Power swept over me as I locked eyes with the gorgon. A hardness wanted to sweep over me, but my innate magic pushed back. I resisted the effects of her petrification gaze. A gorgon. That was what Medusa was in Greek legends.
This creature worked just the same way.
I wrenched my gaze away from hers, panting. It hurt to look at her, but she couldn't petrify me. Halia was another matter. She held her shield up and looked at me, her face pale. I swallowed. Was this a marauding band of monsters or had a dungeon builder attacked my domain?
"The others are basilisks," whispered Halia. "Their breath--"
"I saw," I growled. "Lightning crackle and hiss, gird me in the love of Lady Uttu!"
The lightning crackled around me, forming an aura of defense around me. My other women spread out, electricity crackling through Lana's hair. Maya stepped up, her body rippling. She had a look of fury on her face.
Mom shook her head, her bountiful breasts jiggling. Her toes began to grow into vines. We would have to take care of these monster girls and protect the people of this village. Astovin didn't deserve to have this tragedy befall it.
"So, her gaze petrifies?" I growled as the gorgon hissed at me. She charged me, the basilisks rushing at her flanks.
"Yes," Halia answered. "Her eyes can entomb all but the most powerful adventurers."
"Let's nip that in the bud." I concentrated, the words rising out of my soul. "Darkness hides and shadows conceal, let the curse of Lord Zuen fall!"
Darkness appeared over the gorgon's eyes. She stumbled, her snakes hissing and snapping. Her hands shot up, rubbing at the magic obscuring her gaze. The Blind spell was a useful one. That was a threat removed.
"I took care of her eyes, Halia!" I growled, gripping my spear. "For Astovin!"
I charged forward.
***
Mrs. Zoe Baldwin rushed at the nearest basilisk. The one who had petrified the mother. That offended the dryad. To turn children and their mothers into statues was a crime that had to be dealt with. Never in her life had she felt so furious.
She had righteous anger screaming through her as she rushed at the basilisk.
The blue-scaled monster girl slowed her charge and drew in a breath. A gout of noxious fumes burst from the basilisk's mouth and rolled over the dryad. Mrs. Baldwin gasped as the vapor rippled over her body.
It caressed her, but it didn't affect her. She didn't have to breathe it in. It left her feeling dirty, like a layer of grime coated her woody body, but she wasn't human any longer. She was a magical being. A monster girl serving her hunky son.
"Bitch!" growled Mrs. Baldwin when the breath attack faded.
The basilisk hissed in frustration. "I don't need my breath to rip you apart, twig!"
"Twig?" Mrs. Baldwin's toes grew into the ground, roots that dug through the soil. "I'm bustier than you are!"
"But you'll snap like one!" the basilisk growled and rushed forward.
The dryad's roots burst out of the ground and seized the basilisk by the feet. The scaly monster girl snarled as they yanked her up short. She fell on her face before Mrs. Baldwin, the enemy bracing her fall with her hands. The dryad shook her head at the basilisk and bound her feet more securely.
"Mmm, you have been a bad girl," Mrs. Baldwin said, her toe-roots wrapped tightly about the basilisk's ankles. "You need to be disciplined and--"
The basilisk lunged upward and slashed with her claws. They ripped into Mrs. Baldwin's belly. She screamed as her woody flesh tore. Golden sap oozed out over her skin, the pain slamming through her body.
***
Risking a glance over her shield, Halia saw Leo and the other monster girls charging out. The gorgon clawed at the darkness in her eyes. Halia smiled. Her lord was a powerful mage. He would defeat these monster girls and find a way to stop them.
Halia went to spring when she heard footsteps. She whirled to see a basilisk had come around the other side of the smithy and charged her. The monster girl drew in a deep breath. Halia gasped and threw up her shield.
The monster's poisonous breath spilled over her shield. The paladin held her breath and closed her eyes as the black gas billowed around her. The heat swept over her legs, but her upper body was warded by her shield. Still, she felt the gas attacking her lower extremities.
"Lady of Light, give me the strength to endure the foul breath of this creature!" she prayed, her entire body shuddering.
Light girded her body, a minor protection. It wouldn't save her from taking a full blast, but it was enough. Her heart pounded in her chest. Basilisks and gorgons were some of the most dangerous monsters out there. They were Earth monsters.
Her heart pounded. Lessons from her father echoed in her head. "Your shield is your life. While your sword will slay your enemies, your shield will protect you against the dangers. Embrace it. Cherish it. If you do, it shall not fail you."
The breath stopped. With a cry, she darted forward, her father's blessed sword buzzing in her hand. She rushed at the garishly colored basilisk. The monster girl gasped, her pink-scaled breasts heaving. Halia swung her weapon in a hard swing as she closed the distance.
The basilisk flowed to the side and dodged Halia's sword stroke. The monster girl's claws slashed in. Halia pivoted to bring her shield around, but the basilisk sliced at her right side. Her shield was out of position.
The claws ripped into her side. Pain exploded. Blood spurted from the wounds. Abdominal muscles tore. Halia gasped and staggered. The shock slammed into her as her life spilled down her flesh. A wave of cold washed over her.
She gritted her teeth and screamed through them as she staggered to face the basilisk.
*********_***********
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