Chapter 16: Failure
Scion zoomed toward the looming Mystic Beasts atop his enhanced electric scooter. A golden streak of blazing solar energy cut through the chaotic battlefield, drawing the attention of both friend and foe. Scion's determination was unyielding, his will to protect the village burning like a supernova in his chest.
The Mystic Beasts, three towering embodiments of sand and elemental energy, watched Scion's approach with a mix of curiosity and malevolence. Their massive, sand-based forms seemed to ripple with anticipation, ready to face the intruder who dared challenge their ancient power.
As Scion approached, the scooter's tires kicked up a swirling cloud of desert sand. The electric scooter, imbued with solar energy, whirred with newfound life, its engine roaring with power. Scion's grip on the handlebars was ironclad, and the scooter responded to his every command with uncanny speed.
His initial plan was to use the scooter's newfound velocity to outmanoeuvre the Mystic Beasts, strike at their vulnerabilities and unleash barrages of solar energy. But as he drew closer, he realized that his fists alone were not enough to defeat the formidable foes that now loomed before him.
Thinking quickly, Scion veered toward the lifeless form of a fallen bandit. With remarkable agility, he dismounted the scooter while it was still in motion and snatched a gleaming sword from the ground. In a heartbeat, his solar energy enveloped the blade, causing it to gleam with radiant power.
With the scooter by his side and the radiant sword in hand, Scion became a beacon of celestial fury, his resolve unwavering. He was the protector of the Golden Sands, and his determination was a testament to the strength and unity of the village.
The Mystic Beasts, recognizing the sudden power shift, moved to intercept Scion. Their sand-based forms shifted with a grace that belied their immense size, each one taking a position to engage the oncoming protector. Their movements were swift and coordinated, akin to a deadly dance, with their eerie, glowing eyes locked onto their agile adversary.
Scion weaved between the Mystic Beasts with astonishing agility, his scooter's speed enabling him to dodge their relentless attacks effortlessly. The Sand Snake lunged with its massive jaws, venomous fangs dripping with an unearthly toxin, but Scion evaded its deadly bite with a hair's breadth to spare.
Meanwhile, the Sand Wolf leapt with a chilling howl, jaws snapping shut just inches from Scion's heels. The desperate snap of its teeth was a stark reminder of the ever-present danger. Yet, Scion's swiftness and grace allowed him to escape the creature's grasp, his solar-infused blade slashing in a retaliatory strike.
The Sand Bear, a colossal behemoth, swung its massive paw with titanic force, creating shockwaves in the sand. Scion nimbly leapt away, his scooter's enhanced speed allowing him to evade the impact zone. In a swift counterattack, he delivered a flurry of strikes, the radiant blade slicing through the beast's hide with deadly precision.
With every pass, Scion unleashed a torrent of solar energy. The Mystic Beasts writhed and shuddered as searing beams of golden light cut through their sandy forms. The battlefield was a flurry of solar explosions, each detonation a testament to the protector's unyielding will.
The villagers, watching in awe, saw Scion's valiant effort and the shifting tides of the battle. Their hearts swelled with hope, and their spirits soared as they redoubled their efforts in the face of the bandits. Sira, her admiration for Scion's unwavering bravery more profound than ever, couldn't contain her emotions.
"Scion!" she cried out with tears in her eyes. "He's come back to us! Our protector!"
As the battle raged on, Scion's electric scooter became a symbol of unwavering unity, a beacon of hope that cut through the stifling darkness of despair. It was a testament to the villagers' determination to defend their home, even against seemingly insurmountable odds.
However, the Mystic Beasts, despite their injuries and the fierce onslaught of solar energy, remained formidable adversaries. The golden sands beneath their massive forms bore witness to the intense clash, the ground quaking with every strike and explosion. Yet, they continued to press their assault, driven by their ancient, elemental power.
But then, as Scion's battle with the Mystic Beasts raged on, a sudden mechanical sputter erupted from his solar-infused scooter. The golden light that had enveloped the vehicle flickered and dimmed, and the scooter came to an abrupt stop.
*Damn it all, my luck's run out.*
Scion's eyes widened in disbelief, his solar energy reserves depleted to a dangerous low. His scooter, the source of his unparalleled speed, was now motionless, its engine sputtering with powerlessness. It was a stark reminder of the limits of his celestial strength.
Still clutching the radiant sword, Scion knew that he had to press on. The Mystic Beasts, sensing his momentary vulnerability, seized the opportunity. With uncanny speed, the Sand Bear lunged, tackling him with the force of a sandstorm. The impact sent searing pain through Scion's body, and he felt the sickening sensation of his ribs cracking.
The Sand Wolf, its fangs coated with dark venom, clamped down on Scion's leg. The protector screamed in agony as the creature tore at his flesh. Blood flowed, mingling with the golden sands of the battlefield, and Scion's vision blurred from the pain.
The Sand Snake, not to be outdone, coiled its massive, serpentine body around Scion. With an earth-shattering force, it slammed him into the side of one of the village buildings. The structure groaned and buckled under the impact, and Scion's body went limp.
As Scion lay on the ground, battered and broken, he knew that he had pushed his solar energy to its limit. He struggled to breathe through the pain in his ribs, his vision swimming in and out of focus. The Mystic Beasts, though wounded, loomed over him, their eyes glowing with malevolent satisfaction.
Back in the village, Sira and the remaining villagers fought valiantly against the relentless bandits. Every blow, every arrow, every shout was a testament to their unwavering resolve. They knew that their protector's battle with the Mystic Beasts was the linchpin that held their fate together.
Sira, her heart filled with determination and love, led the charge against the bandits. "We can't let Scion's sacrifice be in vain!" she cried.
But as the battle raged on, the villagers could not escape the creeping dread that if Scion fell, they too would be swallowed by the relentless tide of Voren's bandits. The bandits' numbers were vast, and their desperation fueled their aggression. It was a race against time, with the village's very survival hanging in the balance.
Back on the battlefield, Scion's gaze drifted to the ominous figure of Voren, seated atop the Village Chief's lifeless body. The leader of the bandits let out a guttural, triumphant scream that cut through the chaos.
"Scion! Look at your mentor's fate!" Voren's voice was tinged with madness and cruelty. "He's gone, just as you soon will be. Our dominion over the Golden Sands is assured!"
Scion, battered and broken, lay on the ground, his spirit refusing to yield. He gazed upon the Village Chief's lifeless form and felt a profound sorrow, a sense of guilt for not being able to protect the man who had become his mentor. The weight of his failure pressed down on him, but within that despair, a flicker of defiance remained. Scion's battle was far from over.
Gifts
-- Gift
received Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone