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Chapter 48: Battlefield Modification
Dame Vesuvia charged forward. A large group of soldiers followed, running on foot. What little remained of the volunteers was long forgotten. Neither as disciplined nor as prepared as the main force, they had suffered the greatest number of wounds and casualties.
This was going to be the final confrontation. The chainling realized it as well, for it spun around gathering as much of the wagon remains as it could and throwing them all at the incoming group like an artillery barrage.
Looking at it from a distance, Dallion was able to appreciate not having to be the one leading the charge. He was also relieved at the ease with which the Dame pierced through the wall of flame. There was nothing flashy he could see, no glowing lights, or materializing shields the woman just passed through as if walking through a sheet of paper.
Veil, can you hit it? Dallion asked. Even if the chainling wasnt looking in their direction, Dallion had gotten far closer to it than he would have liked.
A bit more.
That wasnt the answer Dallion was hoping for. They were still about a hundred feet away. According to his theories, the chainling was unlikely to pay attention to them until it had dealt with its greater threat. The concern was that their involvement could quickly change its mind.
When Veil throws the sword, grab my hand, Dallion shouted. You too Cleric.
Why? What are you thinking? Gloria asked.
Later. When I tell you, I want you to aim for its throat. Dont shoot until I say so.
Okay, but why
Do you have your dartbow?
Yes, I have it, but what
Before Gloria could finish a loud pop filled the air. It was just like the pop of the balloonsudden, sharp, though not overly loud; it was also accompanied by a radical change in the chainlings appearance. Spikes appeared all over its smooth silhouette piercing it off, like a porcupine shedding the skin of a snake. The new form was larger than before, darker, sleeker, covered by what could be described as an external skeleton of metallic bones.
Oh, damn! Dallion didnt need to be versed in local biology to know exactly what had happened, he had done the exact same in the last week. The creature had increased its awakening level, and that was bad for everyone involved.
Veil, do it now!
I cant be precise from this distance.
You dont have to be precise! Just aim for the head!
With a grunt, Veil leapt into the air. Letting go of his dartbow, he grabbed the sword with both hands and spun it around mid-flight, as if it were a throwing hammer. Two revolutions later, he let it go.
As the sword made its way towards the chainling, Dallion held his breath. The moment of truth had come.
Cleric, stop the invisibility! Dallion shouted. Gloria, aim!
The girls arm appeared out of nothingness, holding a dartbow. With perfect precision, Dallion put his hand on top so his pinkie finger barely touched the bolt, while still holding his own weapon.
Everyone, grab hold! Dallion extended his free hand.
In normal circumstances no one would have obeyed his command. The play was reckless to the point that even a five-year-old would notice. After running for about a minute, pumped up on adrenalin, though, instinct proved stronger than logic. Dallion felt two sets of fingers grab on, touching the flesh of his hand. To his surprise, a third hand grabbed hold of his neck. Someone was aware of his plan and was going ahead with it.
I hope Im not wrong.
At that point the sword hit. There wasnt any blood or anything spectacular. The tip of the blade struck the side of the chainlings new skull, cracking the bone, just before bouncing off. The creature semi-stumbled, pushed back to the side by the force of the blow, but quickly regained its footing. The head with the large single eye turned around to take a good look at its attacker.
Got you. Dallion smiled.
Shoot! he shouted.
The instant he felt that the bolt was released, Dallion did what he had planned all along.
Item awakening
Everything disappeared. Dallion found himself in a rather large hall. Gloria, Veil, and the Cleric were all there. Thankfully, the chainling wasnt.
The BOLT is Level 15
What the heck?! What exactly had gone into the creation of this bolt? Dallion could barely improve an item up to level five, and that was only if he started from utter junk.
You are in a large metal hall.
Defeat the guardian to change the BOLTs destiny!
This was your plan? Gloria all but shouted. Getting us here so we could improve the bolt?!
Pretty much. Dallion grinned. Something suggested that Gloria wasnt taking this all too well. Actually, the only reason she wasnt outright furious was that she was still trying to wrap her mind round the idea of it all.
Have you any idea what it takes to improve sky silver?
No, but Im about to This was the first time he had heard the term.
Sky silver is one of the most stable elements there are! Why do you think weapons are made of it? If it was normal metal, anyone could turn the weapon to rust the moment it touches their skin.
Oh. That actually was a pretty neat trick. Dallion had to remember it for later. Not that he had the skills to modify metal yet.
Did you seriously think this through?! Gloria crossed her arms. Her face was red with anger.
You look cute when youre angry. Yes, actually. I suspected that the bolts had to be solid enough so theyd take down the creature were hunting.
Gloria frowned, refusing to acknowledge his logic.
Thats why we wont be improving the bolt. Well just modify it.
Modify? Veil arched a brow. Isnt that the same as improving?
Is mending the same as improving? Dallion smiled.
The question made both Veil and Gloria hmm, though only Veil made the sound out loud.
If we can mend things of a greater level, we can also damage them to some extent? Dallion turned to the cleric. Also, the bolts arent made of sky silver, only the tips are. The rest is common metal. Thats what well be changing.
You want to modify the metal shaft of a bolt? For the first time there was a softer tone in the Clerics voice. Dallion could tell he was intrigued by the idea, possibly eager even.
Precisely! And youre going to help.