6

The natural beauty of Crysta Lake was even more awe-inspiring than Hera’s little dancing glass display. The surface of the water shimmered with a clear, reflective blue. So reflective in fact, that despite the clarity it was very difficult to see under the surface, like a one-way mirror.

It was said that some sort of vibrations from the magic-rich environment to the north stabilized all the ripples and waves perfectly. Whatever the case, as home to one of the most dangerous creatures in the area, this beauty was deceptively lethal.

With no way to see deeper into the waters, a Hydro could strike out at those who got too close without the slightest warning, at any moment. Sami gulped nervously as she recalled a time where she had made that foolish mistake as a child, and was only just saved by an attentive bodyguard.

Having all completed their preparations and divided the vials among the three active participants, Mari retrieved the bait from her satchel: the heart of some large animal, kept “alive” and fresh by her restorative magic.

She tossed it into the water and watched as it smoothly slipped under the glassy surface with hardly a ripple, and began to tint the water around it from blue to crimson. Hopefully, it wouldn’t be long before a Hydro was drawn in by the tempting scent of blood.

Hera concentrated deeply as she called upon her magic to summon blades of glass—much larger than the tiny pieces she had shown off earlier—which floated around her in a circular pattern. Sami stood as close to the shore as was safe to do so, rapier drawn and intently watching the gradually spreading patch of red for any sign at all of the Hydro’s approach.

Mari hurried back to the others, and began to chant what sounded like a prayer that enveloped the three of them in a soft yellow light. Claudia simply watched from a safe, far distance.

Just when Sami’s focus had started to dull from impatience, and she wondered if the creature would show up at all, the surface of the water started to… bend. It curved upwards, still rising long after the surface tension should have been broken.

It was clear that something was there, something big, and it would quickly begin to wonder about the notable lack of meat at the end of the bloody trail it had been lured along.

“There it is, let’s go!” cried Sami, half elated and half afraid, but all ready for action.

Hera’s blades fired forwards, curving around Sami as she rushed in, and tore apart the surface of the water, finally breaking the mirror-like illusion with a number of splashes.

Of course, those splashes were nothing compared to the eruption brought about by the body of the Hydro as it reared back in pain. The cuts it received weren’t deep, but they were sharp.

Just as planned, the serpent began to lash out at the closest target on the shore, Sami. Though primarily aquatic, it had no difficulties moving on to land to chase after any prey that could avoid its initial lunge and make to run away.

But Sami wasn’t running, she leapt to the side as it barrelled past, slithering its body along the sandy shore like a snake. It tried to twist itself back around after realizing it had missed, but it had too much momentum to properly control its movements.

However, though Sami was safe from the Hydro’s jaws, she was just within range of its many flailing tails, several of which lashed out at her. Doing her best to sidestep each one, she was able to avoid the worst of it, but was caught off guard by a single that struck her directly across the stomach.

Blown back by the force of the impact, she skidded across the sand. It felt like she might have broken a few ribs, but the aura light Mari had cast dampened the pain.

As if expecting this outcome, Mari swung her mace-staff around and pointed it Sami’s direction, making sure to keep on the move at a distance from the rampaging creature. A shower of light burst from the end of the staff and enveloped Sami, quickly repairing the worst of her wounds and bringing her back to fighting shape. “Don’t let your guard down,” Mari called out in a mildly chastising tone, somewhat unnecessarily.

Both the pain—still intense despite the magical numbness—and the sensation of being magically healed were not something Sami had experienced much of before, and it took a few more moments before she was able to reorient herself. She didn’t have much time, the Hydro had been able to turn around and made its way to strike out at her with its jaws.

But no lethal impact ever reached Sami. A solid, transparent wall made up of several panels suddenly flashed into existence in front of her, cracking as they repelled the incoming deadly fangs. “Don’t worry, I got this now! Just keep fighting as you normally would, and I can protect you for a while,” Hera yelled, her usual jovial tone replaced with full seriousness.

Sami shook herself to clear her head and tried lunging forward towards the reeling monster. Sure enough, the panes shifted aside as she did so, giving her the opening to land a heavy, piercing strike directly into the side of its scaly neck.

It wasn’t enough to pierce a major artery, but purple-colored blood spilled out all the same and the Hydro let out a terrible screech. It tried to pull away, but Sami followed its movement and held firmly onto the rapier’s hilt.

With her free hand, she quickly reached down for the pocket that held her vial, prepared to make an attempt to catch some of the spraying blood… But instead of feeling the smooth shape of the vial, all she got was a handful of crushed fragments. It must have been broken when she was struck by that tail!

In a panic, she yanked her sword free and jumped clear of the frantic creature. As she did so, the separated panels converged again just in time to find off another attack. They looked like they too were about to break, one more hit like that would probably do it.

Sami was already berating herself in her head. How could she be so careless?! As the only frontline attacker, she had been the one with the best chance of filling a vial, and now there were only two left. She was letting everyone down.

But there was no more time for brooding. Having had enough of trying to get through the wall of glass, the Hydro instead turned its attention towards Hera.

This time, it didn’t try to risk making a move forward, it remained where it was and opened its mouth wide. A number of terrifyingly sharp icicle lances materialized in and around the gaping maw.

The mage’s face paled as she realized what was happening, and that with her shields protecting Sami she had no way of protecting herself. In a few short moments, the spears would no doubt hail down on Hera, quickly turning her into a very chilly pincushion.