Parasite
1222 Words
"Let's go."
"Just behind you, Eight."
We sprinted towards the giant rotten jellyfish. I dashed ahead s***h our way through its tentacles. The tentacles attacked from random locations and I've been forced to stop my advance and go on the defensive.
It's an endless supply of attacks coming from the jellyfish.
I'm struggling to keep on.
"Hold on there, Eight!"
Agony dashed forward to help me out with her estoc at hand. She stabbed each incoming attack with extreme precision and power that is enough to burst anything its tip touches. However, it was not enough. Soon, the tentacles came at us with faster speed.
Then we found ourselves outside the range of the attack. No, we're no longer directly underneath the jellyfish.
"Eh?"
"Huh? What just—"
"You guys are reckless. You need to reevaluate your plan."
I turned around to see Yukti crossing his arms and squinting his eyes.
"Eh? Yukti, what just happened?"
"I used a rune card to relocate the two of you, Eight. Agony, try to recollect the part of Cory's memories. There should be something about these things. Juggle your memories. Don't worry, we have plenty of time."
"O-okay... I will try."
I closed my eyes and tried the best I could to search for clues within Cory's memory.
•••
"Guhaaa!"
"We finally beat him!"
"That cult priest sure is one tough cookie— Wait, Cory! Something is happening to the guy!"
"Eh what!? Why is his body bubbling!? Gross!"
"Let's retreat from this cramped space! We can't afford to be buried under rubbles!"
"On it!"
Cory and Yukti desperately ran towards the exit of a cave.
It's a hidden laboratory that they're in.
"Hey, Yukti. Just what is that?"
"I don't know Cory. But just its appearance alone screams danger."
With Cory's view of perspective, I saw the same jellyfish we were facing this time. It managed to destroy the ceiling of the cave. It's sunny during this time, so just like what Yukti told us before, they are so damn fast whenever it's touched by sunlight.
Cory used her scythe -- the wooden one -- to intercept every attack directed at them. To lessen the burden, Yukti got behind her, making the tentacle strikes easier to fend off. But then she was blown away when some tentacles hit her. She guarded, but the rod part of her scythe that she used to defend herself. Yukti caught her before they tumbled and rolled on the ground.
"Yukti! Are you alright!?"
"I'm fine. These are all but scratches. More importantly, your scythe got destroyed. We need to regroup— Tch!"
"We don't have time for that! These tentacles are chasing us!"
"Use this!"
Yukti threw a rune card in Cory's direction. She caught it, all the while making outstanding acrobatic movements.
"It doesn't have a name yet, but just pour your rune essence on it!"
"Eh!? O-okay! Wait, Yukti! Incoming attack coming from your side!"
Yukti got a heavy blow and was thrown away. However, another Yukti appeared just after his body was blasted away.
Unlike Cory, Yukti didn't use any acrobatic movements. He only used simple ones like stepping backward and to the sides. He was thrown many times already. And yet he's still standing. Whenever an attack hits him, a new one appears.
The same process happened over and over again.
I guess Cory couldn't believe her eyes since she kept on mumbling, "What the heck is this guy? Is he some immortal being?"
Even the jellyfish started focusing on Yukti, no longer attacking Cory.
"Just as planned. Cory! Do it now! But keep your output to a bare minimum. It doesn't matter if it'll take longer to activate that rune card, I'll distract it as you focus on that!"
From what I've just heard from Yukti, this jellyfish was enthralled to attack any being that's using rune card...no, the rune essence itself. His constant spawning uses a lot of rune essence, garnering the attention of the beast.
Cory seemingly nods and holds the rune card with both of her hands and started channeling her rune essence little by little. She could have done it faster if she inputted the rune essence at a faster pace. But the jellyfish might notice her and diverts its attacks to her instead.
"Hold on, Yukti...it'll be finished soon enough!"
"Don't you worry about me! Just do what you can! You got—"
Yukti wasn't able to finish his speech as he was blown away by the enemy. Another one popped out near the body before it got blown away by the attack.
"Just do what you can! You got—"
Blown once more.
"You got—"
And again.
"You—"
And again.
"Goddamn, let me finish my sentence!"
Yep. He's mad.
Who wouldn't?
"There! Done! Yukti! What should I do next?"
"Use [Teleport] and go above its head! If its characteristics are the same as that aquatic nonliving organism, the head never stings! Activate the rune card and slice the head in half!"
"Got it! [Teleport]!"
Her vision blurred for a moment as she was brought instantly directly above the rotten jellyfish's head.
"Geh! This place stinks! Rune card, activate!"
The rune card shone and from it comes a near-transparent scythe. It has the same weight and size as that wooden scythe of hers.
"Just when did he make— Nevermind that, I need to finish this one first! Haaaaaaaa!"
The scythe dimly glowed as she channeled her rune essence on it.
"Ah."
The next thing that happened is superb and frightening at the same time.
She split it in half. Even the ground got a thin wedge on it.
And sliced Yukti (unfortunately). But no worries there, another one popped out beside Yukti's hacked body.
"[Teleport]."
She appeared right next to Yukti, who's smiling yet his eyes weren't.
"Welcome back, Cory."
"Ehehehe... I'm back?"
"Now, could you explain why you inserted a lot of rune essence instead of using the bare minimum I told you earlier?"
"Eeeek! Your face is scaring me!"
"Hoh? Don't change the subject. Fufufu..."
"Uwaaaaaaaaah!"
Okay, Yukti... Just what's with the last part?
•••
"Got it. Hey, Eight! I need your help!"
"I'm all ears, Agony!"
Great, she's formulating a strategy after learning from Cory's experience. I hope she nurtures that ability well.
"Increase the input of your rune essence on the daggers. I'll do a long-ranged attack at the rear. It seems that this jellyfish loves to s***k those who are using rune essence in huge amounts."
"s***k?"
"Nevermind that. Anyway, if it's possible, do your maximum output!"
"Okay, got it", responded Eight with her blades now glowing red, sprinting towards the enemy. Every swing also forms mini projectiles that travel a short distance, a better decision than what they did earlier.
She did some fancy moves, that's for sure.
Meanwhile, Agony used a...bow?
Just how many weapons does this girl could use?
"It's time for your doom."
The bow has a length long enough to reach her knees and slightly above the head.
She pulled the string. A sparkling arrow slowly manifests from her finger.
"Eight! Please endure this tedious strategy for a couple more minutes!"
"Okay!"
Looking at them made me feel nostalgia.
Cory...my big sister figure... I'll avenge you.
- Writer
