Chapter 23:
"Huff… huff… damn, they're strong," Ethen muttered between heavy breaths, his body covered in claw marks. He leaned against a tree, barely keeping himself upright, trying to plan his next move only to sense danger too late.
From above, Obsidian appeared with a smirk, his fist already descending. The punch landed hard against Ethen's spine, sending him crashing through the tree. His eyes went white as blood burst from his mouth.
Before he could recover, Dreadmane appeared in front of him, roaring with laughter.
"Not so fast!"
He punched Ethen straight in the gut, sending him flying even higher into the air.
"I can't… react fast enough. Do something!" Ethen thought desperately.
A dark blur — the Slime — flashed behind him, grabbing Ethen's head midair and slamming him into the ground. Trees shattered, dust filled the air, and the earth itself cracked beneath the force.
Ethen groaned, unmoving. "What have I created…? These things aren't monsters...they're demons."
He clenched his fists, his golden aura flaring to life. The energy wrapped around him, burning away his pain, closing his wounds until his body was whole once again.
The three hybrid beasts landed in front of him, watching as he rose.
"Damn… who knew fusing with a single slime could make me this powerful?" Dreadmane grinned, flexing his hand.
"I did," Ethen replied, his voice steady and low. "You're strong ... I'll admit that. But without using your full potential… you're as good as dead." He said with a dark demonic grin.
His golden eyes ignited, and the clothes he wore shimmered away, replaced by the draconic attire gifted by the trail dragon herself.
"Now," he said, his aura bursting outward, "let's see what you've got!"
Ethen vanished from sight, reappearing before Dreadmane with a punch only for the Slime to intercept, absorbing the blow.
"Absorbing my attacks now, huh?" Ethen grinned.
The Slime moved aside as Dreadmane unleashed a flaming beam from his mouth. Ethen dodged, vanishing into thin air.
But before he could counter, Obsidian appeared behind him again.
"Nice try," Ethen said, disappearing from view and reappearing in front of the Slime. He grabbed it by the head and hurled it deep into the forest.
"Now," he said, cracking his neck, "let's deal with you two."
Dreadmane roared, charging in. Their fists collided with the force of thunder. Ethen countered with a devastating kick that should have broken bones yet Dreadmane only to the blow and smirked.
"Absorption and copying," Dreadmane said proudly. He grabbed Ethen's leg and slammed him into the ground once, twice.
Before the third impact, Ethen shifted the earth itself, softening it beneath him, then hardening it instantly to trap Dreadmane's arm.
"Not this time."
Dreadmane fired another flame beam, but the flames froze solid midair.
Ethen stood, surrounded by icy spikes forming from the ground. Each step Dreadmane took caused new ones to shoot upward.
Then came a rush of air a,powerful wind spell, laced with ice.
Just as the two attacks were about to hit, a blinding explosion erupted between them.
"Looks like you finally joined," Ethen said, brushing dust from his shoulder.
"I had him," Dreadmane replied, irritated.
"Right....Let's end this," Obsidian said, stepping forward.
Ethen grinned. "Be my guest. Let's make this fun."
====
Back in the cave, Jessica slowly chewed her meal, her strength finally returning as she sat on the flat ground.
"You always sit on the floor," Sophia said, standing nearby. "Why?"
Jessica smiled. "Chairs make me feel weird. The floor feels… real."
Sophia chuckled. "Mind if I join you?"
"Sure, go ahead."
They sat side by side.
"How was the training?" Sophia asked.
"Tough," Jessica admitted. "Nothing like what they teach in the capital."
Sophia tilted her head. "But you don't seem bothered."
Jessica's eyes softened. "My eyes and hair are different from my brother's, right? His are red and white… mine are blue and black. I took after my mother."
Sophia nodded.
"To my father, I was proof of betrayal," Jessica continued. "Even with my power, I was never his daughter in his eyes. I wasn't allowed to leave the castle... it would've been a sin. My presence reminded him of what he wanted to forget."
Sophia's expression darkened. "That must've hurt."
"It did," Jessica said softly. "But every time I cried, my brother came to my rescue. Seeing him push forward like this… it makes me want to fight too. I'm just six, but I want to follow him, no matter what."
Sophia stood, looking toward the cave entrance. "I know that feeling. Wanting to stay beside someone, no matter the danger." She smiled faintly. "I'll help you get stronger, Jessica. Think of it as my way of saying thanks."
"Thanks? For what?"
"For reminding me why I'm still here." Sophia turned and walked away.
Back in the forest, chaos had turned to exhaustion.
"Wow… still standing after all that?" Dreadmane panted, hands on his knees.
"You're the stubborn one," Obsidian replied, leaning against a tree.
Ethen, breathing hard, smiled. "And you two are monsters. I can't believe even after leveling up this much, you're still on your feet."
All three were barely standing, drained yet unwilling to stop.
They lunged at each other one last time.
Dreadmane's punch missed,Ethen countered with a strike to the gut. Obsidian kicked at his side, but Ethen bent back and slammed his fist into Obsidian's chin, sending him sprawling.
"I...yield," Obsidian gasped.
That left Ethen and Dreadmane. They traded blows until their strength gave out, both collapsing onto the dirt at the same time.
"Heh… awesome fight," Ethen said, staring at the night sky.
"Ha! Awesome indeed," Dreadmane laughed weakly. "Guess I'm out of energy."
"Same here…" Ethen sighed.
A loud noise echoed above them.
"Don't worry! I'm here to help!!!" a voice shouted.
Obsidian frowned. "Who the heck is that..."
The Slime crashed from the sky, forming into shape. "Let's defeat him, guys!!!" It looked around in confusion. "Wait… am I in the wrong place again?"
"You're in the right place," Dreadmane groaned.
"Just not the right time," Ethen muttered.
"Ohhh, there you all are!" the Slime said cheerfully, running up to them. "You all look terrible! Heal yourselves!"
Dreadmane glared. "Do you think we wouldn't have if we still had the strength, idiot?"
"Then let me help!" The Slime tore off a piece of its liquid form and handed it to each of them. "Drink up!"
"Are you insane?" Obsidian scowled.
"Yep, he is," Dreadmane agreed.
But Ethen took it without hesitation and drank. His wounds vanished instantly, his body restored, though his energy remained low.
"Stop whining and drink already," Ethen said, standing tall again.
The two exchanged disgusted looks… then sighed.
"Here goes nothing."
To Be Continued...