Chapter 10: Tiny Terror, Shadow Tears
The sight of a baby launching himself through the air, covered in glowing saliva, was enough to momentarily stun even the shadow creatures.
Ethan, propelled by a combination of adrenaline and magical spit, soared towards the nearest shadow creature. He was a tiny, diaper-clad missile of purification.
He hit his target squarely in the face, splattering it with Purifying Spit.
The shadow creature shrieked, a sound of pure agony. The golden light of the spit burned into its shadowy form, causing it to convulse and dissolve.
With a final, desperate wail, the creature dissipated, leaving behind only a wisp of smoke.
The other shadow creatures, recovering from their shock, turned their attention to Ethan. Their eyes burned with hatred.
Sergeant Gruff, seeing his opportunity, roared and charged forward, his sword flashing. He slashed through the remaining shadow creatures, his movements swift and deadly.
But the shadows were relentless. They swarmed around him, their claws tearing at his armor. He was beginning to tire.
Ethan knew he had to act quickly. He couldn't let Sergeant Gruff fall.
He focused his mental energy, summoning another globule of Purifying Spit. He aimed it at the shadow creature that was closest to Sergeant Gruff.
Then, he launched.
The spit hit its target, and the creature dissolved in a burst of golden light.
Ethan continued to launch globule after globule of Purifying Spit, each one striking its target with deadly accuracy. He was a tiny, tireless machine of purification, spitting his way to victory.
The shadow creatures, weakened by the Purifying Spit, began to fall one by one. Their numbers dwindled until only a single creature remained.
It was the largest and most powerful of the shadows, its eyes burning with an intense, malevolent energy. It turned its gaze upon Ethan, and a wave of pure hatred washed over him.
The creature lunged, its shadowy claws outstretched.
Ethan knew he couldn't dodge. He was too small, too slow.
He closed his eyes, bracing for the impact.
Suddenly, a figure stepped in front of him.
Sergeant Gruff, his armor battered and torn, his face streaked with grime and sweat, stood between Ethan and the shadow creature.
"You will not harm him!" he roared, his voice filled with righteous fury.
He raised his sword and charged at the shadow creature, his blade flashing.
The shadow creature met his charge, its claws tearing at his sword.
The two figures clashed, locked in a desperate struggle.
Ethan watched in horror, knowing that Sergeant Gruff was outmatched. The shadow creature was too strong, too powerful.
He had to do something.
He focused all his mental energy, summoning every last ounce of his magical power. He willed a massive globule of Purifying Spit to form, larger and more potent than anything he had created before.
He took a deep breath and aimed at the shadow creature.
Then, with a mighty heave, he launched.
The globule of Purifying Spit soared through the air, engulfing the shadow creature in a blinding flash of golden light.
The creature shrieked, a sound of pure, unadulterated agony. Its shadowy form writhed and convulsed, twisting and contorting into impossible shapes.
Then, with a final, earth-shattering wail, the shadow creature exploded, leaving behind only a cloud of smoke.
The battle was over.
Sergeant Gruff stood panting, his sword dripping with shadowy residue. He looked down at Ethan, his face etched with exhaustion and relief.
"We… we did it," he said, his voice hoarse. "We defeated them."
Ethan gurgled with happiness. He had helped to save the day.
Suddenly, the SYSTEM chimed in.
SYSTEM: ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED!
SYSTEM: "SHADOW SLAYER (EPIC EDITION)" - DEFEATED A HORDE OF SHADOW CREATURES AND SAVED LADY ELARA AND SERGEANT GRUFF FROM CERTAIN DOOM. REWARD: 10 REPUTATION POINTS!
SYSTEM: QUEST COMPLETE: "PROTECT THE INNOCENT" - PROTECT LADY ELARA AND SERGEANT GRUFF FROM THE FORCES OF DARKNESS. REWARDS: "BABY BARRICADE" BLUEPRINT, "DIAPER OF DEFENSE" BLUEPRINT
Ethan stared at the messages, his mind racing. He had gained a massive amount of Reputation Points and unlocked some intriguing new blueprints.
But he knew that this was just the beginning. The shadow creatures were defeated, but their source remained unknown. The darkness was still lurking, waiting for another opportunity to strike.
As Sergeant Gruff gathered him up in his arms, Ethan gazed out the nursery window, his baby-like eyes filled with a newfound determination. He would continue to protect this world, even if it meant facing even greater dangers.
The Saliva Samurai was just getting started.
End Chapter 10