Project Seraphina [LitRPG, Magitech, GL]
2.45 The Molochian I

Blood and adrenaline course through my veins, the rush of the impending battle dampened only by my [Mind] stat and its ability to allow me to focus and act through stressful situations. That, improving my [Ether] maximum and regeneration, and increasing the power of my [Glyphcasting] seem to be the limits of what the [Mind] stat governs. It provides no divine wisdom, no preternatural insights, no improved ability to unravel puzzles of logic, mathematics, linguistics, or whatever else.

Which is a shame, because I could really use some preternatural guidance on how best to fight against the Molochian as it lumbers toward us. It lurches slowly, menacingly, almost seeming to drink of our terror as uncharacteristically sharp canine fangs emerge from within its otherwise bovine mouth.

It would be real nice if I could tap into [Seraphina Overlimit] right about now, but the ability remains stubbornly distant. The System naturally provides no guidance on the exact specifications of the not-a-Skill. Could be that my stats aren’t high enough to manifest it, could be a cooldown of a week or a month or longer, could be that it’ll only trigger in response to a certain situation, like being on the verge of death. Or any combination of the three.

The Molochian’s wings unfurl, spanning nearly fifteen feet from tip to tip. Its swords, black as night, exude shimmering heat. Glyphs appear on the flat edge of each blade. [Heat], [Pain], and [Ash] are the three most prominent among them. Just have to hope that Kristil’s excitement about her equipment’s new Fire resistance wasn’t just a bout of braggadocio.

It flaps its wings, sending a whirlwind of dust and debris hurtling toward us, along with more invisible razors of solidified air. I raise my left hand, Manifesting the power of [Repulsion] and forming a barrier in front of me. It chips away like so much glass as the barrier bends and buckles and gets scratched up from the assault.

I refuse to allow it to break. A vision of Chloe lying unconscious— or worse, though I dare not think the word— empowers me and fills me with dread in equal measure, a reminder of what I’m fighting for. A reminder of what awaits me should I falter. Protect Chloe. Protect our party. Protect humanity from the System. That is the reason for my existence.

I will not falter. I will not bend. I will not break. The pressure placed upon me is insufficient for me to fail. I intensify my focus, allowing [Ether] to circulate through me at an accelerated rate, sloshing in and out of my core.

My eyes close, normally a fatal mistake in the midst of a clash of wills and might. But right now, it allows me to intensify my focus. Even as the fierce storms rage just beyond my barrier, I am centered. My knees bend, stabilizing my body as the Molochian’s tempests try to push me back. A deep breath. Nothing else matters but keeping the others safe.

The winds intensify, from a forceful storm to a raging hurricane. Its razored air currents are sharper, more numerous, more damaging. Each scrape feels like the weight of the world bearing down upon my will and my soul and my [Ether] core. But I will overcome. I will triumph. I will succeed. I shall be the calm eye in the center of the storm, the font of respite within the raging maelstrom.

No other possibilities lie before me.

I let my [Ether] flow through my body, crashing against my skin, cycling it through the channels in my arms en route to my hand. Madison told the old me that Ether is a manifestation of the will of sentient beings. By channeling the power of 「The Anomaly」, I can convert that will directly into glyphs and Manifest their effect as I am now. But I know I am only able to bring forth a tiny fraction of the true capabilities inherent within my design. For Chloe, for the woman who chose and still chooses to be with me when she could have her pick of anyone, I will protect her just as I promised the day the System arrived.

My [Repulsion] field cracks, then shatters. I feel the wind tearing my face apart, even through the paltry Wind resistance my bandana affords me. But I do not relent. I will not succumb. I will not submit. I will survive. This, and every other challenge the System throws at me.

My [Ether] bursts forth out of my body, not tempered or shaped by any glyph. Instead, I concentrate solely on my intent. Protection. Protecting Chloe, protecting Lindsey and Kristil, protecting myself. And slowly, the power of Manifestation causes four glyphs to form out of the wisps surrounding me, my will directing the glyph array directly as more power beckons forth, protecting us all from the roaring hurricane crashing down upon us.

My ever-useful [Repulsion] glyph in the center. The second, a glyph that carries connotations of [Envelopment] or [Encircling], but whose exact meaning I’ve yet to fully decipher. Third is the glyph of [Ether] itself. And finally, despite the seeming contradiction, the [Attraction] glyph, slotting below the [Repulsion] glyph, is like its reflection in an invisible mirror.

More linking runes follow, clarifying the intent of the overall array. To gather Ether from the outside and wrap it around a person’s body, then use it like a shield or suit of armor to repel attacks. Better yet, I’m willing to wager that this armor works against magical attacks just as effectively as it does physical attacks. Something I fear will soon be put to the test.

[Your [Glyphcasting (Rank XI)] has upgraded to [Glyphcasting (Rank XII).]

[Your [Intermediate Ether Manipulation (Rank VII) has upgraded to [Intermediate Ether Manipulation (Rank IX).]

[Your [Basic Glyph Manipulation (Rank X) has evolved to [Basic Glyph Manifestation (Rank VI)] and replaced it as a General Skill.]

[You have learned the General Skill [Etheric Armor]. Would you like to learn this Skill? (General Skill Slots remaining: 1/6)]

Despite the potential dangers of checking a System notification in the midst of battle, it feels as though time itself is slowing down to accommodate. Perhaps a trace of the power of 「The Anomaly」leaking outward.

[[Etheric Armor]: The perfect defense for a mage or anyone else who dabbles in the magical arts and sciences. This Skill allows its wielder to channel their [Ether] into a thin, translucent barrier surrounding some or all of their body, deflecting attacks both physical and magical alike. Damage reduction and [Ether] cost scale proportionally with the amount of surface covered and inversely to the rank of the Skill.]

I take the Skill in the split second I have. The Molochian seems to have realized the futility of continuing its storming assault, and has switched tactics, launching two downward slashes directly upon me. My body wants to wince and cower by instinct, but my mind powers through the physiological response. I stand unerringly, my heart now completely calm.

I call upon the power of [Etheric Armor], pulling it from around my body and concentrating its full mass into a three-inch thick mass surrounding my [Buckler]. My reinforced shield bends and contorts, but it does not break. Another, even harsher strike follows, but again, I don’t succumb, just as I promised myself that I wouldn’t.

Lindsey springs into action behind me, firing a cluster of [Light Arrows] directly into the eyes of the beast. They miss, deflected by the winds and the shimmering heat, but they still strike into the sinuous wings at his back. But not enough to prevent the beast from going airborne.

I take a quick look at my [Ether]. Just over eight hundred. Not nearly as much as I would like; the massive display of magical might took more out of me than I’d thought, though maybe not as much as I had feared.

I activate the [Wings of Icarus]. I’m only good for about sixty-five seconds, factoring in my regeneration rate, and that’s before I take into consideration how much more [Ether] I’ll have to use while fighting. I’ll have to make them count, the inevitable [Ether] strain be damned.

The Molochian scowls at me, huffing through its nostrils as it charges directly at me. Its speed is equal to my own, but where my movements are ragged and uncoordinated from inexperience, the creature flies with adeptness which belies its size and brutish appearance.

My small solace is that Lindsey’s [Light Arrows] and Kristil’s [Lightning Surges] continue to pepper our foe, buying me critical milliseconds to avoid its onslaught without having to dip into my already depleting reserves of [Ether] to use [Bullet Time]. The Skill is still proving useful, helping me dodge any errant arrow strikes that veer off course as we fly around the chamber at increasingly faster speeds.

Another pair of slashes attempt to sunder my wings and break my resolve. They fail, a burst of [Impulse] manifested at the last second to sidestep the attack. Sweat percolates down my back. The little stunt cost me another twenty [Ether], my upgraded Skill only reducing the costs so much. Mild [Ether] strain sets in, augmenting the discomfort as we continue our multi-pronged assault.

For a split second, I turn my attention to Chloe. Her eyes are closed, her hands clasped together as though in prayer, and she’s chanting something. With my [Ethersight], I notice her own [Ether] swirling about her. Perhaps there is something more to her new robes? Or maybe there was a Spellbook inside the chest that she didn’t tell us about? Maybe she absorbed its contents while she was paused, knowing I’d be too distracted looking away from her body to notice?

My musing is cut short by another side swipe courtesy of our demonic friend. I raise my [Etheric Armor] in a plate formation upon my arm. It absorbs the force of the impact, protecting my body from harm, but it fails to blunt its terrible momentum, which sends me careening toward the surface. I’m able to stop myself from crashing with a last-second dive and a Manifestation of the [Impulse] glyph to counteract my downward momentum, but now I’ve got a far bigger problem.

My [Ether] is down under three hundred, and we haven’t done anywhere near enough damage to the Molochian to bring it down. Even a combination [Thunder Arrow] from Lindsey and Kristil working together only buckled the menacing beast and staggered it for a couple of seconds. [Ether] strain is entering its second phase, my vision starting to blur and distort as my head grows increasingly light. The crashing power that was flowing through my veins earlier is now a light sloshing, and with each step, my arms are less responsive and my legs heavier, their muscles like jelly which stubbornly refuses my commands.

A pang of doubt in my mind, that corrupted, vile, foul influence which tells me to give in, to surrender, that the challenges ahead are too great, that it would be easier and faster and more convenient to lie down and accept defeat. I refuse. I crush it with all of my will. I care not if it is the Molochian or the System that created and empowers it to assail my mind in this manner. I will not brook such intrusion upon me! I will not stand for this violation!

Warm, golden light fills the room. My soreness and discomfort abates as new vitality flows through me.

[You are now under the effect of [Angelic Sanctuary]. [Ether] regeneration for caster and allies doubles during the duration of this effect. All stats increase by 27% for the duration of the effect. (Time Remaining: 00:26:58)]

So, Chloe has evolved her [Angelic Blessing] just like I did with my [Glyph Manipulation]. I smile, brimming with pride at seeing how my girlfriend’s hard work and determination and unwavering resolve have led her to this point. With the renewed vigor in my body and unflinching determination in my mind, I prepare for the second round, ready to bring the Molochian down for good.