Chapter 7
The Behemoth
The witches whirled just as the cloudless sky began pouring impossible amounts of rain.
It was dark, but a flash of lighting revealed the source of the rumblings. A gargantuan beast, easily half the height of the Luna Nova Tower and equally as muscled, was stomping towards them. Outward veins pulsed against slick, rippling black flesh. A large head, almost canine in appearance, lifted high as it opened its mouth to reveal rows of sharpened fangs.
"It can't be," Diana said. She held her palm out in front of her face, struggling to shield her eyes from the pouring rain.
For a second, Akko could have sworn she saw fear pass over Diana's face. But as fast as it came, it was gone. Akko swallowed hard. "It can't be what, Diana?"
"A Behemoth."
Diana watched as the ancient beast lumbered across the desert, completely unbothered by the storm raging around it. In fact, it seemed to feed off it.
"A Behemoth?" Akko asked, watching the monster take a large sniff of the ground where the Chimera had been before. "That's not in our textbook at all!"
"That's because they are extinct." Diana gripped her wand, readying herself. "Or, they're supposed to be. The last sighting of a Behemoth was in the 15th century."
"Then how-"
The Behemoth raised its massive head, bright yellow eyes falling on the two girls.
"This is a conversation for another time," Diana said. She closed her eyes for a moment, steadying herself as the ground threatened to throw her off balance. As the Behemoth had been extinct for hundreds of years, there were no modern texts that offered the details on defeating one. Even the ancient texts spoke only of the Behemoth in terms of historical significance, such as when one of the last living creatures destroyed an entire Persian brigade.
But, for once, as the great beast quickened its stride, it wasn't Diana who did the quick thinking. Akko lifted her wand and shouted, "Metamorphie Faciesse!"
A light bay mare with Akko's bright red eyes appeared in her place. She wasn't as large as the Thoroughbreds that the Cavendish had bred to perfection over the years, but she would do. Diana would have to commend Akko's bright idea at another time.
Knowing exactly what Akko intended, she threaded her fingers through the dark brown mane and vaulted onto her back just as Akko broke into a gallop.
To her surprise, though, Akko headed toward the Behemoth.
"Akko, what are you-"
"He can't turn very fast," Akko said, although Diana was pretty sure it wasn't spoken aloud. Akko's voice resonated inside of her head.
The Behemoth raised one massive paw and took a swipe at them. It missed, crashing down into the sand, which sprayed everywhere. Diana buried her face to avoid getting it in her eyes as she leaned forward and tightened her legs around Akko's sides, straining to hold her seat as Akko's body grew slick from the rain.
Akko weaved around the Behemoth's leg, bolting underneath the massive underbelly of the ancient creature and breaking between its hind legs. Diana felt her lengthen her stride beneath her and clicked her tongue out of habit, pressing her hands forward and urging Akko on with gentle taps of the heel.
"Are you kicking me?" Akko's voice echoed through her head. "Stop doing that and start thinking of spells! I'm trying to buy us time, but I can't run all day!"
The Behemoth was moving its massive body in a slow 180. Akko was right, its body was so large it couldn't turn quickly at all. Raising her head and her wand, Diana took a deep breath.
"Murowa!"
The blast from Diana's spell struck the Behemoth on its side. The only thing the spell seemed to accomplish was a deafening roar from the creature and a whole lot of fury. It whirled on its hindquarters, swiping at the pair again.
"Hold on," she heard Akko say as the paw flew at them. As the massive limb came barreling toward them, Diana felt Akko's muscles tense beneath her as she lifted into the air.
Diana leaned into the jump, grateful for all those years of lessons her mother had provided, as Akko deftly cleared the paw, landed, and bolted between its legs.
The Behemoth seemed impervious to physical attacks. Its hide was thick and sinewy, easily deflecting anything that Diana attempted to throw at it. There were no other tools at their disposal, there was nowhere to take shelter, there was nothing but the two witches and their limited knowledge of the beast that was desperate to smash them into the ground.
Akko's sides heaved from the effort of a prolonged gallop. Her legs were starting to feel like jello.
Diana could sense Akko's stamina fading beneath her. She flicked her wand, pulling up a cloud of sand and sending it flying into the Behemoth's eyes.
The Behemoth roared, rearing back onto its hind legs and blinking rapidly as it tried to clear the sand from its vision. Its front paws began swiping madly in all directions, forcing Akko to dash back and forth in an attempt to evade each desperate strike.
Diana felt Akko's body take a massive gulp of air and lift once more in an effort to leap over another oncoming paw.
But, at the very last second, the Behemoth jerked its limb upward. Diana could hear the sickening crunch as the bottom of the Behemoth's paws slammed into Akko's midsection, could feel Akko's cry of pain as the two were flung across the desert.
Diana hit the ground hard, wet sand splashing up around her as she skidded into Akko's body. Akko was back to her normal form. She lay crumpled beside Diana, clutching her abdomen and wailing.
"Akko!" Diana cried. But she had no time to help her friend. The Behemoth was bearing down on them with glistening fangs, fury flaring in its bright yellow eyes. Diana did the only thing she could think to do.
She reached for Akko.
Diana's fingers snaked down Akko's wrist to intertwine their fingers. Akko responded with a hard squeeze of her hand.
The familiar, overwhelming surge of magical energy erupted through Diana. She could feel the magic racing through her blood, filling every crevice of her body with a pulsing, electric sensation. She sat up, feeling her back arch under the weight of Akko's magical influence, and raised her wand.
"Akko, close your eyes."
She had no time to find out if Akko had done as she said. Squeezing her own eyes shut, she thrust her wand forward.
"Clara sole!"
Even with her eyes shut, the bright light that erupted from the tip of her wand burst through the thin skin of Diana's eyelids. She could feel the rain pouring down with greater intensity, but did not dare move. Instead, she grit her teeth together and channeled as much magical energy as she could into the spell, forcing a light that she only hoped was as bright as the sun into the eyes of the Behemoth.
And she held it.
The world was shaking.
Rain pounded away at her skin.
Wind howled in her ears.
Her stomach twisted and turned.
Still, she held on.
Until all fell silent.
Diana could no longer feel herself harnessing the power that she had a moment ago.
Tentatively, she opened her eyes to find herself staring not into the gaze of the ancient Behemoth, but instead a classroom of students with their jaws dropped open.
Akko whimpered next to her.
She dropped her wand.
"Miss Cavendish! Miss Kagari! Are you alright?"
Professor Badcock rushed to the sides of the students lying at the front of the classroom. The simulation had ended. Diana and Akko were back in the real world. Back at Luna Nova.
"She's injured," Diana said, her tone urgent. "We have to get her help."
Diana ignored the water dripping from her uniform to puddle on the stone floor. She rolled into a kneel, taking in the sight of Akko's form for the first time since the beginning of the fight.
Akko seemed alright. She had no cuts, there was no blood, but something was very wrong. Akko was wheezing between groans, arm wrapped tight around her ribcage.
Diana was still clutching Akko's hand. Instead of removing it, she gave it a squeeze. "Everything will be alright, Akko," she said, though it was more to herself than the girl lying before her.
"I've got the nurse!" Lotte yelled as she slammed open the wooden door to the classroom. Sensing the urgency, Madam Wong rushed in, pushing a stretcher. She ran to Akko's side.
"What are her injuries?" she asked, glancing between Diana and Professor Badcock. With no immediate response, she pushed her hands beneath Akko's shoulder blades. "Help me lift her."
Diana released her friend's hand and clambered to her feet. She backed away, watching as Professor Badcock and Madam Wong eased Akko's body onto the stretcher. Upon being lifted, Akko let out a shrill shriek and held her midsection tighter.
"Miss Cavendish-" Professor Badcock called as Diana rushed out of the classroom with Madam Wong.
"I have to go with her," Diana called back, ignoring the bewildered stares and loud chatter of the students in the urgency of the moment. Professor Badcock would receive the explanation that she desired, but no sooner than Diana made sure Akko would be alright.
"Miss Cavendish, what happened in there?" Professor Badcock asked later in the student counseling office, after Akko had been seen off to the nurse and Diana had the opportunity to shower and change. "The simulation completely shut down on our end. We were unable to see anything. The entire system was down for nearly half an hour."
Diana hesitated, bringing her fingers to her temple as she contemplated her next move. The more people who knew about what was happening, the greater the danger. Akko's life had already been placed on the line and Diana had no intention of risking any more unnecessary casualties.
"The Chimera came back," she lied with ease. "After about ten minutes. We managed to hold it off until the simulation was repaired and we were brought back to the classroom."
"Three broken ribs and a punctured lung are very severe for a Chimera. I intentionally chose the creatures I did because I knew any injuries would be minor if the correct defenses were utilized. That creature must have hit her with quite some force," Professor Badcock mused, removing her glasses to wipe them against her robes. "Tell me, Miss Cavendish, were Miss Kagari's actions... unprecedented?"
"No," Diana said quickly, drawing a sharp breath. "No, Professor Badcock. Akko utilized her abilities in a manner that aligned with the education she received in your class. She did nothing wrong." Diana lowered her head, smiling down at her fidgeting fingers. "In fact, if I may say so, it seems she learned quite a bit during her time with you this semester."
Professor Badcock smiled warmly, sliding her glasses back over her nose as she peered down at the British witch. "If I understand correctly, Miss Cavendish, that distinction belongs to you. Professor Ursula told me that the two of you had been practicing together since your... mishap."
Diana nodded, recalling the last night of their studies where Akko had stormed out of the room. She quickly shook away the thought. "Thank you, Professor. If you don't mind, I would like to-"
"Go check on Miss Kagari. I understand."
Diana nodded, rising from her chair.
"But if I may, Miss Cavendish-"
Professor Badcock had shoved a paper across the desk. It was their test sheet. There were no red marks in sight. In fact, it looked as though there was-
"A perfect score in each category," the teacher clarified with a broad smile. "You both did well. Now, be off, and tell her the good news. And, please, let me know if there is anything I can do for the two of you. We will be looking into repairing the simulator in the morning so this doesn't occur again."
Akko's eyes blinked open. She found herself staring up at bright industrial lights and lying on a bed that was not quite as cozy as her own. The sheets that covered her body were thin, not the thick Shiny Chariot comforter that she slept beneath.
She tried to sit up, then fell back, inhaling sharply at the stabbing pain in her chest. Feeling something in her arm, she lifted it up to see a needle had been taped into the crook.
Diana glanced up from the book she was reading to find Akko looking around, confused.
"Akko," she said, internally sighing with relief. "You're awake."
"Eh, yeah, I guess," Akko slurred, looking at the metal stand next to her and the thick bag of liquid that was dripping into her arm. "Where'd big boy go?"
"The Behemoth? He's gone, Akko. We're back at Luna Nova." Diana closed her book and placed it on the stand at Akko's bedside, leaning forward in her chair. "How are you feeling?"
Akko groaned, raising her free hand to rub her temple. "Like I got hit with a bag full of bricks," she muttered. She tried to sit up again, only to fall back onto the bed with a cry of pain.
"Don't," Diana said, rising and placing a hand gently on Akko's shoulder to push her back against her pillow. "You broke a few ribs. Madam Wong was able to put a healing spell in place, but the effects won't be complete for a few hours now. Please, relax. You can return to normal in the morning."
Akko moaned, squeezing her eyes shut. "Ima wa nanji?"
"Pardon me?" Diana asked, eyebrows scrunching in confusion at Akko's slip into her first language.
"Time," Akko replied, letting drowsy eyelids open once more.
"Half two," Diana replied, returning her hand to her side and letting a small smile slip across her lips. "In the morning."
"Mmm." Akko rolled her head to face Diana, messy fringe askew on her forehead. "Where's my poster?"
Diana's eyes flickered from the empty vial of Dilautid on Akko's side table and back to her friend's face. "What poster?" she asked, somewhat bemused, given the predicament.
Akko raised her hands, grunting at the pull of the tubes tied to her arm but performing the action of stretching her palms out anyway. "Shiny Chariot. She's usually here."
Diana chuckled, shaking her head and taking a seat back down in the chair she'd been residing in for the better part of the evening. "You're in the hospital ward, Akko."
"Oh," Akko said, blowing at her bangs. "Hey, wait." Her glossy red eyes settled on Diana.
Diana raised an eyebrow. "Yes, Akko?"
Akko's eyes squinted as she stared at Diana, a slow smile creeping across her lips. "Did... did you ride me?"
Diana felt a blush rising into her cheeks. She glanced down at her hands and took a deep breath. "Yes, Akko, but you were a horse," she said. It felt strange to utter those words, but out they came anyway. "You had cast the metamorphosis spell."
"Heh." Akko turned her head and leaned back into her pillow with a sigh. "Whatever it takes, I guess," she said.
Did she just... what?
"Pardon me?" Diana asked again.
"I said-" Akko tilted her head back to Diana, closing her eyes as a wide smirk spread across her face. "That you have very strong legs."
Diana covered her mouth with her hand, grateful that Akko's eyes were closed and she couldn't see the furious shade of red that had burrowed beneath her skin. She knew it was the Dilautid speaking, not Akko, but the tingling sensation in her gut seemed not to care.
She had already pushed the conversation too far, as it was. She said nothing more, but instead watched as Akko's breathing steadied once again.
But when she was sure Akko was asleep, and convinced that Madam Wong had completed her rounds for the time being, she placed a hand on the side of Akko's bed and said, "To be fair, you were a very cute horse."