Arrival Of Beasts (2) - Zallo Village Arc

When Honō turned to Witz he saw a aether wolf three times bigger than any of the other ones they had fought in this battle, towering over her. The beast had begun to raise its claw to attack Witz.

Honō knew he wasn’t going to be able to block or parry its attack in time to save her as his current sword would just get snapped like a twig if he did but he knew Witz was too tired from fighting her half to react in time. 

It didn’t matter though, he didn’t have time to think he just had to try save Witz and so he ran, he ran as fast as he could towards them.

He increased his speed to the point that he disappeared again. As the beast was about to land its attack on Witz, it was knocked back out of nowhere with Honō now standing beside it grasping his shoulder 

He knew he couldn’t do anything to stop the attack, so he used his body and the speed he was going at to act as a battering ram to at least knock the beast over.

The impact had injured the shoulder he used to knock the beast back but at least Witz was safe now. He froze his shoulder to try numb the pain after helping Witz up. Neither of them were in much condition to fight at the moment, Witz was exhausted and nearly out of the purple liquid used to power her gear and Honō had an injured shoulder hindering his movements.

“That’s not a C-rank beast is it Honō” asked Witz still trying to get her breath back after the near death experience.

“It’s not a C-rank and it not a B-rank one either it gotta be an A-rank,  it’s probably the leader of that pack” stated Honō as he prepared to fight again.

Witz said a few swears under her breath before asking with concern, “How do we beat this bastard when we’re only a C-rank and a B-rank, you need at least a confident A-rank member or three decent B-rank ones to even consider beating a single A-rank aether beast of any kind”

Honō understood Witz concern as unlike aether beasts with a rank of C or lower they can actually use their aether abilities which is what makes them so powerful. Honō deducted that if they were to win here they’d have to at least find out what kind of aether it had as if it had anything to do with heat or an acid of some sort, they were doomed to lose this fight as his ice would be at a disadvantage.

“Not sure but if we beat this thing your dad owes us one hell of a promotion doesn’t he” joked Honō showing Witz a smile as to try reassure her.

“Y-ya you’re right, so let’s try beat this bastard then already” said Witz trying to smile.

When they finished talking the beast began to stand up and look towards the two delusioned strugglers before letting out a deafening, bloodcurdling howl that caused most of the onlooking villagers to pass out.

Witz and Honō covered their ears as the beast continued to howl at the crescent moon that illuminated the sky. As it finished howling it began to charge at the both Honō and Witz. Honō seeing its charge towards them slashed the air once more using a glacial voltage in hopes to freeze the beast.

It landed on the beast with a direct hit to its chest. It began bursting into ice, becoming frozen in place. As it stood there roaring and howling unable to move from its spot, Witz began to celebrate the supposed defeat of the A-rank aether beast that she had been so worried about.

“Don’t celebrate yet Witz this isn’t over, it’s only just beginning” stated Honō as his face began to fill with concern as the ice covering the beast began to melt.

The ice had started to melt right off the beast’s body, but no form of heat came from its body instead hundreds of small drops started to fall from its fur melting the ground under it.

The beast's aether was acid.