章 9: Chapter 9: The Serpent
The murky water stirred ominously, each ripple sending shivers down my spine. I tightened my grip on the dagger, whispering a prayer.
The shape beneath the water continued to move. It was huge-larger than any creature I had encountered so far. And that's saying something since that spider was huge! I swallowed hard, trying to steady my breathing as I stood there, unable to move. If this was the Chimera Serpent, I needed to be ready.
The water seemed to bulge, and then a serpentine head broke the surface. The creature was monstrous, with black scales that shimmered in the fading light and five eyes that glowed green. It rose to get as high as it could. That would be very far, maybe 10 or 13 feet? I don't have time to really check right now...
Its head resembled that of a serpent but with the grotesque addition of a black lion's mane and the dark green twisted horns of a ram. Its underbelly was striped of dark grey and lighter grey that had a tint of green.
The Chimera Serpent hissed, revealing a mouth full of razor-sharp teeth. My heart raced, seeing this my whole body involuntarily shook.
"W-What do I do!?", I thought while looking up at the monstrosity. I have a dagger and this is huge!
Then suddenly a beep came from my wrist. I knew what it was going to say before it even said it, "Caution, Subject is under stress."
Suddenly, the Chimera Serpent lunged, its massive body sending waves crashing around me. I barely managed to dodge to the side, splashing my side into the murky water. Mud covered me, but I couldn't concentrate on that as I felt a rush of air as the monstrosity's jaws snapped shut where I had just been standing. My heart pounded in my chest even faster.
It slowly lifted its head as I got up. "Oh shit!", I quickly dug into my backpack to search for something useful that Elara and Kaigara left in there.
However, I could only find different colored liquids in bottles and more gems. I didn't have time to find out what any of these do...
"Fuck!", I yelled to myself, "I should've done that when I was in that clearing!"
Without a plan, I ran to the giant monstrosity. Getting close enough, I stabbed with my dagger. However, the blade glanced off its scales, barely making a scratch. It was like trying to cut through solid rock. The serpent reared back, hissing in fury.
The creature's tail whipped around, catching me off guard. The force of the blow sent me flying, crashing into a nearby tree. Pain shot through my body as I felt my back snap. With the pressure, blood flew out of my mouth.
"Eh!", I struggled to get back on my feet, my vision blurry. The serpent advanced, swimming along the land with ease.
I scrambled to my feet, the dagger feeling pitifully small in my hand. The serpent struck again, biting down at me. I barely managed to roll out of the way. Though It was incredibly painful as the pain in my back lingered.
The Chimera Serpent now had its mouth around the tree. Then, with a sickenly perfect crunch, the tree snapped in half. The monstrosity spat out the tree and lifted back its head.
"Think, think!" I urged myself, but my mind was a chaotic mess. The serpent was too strong, too fast. How could I possibly defeat something like this with just a dagger?
...
Wait.
"It's not a normal dagger!", I remembered as I looked at the red gem.
However, I couldn't react as the serpent lunged once more. I was distracted, thinking of a way to defeat this thing. And even though I sidestepped mostly out of the way... This time... its fangs grazed my arm. It ripped my sleeve and flesh as blood flew out of the wound. I cried out in pain, as I stumbled to grab my arm.
Desperation fueled my next move. As the monstrosity's head was still low to the ground, I aimed for its eyes, hoping to blind it. The dagger struck true, sinking into one of its glowing eyes. At the same time, I pressed the red gem as the laser shot out. The serpent let out a deafening roar, thrashing violently.
I couldn't keep a hold on, and with the laser, it cleanly cut deep leaving no grip. I tightly held to the dagger, but as I couldn't keep up with the thrashing of the serpent, I fell. The dagger is still in hand.
My back crashed against the ground, splashing the water. Mud is now all over me.
I took a sharp breath but I could exhale since I coughed up blood.
Then suddenly the cuff beeped, "Subject's body has sustained a high amount of damage. AA Serum Effect: 'Low-level regeneration' automatically activated."
A burning sensation coursed through my veins, igniting every nerve in my body. "Augh!" I groaned, clenching my teeth. I could feel the heat spreading, intensifying the pain in my back and the fresh gash on my arm.
The Chimera Serpent, thrashed wildly, its five eyes... well... now four good ones ;) ... focused on me again. I scrambled backward, trying to put distance between us. The water churned, creating waves that lapped at my sides.
The monstrosity shot its maw opening wide to reveal rows of glistening teeth. I barely had time to react, rolling to the side as its massive head crashed down, sending mud and debris flying everywhere. The air was thick with the smell of damp earth and blood.
Gritting my teeth, I struggled to my feet. The pain in my back and ... Everywhere is a lot... I could feel the serum working though, but it is too slow against this monstrosity's relentless attacks. The serpent's tail whipped around again, striking the ground where I had just stood.
"Think!" I shouted at myself, trying to stave off panic. My dagger feels like a twig... But... I have to... I have to keep trying.
I aimed for the other eye, my heart racing. As the serpent lunged forward, I darted to the side, plunging the dagger into the other eye. I pressed the red gem, unleashing another burst of energy. The beam shot out, connecting with the serpent's skull.
It roared in agony as I cut seamlessly through its head. However, I suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion as my breathing became more heavy and shallow. I was losing blood fast, and my strength was dwindling. The serpent thrashed, knocking me off balance again, and I fell hard into the water.
Breathing heavily, I looked up just in time to see the serpent rearing back, preparing for another attack. "This is it," I thought, panic rising in my throat. "I can't take another hit like that... I'm gonna die..."
I chuckled nervously as I slowly backed up. My muscles and body feel weak so... this is all the movement I can muster. And even though the pain of the serum is making the wounds heal, it's taking a lot of my energy.
I felt something coming up as I covered my mouth. I cough into the muddy hand... And looking at my hand again, I realized what it was, Blood. "The cuff must be healing some internal bleeding...", I mumbled.
I watched as the Serpent hissed before pushing forward.
.
.
.
However, suddenly... I opened my eyes. In front of me, I could see the Chimera Serpent's head. Its jaw is open wide with all its teeth and fangs... Though... It's not moving.
I look around me and I notice that everything is desaturated. And just like the Serpent, nothing is moving. The splashing from the monstrosity trying to deliver the final blow is still. Hanging in the air as if there was no gravity.
I also feel... Like I can move... "Is this what death is like?", I mutter to myself. Eerily, my voice seems to echo.
I quickly back up from the monstrosity, and even though I'm moving, nothing else does. I stand up and walk around.
"Huh...", I survey the surroundings, everything looks the same other than what I noticed before.
It's so...
Eerie...
I don't know what else to call it. This place is so destroyed and desaturated. Though, I guess it was actually pretty bad before I got here anyway...
As I cautiously explore the frozen scene, I notice details I missed, the twisted roots of nearby trees, the eerie silence that hangs heavy in the air, and the sound of my own footsteps echoing strangely.
I glanced back at the Chimera Serpent. The sight sends a chill down my spine. If this is death... Then this must be some sort of limbo...
I took a deep breath, gathered my belongings, and sat by a nearby tree. I put on my backpack after sheafing my dagger and placing it in the side pocket. Though, before I could do anything, I looked up to see a figure standing in front of me.
The figure stands by the water as if it were solid ground. Its medium-short silver hair seems to billow in the nonexistent wind. It has a masculine face with skin as pale as snow. Its clothes are as white as its skin and also flow with the wind. Even though its eyes are solid gold, I feel its gaze on me.
Its face looked to be concerned as it bent down and sat in front of me. Now we are at eye level with each other. Surprisingly though, I thought this figure would've been a lot taller than me but they seem to be the same height as me.
It started to speak in this echoey voice that I could only see deep enough to resemble a man's voice. But, I couldn't help but feel I'd heard this from somewhere.
The figure's voice resonates around me as if coming from all directions at once. "You are not dead," it says calmly, its golden eyes unwavering.
I stare at the figure, trying to comprehend its words. "Where... where am I?" I manage to whisper.
"... Nowhere. Well, it's complicated," the figure explains, its tone soothing yet tinged with gravity. "I couldn't help but see how much danger you were in... And I decided to help and bring you here."
I glance back at the Chimera Serpent, frozen mid-attack. "What about that?" I ask hesitantly.
"Ah!", It smiled, "Just so you know, I can only do this once as our time here is limited.", it stood up as a golden light shot from its back that resembled wings.
It glanced back at me for a moment, "I'll try my best to talk with you again. However, you need to get stronger so we can talk for longer, Winston."
Before I could utter any words, the figure flew straight into the monstrosity as a bright flash of golden light blinded me.
I rubbed my eyes as they stung from the flashbang. However, when I was able to open my eyes without any problems, I saw the figure, not the Chimera Serpent. All that lay something was floating on the water.
Before going to look at it I quickly looked around. "it looks like I'm back here..", I sighed.
Suddenly, I grasped my arm as a sharp pain struck my back and arm at the same time. "Ah! Eugh... Feels like it too..." I winced, feeling the dull ache spreading through my body.
I gingerly got to my feet, testing my weight on my more injured leg. The pain was intense but manageable. The AA serum was doing its job, albeit slowly.
With a deep breath, I limped over to the thing floating along the surface. My feet slashed in the murky water and mud. As I approached, I noticed a shimmering residue in the water, almost like a mirage.
Kneeling down, I reached out tentatively and touched the water. It felt cool against my fingers, sending a shiver down my spine. The surface rippled softly as if responding to my touch.
"What was that?" I muttered to myself, bewildered.
As I pondered, the realization slowly dawned on me that I had been spared by some extraordinary individual. The golden figure had saved me from... I'm 100% sure, certain death.
But why? And who was that figure? Questions swirled in my mind. I needed answers, but... I'll have to wait... I have a job to do. After that thought, I focused on what was floating in the water.
It looks like a bag with a clear gemstone intertwined within the leather. I picked it up and surprisingly, it's as light as a feather.
Suddenly, the cuff beeped. I kinda wasn't expecting it to so I jumped. "Subject has been around mana with AA serum active. Mana has risen to the max of a hundred. The subject is holding a magic item. Would you like to use the magic item?"
"... Huh?", I muttered. It's the first time the cuff asked me a question. How am I supposed to answer? Can it hear me?
"Whatever...", I chose to ignore it and open the bag, however, the bag was empty. "..."
I look back at the cuff, "..." I sigh, "Yes... I would like to use the magic item..."
I finally responded to the cuff, half-expecting nothing to happen. Yet, as soon as the words left my lips, the gemstone set in the leather of the bag began to glow golden.
The gemstone pulsed with a gentle light, casting shimmering reflections on the water's surface. I cautiously placed my hand on the gem, feeling a surge of warmth spreading through my fingers.
The cuff beeped again, "Fifteen Mana used. Magic item identified: Bag of Space. The space in the bag acts as a pocket dimension as long as the bag contains Mana. It can hold almost an infinite supply of items, however, it cannot contain gasses that are not contained such as 'oxygen'."
Almost immediately as it finished speaking, I opened the bag once again. However I just saw an empty void, I still decided to reach in and suddenly I felt something enter my hand. I pull it out of the bag and in my hand is a large black scale that fades into light grey at the tip. The scale is also almost twice the size of my hand.
I stared at it in my hand, its smooth surface cool against my skin. It's obviously the Chimera Serpent's... So, why is it in this bag? "Wait...", I paused, "Did he give this to me? How did he know I was after these?", I asked myself.
As I pondered, the bag's gemstone continued to glow softly, reflecting onto the murky water. I carefully placed the scale inside the bag, marveling as it disappeared into the void-like space.
The pain in my back and arm throbbed as it started to fade. With a deep breath, I focused on my next steps. Literally and figuratively.
I put the bag in my backpack before taking out my compass.
I just want to get out of here quickly... Who knows, what if there's another one of those monstrosities?
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