Chapter 19: A Job From The Knights, VS Aetheric Beast: Chimera Plant

“You want us to hunt a Chimera Plant?” Alric asked.

“Correct. One was found in the western outskirts of Valtheris, near the lake. A lake that a lot of merchants use to restock and rest. It’s been giving our knights a bit of a headache recently.”

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The four of them looked at each other. There had to be a catch to this. Lawrence just stood unbothered, expecting the reaction, “500 Gold.”

“500!?” Cherry blurted out, “What’s the catch?”

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“This Aetheric beast has almost managed to wipe a squad sent over to deal with it, and frankly, I’m not keen on losing any men.”

“But losing us is okay, huh?” Cherry snied.

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Lawrence smiled at the statement, “Simple guards won’t do anymore, I need a specialist team. A team that can handle unexpected variables,” He stopped to look at Eos and Elfie, “Or become unexpected variables.”

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“Don’t you have specialist knights? Why don’t you send them over?” Alric asked, forcing his voice steady, “Why don’t you send real knights?”

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“Oh, but you four are real knights! Under the king's employ to clear your debts. This is simply you holding up your end of the bargain in exchange for the very breaths you take now.”

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Alric stood up, “We’ll take the job!” He said before anyone could object. He’d been damned thinking about what to do to get stronger for the past week. This time it’s simple. A direct objective to run through. He won’t fail anyone this time.

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The group stood up, nodded, and received all the Intel they could from Lawrence. Throughout the exchange, Cherry and Elfie never argued or exchanged opinions. Alric sighed. This needs to be handled quickly.

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“Ah, I forgot to mention, finish this task by today.”

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“WHAT!?” The three shouted in unison.

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“A merchant's envoy from another city will come tomorrow, and I'd like it if the plant problem is solved by then; if not, then I'll take half of the payment.”

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Alric had his jaw on the floor while Elfie and Cherry had disgruntled looks. Eos, as usual, is stone-faced. The four then made their way to the western outskirts of Valtheris.

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— — — — — — —

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The western bluffs of Valtheris were rocky grassland under a vast sky. It had a big lake in the midst of all the barren land, and lo and behold, the Chimera Plant. It stood tall in the shallow basin on the edge of the lake, grotesque flesh like vine tendrils surrounding it. It had protrusions of various animal parts from its vines, likely while digesting them. Its center was a fusion of a carnivorous pitcher plant and a weeping willow, covering its upper side. It had green veins glowing out Aether from all over its body, beating rhythmically like a heartbeat.

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“How charming,” Cherry muttered, looking through a telescope from behind a rock formation. “The inside of the bulb should have the core. We take that out, and 500 gold is ours.”

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The three nodded and analyzed their surroundings, “No cover for approach.” Eos said flatly.

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Alric stood up from the rocks and took out Sunbringer, “Then we don’t need to make for a slow approach.”

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Elfie scowled, “Charging an unknown Aetheric entity is barbaric and stupid. You’ll get yourself killed.”

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“It’s a simple approach. I go in, and Eos covers my flanks for the vines. The two of you can serve as backup. One clean strike from Sunbringer and that thing is down.”

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Elfie looked at the others for disapproval. She turned to Eos, who already had his blades drawn and ready. She hesitantly looked at Cherry, who only shrugged at her, loading his crossbow. “No space for clever princess, I’m fresh out of ideas.”

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The dismissal hung in the air as she let out a defeated sigh. She drew her bow and aimed at the Chimera Plant.

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They moved. Eos instantly became a blur, his speed cutting through the landscape in an arch. Alric was no different; instead, he was a straight line. He held the Sunbringer low, holding on as Eos cut down the vines that attacked him. He finally got close enough to the Chimera to deal a lethal blow, but the plant reacted instantly. It opened its bulb flower, and there Alric could see the Aether core. He expected a roar and lash of vines to attack him before he could stab the core.

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He didn’t expect a sigh.

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A cloud of shimmering, green gas pollen vomited from the bloom, expanding into a silent, deadly wave toward him.

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“Eos! Alric! Get back!” Cherry shouted from afar as he shot a crossbow at the plant, making it reel in pain, closing its petals. It was too late, though. Alric caught a whiff—cloyingly sweet, like rotting fruit. His next breath hitched. A wave of dizziness washed over him, his limbs suddenly feeling heavy, as if his Aether was being smothered. From his left and right, vines were ready to pounce in his direction. He readied his stance from what Lawrence taught him and did a quick step away, dodging the attack while simultaneously slashing the vines, freeing himself. Using the same step, he readied himself to strike the plant, but then-

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“Ugh!”

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Alric looked to Eos to see that the vines were holding his foot. His flank was also riddled with gas. He ran to Eos to free him from the vine. He took a quick step and slashed the vines on Eos’s feet in quick succession. Eos quickly jumped away as another stream of gas went their way. A numbing fatigue was seeping into their bones. Eos's movements lost a fraction of their razor precision. Alric's grip on Sunbringer felt slick and uncertain.

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The Chimera Plant then moved, using its roots as legs to get closer to their prey, spraying gas all the while. Its charge was interrupted by a powerful blast of wind that knocked it back and blew the gas from Alric and Eos.

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The Chimera Plant let out a grueling cry as its prey was denied. It turned to Elfie and Cherry as it planted its roots deeper into the ground. With a sound like tearing earth, it ripped its roots from the ground and began a ponderous, terrifying advance toward Elfie and Cherry. Their faces went pale as roots wrapped around them, forming a thick, thorny wall. Elfie aimed a powered wind arrow at the wall, which managed to destroy a part of it, but the wall of thorns quickly regenerated.

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Meanwhile, Alric and Eos had to deal with the plant's main body, keeping up with the lashing vines and the poisonous gas. They needed a way to break through the gas and cut through, but not one of them had any wind spells to blow the gas away. They grew weaker and weaker as they waited for the perfect opportunity to strike. Using the Knight's Step, Alric was able to be on the defensive and offensive at the same time.

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The trap was complete. On the lake shore, Alric and Eos fought a losing battle of attrition, the emerald gas coiling around them like a strangler's vine. On the ridge, the thorn-cage contracted, the sound of creaking, growing wood promising a crushing end. Two fronts. One monster. No way out. They were out of time, out of ideas, and rapidly running out of air.