Bab 466: The Moon. . .
That was right, this was an A-class completed Chimera. Not any of the failed ones that roamed the forest at night. This was the very first time Gear had ever seen a completed Chimera, and he wished for it to be his last. Reaching out he shouted, "Wait!"
All six of the statues twitched. . . and vanished. Gear could only blink before a stone grey figure appeared in front of him, arm morphing into a sharp blade. Each person had their own statue, except for Jarvis who was farther back. A split second passed and Gear watched in amazement as the blade was stopped short by a bronze semi-translucent kite shield.
Wrock commented, "There was no way someone could do this alone without being Third Stage."
Gear wanted to cry, "I told you! This isn't something you're supposed to take lightly!"
"I said alone, as far as I can tell we outnumber them."
Igneel jumped over the kite shield with a spinning kick. The stone statue raised an arm and blocked it with ease. Wincing as his leg bounced off the solid surface he attempted a quick recovery but the statue's arm turned to a blur and slammed into him. Without a chance to block Igneel received the full brunt of the blow and slammed into the ceiling.
Wrock felt his eyebrow twitch, "Okay well the numbers are even."
The statue next to Gear flickered around the kite shield and delivered a powerful kick. Gear felt something shatter as he slid across the floor into the wall.
". . . Well now we're outnumbered."
"Wrock stop messing around!", commanded Yielya.
"Fine~"
Gear noticed his blurry vision clearing up as a golden light descended upon him. Wrock knelt in front of him, "Need a hand?", he asked while stretching out his palm.
"The Chimera-"
The statue flickered and swung a bladed arm forth. For Gear it all happened in an instant, but the result was clear to see. The statue's arm trembled, and Wrock held the bladed arm with ease in his hand. Wrock's other hand remained outstretched, "On your feet, I can't keep an eye on you alone."
"The. . . Chimera?"
"You don't have to worry, I faced things far stronger than these."
Gear felt dumbfounded. An A-class Failed Chimera was impossible for him to even think of facing. Even Jarvis struggled to handle one. Yet this completed Chimera was being handled like it was a toy! Such strength, it was unfeasible! Gear reached out a hand and was quickly pulled to his feet.
Wrock twisted the blade arm, "Now Chimera expert, anything I should be aware of?"
"Uh. . . they have a lot of regeneration?"
"Eh, overused gimmick. Seemingly impossible to defeat because your damage is being healed and all that. Surely there's other ways to showcase strength no?"
"Yeah. . . ?"
He couldn't comprehend it. The completed Chimera's speed was something Gear was unable to see no matter how hard he strained his eyes. Yet this sole individual was handling such speed? Moreover in such a casual way?
"Wrock. . . was it?"
"Yes that is my name."
"What are you?"
Wrock laughed, "An odd question! You should already know who I am!"
"I should?"
"It appeared to you the moment you scrutinized me."
"The Azure Phoenix. . ."
"There's your answer."
Wrock let go of the statue and in an unknown amount of time the statue's chest received deep and large cracks while being sent flying towards the wall, a speed Gear missed completely. Patting Gear's shoulder Wrock warned, "This level of fight isn't something you can handle just yet. Leave it to us okay?"
As the statue freed itself it's stone body began to morph back together. Suddenly every statue turned its head towards Wrock, as if identifying the biggest threat. They all flickered away from their targets and surrounded Wrock. Gear could barely see Wrock as they closed in, the final thing he saw was a faint smile. . .
Gear flinched, a flash of blue temporarily blinded him. Through the gaps of his eyelids he spotted a blue Phoenix spreading its wings.
Bang-!
All six of the statues shot outward, slamming into the walls with chests cracked. Wrock rolled his shoulder, "These guys aren't half bad. Almost had me sweating!"
Igneel fell from the roof, managing to free himself from the confines of the stone. Landing he shuddered across his body, "That hurt!"
Wrock glanced over, he expected a hit like that would've awakened the alter ego or whatever of Igneel. After all someone who was capable of warping space by mimicking a move was no simple person, but Wrock underestimated Igneel's tenacity.
Waving a hand about Kan'na formed a magic circle and captured one of the statues. A rope made of mana tightly bound it preventing any movement. Kan'na spun a finger and wove together a few magic circles, "I'll keep this one occupied, Wrock can you handle the rest?"
"Not gonna let anyone else have some fun?"
"I think we both know the answer to that."
"By your orders then!"
Wrock flickered and a shockwave passed across the room. Each of the Chimera's were buried further into the rubble, bodies on the verge of falling apart. Wrock reappeared, a blast of wind formed as of catching up to his speed. The loose bits of his Gi fluttered, his hair waving alongside.
Not even a speck of dust, as if dust could even catch up to him anyway. In a mere second he crushed the Chimera as if it was a casual thing.
How could someone be this strong? What kind of circumstances did you have to go through to obtain strength like this? Such thoughts passed through Gear's mind as he approached the brink of acceptance.
Through the shock and awe Gear felt, a sprinkle of confidence sprouted. Strength like this was a powerful asset. Moreover it was on his side? Additionally none of the others seemed to be at all shocked by this level of strength. Perhaps they could possibly be of similar levels.
Even if they weren't, whoever caused the shields to appear had enough of a reaction speed to calculate the goal A Class Chimera. That in itself was a testament to their ability, making it at the very least two people at that level.
It was. . . Inspiring to see such strength.
Jarvis paid no mind to the incapacitated Chimeras, instead he approached the captured one. Kan'na was focused on using several different spells, testing which could be more efficient. A form of experiments. When dealing with an unknown threat capable of regeneration it is key to find a counter measure as soon as possible.
As for Jarvis, he intended to get a better look at what 'heresy' is.
As he approached the Chimera something stirred. This was ignored was he reached out to touch the stone-like skin. Although he fought with a few, he never properly examined what a Chimera was. But apparently something didn't want him to.
His fingers grazed the Chimera and his book pulsed. Suddenly his surroundings blurred and warped into different colors. Unable to tell what he was looking at—for everything looked like blobs—he instead focused on a sensation that coursed through his body.
Flinching back he gained the attention of Kan'na. Upon looking at his she asked, "Notice something?"
"The moon. . ."
Jarvis rapidly stood to his feet, "We have to enter, we have to save the moon."
There was slight confusion, but the party noticed his urgency. Kan'na created a few extra spells to bind the Chimeras before joining Jarvis. Gear followed the movement while warning, "There should be one more. Maybe some elite guardian."
"I doubt we'll need to worry about it. I'll handle it if it ever arrives.", Wrock stated whilst rubbing his wrist.
"I get that you're strong, but maybe we shouldn't be overconfident?"
"Let's just say I wasn't giving it my all to those guys. If this elite was three times stronger I have faith I'd win."
Yielya shook her head and commented, "You don't get a Title like his without something to show for it."
"The Azure Phoenix, yeah I know.", Gear frowned at the comment.
"And so will everybody. A Title that is known upon a glance is far from simple."
"What?"
An annoyed sigh escaped Yielya's lips, "Let's just say you haven't found out why he's The Azure Phoenix."
Jarvis cut them off, "Pick up the pace, we can't afford to waste time."
A glanced was tossed about. Jarvis was very rarely this urgent with a matter. So they silently did as they were told and picked up their pace.
As Gear began to jog he sensed something amiss. Checking behind him he noticed nothing wrong. Doubting himself he merely scrunched his nose in confusion before returning his focus to following the others.
Meanwhile back at the entrance the stone wall quivered for a moment before sliding off. It slid across the ground, like a rolling stone, towards the bound Chimeras. A piece of it reached out towards one and latched onto it. The two vibrated before the mass of moving stone expanded and consumed the Chimera whole.
It quivered for a moment before twisting itself towards the other Chimeras. Despite its lack of any personality features, its entire being radiated hunger.
Status Power Mingguan
-- Peringkat
Power 
-- Power
stone