'nagi titan lashed out its tails viciously. Although it looked like a wild and rampant attack, the poison-tipped spikes nearly hit Zanno, before he reacted swiftly and jumped to safety.
「 Babah 」
"It can see us, Zanno."
"This creature is free from emotions."
"It only acts on instincts."
"I think, the titan has identified us as the greatest threat."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"You don't say..."
"Well, I guess Vehement Blast won't be as effective, right?"
「 Babah 」
"I think so too..."
"Let's try one of Lady Hybris's attacks."
"Keep a safe distance, while Mom and I observe and try to come out with a solution."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"Will do Babah."
"I know you and Mom will come up with something..."
"Mercurial Flare!"
Zanno unleashed his attack, targeting the zak'nagi titan's eyes with torrents of flames that burst out from his palms. But before the flames hit, a protective carapace reactively appeared from the back of its head, shielding the eyes from Zanno's scorching attack.
As Zanno redirected his fiery assault toward the zak'nagi titan's legs, he unleashed a torrent of flames with intensified heat and precision. The scorching inferno engulfed the titan's chitinous limbs, causing the exoskeleton to crack and blister under the intense heat.
The guards, taking advantage of the distraction, seized the opportunity to strike. Armed with their swords, spears, and bows, they converged on the weakened legs of the zak'nagi titan, hacking and slashing with all their might. Their weapons glinted in the sunlight as they found gaps in the damaged armor, driving their blades deep into the exposed flesh beneath.
Despite the ferocity of their assault, the titan fought back with unmatched strength. Its mandibles and claws swung wildly, attempting to swat away the guards like insignificant pests. But the combined efforts of Zanno's fiery assault and the guards' relentless attacks began to take their toll. The titan staggered, its movements growing slower and more labored.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Concentrate your attacks on the cracks!"
"Its armor is penetrable."
"We can do this, men!"
The mayor's dream of victory over the zak'nagi titan was soon shattered like broken glass. The zak'nagi titan had hyper-regeneration. The cracks made on its chitinous armor were completely healed after roughly a minute.
「 Babah 」
"Yeah..."
"I knew it wouldn't be that easy."
「 Zanno 」
"You call that, easy?"
「 Babah 」
"Hehe..."
"Chill. Mom and I are working double time."
"Hmm..."
"Double time!"
Something came up in Babah's mind as the fight against the zak'nagi titan intensified. He remembered something he watched on the Discovery Channel, something that might work against the zak'nagi titan.
「 Babah 」
"Okay, Mom."
"That's the plan."
"Do you think it will work"
「 Olivia 」
"I will try and enter the request."
"All we can do after that is only hope."
「 Babah 」
"Hope…"
"I am not hoping that it will work, Mom."
"I have faith, that it will work!"
◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥
[ Bonus: Hope Experience Point: +4 ]
[ Sufficient Hope Experience Points accumulated...
One(1) White Orb Acquired.
Unlocking Unique Trait ]
[ Unique Skill: Future Sight is Now Available ]
[ Unspent White Orb(s) Transferred to Current Orb Pool ]
「 Olivia 」
"Submitting request to the server…"
[ Soul Request…
Accepted ]
[ Combining Skills:
‣ Skill Share
‣ Boast
[ Integrating...
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▯ ( 98% ) ]
[ Skill Combination...
Unsuccessful ]
「 Olivia 」
"Resubmitting request to the server…"
[ Soul Request…
Accepted ]
[ Combining Skills:
‣ Skill Share
‣ Boast
[ Integrating...
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▯ ( 99% ) ]
[ Skill Combination...
Unsuccessful ]
◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥
Babah and Olivia kept on trying to create a new skill by combining the skills Skill Share with Boast, all while Zanno was busy protecting the people in the courtyard. The zak'nagi titan was getting closer to overwhelming them.
「 Babah 」
"Zanno, you have to stall for a little longer."
"Mom and I are trying our best."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"What exactly are you and Mom are doing?"
"Things are getting dicey here."
「 Babah 」
"We are trying to create a new skill."
"And I have faith that this will be effective against the monster's hyper-regeneration ability."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"Well..."
"Whatever it is, you guys better hurry up."
"Mister behemoth over here is getting reaaaaally feisty!"
「 Babah 」
"Try and feed it."
"Maybe it's just hungry?"
"Hehe."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"..."
「 Babah 」
"What?"
"You need me, Mom?"
"Okay, catch you later Zanno…"
"Mom needs me… BRB."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"Just hurry up, will you."
「 Babah 」
"Aye, captain!"
「 Olivia 」
"Resub…"
「 Babah 」
"Mom, wait!"
"Spend the orb I just gained to boost the chance."
「 Olivia 」
"Affirmative."
"Resubmitting request to the server…"
◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥
[ Soul Request…
Accepted ]
[ Combining Skills:
‣ Skill Share
‣ Boast
[ Integrating...
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▯ ( 99% ) ]
[ Spending White Orb to Force Synthesize skill…
▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮▮ ( 100% ) ]
[ Skill Combination...
Successful ]
[ New Skill, Boast (Others): Level 1...
Acquired ]
◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥◣◥
「 Babah 」
"YES!"
The rampaging zak'nagi continued its destructive path, obliterating everything in its wake. Buildings crumbled, trees were uprooted, and the once vibrant courtyard of Cardinal Peaks was reduced to a chaotic battlefield.
Mayor Rachmat's heart sank as he witnessed the devastation caused by the zak'nagi titan. The town's guard seemed powerless against this unstoppable force. But he refused to give up hope.
Summoning his inner resolve, Mayor Rachmat rallied the remaining guards, urging them to stand strong and fight back. Together, they formed a united front, determined to protect their home and loved ones from the monstrous threat.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Stay vigilant, men!"
Zanno, after a long wait that seemed like an eternity, was now ready to act. Buying time for Babah and his mother finally bears its fruit. Zanno had gained a new skill, Boast (Others). An amplifying skill that can be used on others.
「 Babah 」
"Zanno, listen carefully."
"We need to disrupt the zak'nagi's regeneration ability."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"How do we do that?"
「 Babah 」
"Just get us close enough so that I can activate the necessary skills."
「 Zanno 」
"How close?"
「 Babah 」
"Try to get within melee range."
"I will take care of the rest."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"Are you sure about this?"
「 Babah 」
"Of course, I am sure."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"Well then, better get ready."
"I will look for an opening."
"Just make sure not to miss it."
「 Babah 」
"Understood!"
After their brief planning, Zanno funneled what was left of his magical energy into his Phoenix Armor to boost his defense. Getting into melee range will turn fatal if the zak'nagi titan manages to land a hit on him.
With the final surge of energy, Zanno darted toward the zak'nagi titan with incredible speed and agility. He maneuvered through the chaos, narrowly dodging the titan's swipes and strikes.
The guards provided Zanno with some cover fire, distracting the creature and creating openings for him to exploit. He then leaped into the air, performing a graceful somersault that brought him directly above the titan's back.
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"By the way, Babah…"
"What does this skill do actually?"
「 Babah 」
"Our new skill, Boast (Others) has the ability to amplify skills on other people."
"I am going to share our own Regeneration skill with the zak'nagi…"
"While boosting its own with the new skill."
「 Zanno 」
"Oh… So that's the plan."
"..."
"..."
"..."
"YOU GONNA DO WHAT!?"
As Zanno closed in, he could feel the intense demonic energy radiating from the zak'nagi titan's body. Its sheer size and power were awe-inspiring, but Babah remained focused on his task.
Upon reaching the titan's back, Zanno took a deep breath, his heart pounding in his chest. He steadied his stance and extended his hand toward the titan's chitinous armor. With a surge of energy, Babah activated the Boast (Others) skill, boosting the zak'nagi titan's hyper-regeneration ability.
A dark aura enveloped Zanno's hand as the transfer took place. The titan's exoskeleton seemed to absorb the energy, pulsating with newfound vitality. At the same time, Babah unleashed their own Regeneration Skill: Level 2 via Skill Share, amplifying the zak'nagi titan's regeneration ability even further.
As the transfer was completed, wounds on the zak'nagi titan's body began to instantaneously heal, its cracked armor mending itself. But it did not stop there. New cells seemed to grow nonstop from the wound, making the chitinous armor burst from inside. The previously unstoppable regeneration ability of the titan had been disrupted, leaving it vulnerable to the attacks of the guards.
「 Babah 」
"Zanno…"
"This is called cancer."
"It is when the body's cells grow uncontrollably and spread to other parts."
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"You definitely gave me a scare just now with your hasty explanation!"
The guards, witnessing the sudden change in the titan's condition, seized the opportunity. They charged forward with renewed vigor, striking with all their might. Swords clashed against the weakened armor, arrows found their mark, and spears pierced through vulnerable spots. The zak'nagi titan, once an unstoppable force, now faltered under the relentless assault.
Mayor Rachmat, filled with hope, directed the guards' movements with strategic precision. They focused their attacks on the titan's joints, aiming to disable its mobility. With each strike, the titan's movements grew slower and more sluggish.
The battle raged on, the once-terrifying zak'nagi titan now on the defensive. It thrashed and roared in agony, desperately trying to retaliate. But its weakened state proved to be its downfall.
Zanno, having completed his task, leaped away from the titan's back, rejoining the guards. He fought alongside them, his flames engulfing the titan's limbs, further hindering its movements.
Finally, with one last coordinated effort, the guards struck a decisive blow. They concentrated their attacks on the titan's vulnerable underbelly, where its armor was weakest. Swords and spears pierced through the exposed flesh, causing the creature to let out a deafening screech.
The zak'nagi titan, overwhelmed and gravely wounded, collapsed to the ground, its monstrous form trembling before finally going still. The battle was won, but the cost had been great. Mayor Rachmat approached Zanno, his expression filled with gratitude and pride.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Zanno, you have shown remarkable bravery and resourcefulness today."
"Thanks to your quick thinking, we were able to overcome the zak'nagi titan."
"You have saved our town and our people."
Zanno, still catching his breath, nodded in acknowledgment.
「 Phoenix Armor Zanno: Mk 2 」
"I couldn't have done it without everyone's support, mayor."
"We fought together, as a team."
[ Humility Experience Point: +1 ]
Mayor Rachmat smiled, placing a hand on Zanno's shoulder.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"Yes, indeed son."
"Together, we are strong."
The people of Cardinal Peaks celebrated their heroes' hard-fought victory, relieved that the menace of the zak'nagi titan had been vanquished. The town, though scarred by the battle, still remained united as ever.
Zanno and the guards were hailed as saviors of Cardinal Peaks, their names etched into the annals of the town's history. They were honored with a grand ceremony, where medals were bestowed upon them for their exceptional bravery and valor.
As the people of Cardinal Peaks reveled in their victory, little did they realize that the defeat of the zak'nagi titan would not be the end of their trials. Unbeknownst to them, the dark energies that had empowered the titan had not dissipated completely.
The dark portal that had swallowed Raf il-Cul still loomed ominously in the distance, its presence unnoticeable by the naked eye. Sinister forces and energy from the void continued to seep through, corrupting the land and its inhabitants.
In the days following the battle, strange occurrences began to plague Cardinal Peaks. Crops withered, livestock fell ill, and an air of unease settled over the town. Whispers of nightmares and shadowy figures spread among the townspeople, and fear gripped their hearts.
Mayor Rachmat knew something was wrong. An omen of bad fortune hung in the air, and he couldn't ignore the signs any longer. He called for a council meeting, gathering the town's leaders and wisest minds to discuss the growing darkness that had befallen Cardinal Peaks.
Inside the council chambers, the air was heavy with tension. The flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the worried faces of those gathered. Mayor Rachmat took his place at the head of the table, his voice filled with concern.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"My friends, we have faced a great threat and emerged victorious."
"But it seems that our battle is far from over."
"The darkness that consumed Raf il-Cul still lingers, and its effects are spreading through our beloved town."
A murmur of agreement rippled through the council members, their expressions mirroring the mayor's worries.
「 Master Raneeya 」
"Mayor Rachmat, I have witnessed strange occurrences in the forest."
"The once lush and vibrant trees now bear twisted branches, and the wildlife has become agitated and aggressive."
「 Oswald Brodley 」
"And in the mines, the miners have reported unearthly sounds and eerie whispers echoing through the tunnels."
"Some claim to have seen shadowy figures lurking in the depths."
The council members exchanged worried glances, realizing that the darkness was permeating every aspect of their lives.
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"We cannot ignore these signs."
"We must act swiftly to protect our town and its people."
"We need to uncover the source of this darkness and find a way to banish it once and for all."
The council members nodded in agreement, their determination shining through their concern.
「 Lord Mormont 」
"But how do we proceed, Mayor?"
"We have little knowledge of these dark forces and how to combat them."
「 Mayor Rachmat 」
"We must seek outside help."
"There are those who possess knowledge and expertise in dealing with such matters."
"We will send messengers to neighboring towns, seeking aid from experienced mages, scholars, and warriors."
「 Lady Marris 」
"In the meantime, I will embark on a journey to find my elusive little twin."
"I think we need him now, more than ever."
The council members deliberated, discussing the logistics of sending messengers and the potential risks involved. But they knew that it was a necessary step to preserve the safety and well-being of Cardinal Peaks.
Days turned into weeks as the messengers were dispatched, carrying urgent pleas for assistance. The people of Cardinal Peaks prayed for a swift response, hoping that help would arrive before the darkness consumed them completely.
And so, the fate of Cardinal Peaks hung in the balance, as the townspeople braced themselves for the arrival of allies who would join their fight against the encroaching darkness. Little did they know that their struggle had only just begun, and the true nature of the dark portal and its malevolent influence would soon be revealed.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
Babazam
Babazam No idea...
So close yet so far...
:(
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone