Chapter 11: The Pursuit of Immortality
"Protect our Lord!" The two Knights charged forward, determined to save their leader, Ron. The Mankestre Snake let out a ferocious roar and swiftly devoured the two Knights.
"Secondary Fireball!"
"Acidic Aqua Shot."
The other acolytes simultaneously cast their spells, bombarding the colossal snake. A black arrow, engulfed in a yellow flame, erupted from the snake's body, leaving two scorched wounds.
The snake roared in agony, its scales quivering. It lashed its tail towards the remaining acolytes, turning some into bloody messes beneath its immense body.
"No! Decker! Lancer!" Murphy cried out in anguish.
"We have no choice but to retreat for now," the grey-robed figure behind Ron declared, his voice resolute.
"No, this wretched creature dared to kill Decker and the others! I won't let it go unpunished!" Murphy's eyes blazed with fury.
"I have a spell that can temporarily immobilize it. The rest is up to you," Ron said calmly.
Stepping forward, Ron held a monocle, and with a swift motion, he threw it toward the snake. The glass shattered on the snake's skin, revealing dark red runes that multiplied and formed a chain-like structure, binding the snake in place.
"What a potent restraining spell!" Ron observed. "It won't be able to move for at least half a minute. Use that time wisely."
The fine rune shackles, though minuscule compared to the snake, held it firmly to the ground, rendering it immobile.
"Charge!" Jackson, their ally, roared, brandishing his glowing sword.
Simultaneously, the grey-robed figure revealed a Half-Beast Man form, chanting an incantation. Creatures rushed towards Ron's group, disregarding their own safety.
"Expel!" Ron retrieved a few fire-red explosive potions and obliterated the oncoming creatures.
"The Mankestre snake's eyes are its Achilles' heel, more vulnerable than its heart," Ron explained. As he chanted in the ancient Byron language, black, oily figures surrounded him, constantly changing and coalescing into a black lion head.
"Attack!" Ron pointed, and the black lion head lunged at the snake's eyes.
The snake writhed in agony, the rune shackles emitting red smoke. It was helpless as the lion head tore into its eyes.
"Now!" Ron withdrew a test tube radiating a dangerous red light. This explosive potion had a larger blast radius and circumference compared to the previous ones.
With a powerful toss, the potion engulfed the snake, turning it into a blazing inferno. The snake thrashed about, the rune shackles emitting ominous creaks.
"Pant, pant! The earlier attack has weakened the snake significantly. Now is the time to finish it!" Ron feigned exhaustion for his allies.
The Half-Beast Man completed his spell, imbuing Jackson's sword with frigid ice, transforming it into a frost greatsword. With a mighty swing, Jackson delivered a devastating blow to the snake's neck.
Blood gushed from the deep wound, and the snake retaliated, knocking Jackson aside. The frost greatsword shattered into fragments.
Murphy struggled to control the spell, and the rune shackles finally collapsed with a rattling sound. The snake had suffered numerous injuries in the process.
In a final act of desperation, the snake's tail coiled around the Half-Beast Man, crushing him to death.
Leylin observed closely, readying various potions. A massive figure knocked a yellow test tube from his hand, causing a protective yellow barrier to encase Leylin.
The impact sent Leylin crashing into a granite rock, leaving a deep impression. Simultaneously, the snake's tail released a burst of intense red flames, followed by a variety of colored lights.
The yellow barrier shattered into pieces but left Leylin unscathed.
"Leylin!" Murphy exclaimed in astonishment. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine, although I've wasted an expensive defensive potion," Leylin replied calmly.
The Mankestre snake lay nearly defeated, its pride now a shadow of what it once was. Ron and his allies were determined to see the pursuit of immortality through to the end. Murphy took aim and fired a green pyramid shaft into the snake's eyes, finally piercing them and releasing a sparkling, translucent liquid.