The Gorgon stood tall, a colossal figure over five meters in height. Its elongated snake body was cloaked in dark green scales along its back, while the underbelly displayed a contrasting smooth, creamy complexion. From the waist up, the creature sported a humanoid woman's torso, adorned with dark black skin. Remarkably, it had a total of four arms—three on the right side, and a solitary arm on the left. These hands mirrored the pale cream of its underbelly, creating an arresting visual contrast.
The Gorgon's head also took on a humanoid shape, albeit uniquely unsettling. Absent of eyes, it featured a smooth surface adorned only by eyebrows above a flat nose and a mouth brimming with sharp fangs. Yet, what truly set it apart was its hair—serpents of vibrant colors that wove together a kaleidoscope of hues. These serpentine locks hissed and swayed menacingly, poised for a strike.
"Look at the size of her," Menelik remarked, awe in his voice.
Suddenly, a deafening scream erupted from the Gorgon, prompting the group to ready themselves for an impending battle. With a bellowing war cry, Oiwa unexpectedly launched herself into the air. Her four magical arms extended from her back, propelling her with remarkable agility. She collided with the Gorgon's colossal head, sending the creature reeling backward.
Menelik turned back to the group, a playful grin on his lips. He playfully shifted his gaze between Oiwa and the rest of the group before speaking, "She's a wild one, hehe." His attention then returned to the Gorgon's head, where Oiwa, equipped with six arms, grappled with the serpentine locks of the Gorgon's hair with infectious enthusiasm. "I think I’m in love."
"Back off, man! I spotted her first!" Oduduwa interjected, positioning himself beside Menelik. He unsheathed his scimitar and adjusted the daggers around his waist, resolve in his stance. "You'll have to get in line."
Determination emanating from him, Oduduwa charged toward the Gorgon. Yet, the Gorgon's swiftness exceeded his expectations. She swung all three of her arms on the right, batting Oduduwa aside as though he were insignificant.
Oduduwa was sent hurtling across the garden, colliding with the withered plants, stirring ash and pollen into the air.
Oiwa persisted valiantly in her attempt to grapple with the Gorgon while astride its head. Her skillful dodges evaded the serpents with grace, while her punches landed on the numerous serpents. However, her efforts seemed to aggravate the Gorgon rather than truly harm it.
Eventually, the Gorgon reached her limit. She shook her head forcefully, sending Oiwa tumbling down to the ground.
The Gorgon then shifted her focus to the remaining members of the group, releasing another earth-shattering scream. Instantly, all the serpents on her head lunged forward. Their eyes transformed from yellow to black, and they emitted white beams in all directions from their mouths.
Maeve's voice cut through the chaos with a warning, just before she transformed into a shadow, disappearing from sight. Zero, displaying uncanny agility, teleported around to evade the lethal beams. Menelik and Taharqa followed suit, gracefully dodging the beams through nimble movements.
Idris, on the other hand, adopted a different strategy. He stood unwavering with a smirk, allowing the beams to cascade toward him. To everyone's astonishment, the beams didn't petrify him. Instead, they seemed to rebound off him, forming a mesmerizing prism of additional beams that scattered in all directions, forcing the others to dodge even more frenziedly.
The Gorgon ceased her attack, and the beams abruptly halted. An opportunity for respite emerged, allowing everyone a brief moment to catch their breath. The Gorgon's gaze fixated on Idris. "Ah, a Gargoyle. Your kind has always been a thorn in my—." Before she could finish, Zero's furious voice resonated.
"Just let us out of here!"
Zero materialized behind the Gorgon, wielding an immense scythe with a long white handle wrapped in red tape, leading to an enormous black blade. With a single mighty strike, he severed the Gorgon's head from the back of her neck. Instantly, her body began transforming into stone.
Zero gestured behind them—the walls around the garden were swiftly closing in, rapidly diminishing the space they occupied.
Oiwa's attention returned to the Gorgon's stone body. "Well… Originally, we were supposed to enter through her stomach, but now that it's turned to stone, I'm uncertain if—." The sound of shattering stone disrupted her words as Zero transformed his scythe into a warhammer, forcefully breaking open the Gorgon's stomach. Inside, a portal of swirling aura and magical energy became visible.
The group hastily entered the portal, and upon emerging on the other side, they stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Infinite Ocean. Waves crashed against the rocks below. As they turned around, they found themselves greeted by a vast expanse of green grass. However, as they cast their gazes upward, a disconcerting sight met their eyes.
In the Arrithian sky, the two suns were in the process of eclipsing each other. Yet, what captured even more attention was the moon, encased in a dark red aura, slowly moving to obscure the suns, raising further questions.
Zero scanned their surroundings, taking in the scenery. Aside from the undulating hills of grass and flowers, there was naught else to behold.
"Hey, Maeve, take a sniff, where are we?” Zero inquired, but no response met his query. "Maeve?” He turned toward her, only to discover her gazing upward at the moon, her eyes a deep, eerie black.
"Are you all right?” Zero asked, concern tainting his tone.
Maeve's focus remained transfixed on the eclipse, and as she did, she began to chant a spell of sorts, her words barely audible.
Zero shifted his complete attention to her, intending to approach her, when Oduduwa interceded, laying a hand on Maeve’s shoulder.
"AHHHHH!” Oduduwa's scream pierced the air.
Maeve's movements were so swift they appeared invisible. If she hadn't turned to face Oduduwa, her movement would have gone unnoticed.
"She cut off my hand!” Oduduwa's voice trembled with shock, his words a mixture of disbelief and agony. Before he could voice more, Maeve plunged her hand through his chest, emerging out the other side while clutching his heart.
"WHAT THE—?!” Menelik's shout rang out, embodying the collective confusion.
Maeve retrieved her hand, and Oduduwa collapsed, lifeless. Her head turned slightly, locking eyes with Idris and Menelik as they charged forward, weapons poised for attack.
"No,” she uttered softly, her voice carrying an aura of command. Almost instantly, a dome of dark magic emanated from her chest, expanding rapidly.
"Whuh’oh!” Zero exclaimed, teleporting swiftly to distance himself from the impending blast.
The magical sphere collided with Menelik and Idris first, propelling them from the cliffside. Taharqa and Oiwa sprinted, but the magic's speed surpassed their efforts. It struck them, launching them into the air and ultimately onto the grassy fields.
Zero teleported again as the dome decelerated and eventually dissipated. He assessed Maeve, her eyes still engulfed in an abyssal black. She had concealed Oduduwa's heart within her cloak.
"Maeve,” Zero's voice held a stern undercurrent.
She shifted her head toward him, her expression inscrutable.
"What's happening to you?” Zero inquired, his voice a mixture of worry and curiosity.
Maeve remained silent. Her gaze lingered for a fleeting moment before she withdrew into a shadow and vanished into the expanse.
Zero refrained from pursuing her. He merely stood, watching her gradually blend into the surrounding trees. "Maeve…”
He redirected his attention to Oduduwa's lifeless body, quickly shifting his gaze to Oiwa and Taharqa, who were gradually regaining their footing. His gaze traversed the cliffside. He let out a subdued sigh, teleporting to find Menelik clutching onto the edge with the help of a panther claw, while Idris dangled from Menelik's tail below.
Silently, Zero assisted them, hauling them back onto solid ground.
"Zero, I hope you know…” Menelik shifted onto his stomach, directing his gaze to Oduduwa's lifeless form. He clenched his teeth, his resolve evident in his words. "…when I find your wife… I’m gonna kill her.”
The Gorgon stood tall, a colossal figure over five meters in height. Its elongated snake body was cloaked in dark green scales along its back, while the underbelly displayed a contrasting smooth, creamy complexion. From the waist up, the creature sported a humanoid woman's torso, adorned with dark black skin. Remarkably, it had a total of four arms—three on the right side, and a solitary arm on the left. These hands mirrored the pale cream of its underbelly, creating an arresting visual contrast.
The Gorgon's head also took on a humanoid shape, albeit uniquely unsettling. Absent of eyes, it featured a smooth surface adorned only by eyebrows above a flat nose and a mouth brimming with sharp fangs. Yet, what truly set it apart was its hair—serpents of vibrant colors that wove together a kaleidoscope of hues. These serpentine locks hissed and swayed menacingly, poised for a strike.
"Look at the size of her," Menelik remarked, awe in his voice.
Suddenly, a deafening scream erupted from the Gorgon, prompting the group to ready themselves for an impending battle. With a bellowing war cry, Oiwa unexpectedly launched herself into the air. Her four magical arms extended from her back, propelling her with remarkable agility. She collided with the Gorgon's colossal head, sending the creature reeling backward.
Menelik turned back to the group, a playful grin on his lips. He playfully shifted his gaze between Oiwa and the rest of the group before speaking, "She's a wild one, hehe." His attention then returned to the Gorgon's head, where Oiwa, equipped with six arms, grappled with the serpentine locks of the Gorgon's hair with infectious enthusiasm. "I think I’m in love."
"Back off, man! I spotted her first!" Oduduwa interjected, positioning himself beside Menelik. He unsheathed his scimitar and adjusted the daggers around his waist, resolve in his stance. "You'll have to get in line."
Determination emanating from him, Oduduwa charged toward the Gorgon. Yet, the Gorgon's swiftness exceeded his expectations. She swung all three of her arms on the right, batting Oduduwa aside as though he were insignificant.
Oduduwa was sent hurtling across the garden, colliding with the withered plants, stirring ash and pollen into the air.
Oiwa persisted valiantly in her attempt to grapple with the Gorgon while astride its head. Her skillful dodges evaded the serpents with grace, while her punches landed on the numerous serpents. However, her efforts seemed to aggravate the Gorgon rather than truly harm it.
Eventually, the Gorgon reached her limit. She shook her head forcefully, sending Oiwa tumbling down to the ground.
The Gorgon then shifted her focus to the remaining members of the group, releasing another earth-shattering scream. Instantly, all the serpents on her head lunged forward. Their eyes transformed from yellow to black, and they emitted white beams in all directions from their mouths.
Maeve's voice cut through the chaos with a warning, just before she transformed into a shadow, disappearing from sight. Zero, displaying uncanny agility, teleported around to evade the lethal beams. Menelik and Taharqa followed suit, gracefully dodging the beams through nimble movements.
Idris, on the other hand, adopted a different strategy. He stood unwavering with a smirk, allowing the beams to cascade toward him. To everyone's astonishment, the beams didn't petrify him. Instead, they seemed to rebound off him, forming a mesmerizing prism of additional beams that scattered in all directions, forcing the others to dodge even more frenziedly.
The Gorgon ceased her attack, and the beams abruptly halted. An opportunity for respite emerged, allowing everyone a brief moment to catch their breath. The Gorgon's gaze fixated on Idris. "Ah, a Gargoyle. Your kind has always been a thorn in my—." Before she could finish, Zero's furious voice resonated.
"Just let us out of here!"
Zero materialized behind the Gorgon, wielding an immense scythe with a long white handle wrapped in red tape, leading to an enormous black blade. With a single mighty strike, he severed the Gorgon's head from the back of her neck. Instantly, her body began transforming into stone.
Zero gestured behind them—the walls around the garden were swiftly closing in, rapidly diminishing the space they occupied.
Oiwa's attention returned to the Gorgon's stone body. "Well… Originally, we were supposed to enter through her stomach, but now that it's turned to stone, I'm uncertain if—." The sound of shattering stone disrupted her words as Zero transformed his scythe into a warhammer, forcefully breaking open the Gorgon's stomach. Inside, a portal of swirling aura and magical energy became visible.
The group hastily entered the portal, and upon emerging on the other side, they stood at the edge of a cliff overlooking the Infinite Ocean. Waves crashed against the rocks below. As they turned around, they found themselves greeted by a vast expanse of green grass. However, as they cast their gazes upward, a disconcerting sight met their eyes.
In the Arrithian sky, the two suns were in the process of eclipsing each other. Yet, what captured even more attention was the moon, encased in a dark red aura, slowly moving to obscure the suns, raising further questions.
Zero scanned their surroundings, taking in the scenery. Aside from the undulating hills of grass and flowers, there was naught else to behold.
"Hey, Maeve, take a sniff, where are we?” Zero inquired, but no response met his query. "Maeve?” He turned toward her, only to discover her gazing upward at the moon, her eyes a deep, eerie black.
"Are you all right?” Zero asked, concern tainting his tone.
Maeve's focus remained transfixed on the eclipse, and as she did, she began to chant a spell of sorts, her words barely audible.
Zero shifted his complete attention to her, intending to approach her, when Oduduwa interceded, laying a hand on Maeve’s shoulder.
"AHHHHH!” Oduduwa's scream pierced the air.
Maeve's movements were so swift they appeared invisible. If she hadn't turned to face Oduduwa, her movement would have gone unnoticed.
"She cut off my hand!” Oduduwa's voice trembled with shock, his words a mixture of disbelief and agony. Before he could voice more, Maeve plunged her hand through his chest, emerging out the other side while clutching his heart.
"WHAT THE—?!” Menelik's shout rang out, embodying the collective confusion.
Maeve retrieved her hand, and Oduduwa collapsed, lifeless. Her head turned slightly, locking eyes with Idris and Menelik as they charged forward, weapons poised for attack.
"No,” she uttered softly, her voice carrying an aura of command. Almost instantly, a dome of dark magic emanated from her chest, expanding rapidly.
"Whuh’oh!” Zero exclaimed, teleporting swiftly to distance himself from the impending blast.
The magical sphere collided with Menelik and Idris first, propelling them from the cliffside. Taharqa and Oiwa sprinted, but the magic's speed surpassed their efforts. It struck them, launching them into the air and ultimately onto the grassy fields.
Zero teleported again as the dome decelerated and eventually dissipated. He assessed Maeve, her eyes still engulfed in an abyssal black. She had concealed Oduduwa's heart within her cloak.
"Maeve,” Zero's voice held a stern undercurrent.
She shifted her head toward him, her expression inscrutable.
"What's happening to you?” Zero inquired, his voice a mixture of worry and curiosity.
Maeve remained silent. Her gaze lingered for a fleeting moment before she withdrew into a shadow and vanished into the expanse.
Zero refrained from pursuing her. He merely stood, watching her gradually blend into the surrounding trees. "Maeve…”
He redirected his attention to Oduduwa's lifeless body, quickly shifting his gaze to Oiwa and Taharqa, who were gradually regaining their footing. His gaze traversed the cliffside. He let out a subdued sigh, teleporting to find Menelik clutching onto the edge with the help of a panther claw, while Idris dangled from Menelik's tail below.
Silently, Zero assisted them, hauling them back onto solid ground.
"Zero, I hope you know…” Menelik shifted onto his stomach, directing his gaze to Oduduwa's lifeless form. He clenched his teeth, his resolve evident in his words. "…when I find your wife… I’m gonna kill her.”
