บท 21: Chapter 21: Selvà

[Asher Amire Vaishè's POV.]

No, this couldn't be real, could it? My mind raced, desperately trying to rationalize the surreal situation unfolding before me. But the truth was undeniable, and panic began to set in.

"Why the hell is this thing under here?" I bellowed at Ines, my voice betraying a mixture of fear and anger. She clung to the stone, her movements erratic as she shifted her weight towards the wall.

Suddenly, she twisted her body upside down, clinging to the ceiling like some sort of arachnid. I watched in disbelief as she defied gravity, a desperate attempt to escape the impending danger.

Rumble*

The ground beneath me trembled ominously, sending a surge of dread coursing through my veins.

Next thing I knew, instinct took over, and I sprinted towards Ines, my heart pounding in my chest. But before I could reach her, the ground beneath me gave way with a sickening *crack*, sending shards of glass flying in all directions.

A colossal head emerged from the gaping hole in the floor, towering over me with menacing intensity. Its scales shimmered in the dim light, each one gleaming with an otherworldly iridescence. Its eyes, glowing with an eerie crimson hue, locked onto mine with a primal intensity that sent shivers down my spine.

The deafening roar that followed echoed through the chamber, reverberating off the walls with a bone-chilling *rumble*. I slammed into the nearby wall, the force of the impact knocking the wind out of me. But somehow, I managed to cling to the stone ledge with one hand, my fingers digging into the rough surface with desperate determination.

Face to face with the monstrous basilisk, I felt a surge of adrenaline course through my veins. Its breath was hot and fetid, its gaze filled with an insatiable hunger. And as I stared into those abyssal eyes, I knew that I was in for the fight of my life....or maybe just for a small snack for this guy.

Meanwhile, Ines had begun to cautiously climb towards the safety of the ceiling, leaving me to face the creature alone. As she retreated further out of reach- Bitch.

The Northern Basilisk, a formidable creature of legend and dread, loomed before me with a presence that seemed to defy the very laws of nature. Its massive head, adorned with jagged horns and rows of razor-sharp teeth, filled the chamber with a palpable sense of menace. Each scale that adorned its sleek, serpentine body shimmered with an otherworldly iridescence, reflecting the dim light of the chamber in a mesmerizing display of color.

The creature's eyes, glowing with a fierce crimson light, held a predatory intelligence that sent a chill down my spine. Its gaze seemed to pierce through my very soul, leaving me feeling exposed and vulnerable in its presence.

As I struggled to comprehend the enormity of the beast before me, I couldn't help but marvel at its sheer size and power. From what I could see, the basilisk's body extended downward into the abyss below, disappearing into the darkness with an ominous finality. It was a creature of immense proportions, easily dwarfing anything I had ever encountered before.

But it was not just its size that inspired fear and awe—it was the creature's reputation as a protected mana beast in the Megla Empire that truly set it apart. Known for its ferocity and unmatched strength, the Northern Basilisk was revered as a symbol of power and dominance. Its ability to rip apart even the most formidable opponents with ease made it a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

But perhaps what made the Northern Basilisk truly unique was its connection to the mana streams that flowed beneath the surface of the earth. Legend had it that these creatures were born from the very essence of mana itself, imbued with a primal energy that made them virtually unstoppable in combat. It was this mystical connection to the mana streams that earned the basilisk its status as a protected creature in the Megla Empire, revered and feared in equal measure by all who encountered it.

.....too much yapping I know.

I snapped back to reality, my heart racing as I faced the Northern Basilisk head-on. There was no time for marveling at its size or pondering its origins—not when my life hung in the balance.

With a surge of adrenaline, I focused on survival. Gripping the stone ledge with all my strength, I searched for any possible means of escape. But the basilisk's presence filled the chamber, leaving little room for maneuver.

I glanced upward, catching a glimpse of Ines as she climbed toward safety. Anger flared within me at her, but I pushed the emotion aside. Right now, my priority was finding a way out of this place.

As the basilisk's gaze bore down on me with predatory intent, I knew I had to act fast. With a swift motion—well, to be honest, I just thought this was it, I was dead.

"Fuck—" I was muttering under my breath until I felt a slight burning sensation on my arm.

I looked down and read the letters printed on my arm carefully:

[Use Selvà! You dumbass!]

...and what's that gonna do? Give me the ability to look into the bones of this big guy?

[Just use it!]

"Selvà!"