While keeping a close eye on the creature, Nova's eyes narrowed, it was then that he saw it. When the creature moved to attack the others and defend itself, there was a brief moment—a flicker of something along its underbelly. A dark patch of flesh, unlike the rest of its body.
It was not much to go on, but it was different. A part of the creature that was not like the rest of its body, in between its legs, by the underside of its body, there was a part that was not shielded, one of pure skin, of red and black, then he knew.
"There!" Nova shouted to the others, pointing toward the spot. "Strike its underside!"
Dravon nodded and wasted no time. He dashed forward, channeling more of his ice magic into his blade, which glowed much brighter than before and Zara followed him, since he was their leader; her twin daggers appeared in her hands, glowing with magic as she aimed for the same area that Nova mentioned, begrudgingly, for she did not trust him.
Seeing that they followed his instructions, he felt a bit relieved. Nova prepared his own spell, his staff pulsing with dark energy. The moment they launched their attacks, he would strike, hoping to aim with precision, for they did not have much time.
The fight was not over as yet, but it was close to; after all, they now had a target on the creature that once seemed invincible.
The battle escalated as Dravon and Zara moved in, striking at the dark patch on the beast's underbelly just like Nova instructed. Dravon's ice-coated sword slashed across the flesh, leaving a deep, frostbitten wound that shattered upon impact, causing splinters of it to go in different directions, due to which many of the adventurers moved back.
Zara followed up, her daggers glowing bright yellow, slicing into the same area. The creature roared in pain as its blood splattered onto the ground beneath it—a sound that shook the ground beneath them.
It turned around to attack her and she flicked it over, landing beside a tree, where she kept her gaze fixed on it.
That was when Nova saw his chance; seeing the creature distracted and bleeding for the first time since they started fighting it, he could not let his chance slip away.
His eyes glowed as he took a deep breath and dark energy swirled around his staff, crackling like lightning, due to which the carvings around the staff glowed, for the first time, since it was first recreated by Sorev. He stepped forward, raising it high as the power built up. "Everyone, back!" he commanded.
They looked at him and then exchanged glances. Dravon and Zara leaped away just in time, as well as the other adventurers that were lurking nearby, hoping not to get caught in the crossfire, for many were still a little wary of necromancers and their abilities.
Seeing that they all listened to him, Nova slammed his staff into the ground, and tendrils of shadow and dark, eerily glowing chains erupted from below, surging toward the beast.
At the same time, Levan appeared beside Nova; his eyes glowed as he leapt forward, using the shadows to keep the others from seeing him, he released his black flames, which merged with the shadows, surrounding the creature.
The moment they touched its wound, the shadows stretched across its body, spreading like a poison, making its eyes shift color as the chains wrapped around its limbs, pinning it down.
The creature convulsed, its roars turning into pained screeches as the darkness consumed it. Its massive body staggered, the ground cracking beneath its feet as it tried to use its own energy to overcome Nova's and for a moment, Nova thought it might still retaliate, that it might be able to fight back, despite the pain that it was currently in.
[Necrotic corruption activated.]
[Ability: This ability weakens the target by disrupting its internal energy flow. It can be used to injure an opponent, but it does not work on all, mostly that which it could overpower; its energy mixed with that of the type of opponent could create a toxic combination, which is what is currently affecting the creature.]
[Strength: It is highly effective against enemies with open wounds or weakened defenses.]
[Weakness: This ability is not one to be depended on in a life-and-death situation; it is less effective against creatures with high resistance to necrotic or dark magic.]
Upon hearing the breakdown of his newly awakened talent, Nova's brows furrowed at its downside, but either way, he was glad that it could help at the time since they were in a tight spot.
He kept his eyes on the creature, prepared to fight more if necessary, but with a shuddering breath, it collapsed to the ground in a heavy thud. The ground trembled as its massive form hit the earth, unmoving. Silence followed as everyone exchanged glances, wondering if they truly did it or if this was just a phase.
They all waited for a bit longer and when they saw it was truly taken down. Nova exhaled heavily, gripping his staff for support, since he had used up a bit of his energy. The fight had drained him more than he expected.
"Well, that was fun; I thought it would last a bit longer though; it was weird," the hooded man said casually, brushing dust off his cloak. "So, dinner, anyone?"
Upon hearing his words, Nova's brows twitched in irritation; he shot him an unimpressed glare. "Are you seriously thinking about food right now, when we literally just survived death? Are you crazy?"
Seeing Nova riled up, he chuckled and shrugged, "I fight better on a full stomach, and I am not crazy, just a bit unimpressed by this so-called ancient creature. Is it not a bit odd that we took it down like that?" He asked and Nova's brows furrowed in confusion as he thought about what he was implying.
Zara ignored both of them and stepped toward the fallen creature. "What was that thing exactly?" She muttered.
Dravon approached them and she stepped aside. He crouched down and examined its lifeless body, his brow furrowed as he remembered the way it fought them and a silence hung over them like a thick fog.