Capítulo 8: Mission Accomplished?
Ren and Nagini were moving in the right direction and soon, the density of the fog lessened, and they could see each other a bit more clearly. It also allowed Ren to breathe better but with each step he took, he weakened.
"What is up with me?" He held his side a bit harder and every moment, Nagini expressed concern but always told her not to worry about it. His vision was blurring, and he was sweating bullets despite the forest's temperature being low. Whatever was wrong with him, he pushed it aside, and only held the thought of coming back to Reina with the antidote for her people. Nothing else mattered more than that.
Eventually, they came to a water source. It looked like what they were looking for. The pond was covered with large trees and many other forms of vegetation. The most prominent ones were flowers that Ren had never seen before, bold with shades of purple and blue, they looked like they came out from a dream. Ren's eyes lit up with excitement, the same flowers that looked too beautiful to be picked, held the antidote that was needed to save Reina's people. Their journey had come to an end.
Some even grew on the surface of the pond and with his trusty old sackcloth, he moved closer to pluck some while Nagini slithered around the pond, exploring the natural beauty. Of course, Ren didn't pick them with his bare hands as he didnt know if they would be poisonous to him so he covered them with a fabric. Unfortunately, the smile was wiped off his face when he heard something.
The screech.
From the dense underbrush emerged a massive spider, its carapace glistening black like polished obsidian, legs spindly yet powerful, tipped with razor-sharp points. Its many eyes gleamed with hunger as it bared dripping mandibles, oozing with green venom that sizzled as it hit the forest floor.
Ren stumbled back, his sack of flowers slipping from his hand and spilling across the dirt. He reached for his dagger, gripping it tightly, the blade glinting faintly in the dim light. Beside him, Nagini coiled her massive body, her golden scales rippling with tension.
The spider let out another screech and lunged forward, its legs pounding against the ground like thunderclaps. Ren and Nagini split instinctively, the force of its charge sending leaves and dust flying. The spider turned its many eyes on Ren, venom dripping from its mandibles.
It struck.
Ren dove to the side, the spider's jaws snapping shut on empty air. He rolled back to his feet, his dagger ready, but the beast was relentless. Its legs were a blur as it charged again, this time swiping at him with one of its sharp limbs. Ren barely dodged, the claw tearing through his shirt and slicing a shallow wound across his ribs. Pain flared through his side, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving.
Nagini saw her opening. With a fierce hiss, she launched herself at the spider, her powerful body wrapping tightly around its torso. Her fangs sank into its armoured exoskeleton, injecting her venom. The spider screeched in fury, its legs flailing as it tried to shake her off. One of its limbs stabbed backward, piercing Nagini's flesh.
The snake let out a pained hiss as the spider hurled her off, slamming her into a nearby tree. Before she could recover, it spat a web, pinning her to the bark. The silky strands glowed faintly in the fog, binding her tightly.
"Nagini!" Ren shouted, his voice hoarse with worry. He wanted to run to her, but the spider had other news for him.
The spider turned back to him, its mandibles clicking with deadly intent. Ren staggered back, clutching his side, blood seeping through his fingers. His breaths were shallow, his strength waning. He knew he couldn't keep dodging forever. The beast was too fast, too strong. And he was wounded, but he would be damned if he gave up.
But he wasn't done yet!
Focusing through the pain, Ren felt a surge of energy course through him. His vision sharpened, and his grip on the dagger steadied. He couldn't afford to hold back any more.
The spider lunged, spitting acid that sizzled against the ground where Ren had just been. He ducked, sidestepped, and countered with a slash, his blade grazing one of its legs. It screeched and scuttled backward, climbing a nearby tree with frightening speed. From above, it spat webs and lashed out with its legs, forcing Ren to dodge repeatedly.
His movements were slowing. Blood loss made his head spin, and his legs felt like lead. A web shot out, striking his arm and pinning him against a tree. Another web followed, wrapping around his torso and legs. Ren struggled, but the sticky strands held firm.
The spider approached, its mandibles opening wide as it prepared to bite.
"Ain't no way I'm going to be spider food!" Ren growled through clenched teeth. He closed his eyes, tapping into the well of power within him, "I promised… Reina… Back off!" The energy erupted outward, a blinding burst of light and force that sent the spider flying back with a deafening screech.
In that instant, something changed.
The energy flowed into Nagini, still bound to the tree. Her body glowed faintly, her scales shimmering with an otherworldly light. The web strands snapped as her form grew larger, her coils thickening, her fangs lengthening into deadly daggers. When she opened her mouth, her hiss was a thunderous roar that echoed through the fog.
She struck with unmatched ferocity, her speed, and agility far beyond what they had been. Her fangs sank deep into the spider's body, and this time, her venom visibly spread through its limbs, darkening its carapace. The spider thrashed, its legs flailing wildly, but Nagini held firm, wrapping around it like an unbreakable chain.
Ren used the distraction to break free of the web, tearing the strands with his dagger. His chest heaved as he stumbled forward, watching in awe as Nagini dominated the monstrous spider.
"I've got you now!" he growled with his failing strength, extending his hand. He reached out with his power, attempting to tame the spider. For a moment, its movements slowed, its many eyes locking onto him.
But the beast resisted. With a final, desperate surge of strength, it knocked Nagini off and leaped into the trees, disappearing into the fog.
Nagini hissed angrily, but Ren placed a hand on her heavily scaled body, now towering beside him.
"Let it go," he said, his voice soft but steady, "We survived… That's what matters… We can…" his world spun. Ren could feel himself slipping into unconsciousness and the last thing he thought of was Reina and the look on her face. She seemed so afraid, so sad, so broken, and it tore him apart. With a pained smile, he coughed out more blood and fell to the ground with a broken thud.
"I'm sorry… Reina…" and darkness took him.
Presentes
-- Presente
recebido Status de energia semanal
-- Ranking de
Poder 
-- Pedra de
Poder