Cherreads

Chapter 20 - Eyes of the watcher

Ralphina stood tall, her eyes fixed intently on the majestic eagle-like mana beast before her. The creature's four wings fluttered rapidly as it prepared to strike, its long, rat-like tail twitching ominously. With a swift motion, Ralphina summoned her plant affinity, conjuring thick vines to restrain the beast's movements. However, the eagle-like creature proved to be a formidable foe, breaking free from its restraints and soaring into the sky.

As the beast flew higher, it unleashed a barrage of piercing, sword-like winds that Ralphina struggled to dodge. The gusts were relentless, forcing her to leap and weave with incredible agility. Just when she thought the assault was over, the mana beast began to summon tornadoes, their swirling vortexes threatening to disorient Ralphina's focus and balance.

Desperate to turn the tide, Ralphina called upon her dark affinity, combining it with her plant affinity in a bold, last-ditch effort. The resulting blast of energy shot upward, striking the mana beast with incredible force. The creature let out a deafening screech as it plummeted toward the ground, its life force extinguished.

Ralphina stood tall, her eyes scanning the horizon as a swarm of bat-like mana beasts emerged from the darkness. The creatures descended upon her, their leathery wings beating in unison as they unleashed a barrage of beams imbued with diverse affinities.

The assault was relentless, with beams of fire, ice, and lightning striking Ralphina from all angles. However, she remained steadfast, summoning her dark affinity to create a protective barrier around herself. The shadowy shield absorbed and deflected the incoming attacks, buying Ralphina time to counterattack.

With calculated precision, Ralphina began to strike down the bat-like creatures using her plant affinity. Vines and tendrils erupted from the ground, ensnaring and crushing the mana beasts with deadly efficiency. The process was methodical and time-consuming, but Ralphina's determination never wavered.

As the battle raged on, Ralphina's dark barrier continued to hold strong, protecting her from the relentless onslaught. However, she knew that maintaining the shield for an extended period would be draining. With a calculated risk, Ralphina chose to dispel the dark barrier, relying on her agility and combat prowess to dodge the incoming attacks.

The moment the barrier dissipated, Ralphina summoned a magnificent sunflower cannon. The enormous flower bloomed with incredible speed, its petals unfolding to reveal a gaping maw. With a burst of energy, the sunflower cannon unleashed a devastating blast of sunlight-infused energy, wiping out the remaining bat-like mana beasts in an instant.

The blast was so intense that it illuminated the surrounding landscape, casting a warm, golden glow over the area. As the light faded, Ralphina stood victorious, her chest heaving with exertion. The bat-like creatures lay motionless around her, a testament to her unyielding resolve and mastery over her affinities.

As the dust settled, a shimmering portal materialized before Ralphina. She stepped through the gateway and found herself reunited with Mathias and Ranold. The trio exchanged warm greetings, but their joy was short-lived. A creeping sense of unease settled over them, as if they were being watched by an unseen presence.

Their attention was drawn to a distant, formless mana beast. The creature's body resembled a liquid, its surface rippling and flowing like a living thing. Multiple eyes began to open across its surface, each one glowing with an otherworldly intensity. The air was heavy with anticipation, and Ralphina, Mathias, and Ranold stood frozen, awaiting the beast's next move.

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