Chapter 33: Fisherman Village Arc: Against all odds

"What's your plan, Ayesha? Dispatch him swiftly!" the chieftain barked, his finger pointing in my direction. He remained a considerable distance away from my position.

Ayesha's response carried a mocking edge. "Don't bother bossing me around, you old relic. I haven't forgotten what you did to me." Simultaneously, six tendrils spun forth, homing in on me.

This time, each tendril surpassed its predecessors in speed and length. I swiftly leaped away from my initial spot, and all but one tendril plunged into the mound of lifeless bodies, sending a torrent of soil, blood, and gore cascading around the vicinity.

Engaging in combat near the heap of remains proved unwise. Employing a series of hops, I eventually cleared the grisly obstacle. Closing the gap between myself and the chieftain, I noted his lack of reaction, even as Ayesha launched another volley of needles toward me.

Swift and sure, I swung my sword to deflect each incoming needle. Amidst the flurry, the ground behind me emitted a distinct cracking sound. Swiftly pivoting, I spotted a tendril emerging from the earth. With a nimble leap, I evaded its trajectory, then executed a sweeping circular swing with my sword. The tendril succumbed, unraveling into a mess of loose threads upon impact.

The ground continued to fracture audibly, heralding the emergence of four additional tendrils, each converging on my vicinity. Encircled, yet far from being cornered, I assessed my options.

Leaping high, I altered my trajectory as one of the tendrils altered its course to pursue me. Swiftly, I managed to deliver a kick to its side, propelling myself away. Yet another tendril followed in my wake, relentless in its pursuit.

Curiously, I found myself unable to discern auras, a perplexing occurrence. Could it be that the cacophony in the environment neutralized this ability? I couldn't help but question the nature of this sword. The tendril's chase persisted, but its speed proved insufficient. Landing gracefully on the ground, I crouched before executing a swift upward swing of my sword, severing the tendril into a cascade of loose threads.

However, my attention was abruptly diverted as a colossal presence emerged within my field of vision. Though distant, it loomed roughly ten feet in stature. Another demon, perhaps? Before I could delve into further contemplation, the remaining three tendrils surged toward me.

Darting to the right, I cleaved the first tendril with my sword. Without hesitation, I propelled myself forward, slashing sideways to dispatch the second. The last tendril aimed for my rear, prompting me to jump and execute a swift, circular spin. My blade met the tendril, severing it from its source.

"Aha! The Titan has graced us already," Ayesha's voice rang out, tinged with disappointment. "It appears the prince desires a swift conclusion."

Ayesha's hands clasped together, and she invoked, "Mist Release: Thousandth Threads and Needles."

As Ayesha uttered the incantation, a scenario akin to the previous one unfolded. My surroundings were illuminated by innumerable beams of light streaking toward me, while threads emerged from the forest, weaving a dance of menace in my direction.

Leaping to a safer distance proved futile, as the onslaught persisted, and needles descended from the sky in a relentless barrage. My sword whirled, clashing against the metallic onslaught, but the sky remained awash with plummeting projectiles.

"Regrettably, that harlot of yours can't offer any aid," Ayesha's laughter resounded. "I managed to recover my strength through the consumption of humans. Alas, she couldn't perform the same feat."

In an unexpected turn, a sudden flash drew my attention. Yet, it wasn't Venidith; it came in the form of gunshots. A bullet struck Ayesha, propelling her off her airborne vantage point. Sam seemed the likely source of the gunfire.

"WHAT THE FUCK?" Ayesha's growl reverberated, her hand clutching her chest as blood spurted forth.

"That kid!" the chieftain exclaimed, his finger pointing.

The deluge of threads and needles came to an abrupt halt, offering me a moment of respite. Drawing closer to the chieftain, I assumed a poised stance: knees flexed slightly, sword nestled at my waist.

With a burst of energy, I propelled myself toward the chieftain. In one seamless motion, my blade executed a single, decisive slash, separating his head from his body. The head hit the ground with a damp squelch, a final whisper escaping the chieftain's lips, "How... could... this... be."

An unsettling intuition seized me, a sense of foreboding that something had gone awry. I cast my gaze upward, witnessing the ominous configuration of threads and needles converging, their pointed tips directed toward the cave. A realization dawned upon me—it was a trap.

Without a moment's hesitation, I sprinted toward the cave with all my might. Though I managed to outrun the relentless onslaught of thousands of threads and needles, their relentless velocity was increasing. Fueled by adrenaline, I pushed my limits even further, the frantic thudding of my heart echoing in my ears. Amidst my sprint, Sam's visage etched with terror came into view.

Barely an inch away, and I couldn't even muster a word to deflect the impending danger. My body acted on instinct, shielding Sam. Palms open...

"Big brother, NO!" Sam's agonized cry reverberated throughout the forest, accompanied by a chorus of screams from the other villagers. A resounding boom marked the moment when the threads and needles cleaved through flesh and bone, penetrating the cave.

Unlike the prior encounter, Abigail's protection was absent this time. The sensation of threads and needles sliding against my body was inescapable, my blood splattering in their wake and potentially creating a gruesome pool.

Once more, I was immobilized, my vision restricted. My success remained uncertain, while the anguished scream from Hannah seared into my ears, a chilling symphony that I couldn't bear to witness.

Finally, the threads retreated, tainted with the addition of blood, glistening in the moonlight. My gaze shifted to the scene behind me. Sound returned, and I could comprehend the unfolding tragedy. Hannah slumped over, shielding Sam from harm, one of her arm and leg were gone.