Shards of Felwyn

Recursive Application

Suddenly, Cynderad's form shifted below him, the lightning still hanging in the air, sparks cascading to the ground. Its chest swelled, its form bloating as limbs began to twist and shift, their fleshy exterior tearing as its very bones crunched under the force of its transformation. Three long, spindly, insectile arms sprouted from Cynderad's sides as the limbs that had once been Galdernad's own became sharp and elongated.

The dessecration of Galdernad's body continued, chitinous legs forming from the lower half of its body. Countless eyes appeared on the bloodied and massacred surface of Cynderad's form, th pupils within tiny and fully of hatred, each staring directly towards Cosmo. In one terrifying motion, the horror arose to its true height, towering over him as its mouth opened wide, two enormous pinchers bursting from the sides of its deformed mouth in a fount of blood.

The sound that ensued was beyond Cosmo's description, a terrible noise that was dull and shrill, groaning but piercing, a warning but a challenge. An awful feeling rose in his chest as doubt crept into his mind. He began to wonder if it was at all possible, if he could run now and somehow till make it out alive. No! He thought to himself, as time seemed to move like syrup through water. Such cowardice is unacceptable. I will slay Cynderad here and now. He gripped Dragon's Focus, the gemstone alighting from the force. Or die with honor in the process.

The lightning that Cosmo had released mere seconds ago finally made contact with the demon, barely buffeting it before swinging forth its multitude of limbs with zeal. The attack made contact near instantaneously, slashing Cosmo across the chest and throwing him backwards, just barely landing without falling on his backside. Steeling himself, he nearly leapt front he ground, charging for his adversary who lied in eager anticipation for the attacks that would ensue.

The following advances occurred so quickly, Cosmo had little time to even think of what he was doing. Ducking and jumping between a flurry of limbs as Cynderad attempted to skewer the boy with no regard for its own safety, each opening that present itself was just out of his reach. Even still, Cosmo pressed on, landing a singular slash on Cynderad's horrific countenance before retreating to a safe distance.

"Having an expertly-crafted weapon means nothing if you have no idea how to move properly in battle." He muttered to himself, recalling the instruction Molniya had given him in the fields outside of Cors. He twisted his foot and pushed off to the right, slashing at one of Cynderad's appendages before leaping backwards.

"Be close enough to strike your foe when they slip up and provide you an opening." Cosmo breathed, realizing he had been forgetting to. Sucking another breath in, he reingaged before Cynderad could get the jump on him, casting a shield to protect him from a flurry of attack on his left. The spell just barely held, sapping more strength from Cosmo than he was comfortable with.

When up against a new opponent, their weak points and openings are going to be the thing you focus on most. He had no breath to speak the words, but thought them instead, Molniya's words echoing within his mind. Timing is what makes a soldier a true warrior. Cynderad lifted an appendage, aimed to piece Cosmo's chest.

Too careless. He criquiqued, lurching forward and burying the dagger within Cynderad's scarred flesh and twisting it. Nraida! The thought burst forth as if Cosmo had never cast a spell aloud in his life. Instinct turned to flame, blasting forward with the force of an explosion as the air around him was combusted, the plume of flame burning his adversary from the inside out. Another terrible cry echoed across the basalt cavern.

As if from sheer agony, Cynderad's body bloated once more, teeth breaking through the thin layer of dilapidated flesh that covered its body, an amalgam of gnashing mouths and slavering tongues to join in the cry of agony. Cosmo winced, bile rising to his mouth in disgust. What a horrible thing. He fought the urge to vomit. Only a pig such as Galdernad would go to such lengths just for power. If the Lord of Felwyn is even in there.