Somewhere in the hill top, Carla and Brachus had joined hands to fight the beasts. They had already slain and few and were now face to face with an ape.
The beast was huge. It's hind legs short while its body being supported by its thick and bulky forearms.
There were snakes coiled around its arms that hissed with each step the beast took.
Its fur was white covering its arms, legs and its back too.
Its chest was bare adorned by chiselled and protruding muscles that were twitching with might.
Its skin was flush pink, giving it a rosy color. Its face had human-like features. Wrinkles spread from under its eyes to its lips, giving it seemingly frail characteristics.
Its expression was relaxed, its watery eyes filled with a hint of joy and its lips curled into a gentle smile.
As Carla and Brachus saw the beast, they couldn't help but feel a little affection towards it. They felt themselves wanting to play with it.
It wasn't the ape's mystic ability, but rather the amiable impression its appearance gave which had aroused such emotions within the two.
The two became alert as they cleared their thoughts. Their bodies had been brimming with strength and confidence owing to the battles before.
Even as Stage 2 fighters and with not the best teamwork, the two had been steadily felling beasts one by one and the one in front would be no exception.
They had long heard of the beast's mystic ability and had some guesses to approach the battle. Moving around slowly, centred around the beast, thet both positioned themselves opposite to each other.
Carla held a spear in her hand while Brachus had no choice but to rely on a staff. That was the best thing he could find after all.
Taking in a deep breath, he tapped the ground with his staff as he approached slowly. Part of the reason for doing this was to attract the beasts attention and the other part was a strategy to counter the beast's mystic ability.
The beast turned to look at Brachus, as it raised its arms, banging them onto the ground, causing visible ripples to spread through it in every direction.
The sturdy boy felt his steps come to a halt as he felt tingling sensation in his legs. The ripples from the ground had reached his legs. Strength being sapped away from them.
He increased the pace at which he hit the ground, causing new ripples to appear in the spot. The ripples spready slowly as they kept fighting against the one's produced by the ape. He felt strength return to his legs. Then, extending his staff, he held it by one end. His muscles bulged and he swung the thing at the ape's body.
Swoosh!
The ape which had yet to raise its arms couldn't help but be hit by the staff.
Thud!
The sound gave no indication of the hurt the hit had caused to the beast. It was unhurt and it was unaffected.
The staff bounced off the beast's body, giving Brachus a jerk. He retained his footing and gave another swing, delivering another blow.
Meanwhile, Clara had been looking for any openings the beast gave. There had been many, in fact. But only a few she could capitalise on.
And even fewer she could capitalise on in time. The ripples had left her frozen as well, after all. She had to spead some time performing the action Brachus had done to free himself.
As she freed herself, feeling strength return to her legs, she took measured and careful steps— both to avoid the ripples as well as to not alert the beast.
She could see the beast's back and she had to be quick and ruthless. She had to deliver as much damage as she could in the while the beast would take to smash again.
She straightened her spear as she saw the beast stand up. It gave a loud growl, annoyed by the blows Brachus had been delivering.
It raised its arms to deliver another smash. Brachus immediately stepped in and used his staff to prop the ape up by the chin. Preventing its arms from smashing the ground.
Then as soon as he recieved Carla's signal, he pushed with all his might, causing the ape to tumble backwards. Its short legs failing to prevent its fall.
As it fell, Brachus saw a blood-dyed spear come out of the ape's throat. It had been impaled onto a spear!
Carla had positioned her spear up towards the ape. As the ape fell, she pushed her spear with all her might.
As the tip touched the falling ape's neck, it very easily pierced through it. The ape's weight did not help it avoid its fate either. It only hastened the ape's death.
Releasing hold of her spear, Carla saw the ape that was now propped into death. She saw its twitching body as blood dripped down her spear.
The dying ape flailed its arms around, barely managing to hit the ground leaving small ripples behind.
The ripples slowly but surely went up the spear shaft, breaking it in half with a lond sound.
Crack!
Brachus saw the ape's body again speed into a fall. The remaining spear pierced through the ape's throat, leaving the beast dead and pitiful.
He then saw the snakes around the beast slowly uncoil as they slowly slithered away. Their black bodies now adorned with the blood of their host.
Carla and Brachus saw them retreat towards the edges of the hill, stopping at the end to look at the battlefield.
***
The raging boars had become lifeless, the enchanting cats had been slain, the human-like apes had been killed. Even the swinging monekys had fallen too. Still the sense of dread that plagued the villagers did not go.
The familiar wolf pack had steered away from any battle since the beginning. It had scattered more and more into smaller packs, moving throughout the hill-top.
They had been scanvenging upon the beasts that fell throughout the battle. Tearing their stomachs, chomping on their intestines and feasting on their flesh.
They paid no attention to the humans around them. Utterly unfazed by them, they only filled their bellies.
That was what the villagers were afraid of.
They couldn't tell when the beasts would change their minds and turn to them.
Killing a few swinging monkeys around him, Edith saw everyone gathered at the center.
Horus, Carla, Brachus and Astus had been helping calm the people down. The children had come to their senses.
Even Rinnie and Fortis had come to their sense and were being kept safe in the center. They had both fallen back to stage 1 after all.
Looking at the retreating snakes and the feasting wolves, Edith took a deep breath and headed towards the center.
Standing there, to prepare for the final clash.
Throughout the battle, he had come to know his own limits as a Stage 3. He was getting more and more control over his technique and movements. His planning had become more refined too.
As he reached near the crowd, he saw his friends in similar enlightened states. He could feel it from the way they walked and breathed.
A simple headcount relieved Edith. Everyone was alive. Some had sustained a few injuries but none were fatal.
His gaze fell on his mother, holding Ren in her arms, consoloung the little girl.
His father was there too, providing both emotional and physical support. He was a source of peace at the moment, not only for the two ladies but for other familes, who had been terrified, as well.
He gave a wistful smile and said,
"Mother, are you alright?"