~Content Warning: Body Horror~
Valena's POV
I fight the urge to vomit, intently taking gulps of air as I turn away from the pile of bones. Brocken appears from behind the corner he fled to, his skin pale and sweaty despite the cold air.
"The others are coming." Oyvind warns, translating for his companion. "Drawn here by the noise, let's hope." He adds.
"Retreat is not an option. We'll be routed if we try to leave with Grieg- we might be routed even if we leave him behind." Terne readies her weapons. Unlike the highly modified claws she was using before, these ones are simpler in their design. I nod grimly before retrieving my helmet from the floor.
A low, guttural growl rises from somewhere. Rafflina turns her head to face the source of the noise, fully utilizing her species' ability to sense heat-sources to give us an edge. Her head-frills unfold, long blade-like scales forming a sturdy yet flexible shield to protect her weakest spot, the area where her neck meets her head.
Great Armolisks are fully armored by steel-like scales that rival even the finest craftsmanship in terms of flexibility and defence. It also has four great frills, two on its head, and one on each forearm, that is either used for offense or defense.
To say the two meter (~6,5 feet~) tall Reptileoid keeps the enemy at bay is an understatement.
'Kssss'
Rafflina hisses, a noise accompanied by the grating of metal against metal as she rubs her fore-arm frills together. As if in response, something busts through the wall she was looking at. A horrid squeal sounds as whatever it is charges the Armolisk.
"Protect the body! Shield!" Brocken calls out, using an incantation. Although it's short, it's enough to tip anyone well versed in magic off that he's not used to casting this Spell. The more often a Spell is cast, the less ones need to 'state intent' when doing it.
Most make do with simply shouting the name of the Spell, the step beyond this is putting the incantation to thought, not saying anything as the Spell is cast. At least, that's what Merkiv told me when we were practicing magic.
Rafflina's body glows with azure as she moves to intercept the charging thing. Rearing up onto her hind legs, her long tail acts as a third leg, making it incredibly difficult to topple her. As the dust settles slightly, we can all see what she's grappling with.
It's easily nearly three meters (~9,8 feet~) tall, with a hulking frame bulging with muscle. As if to offset this, its gut is massive, reaching nearly to its knees. Small, beady eyes are set deep into its skull, which shares an uncanny resemblance to a Entelodontis, though there's a disturbing hint of humanoid features there too.
Its meaty hands have two fingers and a thumb, and its hind legs look like someone scaled up the hind legs of a Razorback and glued them on.
"Hold your fire! You might hit Rafflina!" Oyvind shouts as he himself readies his bow. Having fought alongside his companion monster since he was ten, he is the man most suited to take pot-shots now that she's holding down the other 'monster'.
Well- I don't even know what to call this thing. It doesn't feel right to call them monsters. Abominations perhaps? Yes, that feels more correct.
Oyvind lets loose several arrows in quick succession. Those that aim for the abominations legs and arms simply bounce off, barely leaving a cut where they hit. Those that hits its massive stomach sink in with relative ease, lodging deep, but the abomination doesn't even take notice of this.
"Tch- too fat!" Oyvind curses under his breath. "Rafflina!" He calls to his companion, who responds with renewed effort. With surprising grace, she shifts her weight, moving her tail with force and toppling the abomination with a swift strike to its ankle.
There's a loud tremor as the hefty creature hits the ground. As Rafflina backs off, a barrage of Spells from Merkiv, Brocken and Terne pummel it.
"Spearfall!"
Wanda somehow leaps high into the air, no doubt aided by a Skill, their spear at the ready. As gravity takes hold of them, they thrust towards the prone abomination. It squeals with pain as its chest caves in on itself from the force, yet still it lives.
"N-No! Let go!" Wanda cries as the creature firmly grabs their legs and begins pulling.
"Grant me the power to cut the very air! Wind-Devil's Cleave!" I quickly chant, and a powerful gust of wind envelops my weapons. Without thinking, I rush at the pair. Aiming for the elbow of the abomination, I slice at it with one sword.
The benefit of using paired swords is that the effect of element imbuing Spells don't end until you've hit with both weapons. So as the first elbow erupts in blood as the Spell does its job, I circle around to the other side, aiming for the other arm.
"Valena, look out!" Just as I'm about to land the blow, Dina cries out. "Behind you!" I spin around, my Spell-charged sword making a blind cut towards whatever it is.
"Sqrue-eee-!"
A terrible, headache inducing cry assaults me as I feel the slightest resistance in my movement- my sword hit something soft and vulnerable. I'm then bathed in a powdery substance of some kind, I can feel it on my face- in my eyes! My sight blurs almost instantly as the powder gets in my eyes.
I stumble to the side, some sort of instinct telling me to do so, and feel the wind-pressure off the abomination behind me slamming its remaining hand down in order to squish me.
"Thank you, Valena." I hear Wanda to my left just as I'm hoisted up off the ground and carried away. My vision's now gone completely, it's all black. I do feel my face being wet with tears from the powder hitting my eyes, but it's also oddly numb.
I sense Peony, her perfume giving her away, in front of me as Wanda sets me down. "Come on, Recover!" She urgently tries to cure my condition. There's a pause, perhaps she's checking on me with a Lens. "No- no use, those scales, they just reapply the Status."
I hear the sound of a waterskin, then- "I'm sorry if this hurts, Valena." I feel one eye being forced open. Even though I'm aware, it's like I'm stuck inside my own head. I can hear, smell- but I can't move. I could just a moment ago, but now I'm sitting limply on the ground.
It stings when water is poured on my left eye. "Shit- Shit shit shit" Peony is being very unladylike, I think. "Valena, listen to me, this is important!" I feel her harshly shaking my body. "You need to call the Monarch! She should be able to save you. That Mothrin-looking thing, its wings released some sort of powder when you hit it, and those scales are inflicting some sort of Status I'm not able to cure."
Ah- I- I can't feel my feet anymore-
*"Please- Millibelle- Help me..."*
Shadow's POV
"Please- Millibelle- He-"
My eyes spring wide open, an icy cold dread snaking its way up my spine. Valena! Her voice is really weak. I double-check my MP before responding. We should be good. I close my eyes again before feeling the uncomfortable yanking sensation right behind my heart that accompanies teleportation.
As I open my eyes, a scene of total chaos unfolds before me. There's fighting going on, the stench of burnt flesh, two unmoving shapes off to the side- It's overwhelming.
I steady my breathing, focusing on sorting through the onslaught of information. There are three hostiles, one is heavily wounded. Ten friendlies- nine humanoids, one monster- one humanoid is unconscious. Valena is hurt, I can't treat her whilst there's fighting going on.
"Get away from those things!" I shout towards the two people currently engaging the three Malice-afflicted humanoids. Their shape and form, it's unlike anything in this World, yet they resemble monsters from Millibelle's World... I don't know why this is, and I don't rightly care.
Shock, then elation as the others see my presence. The two melee combatants disengage, and before the chimerified humanoids have a chance to follow, I root them in place with a Wide-Cast Dark Shackle, then follow up with a Ray of Heaven. The area of effect should be enough to hit all three.
For a moment, it's as if there's a second sun in the sky, situated right above the three chimerified humanoids. There's an acrid smell in the air as the immediate area heats up slightly. Then, with a ruinous boom, a massive hole is punched in the gray cloud-cover and a huge beam of pure light descends on the three targets.
I feel the Dark of the Dark Shackle react violently to the Light of the Ray of Heaven, unintentionally setting off an explosion that levels the surroundings and knocking the humanoids closest to the blast prone from the force.
As the incandescent light fades, I peer over to where the three abominations once were. All that's left is three indents in the now shiny, stained glass-like earth. W-What power! I glance over at the humanoids, these must be the Champions... They're all staring at me with awe.
I then nearly buckle over in pain as our body absorbs the corrupted power of the three chimerified humanoids. A-agh- Quick- must... shed-
I reach within our chest, using Viscous Body to facilitate the removal of the head-sized Malice Core. I quickly store it before regaining my composure. I even feel Her becoming calmer, surely this will speed her recovery.
*Power Osmosis Successful. Displaying Results:*
*Warning: All Stats absorbed were corrupted, unable to integrate*
*Warning: All Skills absorbed were corrupted, unable to integrate*
*Warning: All Spells absorbed were corrupted, unable to integrate*
*No changes were made: All absorbed power was corrupted*
I-It's getting worse... Before, we might be able to recover one or two Skills from something with Malice in it, but now... No, this is something for later!
I turn to Valena, who is being supported by a silver haired female human. I... I seem to recognize her features... She looks almost just like Delpha! This, too, is something for later.
"She's completely limp, I've tried to heal her but I'm just not able to..." The woman seems on the verge of tears. Beside her lies a human man in full armor, though his left arm is completely fucked. He might have fainted from the pain.
I refocus my attention on Valena as the other humanoids come closer. Her face and upper body is covered in some sort of iridescent powder. I reach out a hand to touch it, only to feel the creeping dread of the Malice in it. Okay, let's take stock of her overall status.
Valena Argenfeather
Species: ???
Gender: ???
Status: Oblivion (Grand), Temporary HP Recovery (Lesser)
HP: 240/475
MP: 0/450
SP: 100/475
W-What the fuck? What's going on here?!
*Unknown.*
You don't know?!
*Error*
For the love of- okay, we try this then.
[GetStatusParameters_Oblivion]
[Status Specifications: IfActive:True_(SetSpecies_???, SetGender_???, ApplyEffect_Poison02, ApplyEffect_Paraplegic05, ApplyEffect_Blind05, ̸ÌÌ),
IfActive:False_NullOperation. Is Cure Susceptible? False, Is Recover Susceptible? True, Is Miracure Susceptible? True.]
It... It changes her?! I have to stop this somehow. I reach out to her face again, ignoring the intense feeling of danger, and try to rub off the powder.
"It's no use, I tried with both water and a cloth, it's like it's fused to her skin!" The silver haired woman is weeping now, tightly clutching Valena against her bosom.
If that's the case... "You might want to look away, human." I tell the woman as I retract my hand just slightly before using Viscous Body on it. Though retaining its form, it turns transparent. Gently pressing it on Valena's exposed skin, I feel the powder enter our body, as if it's seeking an easier target.
Indeed, the effect is startling. As if I'm using a straw to suck up dye, the purple-almost-black scales willingly detach and flow into the transparent appendage as soon as the two come in contact.
Although the skin left behind is raw and bloody, at least the scaly powder is gone. Having cleaned her exposed skin, I quickly coat her armor in myself to get rid of any clinging to it before gently prying open her left eyelid.
A pure purple orb stares back at me, almost causing me to slip and pierce it with my claws in shock. It's too late for them, I'm afraid.
"I'm going to have to excise them." I warn the humanoids gathered around.
"Is there no other way? I mean, she'll be blinded..." A small beastfolk man, closely enveloped in the guarding tail of what seems to be a super-armored Iguanodon-like monster asks.
"There's no other way. Either I remove her eyes and try to cure her Status once all the scales causing the effect are removed, or she..." I hesitate a moment, but keep explaining. It's better that they know how bad it is. "Or she will die due to her HP dropping to zero from the Poison effect this Status also has, or she'll become one of... one of those things you fought."
Shock and horror ripple through the group. "How can you know that?" The silver haired human asks quietly.
I consider my options before picking the explanation I think will make most sense to them. "I am the Monarch, effectively the Elder Dragon of Magic itself. I'm able to discern its patterns, causes and effects. Statuses are a kind of Magic enacted upon the body, so I'm able to analyze it to see what it does, even if it's a completely new Status like this Oblivion is."
A quiet comes over the group, disrupted only by the sudden spasm of Valenas body. It's luckily only a quick tremor, but we're running out of time. I steady myself before bringing my amorphous appendage towards her eyeball. Letting it envelop it, Phagocytosis kicks in, and the eye dissolves immediately.
I repeat for the other eye as well. "Now for the moment of truth." I mumble to myself as my hand returns to normal. Casting Miracure on her, I carefully watch for anything abnormal happening. The soft glow of Life Magic suffusing her body slowly fades, and Valena groggily stirs from her unconsciousness. I double-check her Status.
Valena Argenfeather
Species: Ayvin (Humanoid) (Uncommon)
Gender: Female
Status: Temporary HP Recovery (Lesser)
HP: 200/475
MP: 0/450
SP: 100/475
A-Ah! I did it!
"Valena! You're okay!" The silver haired woman throws her arms around Valena, who seems very confused about what's happening.
"W-where am I? I... I remember fighting- Wanda was caught- and then... then it's blank." Valena looks around before spotting me. "Ah! Millibelle! I called for you?"
My heart sinks a bit when she looks at me. Not because I'm not Millibelle, no. Her eyes, they were a grayish blue.
Now they're a vivid purple.