I think I’m feeling a headache coming on…
Actually. You know what? Who cares! Instead of chipping away at the enemy tactically over an extended period of time, this stratagem has a little more chest hair! I’m with you, Tiny, bring it on!
I immediately kick my sub-brains into gear and get them weaving up a Water Transformation Construct. It shouldn’t take long for them to get it set up and pumping out water attributed Mana. If any of these monsters decide to start spitting flames at us, I want to be ready.
[“Get ready, folks, they’re coming in!”]
Four small groups of crocas advance, curiously untouched by local plant monsters. Counting rapidly, I size up our opponents. Ten croca-beasts and two titan-crocs. Not even a warm-up!
These low tiered monsters can’t hope to hold a candle to us. It’s what will come next that worries me.
Come on, brains, get kicking!
The monsters swagger closer, their toothy grins and grasping claws screaming confidence. It’s almost strange. I’m starting to think these guys haven’t been challenged in this marsh for some time. Have they become the local bully boys? Leathery skinned, super ugly Mafioso?
Gonna get a rude awakening!
[Crinis, eat!]
[Of course, Master!]
With her Tremor Sense, Crinis is able to detect the subtle vibrations of movement through the ground and air. As the crocs flex, eagerly anticipating the meal to come, Crinis lifts herself from my back on thin tendrils and drifts forward.
Such an innocent looking little ball of endless despair. Who could possibly imagine that this tennis ball sized black orb would contain so much terror?
Certainly not the crocs.
[Tiny, leave it to Crinis, you’ve had some fun already.]
In response to my order, Tiny frowns sadly and kicks the dirt. He hasn’t had nearly enough fighting yet, but I know his games. It isn’t possible for him to get enough fighting in the first place.
[There’ll be more soon, bud. Keep that engine warmed up.]
The big ape nods, still looking sad, but the fire in his eyes is burning bright.
Some of the crocs approach through the water, their long tails sinuously trailing behind as they adeptly swim, whilst others move from island to island, gradually closing the distance at a slow walk. The smaller croca-beasts lead from the front whilst the two titan-crocs follow from behind, dwarfing their lesser evolved allies.
As soon as one scaly foot lands close enough to Crinis, she acts.
Unfurling herself with blinding speed, tentacles lash out in all directions, peeling out of her body endlessly until there are dozens of them grasping the closest foes. By the time the croca-beast realises what’s happening, it’s already too late. Once the first tentacle latches onto its leg, its fate is sealed.
More tentacles lash out, slashing through the air like whips and striking the beast, coiling tightly around it. Snarling viciously, the monster tries to resist, pulling and slashing at the inky black Shadow Flesh with its claws but it is to no avail. Razor-sharp barbs emerge from the tentacles and begin their dark work.
Knowing what Crinis’ upgrades can do, I’m not entirely sure I’m prepared to watch what’s about to happen…
[Stay away from Master, you vile beast!] Crinis roars.
Then she engages her Ripping Spines.
Where once her barbs would dig and tear into her victim, now they move, shifting back and forth at high speeds over a distance of a few inches.
In effect, I guess you could say it’s like a chainsaw.
Slack-jawed with fear, the other croca-beasts watch as their struggling compatriot undergoes what can only be described as the ‘Crinis Experience.’ She’ll probably get a few more Levels of Dismembering from this.
When it’s all said and done, her main body inflates and unfolds to reveal her cavernous maw. The no longer struggling croca is unceremoniously dropped within, and as a ghastly crunch emerges from her main body, those inky black tentacles begin reaching out for more.
101. Battle Begins
The smaller croca-beasts look quite apprehensive to be approaching the grasping tentacles of death. With their larger cousins pressing them from behind, they have little choice but to continue approaching.
Crinis spreads her net of tentacles in a ten-metre arc toward the approaching foes, her Tremor Sense giving her some idea of the positioning of the enemy. The titan-crocs bringing up the rear snap their jaws and bark out a brief message to their lesser kin, who grit their oversized teeth and rush in as one.
It seems they’ve grown tired of the slow measured approach and want to surround Crinis with overwhelming numbers. Nine of the beasties are coming at her now, claws extended and long crocodile jaws open wide for a taste of my pet.
Fortunately, Crinis, the smartest of my core-children, has foreseen this situation! She was already a complete beast at fighting a horde of enemies, but with her new mutations, that ability has only been intensified.
Those jet-black grasping tentacles react to the pounding feet of the approaching crocs. Before the monsters can even swipe their claws, the tentacles divide, splitting into thinner limbs that divide some more, creating innumerable appendages that slither through the air.
Just as they were about to commence their attack, saliva dripping from their agape jaws, the crocs become lashed with hundreds of tentacles. Due to her upgraded Shadow Flesh and tentacle manipulation skill, Crinis has become quite adept at the manipulation of her limbs. The strange stuff that makes up her body has only grown tougher and more flexible as she mutates it.
The crocs don’t stand a chance. The moment they’re entwined in those razor-thin tentacles, all hope is lost. They writhe and roar, but the Shadow Flesh proves resistant to their feeble struggles. The tentacles slowly fuse together, thickening until they manifest those deadly barbs.
With a horrid whine, the ripping begins and it isn’t long before croc after croc is deposited into the mouth of the ever-hungering murder ball.
That is just… so rough, every time I see it.
[“Tiny, I want you to take on the titan-croc on the right. Vibrant, you go support him. Crinis, you and I can take out the one on the left,”] I command my troops.
“Roger!” Vibrant shouts.
[Huh,] Tiny grunts happily, the fire burning brighter in his eyes.
[Of course, Master!] Crinis cries with glee.
The two giant crocs seem to be having second thoughts about their previous confidence. Watching their allies be shredded and chewed up by a single ball of ink will have that sort of effect I suppose. It’s too late to back out now, because we are on the charge!
My Transformation construct is ready and primed, churning out a steady stream of water Mana which I begin to weave into spells. I don’t actually think Crinis or Tiny will need help to dispose of these titan-crocs, but it feels nice for everyone to get involved. We have a long fight ahead after all, we all need to get warmed up!
Unable to escape, the two six-legged crocs rear back to their full height and roar in unison. The low rumble of their cry rattles the air and all around us crocs turn to focus intently on the goings on. With my superior vision, I notice a few slipping into the water and making their way toward us.
Oh boy, I think it’s on now.
With no reason to hold back, I begin pouring my mental energy into spell shaping. I need to make sure my allies don’t suffer in this fight!
Tiny is the first to reach his enemy, leaping high and crashing down with a titanic strike. A narrow miss! His light enveloped fist plunges down and the ground beneath our feet shakes from that shattering impact. The croc seems to realise just how lucky it was to have dodged, staring wide-eyed at the ape before it, failing to capitalise on this moment of weakness. Vibrant takes advantage of its distraction and Dashes in to viciously chomp it on the leg, tearing into the limb and causing the beast to growl in pain.