The monster's tail strike was right in front of Zeos's eyes. In an instant, driven by a primal, subconscious urge, he unleashed his third technique.
Technique 3: Shock Spear
Aiming his spear downward, he triggered a massive explosion, and hundreds of immense spears erupted from the depths of the sea, striking the monster in a relentless barrage. The explosion was cataclysmic, and a piercing, high-pitched screech echoed as the spears clashed against the creature's incredibly tough hide. Zeos immediately retreated, his eyes wide as he watched his attack unfold. He realized that even his most powerful assault couldn't penetrate the monster's defenses. A terrifying realization washed over him—this creature wasn't just an enemy; it was a predator, and Zeos was its prey. A cold sweat broke out on his brow, and he swallowed hard, but a burning fighting spirit ignited within him. "This reminds me of my fight with that dragon," he muttered, a grim smile forming on his lips. "Alright, let's go!"
With a battle cry, Zeos charged forward at blinding speed. He gathered all his strength, every muscle coiling and straining, aiming to strike the monster's single eye. He launched his second technique.
Technique 2: Dragon Spear Thrust
The attack shot forth in a straight line, generating a sonic boom as it tore through the air. The monster responded instantly, coiling its massive body and spinning at an impossible speed. This rapid rotation generated a swirling water shield that deflected Zeos's attack, splitting the ocean itself with the force. Zeos was stunned. "What was that?! My attack was deflected just by you spinning? Is this a joke?!" he yelled in disbelief.
The monster retaliated immediately, launching thousands of high-pressure water projectiles in a devastating straight-line attack. Zeos had managed to dodge previous attacks, but this one was impossible to avoid. He braced himself, trying to block the onslaught, but the force was overwhelming. He was sent flying fifty kilometers back, tumbling across the surface of the water.
"Ugh, this is insane," Zeos gasped, his arms trembling violently from the impact. "Just holding off that attack made both my hands shake." He looked back at Zego, who was clinging to him. "Zego, are you hurt?"
"I'm fine, Uncle," Zego replied, his voice firm despite the fear in his eyes. "You should focus on your fight, Uncle. Don't worry about me."
Still gasping for breath, Zeos quickly scanned the horizon for land. "Argh, after running all day, and now I have to fight this monster... This is so heavy, damn it!" he grumbled in frustration.
Suddenly, a shift in the air caught his attention. "Ah! It's here!" Zeos took a fighting stance. The surroundings were eerily silent. The ocean showed no signs of movement. Yet his instincts, honed over decades of combat, screamed that the monster was close.
"Ah, so that's where you are," Zeos said, finally pinpointing its location. He immediately focused his aura into his spear and launched his fourth technique.
Technique 4: Shattered Sky
This attack was a beautiful, devastating sight. Countless silver shards, like tiny spears, rained down with incredible force. Unlike his previous blunt-force strikes, Zeos focused all his aura into needle-thin points, which tore through the monster's hide as if it were paper. As each silver shard struck, a sound like shattering glass echoed, the vibrations cracking the ocean's surface beneath the creature.
The monster recoiled violently. Its singular eye blazed with fury and pain. Instead of an attack, a guttural roar, deeper and more terrifying than before, shook the very sea. It finally emerged completely from the depths, a pool of thick, black blood oozing from the holes in its hide, staining the blue seawater.
"Finally, you show me your ugly face, you bastard!" Zeos yelled in anger.
The monster immediately lashed its tail at Zeos. A massive, spiny orb slammed into him, sending him flying far into the distance. Zego, clinging on tight, felt his small body get battered by the whiplash of the impact. He bit his lip to stifle a cry, refusing to distract his uncle. Zeos was hit by the attack, his body torn and suffering severe bleeding. Fortunately, Zego was unharmed.
Zeos realized he could no longer push himself. The searing pain in his chest, as if his own life force had been fragmented along with his attack, was a horrifying warning. Every second he spent fighting was a second that could end his life.
Recognizing the extreme danger, Zeos made the decision to flee, enduring the agonizing pain. With a determined leap, he launched himself forward. "Argh, it hurts so much!" he groaned. Black blood—the same as the monster's—oozed from a jagged hole near his ribs, staining the seawater around them. His body was now riddled with holes from the previous attack. His eyes were beginning to lose focus, but he forced himself to stay conscious for Zego's sake.
The wounds from Shattered Sky had finally taken their toll on the monster. Zeos could feel the creature following him from a distance, but its speed was slightly slower, allowing Zeos to maintain his lead. Zeos shot forward at full speed, relying on every last bit of strength he had left. His mind was filled with Zego; he had to protect him, no matter the cost.
After nearly a full day of pushing himself, the western land finally came into sight. A long, white-sand beach stretched out before him. Zeos's heart pounded, not from adrenaline, but from deadly exhaustion. He had spent the entire day using a special breathing technique just to suppress the continuous bleeding. The moment his feet touched the sand, all the strength in his body vanished. Zeos had nothing left. He finally collapsed to the ground, falling unconscious with Zego still in his arms.