Experimentation

"What the hell is this abomination?"Exclaimed the young lord, somewhat frazzled, peering deeply through the tattered corridor. A large humanoid of a creature carrying the scent of rot stepped from out of the shadows, dragging a great rusted sword the size of a tall man. Hunching over, as it hauled its sword that seemed far too heavy for any man to carry, the features of the creature fell within his sights.

The monster, before Zariel's eyes many would insist on being a Ghast, stood nine meters tall, with snow-white fur burrowing through its shattered plated armor, filled with numerous cracks. Standing firmly, its scarlet eyes burning hotter than coal through its hollow sockets. Around its neck revealed a tarnished sword running through its throat, but the beast did not seem dead, much less affected.

A/N: (Look up Ghast D&D. They have the best looking picture.)

"What is that thing?" Shouted Aurelia, holding back the fear from spilling out. She parted her feet and ran her Golden-Black Arcana over her body.

"I have no idea," Said Zariel calmly. He had recognized the beast as a Ghast, but most Ghast, undead creatures, were without fur and rarely used weapons, much less armor. They were dull beasts that ravage the underbelly of ruins and cities. Some were intelligent, but after they tasted the flesh of man, they would become feral beasts.

Somewhat on-edge by the strange undead, whose throat rattled against the iron sword lodged through its throat. Aurelia lowered the Azure candle. She could smell the stench of death racing from its fur and knew she would need both her hands.

Squealing with brownish-yellow saliva slipping from its long serpent-like tongue, bearing several jagged fangs, the Ghast lunged towards Zariel and Aurelia, swiping its blade in a horizontal arch. Zariel leaped into the air while Aurelia pivoted backward, pointing her staff towards the beast in an instant.

'Firebolt,' she swiftly fired off in quick secession.

The Ghast howled, and its arms began to flail, tearing apart the several firebolts into whisk of embers; it rested its scarlet eyes on the young fallen. When a silver slash came crashing down over the Ghast right shoulder blade. Tear through the armor without resistance, Zariel suddenly twisted with a small hop in the air after only bearly piercing through the armor, dodging the greatsword ready to tear his head off.

Amazed by the Silver Devil's swift reaction, Aurelia watched in terror at the dexterous undead. She could feel its power emanating at the second tier, but the more she saw, the more baffled she grew.

"Do not clash head-on," Zariel barked, weaving like he could see the path of the blade before it struck. When all of a sudden, Severance shot out, cutting through the winds without issue; an irritation touched over his eyes as the Ghast met his sword head-on.

Zariel was, without a doubt, more skilled with a sword, but his body simply could not keep up with his skills without breaking down. He could easily take down this Apex Ghast, but their journey had only just started, and Injury of any kind was not acceptable.

Parrying the incoming katana, heading for the neck. A backlash ran through Zariels hands as he twisted his entire body in the direction the undead struck to alleviate the full force. Twisting his body in a spin, sending an unexpected kick so fast into the plated chest of the Ghast. An audible groan raced from its lips. Blasting the undead off its feet a few meters away, Aurelia sprinted ahead.

Holding onto the Eldritch staff tightly, excitement raced through her young heart; Arching her staff before the undead regained its footing after it landed. A horrid power that ate away at life poured from Aurelia pours. Aiming at its back, still flying through the air, a horrid sigil appeared above her head.

"Demonic Lance!" She cried out her incantation, sending a massive shockwave that cared forth debris throughout the corridor. A piercing ray of scarlet and black tore through the Ghast. Shredding its organs as the demonic lance pierced through the back, exiting the chest, blood the color of black filled her sight.

Watching the beast almost shattered in two, Zariel charged forth, brushing forth Severance, cutting the beast's head from its body.

"That thing was strong!" Aurelia cried, racing to the azure candle; she ran back to the dead ghast. "How was it so fast and strong?"

"No idea." Said Zariel. Shaking his head, he backed away, disgusted by the stench emitting by the undead. Covering his nose, he continued, " But that was the strongest second-tier monster I have ever seen. Its battle prowess is at the realm of a knight. And with its terrifying body, it made quite the combination. You would have definitely died."

"No need to brag!" Snapped, The Fallen smacking her lips at Zariel. "You think my body will be that strong?"

"I have no idea what the hell you are. Your insides look far different than anything I have ever seen." He remarked and studied her body standing still under the light of Azure. "But I don't see why not. We may need to start hunting for a strong beast for you to devour. That is how most beasts grow stronger."

"So even you don't truly know." She muttered beneath her breath and peered up at his stirling eyes sparkling in wonder.

"Come on," Said Zariel sending one last glance towards the Ghast, bleeding out. He moved ahead as his mind began to trail off the image of Tiamat and the City of Seigram. Humming in response, Aurelia followed by his side.

"This is fun." She cried as they began to head down another stairwell. Moving through the dusty tower, downwards. "So," She started off, a little hesitant. "What is your battle prowess?"

"My original battle prowess or now?" He answered, a little amused by her hesitation. Unable to grasp why she was hesitating in the first place. He simply could not understand that Aurelia had thought it to be rude to ask.

"Both?" Aurelia swiftly shouted. She smiled and turned to Zariel, ogling him with fascination. "Aurelia needs to know when she will be able to kick your ass."

"I was a King." He cynically remarked, "And I am now only a Knight Swordsman when I do not force myself. Although if I get serious, I could jump back to my original battle prowess, my body would just lose an arm or maybe an eye."