The Cosmic Tree finally touched grass with a thump. The heavy impact rumbled and deafened through the entire elven forest. Will that insect be crushed under the impact of such a massive tree? I certainly hoped so, but deep down, I knew that no Champion or Vessel would go down that easily. The one thing I had learned from my experience is that they are tenacious bastards, and getting squashed by a tree will be the joke of the century. Certainly no Cosmic Being will be able to swallow such humiliation.
I stood ready, keeping my ears open for any strange sounds. Things were relatively quiet, but there was just no way that massive bug was dead. If it walked, the ground would tremble; if it flew, the loud buzzing could be heard from miles away. Something doesn't feel right.
"Violet, do you hear anything? That powerful ears of yours should be able to hear something. I don't believe the massive bug is dead," I told her.
"Hmm— I don't hear anything so far, except for some strange muffled scratching sound that is barely audible," she placed her hand below her chin. Is she— trying to imitate me or something?
"Muffled? Can it be—? Do you mind placing your ears on the ground?" I asked her.
"The weird things you ask me to do, mister son-in-law," she chuckled but obliged. Her sudden change in expression tells me all that I needed to know.
"Everyone, look out! Beneath you!!" I shouted as loudly as I could.
Not long after, the ground where the elves stood began to crumble before rupturing from the ground. Elves were sent flying into the air, but the winged dire wolves reacted quickly and saved them fast enough before they dropped splat onto the ground. The massive bug finally showed itself but no longer gave off the golden carapace that it had earlier. Does that mean it is vulnerable now?
"How interesting, the elves were actually willing to bring down their tree of worship just to prevent me from draining it. How admirable— but foolish. You might have ended my buffet, but I am still strong enough to kill all of you," said the massive bug.
"You no longer have any minions. Still think you stand a chance? Your previous bodyguard will not save you now," I smirked.
"Xenos had fulfilled his purpose in keeping me protected. While he won't be standing by my side, I had already absorbed enough power to eliminate all of you. Now, prepare to meet your doom!" said the massive bug as it began swatting aside some of the elves.
The elves began to retaliate as soon as the battle started, as though they wanted to avenge the death of their precious tree. I thought of jumping in but decided to take a back seat to access the strength of this bug. Somehow, this massive bug felt weaker than Xenos, which doesn't seem to make any sense. Either way, I should rest up and gather my strength until the bug decided to show its true strength. The elves can handle this for the time being.
***
"It's ok, Zen. You can get some rest while our people handle it," said Violet as she crouched at my side.
We were high up on a tree, overlooking the massive bug and the fallen Cosmic Tree. The elves seem to be handling the situation well. Avoiding the attacks of the massive bug with their nimble speed and agility while trying to attack the weak point of the massive bug. It is certainly not an easy feat to aim for the crevice between all those carapaces. Yet the elves, with their pinpoint accuracy, were able to hit those spots with their arrows. Green blood was dripping from the massive bug as the elves seems to be winning this battle of attrition.
But I knew this to be a false hope. There is no way this massive bug would be this weak after absorbing so much of the Cosmic Tree's power. Which is why I am confused as to why the bug seems to be moving sluggishly and not using much of its powers. Why is it holding back? Perhaps there is a reason?
The massive bug continued to attack the elves, but none of its attacks were hitting home ever since the first one. With its sluggish movements, only a fool would be hit by such an attack. More arrows continued to pierce between the bug's carapace as it started to look like some sort of pin-cushion. Is this really it? Will this bug actually fall to the arrows of the elves?
The massive bug swung its last attack before dropping to the ground. The elves certainly did not let up as they continued to strike the massive bug in places they could not hit earlier. More blood began to flow from the massive bug as more wounds were inflicted upon it. It was not long before a pool of green blood surrounded the bug's lifeless body.
How is this even possible? I was so certain that this bug was one of those powerful ones like Horrus. Was I mistaken in thinking that? Was that Xenos bug actually the Champion or Vessel instead?
The elves started cheering loudly now that the massive bug was dead. Violet glanced my way but kept silent as she noticed my bitter expression as I stared at the body of the massive bug. Is it really dead? I should inspect it to be sure.
"Let's go. I need to make sure it's dead. I'm not taking any more chances after what that wasp had pulled," I told Violet before leaping down to inspect.
***
No movement in its eyes or limbs. It should be dead, right? No matter how I inspect it, there's no sign of life left in this massive bug. What was the point of sucking the Cosmic Tree when you end up this pathetic? It just doesn't add up.
"Still not satisfied? There is no sign of life in its eyes anymore. I've seen too many dead creatures to recognise it. There is nothing for you to worry about anymore. We had won, Zen. At a great cost— but a victory, nevertheless," said Noah as he came to check on me.
"Let's burn this massive bug. I'm sure you're not gonna just leave the body out here, right? Why not just get rid of it now and give me peace of mind?" I asked him.
"Alright. I understand your predicament since we saw what happened with that wasp. It'll give me some peace as well the sooner we rid ourselves of this bug's body," he spoke as he snapped his fingers, summoning his henchmen over before instructing them to burn the body of the massive bug.
The elves were happy to oblige as some of them immediately began pouring wine over the massive bug's body, while some started lighting the tip of their arrows with a snap of their fingers. I stood back to allow the elves to do what was necessary while keeping an eye on the body for any sudden movements.
Noah raised his hand, which signalled the elves that lit their arrows to draw their bow. Before he swung his hand downwards, my right hand moved instinctively on its own, unsheathing Inazuma and stabbing it into the ground. Moments later, Noah swung his hand downwards but stopped midway as massive spikes of purple electricity spread throughout the entire area.
Despite gripping tightly onto Inazuma, I still felt the strength of the attack, which appeared to originate from the body of the massive bug. I fucking knew that it's not dead somehow. But electricity? How did it even achieve an elemental attack from being a bug?
All the elves dropped flat due to the intensity of the electricity, with only me kneeling on the ground. I felt my breathing getting harder as my body fought with the aftereffects, but I remained focused on the bug's body as I glared at it for any signs of movements. The abdomen of the massive bug started wriggling as something pushed its way out from the inside. With a loud pop, something emerged and swung its hair upwards like some mermaid. Hold up, those aren't hairs.
How am I to describe what I'm looking at? It had feminine features with small protruding breasts and slender nature. It is rather short and had tentacles attached around its body. How do I even describe this strange being that broke out of the bug's ass? Some— sort of loli jellyfish?
It leapt down from the massive bug's body and started stretching. Seemingly getting used to its new form. It took a while for this loli jellyfish to finally notice that I was glaring at it.
"Wow, you're certainly something else to be able to withstand my electricity that has the strength of a lightning bolt. I'm impressed, Zen Hawthorne," smirked the loli jellyfish.
"Lightning is my forte. What kind of Celestial Beast would I be if I can't withstand something like that?" spoke someone.
Wait a minute, that sounds like my voice. But why does it feel as though I have no control over my body? What in the world is going on right now?
The loli jellyfish squinted at my direction and clapped her hands once. Did she figure something out? I still have no control over my body somehow.
"My my, a Kirin. Seems like your affinity with your host is getting better. But I wonder, whose lightning is actually stronger? A Celestial Beast? Or a Vessel from a God," she smirked.
My consciousness flew back to my body and I regained control of my body. What in the world just happened? Did Kirin actually take full control over my body? I knew they could control parts of my body to keep me alive but to actually gain full control; that's the first time it ever happened.
I shook my head in a daze and stood up while pulling Inazuma out of the ground. It started sparkling with purple electricity, seemingly supercharged from the attack earlier. Inazuma must have absorbed most of the electricity earlier which was why I'm able to stand up so quickly while the others still lay flat on the ground, struggling to move even an inch. Didn't know Inazuma is capable of absorbing electricity of different colour when Kirin's lightning are usually white.
I sighed as I realised my hunch was right on the money. Now I have to fight a Vessel that has absorbed a huge portion of the Cosmic Tree. Will this Vessel be stronger than Horrus? It would seem that I might end up fighting this Vessel alone with no support. It will definitely be a challenge for sure. Where the hell is John anyway? Is he still struggling with the Xenos bug? Don't tell me Kuchisabishii-sama is letting him do all the work while he sit at the side.
"You can sheathe Tengu-kaze. This will be my fight alone," spoke Kirin telepathically.
I obliged by unsummoning Tengu-kaze and gripped Inazuma tightly with two hands. This is gonna be a 1V1 battle for sure. Despite the relatively small size of the loli jellyfish, one needs to be foolish enough to think that it is helpless in battle.
A couple of arrows flew towards the jellyfish from above. Did a few elves somehow managed to escape from the electricity by staying atop the trees? Sadly, there's not many of them that had the right idea, based on how many I detected. Must be the scouting forces. The jellyfish didn't even bother with the arrows as it disintegrated before it even touches her. An electrical field that is strong enough to disintegrate objects? That would require an immense amount of currents to perform such a feat. I should be careful so I don't end up getting disintegrated myself.
"Your gauntlet and Inazuma should be able to resist its effects. You on the other hand, will still need to be cautious. Don't take any risks. You should be able to detect the size of the field as I had shared some of my vision powers with you," spoke Kirin.
And true indeed, I can see the field in question. It's not large as it would appear that she had to condense the field to make it powerful. It is still within striking distance of Inazuma's blade length, which means I still have a chance of attacking it without getting disintegrated. Will still need to be cautious though. Rose is not here to heal me when it matters.
"What do you think of my new look? You think the Viking Lord might fancy this? Why is he not here anyway?" said the jellyfish as she placed her arms on her hips.
To say I was stumped was an understatement. This Vessel fancied John? Damn it John, where the hell are you? You could have stopped this fight entirely by taking this Vessel as your second wife.
"I have no answer for you since I'm not him, but judging from the wife he had chosen, I believe he prefers women that are more—stacked," I shrugged.
"Stacked? Hmm, I guess mine leaves a lot to be desired. You should had allowed me to absorb the entirety of the Cosmic Tree. I could have been a full blown adult rather than this form of a child," she pouted.
"Uhh— right. I doubt that's a good idea since you literally started a war with the elves. But now, you're all alone with no minions, shouldn't you reconsider your surrender?" I asked pointlessly.
"Ahh, Mister Zen~ If you really think I'm alone, then you are deeply mistaken. Have you forgotten? There are still millions of unhatched eggs where we first met and I am certain that all my babies are making their way here as we speak. It is only a matter of time before my babies consume the entirety of this world. I will bring honour and glory to the God Of Disorder, and succeed where the others had failed," she smirked.
"Are you referring to Baku and Horrus? Guess who was the one who sent them back to their makers? I had already eliminated one Champion and two Vessels under my belt, but who's counting. I'll be adding another one to my list real soon," I pointed Inazuma at her to which she smirked before laughing loudly.
If what she said is true, I have a limited amount of time to eliminate this Vessel before her reinforcement arrives. How long will the elves be down for the count? How many are dead from the intensity of the electricity earlier? So many questions but no answers, since no one is even capable of answering me. A quick check of my pocket watch revealed the time to be about 2.30 am, which means I probably have until morning before millions of bugs swarming us. I hope that killing the Vessel might put a stop to all of those babies of hers, or at least send them into a frenzy state where they start killing themselves. Until then, I will have to fight this Vessel alone. Let me solo her, I guess?