Chapter 537 What are you really made of? (1/2)
As I flee down the dark, cold tunnel of the second strata with my pets, I try to get a sense of the strength possessed by the Golgari behind us. The first few are just ma.s.sive. Hulking t.i.tans of humanoids that seem way too large to move the way that they do. I know that unlike monsters, size doesn't equate to strength with the sapient races. At least, not directly. According to Beyn, the stats that humans possess aren't linked to their ma.s.s, but rather the capacity to channel mana through their bodies. Having said that, he did explain that someone with a larger might stat is going to be bulkier than others. Looking at these behemoths, I'm reminded of his words. They look like the hulk covered in gleaming stone. Or like the thing, but not a joke. I never thought I'd see a non-monster that could arm wrestle Tiny, but here we are. Comparatively, the armoured figure is smaller, although still a regular Golgari height, pus.h.i.+ng three metres. But something about the way they move is giving me the heeby-jeebies. If I had money, I'd be betting all of it that the armoured figures are the strongest in the group chasing us.
Not only chasing, but gaining!
[Come on, Tiny! Pump those ape legs! We need more speed!]
[GRAAAAH!]
The giant ape roars in my mind and out loud as he spreads his wings, beating them furiously in an attempt to build up more speed. It does help, but not enough as the Golgari gain on us. They're doing it so easily too. The expressions on their faces are so calm and confident, as if we represent no threat to them at all.
Good thing that we were prepared for this sort of eventuality. One thing about a hive mind of individually intelligent creatures, there's enough brain power to go around to cover for all eventualities. Certainly, the Colony was never going to leave me hanging out to dry. Not far up the tunnel are our reinforcements, ready to spring from their hiding places and a.s.sault the enemy in numbers. Before that happens, I want to try my own mandibles at the fight, see if we can't bring this to a standstill before I need to call out my siblings.
[Get ready to turn and fight!] I call to my pets and they each respond with determination.
[… That means you need to climb off me, Crinis.]
[Oh! Right. Sorry, Master.]
Yeesh. I can feel her reluctantly pulling herself away from my carapace as we continue our mad dash for a few seconds longer.
[Alright… turn!]
As one, the four of us dig in our heels and slow our momentum, turning around to face the enemy. A flicker of understanding ripples through the Golgari eyes as they heft their weapons and prepare for contact. It's Tiny who commits first, as it should be. His face distorts in a raw bellow of rage and delight that shakes the cavern, causing a rain of dust and stone before he leaps high into the air. His wings unfold and brush against the ceiling and he draws back both fists over his head. Those ham-sized fists glow fiercely with bright light before he descends like a G.o.d hammer toward the huge Golgari in the front. The frontline stone-people gather in an instant, combining their strength to withstand the mighty blow that's coming.
But the bag of tricks isn't empty yet, not by a long shot. As Tiny falls, his image blurs and s.h.i.+mmers and he appears to slide to one side. Then, with a distorting flicker, there are four Tiny's descending on the enemy! With ease and precision, Invidia weaves an illusion to protect the great ape as he strikes at the foe. One of the soldiers slashes wildly with his oversized blade, bisecting two of the images cleanly, but before he can strike once more, Tiny lands amongst them.
BOOM!