Testing Limits

Twigs snapped as they crushed underneath our pressure, our bodies moving like two birds soaring side by side, just a little over a shoulder's length apart. "So, do you know where to look?" I asked as we leapt over a puddle Alice now slightly outpacing me.

"It should be near the river, they usually lurk around stalking nearby prey," Alice answered, the chirping of birds slightly overcoming her voice.

After about ten minutes the river slowly came into view, Alice channeled her mana into her legs and a small cloud of dust kicked up, and so I did the same.

My feet quickly sped up as the river came closer and closer into view. Nearby animals fled the scene, and shortly I was met by a weird sensation, a sudden sensation of walking through mud or rather running into a cushioned wall.

I was surprised that my speed had not experienced any change, and it wasn't just me who had noticed.

Alice's face flashed with shock and confusion for a moment, but we just kept moving forward.

Moments passed as we kept looking for that beast. I was beginning to think it had already left this area, so I came to a stop.

Alice's head swung back. "Did you see something?" She questioned, "I think it's about time we head back; it's at least been another thirty minutes of running."

Alice didn't seem exactly happy about that, but she knew we had came to this agreement. So she just sighed and began to trail behind me.

"Look at the bright side of things; at least we tried and didn't chicken out, right?" I tried to lighten the mood a little. "We? You mean you didn't chicken out?" Surprisingly, Alice retorted with a joke of her own. "And, yes, at least we came out, so let's get back before we are caught."

I ruffled her hair with a light chuckle and began to head back.

As we were about to burst into a dash, I heard something fall behind me, disregarding it as an animal or something. I took off, "St—" I heard a frightened voice call out to me. I turned my head around confused, then I saw Alice beads of sweat running down her forehead. "What's wrong?" I asked with concern, my hands on the girl's who's slightly taller than me shoulders.

But there was no reason to ask, as I felt an icy sensation of something watching us.

My eyes quickly darted around, taken aback by this sensation of dread that was seeping in. "W-we need to run." I said, grabbing her arm, sending mana flowing throughout my legs.

Alice answered with a half-nod, but in that instant on that same arm I felt a gauntlet of earth form, and in that instant I was sent flying away from Alice, who had shoved me.

A black blur sped past my vision, and the screeching sound of claws grinding against something hard followed its wake. Immediately I let all the mana within my body loose; the warm sensation filled my body. Catching myself, I darted to Alice, who's gauntlet was dented from whatever had attacked us, "It's striking again!" Alice's voice boomed as her arm went, striking out her gauntlet smashing into whatever was attacking us, and the sound of bones shattering resounded the area, and a roar echoed.

The beast had come to an abrupt stop, its body crashing into a nearby tree.

The beast stood at least two meters tall; its dark black fur made its lanky arms and legs stand out, its body unhealthily small, as if it were malnourished. Its deep black eyes stared daggers into Alice. It gashed its jagged teeth, saliva dripping through its cracks; its claws came out like daggers with each passing moment cutting through the murky mud. 

Roaring flames embodied my arms; I watched its every move, but before it could, I moved first.

My body blurred as the distance closed, sending cyclones of wind hurling forward, and the beast reacted with its claws rending throughout the air.

I pivoted to the side, its claw just barely missing my chest, and in the following moment I sent my fist crashing down.

As my fist collided with its hide, I felt a sensation of numbness trickling up my arm; my attack seemed to have no effect whatsoever.

The beast's lanky arm swung out, smashing into my rib cage. It felt like my consciousness had almost slipped, as my body was sent flying.

I was caught almost immediately by Alice, and hearing the ragged breaths escaping from her mouth I could tell how much trading those few blows had taken a toll on her.

Wasn't I here to help? I thought to myself, yet I couldn't do anything; its hide completely absorbed the attack.

Alice tossed me aside as the beast lunged forward. Alice's gauntlet went smashing down, and a wall of condensed rock emerged.

The beast smashed through the wall, its speed decreasing drastically, and that was the opening Alice needed. Her gauntlet went flying towards its face, and the beast's mouth shot open as it mauled down. 

Alice grimaced as she pulled her arm out and sent a pillar of rock with the other, then dashed back as the pillar was reduced to rubble.

A monstrous screech ripped from the monster's lungs as its eyes darted around; the lanky creature's eyes rested on mine, then its form blurred.

Its wide open jaws appeared several inches away from my face, practically throwing myself offside. I felt its saliva touch my face.

Wind came to my aid as I caught myself, preparing for a counterattack.

I came here to test the limits of my mana core yet; I haven't tried anything new. What can I do to get past its hide? Thoughts swirl as I attempt to find a solution.

I could try asserting more mana to my arms to make the power behind my fist more potent, but if that fails, what next?

I can't waste mana needlessly in a situation like this, but at the same time, not taking risks isn't going to get me anywhere. I need more strength, yet I lack it.

That's when the thought hit me. To beat this creature, I don't necessarily need more power behind my blows. What if I were to burn it from the inside out? Or just completely burn it to a crisp.

But with my current regulation of my flame element, it wouldn't be enough. I need to make that power explosive—a flame so powerful it would burn its hide almost instantaneously.

Sending cyclones swirling towards the beast, I knew I would need Alice's help. "Alice, do you think you could hold this thing still for even a few seconds?" I yelled, pivoting the oncoming claws, as flames continued to dance wildly, but I quickly put them to rest, knowing I'd need every ounce of mana I could manage.

"Maybe! But I need some time to prepare a trap of some sort, or holding it down for even a second is completely out of the question!"

Alright, it looks like it's just me and this incredibly handsome beast; I mean, who wouldn't love its hot breath, cracked teeth, and lanky body?

"Just keep him away for about a minute or so!" Alice yelled.

Simple enough with me just dodging its attacks. I should at least last another minute. I could feel my speed increase as mana flowed throughout my body down my legs.

The beast's swinging became slightly easier to dodge, and I could distance myself just enough where it didn't feel like I would snap my neck attempting to dodge its claws.

Dodging and dodging it seemed like it would be easier than I thought it would. Once again, a monstrous screech escaped and its mouth shot open; it would attempt to leap forward again. Its neck stretched out, and in response, I leaped back, knowing it would attempt to gnaw my face off. 

But I had fallen for its trap; in the same motion, the beast's form blurred, "Alice! It's coming!" I roared 

The lanky, two-meter creature appeared beside Alice; its claws went flying, but Alice had reacted in time. The sound of screeching resounded, but the sound of something breaking followed.

I felt my heart beating through my chest as I rushed to Alice. 

Everything except Alice seemed to blur out.

Bright red blood dripped from her arm, and the gauntlet was reduced to pieces; my feet sank down almost completely, almost causing me to tumble over. My feet would barely budge, and it felt like I was sinking deeper.

Whatever this trap she was preparing saved her life, and there's no doubt about that.

She's done more than enough while I've done practically nothing.

What is this mana core truly capable of? I thought to myself, wondering if the only thing I could do was dodge attacks.

This is why I came here. To test its limits, and in the process I was also being tested.