The moment Orpheus' fist connected with the beast's snout, he felt his wrist crack, and fine fissure lines raced up the bone in his arm.
The pain was something overwhelming, but his gaze did not waver. The slightest mistake, and he would be on his way to meeting the gods.
Or even worse, become a wraith. It was very much possible, since he knew he held a very strong mental resistance against dying. So if he died, becoming a wraith wasn't a matter of if it was possible or not, buy rather, how long it would take.
Pushing back against the invading shock impact, he finally utilized the principle of [Sand Gale], combined with [Shifting Sand].
The cluster of dark sand that lay in between the ridges immediately erupted with startling force, ripping through the scales from their weak links.
Normally, this would not be possible. [Sand Gale] like could be inferred from the name, utilized momentum. The fact that it did not necessarily use wind, did not make it immune to physical laws.
Infact, depending on the direction of wind, the technique could be as powerful as a weak First Circle technique, or weak enough that even amongst apprentice techniques, it sat at the bottom rung.
An increase in speed of the sand particles, the force behind them, and momentum, led to an increased potency of the attack... Albeit to a limited extent. In the same way, the reverse reaction, caused a reversed effect.
Since the sand between the ridges of the spectre-bound's scales were basically at rest... somewhat, and had no momentum, then all he had to do was supply it one.
What Orpheus' had done was layer the principles of three techniques into one wholesome technique. The newly created technique gathered force and impact, [Shifting Sand] controlled it and dispersed into the sand on the creature's body.
Then lastly, [Sand Gale] utilized the now charged sand particles, to erupt into an attack.
Who needed momentum when you could create yours?
The beast's scales were ripped open. In Orpheus' eyes, it was like watching millions of scattered soldiers holding up collapsing gates, erupt with shocking force that the gates tore of their hinges, some snapping in two.
*KREEEE!!*
The spectre-bound shrieked in pain... a sound that came off more like the cry of a bird, than anything else, as its mind went numb from the overwhelming pain.
Blood erupted from the sudden ripping of scales, smearing both Orpheus and the beast.
Orpheus staggered backwards, pain from his arm threatening to make him collapse.
In all his life he had never felt this much pain.
Yes he was a good punch bag for his "acquainted" First Circle witchers, but even they knew to show restraint lest they killed him in broad daylight, which was why they had instead tried to poison him, and Ava ended up falling victim in his stead.
Ironically enough, this pain was inflicted on himself, by himself.
It finally opened his eyes to a lot of things Witchers could do. Those arrogant, snot noses could have made his life painful... Very painful.
Maybe other elements could not cause this level of pain, but his sand element had basically become dreadful in his eyes.
Orpheus watched the hulking mass of red meat trash around as it roared in pain.
His face was incredibly pale, and his legs felt wobbly, adrenaline beginning to wear down. But it still wasn't over, till it was over.
Using the last reserve of malefic energy he had..
[Sand Gale]
Sand immediately picked off the floor in a small whirlwind, rotating at high speed.
"Die!" Orpheus spat.
The swirling sand particles suddenly shot towards the overwhelmed spectre-bound like a sea of arrows, tearing into its soft flesh and turning it into a meat sponge.
The reptile let out a last wailing shriek, as the light from its eyes went off in death.
If it still had it's resistant scales, then killing it like this wouldn't have been possible, but since these scales were no more...
The beast twitched lightly before stiling completely, blood continuously pooling from its corpse, forming a small, red puddle underneath.
In no time, the adrenaline that kept Orpheus going, wore off, and he dropped to his knees, his entire body spasming in pain.
"Arrggggghhhhh."
Unable to hold in the agony, his muscles lashing out in protest for overworking them, he screamed.
However even with his condition, he still struggled to move. His breath hitched in his throat, his chest was tight, his lungs hungered for air that was not forthcoming, but he still tried to push himself up.
The fact that no other beast came around during his battle with the spectre-bound, depicted a territorial structure of different beasts in this volcanic island.
Now that the spectre-bound was dead, nothing could hold them back from coming here. Most definitely, the sound of their battle must have already alerted them, and now that it was over, they would soon enough start marching their way over.
Even if they decided against it, that would only be as long as they did not perceive the smell of blood.
"Gods give me strength." Orpheus prayed as he struggled.
He did not want to die! He could not afford to die! He had just achieved a monumental feat of creating not just one, but two techniques... Two!
One was of same power as an apprentice witcher technique, but the second... The second rivaled a First Circle technique.
How could he die before anybody heard of his achievement?
To create a technique of the same rank... An almost impossible feat, without spending months to years in meditation and trial and error... another almost impossible feat, but still wasn't the highlight.
It was unbelievable, but he did it and even more.
He created a technique above his rank in the heat of battle. How could those bastard instructors not be here to witness his talent? The same talent they said he didn't have, the same talent those snotty nosed noble heirs mocked him for not having.
How could he die before he rubbed it on their faces? How could he die before he helped Ava?
He pushed himself until he was before the sea
again.
'I just need to get in!' He thought with gritted teeth.
*HISSSS!!!*
Orpheus froze.