Chapter Twenty-Five - Evil

The birdman had full aerial advantage. Despite lacking a wing, he had a half-angel half-demon motif going. Plus the environment added in the horror aspect of being chased down by a flying enemy. No visible discernible lights, but the presence of bioluminescent beings that illuminated spacious small areas.
We were now locked into yet another battle and I felt like the right choice was to fight.

“Ocean Slugs, take down the threat.” I commanded.

I looked at Olive. I put on my best stern face letting her know that this was an enemy and not an ally. I had fought Olive not too long ago, and I could not go all out as I knew she was not an enemy. But this Longshot feels different. He is definitely an enemy.

Olive understood and nodded using her katana as a brace to get herself up. I extended my hand to further help her up. She took it and grabbed my arm in a show of camaraderie. This was our first dangerous enemy. And all three of us had to fight together to take him down.

“I’ve never won against Longshot by myself!”

“Perfect, I was just thinking that. We will fight him together!” I reassure her.

A couple blasts head our way as Olive and I run in separate directions avoiding the explosive shots. I catch a glimpse of Seiko’s location as she starts reloading her weapon by drawing in the mana from her surroundings. The myriad of colors form, but darken as they drop back down into the muddy water.

“This mana is corrupted!” Seiko yells.

Unlike the cave in Slug Beach Town, mana purified itself in the presence of crystals that would expel the evil energy. With no crystals here, Seiko would be fighting barehanded. But then again, she doesn’t just fight with her assault rifle.

She is prepared. She carries two other guns with her when it comes to mana depletion or hazardous environments. The magnum which only carries two shots, but at the moment one. And a pistol. I cannot recall the name of the model, but it is a standard pistol that you see in movies and shows all the time. It is a fully upgraded version which comes with an extended magazine and an upgraded barrel which supposedly allows a bullet to do more damage. By increasing its speed or adding a surplus amount of mana, I don’t know. It’s just a powerful gun.

And when she runs out of bullets, she can blast out her own internal mana supply to use the raw form of her magic, [Hard Light Slug]. It is a last minute resort, and with a flying enemy, it might be difficult to land an indiscriminate attack that would also blind us at the same time.

[Ocean Eel Tail Equipped]

If anything, I think ranged attacks is the fight-winning strategy against Longshot. I may not be a marksman like Seiko, but if I can provide cover fire or a way to enclose the enemy to provide Seiko with the decisive shot, that may be our best chance.

Unfortunately for me, I’ve lost one arm and one of my specialized gloves along with it. The jungle creates a riveting battlefield as rain begins to fall. I start wondering if shooting lighting might make it worse. If I were to shoot and the lighting were to spread, it might hit my allies. Specially with all the raindrops that would ricochet the thunder into many unexpected directions.

The rain does not appear like it will let up, so I am stuck in a crossroads on how I will contribute to the fight. After all, I have fifteen more minutes until I’m allowed to switch tails. But it isn’t all bad, maybe my lizard biology might thrive in this ever-changing arena.

The fighting continues as I try to find platforms to climb. Seiko’s bullets ran low and Olive’s mental distraught had not yet cleared. All I can do is pray that this fight never happens and is delayed.

As if on command, a bright light akin to the sun shone. But instead of the sky, it was on the floor, under a puddle. The light had drawn all of our attention as a black ooze began to emerge from said pond. It covered the water so thinly that you could still see the light seeping through it but its grasp was more deadly and apparent towards other surfaces where it collided. Rocks crumbled and trees withered on its touch as this plague further corrupted our battlefield. I could see a submerged human beneath it all, manipulating this new threat.