"Asher!" Herman called out, lashing his whip again. This time, he aimed for the leader's wings, successfully severing one. The Metis snarled in pain and rage, landing heavily on the ground.
"You'll pay for that," the Metis growled, focusing his glowing eyes on Herman. He rushed forward, his speed blurring as he aimed a claw straight for Herman's chest.
Herman braced himself, amplifying his defense just in time to block the attack with his whip, though the force sent him skidding backward. "Asher, now's your chance!"
Asher, still recovering from the earlier blow, surged forward with renewed determination. His Sanguine Supreme ability activated fully, the crimson glow around him intensifying. He feinted left, drawing the Metis' attention, then pivoted right and delivered a devastating punch to the leader's side. The red lightning discharged on impact, causing a crack to appear in the chitin armor.
The Metis roared, swinging wildly at Asher, who ducked and weaved through the onslaught. Each strike was closer than the last, one claw grazing Asher's shoulder, another narrowly missing his head. Asher retaliated with rapid punches, each one striking the cracked area on the armor, widening the fissure.
"I'm not done yet!" the Metis bellowed, unleashing a pulse of green energy that knocked both Asher and Herman back. The force of the blast sent them tumbling across the battlefield.
Herman groaned, struggling to his feet. "He's tough, but not invincible," he said, amplifying Asher's strength and endurance once more. "You just need to keep pushing."
Asher stood, blood trickling down his arm, but his resolve burned brighter than ever. He activated the second stage of his Sanguine Supreme, the crimson energy forming a sharp, blade-like aura around his arms. "This ends now."
The two clashed again, the battlefield erupting with flashes of red and green energy. Asher focused all his attacks on the weakened part of the Metis' armor, each strike chipping away at the leader's defenses. The Metis fought back with relentless fury, landing blows that left Asher battered and bruised.
Herman, sensing the opportunity, amplified Asher's speed to its absolute limit. Asher became a blur, dodging the Metis' attacks and landing strike after strike. Finally, with one last burst of energy, Asher delivered a decisive blow to the leader's exposed chest, the crimson lightning piercing through and shattering the Metis' core.
The leader staggered, his glowing eyes dimming as he fell to his knees. "Impossible…" he muttered before collapsing.
Asher stood over the fallen foe, breathing heavily, his body trembling from exhaustion. Herman approached, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You did it."
Asher gave a faint smile. "We did it."
Herman chuckled, though his expression softened with concern as he took in Asher's battered state. "You really pushed yourself to the edge there. We can't keep fighting without a plan for recovery."
Asher nodded faintly, his energy waning. The crimson aura around him flickered before fading entirely, leaving only the dull ache of his wounds. "I know," he said, his voice hoarse. "But we had no choice. That thing would've torn through the others."
Herman looked back at the battlefield. The air was thick with the aftermath of their clash—scorched earth, broken weapons, and the bodies of fallen Metis soldiers. The rest of their team was regrouping in the distance, tending to injuries and fortifying their position.
"We need to move," Herman said, urgency creeping into his tone. "The Metis won't take this loss lightly. If their scouts report back, reinforcements could arrive any moment."
Asher glanced at the fallen Metis leader, a flicker of doubt crossing his mind. "What if this was just a distraction? Something about their movements felt... coordinated. Like they were herding us here for a reason."
Herman stiffened, his sharp gaze scanning the surroundings. "A trap?"
"Maybe. Or something worse." Asher's instincts rarely failed him, and the unease gnawing at him now felt impossible to ignore. "We should search the area for clues before we retreat."
Herman hesitated, weighing the risk. "Alright, but make it quick. I'll rally the others to watch the perimeter."
Asher crouched beside the Metis leader's body, examining the shattered core. Its green glow had faded entirely, leaving behind only fragmented shards of a crystalline material. He reached out, gingerly picking up one of the larger pieces. It pulsed faintly in his hand, sending a strange sensation through his fingertips—a mix of warmth and unease.
"What is this…" Asher muttered, holding the shard up to the dim light. He couldn't shake the feeling that the fragment was more than just a power source—it felt alive, as if it carried remnants of the Metis leader's will.
"Find something?" Herman called, rejoining him after setting up the perimeter.
Asher handed the shard over. "This. It's not just a core fragment—it's resonating with… something. I can feel it."
Herman's eyes narrowed as he studied the shard. "If the Metis are using something this advanced, it could explain their recent surge in strength. But why leave it behind? If this is as important as it seems, wouldn't they protect it?" The link to the origin of this information rests in Novel~Fire. (n)et
"Unless…" Asher's voice trailed off as a chilling thought struck him. "Unless they wanted us to take it."
Herman's grip on the shard tightened. "Damn it. A tracker. We need to get rid of this thing, now."
Asher shook his head. "No. If it's a tracker, we can use it to set our own trap. Lure them into a controlled area, even the odds."
"And if it's something worse?" Herman asked grimly.
"Then we figure it out before it's too late." Asher's resolve hardened. 'Though, it is really a tracker with teleportation exit rune engraved on it-simply means if one were to open a teleportation entering portal its exit will open where this core will be placed, a perfect way of infiltering an enemy base' Asher thought after seeing it with the Absolute Appraisal of his.
Though, he can't say that out aloud, so he went with Herman as they continued their mission of retrieving the core back to team.