CHAPTER 45: THE SHARK’S COUNTER

Azene shook its head, slammed its claws on the and arched its back, then it released an ear splitting roar. Silas waved his hand, sending all the spittle flying into the distant houses.

"That thing is dangerous." Silas said as he turned to the houses walls which had holes in them, lifting his brows as he noticed steam rising from those holes, "You can’t get careless."

"I’ve never seen something like this before." Matilda remarked, shifting her glance from the creature to the buildings Silas had tinted out earlier, "But, we don’t have time to play."

Ignoring her warnings about their limited time, Ether lunged the beast. It roared, then swiped its claws with her hand only for Ether to grab that claw, using it the hurl the beast.

’Typical." Matilda rolled her eyes, then she slapped her hands together. The entire area, in a ten mile radius, froze up. As snow rained from the air, she nodded, "Okay. Let’s go see."

’An ice domain?’ Silas thought back to one of his skills, but even that wasn’t so strong it altered the atmosphere. He perceived it was the stronger version of the Absolute Zero Zone.

"If my hunch is right, then the clues to escaping should be in one of those buildings you pointed out." Matilda said as they rushed towards the first group of buildings, "It proves it."

"It as in that thing and it as in your deduction?" Silas frowned, then nodded his head. It makes sense that they would be some sort of security put into defending the way of escape.

"This dome helps my powers work better, if you were wondering." Matilda explained to Silas, watching him out the corner of her eyes. After some time, they arrived at the houses.

"So, do we go in or—" Silas raised a question, only for Ice to kick down a door without a shred of hesitation. Silas frowned, then he turned to the other house then he ran towards it.

Ether on the other hand leapt into the air, clasped her hands together then swung it in a fierce arc, bringing down on Azene’s scaly head. There was a loud explosion as it connected.

Azene’s jaw crashed to the ground, sending tremors across its surface. As Ether landed on the besides it, it swept it claws across the road, shredding her skin through her clothes.

Ether’s eyes widened as she noticed the pieces of her dress on its finger, her blood was sprayed into the air along with bits of her flesh. Ether staggered as the pain consumed her.

She clenched her hand into a fist, then swung a hook, burying it into Azene’s face. That blow sent shock waves throughout Azene’s body as it was hurtled across the road instantly.

Some scales on its back exploded, flying into the air from the excessive shock. As Ether withdrew her hand, she frowned with a calculative gleam in her eyes, "How... dare... you?"

She stepped forward, then lunged forth, shattering the ground beneath her feet as she turned into a blur. Ether used that moment to grab Azene head, slamming it into the road.

The road cracked, then blew into countless pieces. Azene’s head dropped in the crater, unable to lift its head. Ether stood before its head, frowning in disdain, "It’s still pathetic."

Just as those words fell from her lips, a flash of light appeared out the corner of Ether’s eyes, then a force— with the energy of a speeding train —crashed into her exposed left arm.

Ether’s feet left the ground, then her eyes widened in shock. Before she could react, she was somersaulting in the air, with the heavens and earth spinning right in front of her eyes.

She tumbled across the ground, then slid to a halt some metres away. Ether coughed up blood as she lay on the ground, curling up in pain, as steam shrouded her entire body, "Uh."

Azene on the other hand rose to its feet, then roared furiously, its jaw handing loose off its mouth. It’s ruby eyes gained a bright glow, his claws digging into the road as it locked in.

Ether on the other hand, rolled to her back. She closed her eyes, heaving breathlessly as she recovered from her wounds. Ether turned to see the beast charging at her, then sighed.

She struggled, sitting up and grabbing the road. Beads of sweat rolled down her face as she lifted her weight off the ground then she stood up slowly to glare at Azene, "You...fool."

Her skin began tearing up— black marks spreading across her body —then it started, her heart beat slowly getting louder and louder. Ether swung her arms, her claws transforming.

In an instant, her claws had tripled in size and pieces of her skin had begun to fall off to the ground. Azene, who had charged in range, got caught in between her converging claws.

Blood splattered across the ground as Ether’s claws tore through its skin, and it uttered a fierce roar, then staggered back. Ether roared, her skin peeling off to reveal hidden scales.

Silas froze up, feeling his heartbeat slow to a snail’s pace. He looked out the window and noticed Ether’s and Azene’s fight. Silas’ eyes widened and his skin crawled hearing her roar.

Ether dashed forward, opening her mouth wide and biting on Azene’s leg. It shrieked in pain, swinging its claws to attack her but she dashed backward, tearing its flesh along with.

Ether chewed, then swallowed. She growled, watching as it opened its mouth wide then swooped down to return the favour. She dashed back then she quickly leaped on to its head.

She buried her claws in the gaps between its scales, tearing them out without hesitation as it thrashed about to get rid off her. It turned to fall on its back, but she moved to its side.

As it fell to the ground, she swung her weight to the top of its neck, then buried both of her claws inside. It roared out in fury as Ether clawed away at its neck, shredding it to bits.

Blood splattered across the ground as Ether dug a hole in its neck and it thrashed about wildly, swinging its claws and tail. Ether dug through the bone then she leapt away from it.

The beast— with a gaping hole in its neck —struggled in vain. After some time, the beast ceased its squirming. Ether stood towering over its motionless body, then she stepped forth.

Just as her feet touched the ground, she staggered, falling to her knees as blood dribbled down her nose and eyes. Her skin sizzled as the steam increased, then she collapsed weakly.