Chapter 600: The Cold Trail (1/2)

The Artic Slayer froze in place while her hackles raised in alarm. After a few moments, Del retreated several steps, her large paws flattened out naturally, to keep her on the snow's surface. Crouching slightly, she waited for any sign of aggression.

The beast sneezed once; calm yellow eyes scanned the surroundings while its nostrils flared slightly, tasting various scents in the air. Ignoring the feathered serpent, it covered the distance to the Slayer in a single bound.

”Nix...” Del couldn't help the fear that bubbled up. The beast was much larger than she had guessed, covered in heavy armor and sporting both shoulder and tail spikes; it looked like a dragon-slayer. The burning red-orange wings were furled neatly against the bone ridge that ran down its back. Sharp claws would have dug deep into the snow had it not instantly thawed when he approached. Steam hung heavy in the air, pushing back the bone-chilling cold of the pass. ”You're beautiful.”

The dread beast extended its wide snout, sniffing the side of the feline's face before licking the top of her head with a sandpaper-like tongue. When Del laughed nervously in response, the creature nudged her playfully, sending her skidding across the melted rocks.

/Alpha: Del: Hold one moment, Floyd. Nix changed into his Dread Beast form.

/Alpha: Pon: Be very careful!

/Alpha: Floyd: Understood. What are you facing?

/Alpha: Del: Some kind of feathered serpent named Kukulkan.

/Alpha: Floyd: Kukulkan? Retreat if you can, Del. According to my ancestral memories, Kukulkan is very formidable.

Del padded softly toward the dread beast, stopping when she was within a meter. ”Not going to leave Nix here by himself, no matter what.”

”My gracious offer won't match much longer, little beast.” The feathered serpent lowered its head until it hovered near the ground; behind it, the long body coiled as if preparing to strike.

Kukulkan struck without warning, its maw stretching wide open as it blurred toward the dread beast. Razor-sharp teeth that dripped with Ice flame clamped down around the furled wings of the creature. With the captive firmly gripped, the head rose into the air, wrenching from side to side in an effort to tear it in half.

Del struck as soon as the serpent began to retreat, the Slayer slashed at its exposed throat, rending deep gashes that sprayed blood on the feline. Sensing the serpents counter, the Ain'Dhassi dodged the Kukulkan's tail an instant before it slammed onto the rocks where she'd been standing.

/Alpha: Del: Pon, Floyd, it has Nix!

Del circled the serpent; her sharp eyes noticed the Naga and Fire Mage closing on her position. ”Careful! It...”

Del's words trailed off as an ear-splitting screech filled the air. Blood mist filled the air around Kukulkan's head. A moment later, it disintegrated in a ball of green fire that was accompanied by the disgusting smell of burnt feathers.

”The fuck just happened?” Pon appeared in his dread form, landing beside Del as he stared into the cloud of smoke and red mist. The loud 'womp' of Kukulkan's headless corpse slammed into the ground with an earth-shaking impact. The Fire Mage shielded the Slayer from the heat emanating from the mass of brilliant emerald flames. ”Turn them off, Nix!”

As if understanding, the green flames disappeared, leaving an unharmed dread beast standing where it had been dropped.

/Alpha: Floyd: The hell are those?

Pon whistled softly under his breath. The dread beast looked like a reverse pin-cushion. Dozens of long bone spikes extended outward from its armor. The points were barbed like a fishhook. ”You never showed that against Khione.”

”You okay?” Del approached the beast, examing it for wounds. A few of its wing feathers looked ruffled, but besides that, it was untouched. ”Doesn't he usually get mad and rage when attacked?”

Pon nodded. ”He's calm.” The Fire Mage watched as it pounced on the headless snake and batted it away with a clawed foot. Several meters of serpent was tossed into the air like it was weightless.

/Inferno: Deidra: I believe the Howlers are closing on our position.

/Inferno: Pon: Unhitch the teams; any of the lifestyle players that don't want to fight should stay in the middle.

/Inferno: Deidrea: Already, done.

Del checked Track, verifying that the large group was moving toward them. ”She's right!”

”Coming, Nix?” Pon took to the air, pausing to see if the dread beast followed. It opted to stay on the ground while following Del and Floyd.

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The Dire Wolf moved away from the defensive circle, its nose sniffing the air. ”My lovely Apprentice has worked hard making these puppets. We must ensure they are returned in proper condition.”

”Chiba! Stay in the circle and wait.” Elan Mtui had the wolves form a circle that faced outward. The sleds were brought into the middle. All of the lifestyle players had opted to fight.

The large beast crouched as it paused for a moment. ”Prey waits, and beautiful Chiba is not prey.” It charged suddenly; three wolves followed her attack just as the first of the Howlers came into view.

The howlers of Everspire looked similar to the ones in Colonial. Rough skin that ranged from pale white to very dark blue was covered in grotesque splotches by matted white fur. They were powerful bipedal predators that ran like a primate, using the knuckles of their hands.