Red Fountain, the Joined Track had gathered in one of the bigger training halls but not for combat training. They were getting ready to depart while there were many discussions among everyone the grown-ups stood separate from the twerps.
Votzaak sighed, "…No, those Red Crystals wreak annoying havoc on Magix City. It's not even the fact they are Red Crystals. Those little fragments do basically nothing strong enough to actually harm people by laying around in Pigeon cadavers… they need to be indigested to harm a person at that size."
"Let me guess, they get into the food chain. Not to mention stupid kids could pick those shiny red stones up and you have no idea who takes them home?" Riven scratched his cheek that indeed was a problem. "So, that's the reason for the find one, report it, get an ice cream policy…hm, smart."
"Still, doesn't help with brainless juveniles. Last week we had a boy in the hospital cause he ate one as a test of courage…" Nerrocean still had a killer vibe around him when he just thought about it.
"That tracks," Riven groaned at that prospect. Those shards had all kinds of effects inscribed. It was only a question of time before someone got truly hurt. "And the boy… survived?"
"The stone? yes…" Nerrocean cracked his neck facing away from the door. It was about time to get started with this trip.
Riven gulped, "And you?" He already saw Karim's approach. 'Ha, he did come. Nice.'
Votzaak smirked as he inspected his nails, "Let's just say the boy will be a law-abiding citizen for the rest of his hopefully long life."
"Good day to you all. Scaring kids again? Ts. Ts. Ts," Karim had snuck up behind Nerrocean and Votzaak though it had no effect they had sensed his magic presence as always. Karim's staff striking as ever just like his dream catcher-like waving cloak showing off the same large ornament as the tip of his staff. The twelve-student large crowd was gathering in the training hall. Today was THE day, Advanced Battle Magic Class. His eyes searched out Kitty in the horde of kids.
Votzaak a bit irritated looked at the Werefox Wizard, "Predator Karim… what brings us that honour? Don't tell Headmistress Faragonda urged you to join us. There is no reason to fear we'll bring all of them back alive." He gave a slight nod with his black hat. He didn't mind but this was unannounced and unexpected.
"That's on me," Riven promptly looped them in. "I mentioned our little trip for the day…and…"
"I do love to support my students," Karim smiled kindly his face markings giving him a gentle touch, "After all, this day… will be one not to be forgotten."
Nerrocean constantly snickered thinking about Kitty's endeavour his tail fin kept twitching, "Indeed. That fight is one to go down in the history books of our Order." He twirled a little crystal in his hands.
Riven couldn't request fast enough as he spotted what kind of crystal that was, "No, way, you gotta give me a copy this will be hilarious to watch with the guys on men's night. On that note where are Nabu and Fane? Are they late?"
"No," Votzaak looked pleased at that observation crystal. This would be a perfect opportunity to get some proper footage of Kitty's skill and lack of progress. "The Zheng is sought after to beat Fane. So, it'd be unfair to spill the beans and Nabu does have a schedule to keep. He couldn't make it."
Karim frowned, "Aren't you the one to schedule him? Ahhh, you have him on standby in one of your Black Magic Hunter Division compounds, when this goes south." He saw through the devious Leprechaun instantly.
"When? So, it's a done deal that she screws up? Not even one lucky per cent?" Riven began some stretches apparently his skills might indeed be needed after all and protection detail missions were one of his favourites IF he could pick the VIP.
"As I said, if she manages this today I'll eat a broom," Nerrocean summoned and twirled his war-scythe a bit. "Maybe I should have scouted ahead…"
"No, no, that takes the fun out of it," Votzaak wiggled with his finger admonishingly. "I bet hmm… three minutes. Loser does paperwork for two weeks," He grinned at his trusty Order Master.
Nerrocean pinned Kitty down in the crowd she was overly excited, "Heh, seems a bit generous… considering, Grandmaster. Hmmm."
"One minute, forty-seven seconds," Karim chimed in leisurely to the surprise of the Division Hunters. He was cheering for Kitty no doubt about that a stark contrast to his spoken statement.
"I thought you have faith in her with that wagging tail of yours yet you have less faith than me?" Votzaak tried to figure the fox out his piercing eyes scrutinising him, 'What's the game here? Did he find out and scout ahead? Hm, unlikely, Nerrocean told no one, not even me.'
Karim smugly as ever noted, "I have faith that she'll last one minute and forty-seven seconds. I am a genius I have full faith in MY deduction skills. It's early in the day the Zheng's gonna be grumpy."
"Huh, I'll give her fifty-two in that case," Riven grinned wide. "Kitty will run her mouth," He tightened his chest holster strap, ready for action.
"Obviously," Nerrocean chuckled as he rested his war scythe on his shoulder. "For all we know it could be a one-hit K.O. Let's see, she's stubborn and motivated. A tired but grumpy Zheng and she surely opens her mouth too big. Two thirteen. If you two lose to any of us you pay in food. Every second ten kilos."
"Ah, Fane's fridge is empty again?" Karim smirked at them that was by far the most requested bet payment from them. "If you lose…" He looked to Riven, "…Hm… Riven you're stuck with group missions for two weeks."
"What?!" Riven hated those by far the most, "In that case, you'll not comb your fur for two weeks, Karim."
Head Hunters were so much fun. "Oooh, high stakes. I like it," Votzaak chuckled that be fun to see.
"And you; I'll get two magic items of my choice from your Order's stash," Riven demanded from the Master and Grandmaster.
"Stockpile only, we don't give out unique ones," Nerrocean drew a clear line there promptly. Riven looked at him with the duh-face.
Karim still thought about it there were so many good choices, "One favour in the future from you," He pointed at Grandmaster Votzaak then he glanced at Nerrocean. "Let's see… pink hair ribbons for two weeks, my choice."
Nerrocean was taken back a bit, "That makes double the amount of food my dear Fox if you lose. And not the shitty kind, I want some high grade. You easily can get your hands on such quality foods after all."
"Deal," Karim nodded firmly his ears perked in anticipation as he heard the commotion from the Advanced Battel Class.
Kitty crunched her teeth she had meditated this past week and even dared to get worse grades within combat classes. One could feel that she was brimming with Dark Magic. It was so much that one expected it to go out of control any second now. However, she was highly focused. "Just you wait, once I get my Zheng I'll stomp Fane into the ground so she'll not walk for a week."
Birdy wasn't so sure about that plan and Kitty's magic aura spooked her, "If it's that strong…how will you beat it?" She looked worried to the other Fairies Fane had obliterated them all.
"Go for it, girl!" Breeze hit Kitty on the back her dark blue scarf flicked with her movement.
Lion shook her head, "Don't encourage this…" He was completely against this but this wasn't up to him. He was still wondering why the Division Hunters were indulging Kitty in this crazy plan.
"Come on, gotta have some faith," Nebula gave Kitty a firm squeeze on the shoulder. "You said you have prepared. From all what you talked about you know that Zheng inside out. There is nothing better in the sense of preparation."
"Caution is a thing though…" Mercury calmed them down. He knew from Dusk who had searched her Kingdoms archives on the topic of Fairy Animals or rather got some of her trusted advisors to do it. It was an interesting topic, and this wouldn't be anything but easy.
"Oh, shush you, I'll kill it the first ten seconds and it's a done deal," Kitty balled her fist she was eager to get started.
"And what if that doesn't work?" Blade tilted her head. 'Is that her grant plan!?' She had offered to help her devise one. Yet Kitty wouldn't have it for her it was imperative to do everything alone she had to impress after all.
Seth puffed, "Well, we gave you all the phanto-daggers we could acquire but you do remember it has to survive to bond right?" He ruffled through his brown hair this was madness.
"Ah, what is magic for if not to revive," Max from Team A joked around this was ridiculous, beat a Fairy Animal to bond with it, never had he heard a taller tale.
"Shush, all of you," Kitty glared at the grown-ups who seemed to dwindling time. "HEY! Grandmaster, I'm growing roots here!" She called out to them a mix of Sorceress bitching and respect within her tone.
Votzaak sauntered over, "Well, then, where are we going exactly? Teleportation without a straight goal does tend to end you up on Zombie planets," he joked around yet it was followed by a glare at the Phere-Moan team who flinched. He was still a bit salty about that Courtplay.
Nerrocean slithered forward, "Melody, Riversong spring area," he forwarded the information he had been given, "Unless you lied to me." A dooming aura around him.
"Of course not," Kitty crossed her arms insulted she had been too scared to lie to him, not that she would tell him that.
"Hmm, Riversong spring…" Votzaak searched his memory of all the catalogued Zheng he knew.
Kitty pulled out a map from her skirt pocket, "There," She pointed to the x on the map. "That should suffice for such a grand Wizard as you, right?"
Votzaak raised an eyebrow considered to scold her, "Of course, I'm not as incompetent as you." He simply remarked instead.
"…" Kitty subdued a hiss. She didn't want to lose her taxi. It would save her lots of magic if she didn't have to traverse that mountain ridge and acquiring an affiant method of arrival was surely a thing to impress definitely better than a 'borrowed' Owl.
"Is this a page from some book?" Karim noticed that one edge was ridged while the rest were clean-cut. That map didn't quite look like a map in that sense.
Kitty left it uncommented at first, but Nerrocean had that glare again, "It's there don't worry. I'm not wasting everyone's time. My family-" Kitty started out in a bit of a fit ready to snatch the map again.
Votzaak pulled the map back and she failed, "Indeed, you are a tribe full of Wild Magic Wizards or Shapeshifting Witches." The kids wanted to butt in with their choir but shut up at his darkened face. It was the official title. "While I do support the ambition of my underlings I won't sort out family matters," He made utterly clear.
"Pff," Kitty simply shrugged, "They couldn't care less about what I do. Books are not locked away. Their fault for not going for actual powerhouses. They're all pussies content with mediocracy and I'll rub it into their faces. They'll regret mocking me…" Her sinister aura mimicked Votzaak's.
Votzaak loosened his neck, "…" He handed over the map to Karim, "Let's get going then, gather in a tight crowd please I'd rather not have to catch someone from falling off a ridge." He walked around to the other side of the group. 'Hmmm, right, her tribe takes rules of nature very accurately. She's worth nothing unless she bonds with a Fairy Animal and then it's all about who's the strongest, without one… she's bottoms last.' He halted and flared up some magic, 'That tribe is one of the best ones. Sadly, poor group players,' Votzaak always wanted to enlist one of them their hidden knowledge was no joke considering those Sorceresses and Wizards he had met out in the field by chance through history. 'They focus on roaming solitary Fairy Animals… Zheng is a prime example. So, she scavenged her tribe's books for all the mapped ones. Hm, well, if it's accurate she could obliterate them in the tribe tournament IF she succeeds to tame one. A BIG IF, though.' His three Order members with a Zheng hadn't revealed much besides it being a fight to the death as suspected barely escaping it themselves. The biggest difference to Kitty was, they hadn't planned on it. Chance encounters when the Fairy Animals were searching for a new Wild Rift. The Zhengs themselves had been very adamant that a Zheng with a Rift be impossible to beat – unless one was the Grandmaster, of course.
Karim checked out the location on the map so he knew how to place and arrange the runes. His eyes squinted, 'Oh dear, it is that one…Impressive her tribe even found it…my family came across it only through an unlucky accident a few years ago. This paper is way older…' He looked to Votzaak to get the timing right, crossed his arms all stretched out in front of himself his staff glooming in one hand and in the other hand a flare-up of Dark Magic. He focused on visualising the location of the runes writing themselves as Votzaak donated the majority of magic.
Harsh cutting winds into one's face clouds above a bit of snow and ice that had survived the sun till now. And there it was that whirl of unpredictability. A blinding white hole that burned in the eyes and forced one to back off. Howling gales that got drawn into the maelstrom of shooting haze and up flickering Wild Magic in poisonous greens and purples that told anyone just by looking at it not to be stupid enough to even think about touching it. Plus, sprinkled out radiant flare-ups glistening in all the colours. It wasn't just a tiny crack. No, this was a true Wild Rift in all its glory and power. The air was so heavy with magic that one could feel it tingle on the tongue. The hair was electrified by pure Wild Magic this was a place of magic like no other that the boys and girls had seen so far.
Kitty breathed in but even her hand was shaking she like the others had reappeared at her destination a bit further behind Nerrocean and Riven. 'You got this,' Kitty tried to calm herself, but even if the tribe's book had described this place to the T visually being here for the first time herself… a whole different level. Still, every stone and ridge was a perfect copy of the notes.
Riven held his arm up so as not to get blinded as he was in the front row even his black hood got pulled over his head by the maelstrom. "This is a bad idea…" He pressed out as he rammed his sword into the ground not to be pulled forward next to Nerrocean who staffed the front line with him. Their teleportation had been way too close for comfort to the rift.
Nerrocean stared at the Wild Rift, "I'll be damned. She had to pick a death trap…" His eyes searched for the beast, while the shaft end of his war scythe kept him at his spot. The kids so far were safe a bit further behind. A shield already cast by Karim and Votzaak alike so they wouldn't end up in a vacuum cleaner situation.
"On a level of screwed to instant death," Mercury asked Blade from behind, "Where are we?"
"Hmmm…" Blade could feel nature raging. 'Whisper of Creation, Voice of Nature!' Her Light and Dark Magic both tried to get a read. She had never seen such a… chaos of magic. The sudden feedback she got was a piercing pain in her head that tried to force her to the ground.
"Blade?!" Mercury quickly grabbed her under the armpit. "What's wrong?"
Karim already was at Nebula's side and gave some instructions to Seth next to her. It was nearly an instinct to Fairies to ask nature what was going on however such a powerful rift only gave the unexpecting Fairies a good headache.
"Hey? What's going on?" Breeze felt her headache too. Michael and Damon quickly stepped up to her. "Why is…?" She flared up some magic and shielded herself. This area was magically very confusing. Magic was being tucked and stuffed into her at rapidly changing rates if she didn't counter it.
"Hey, careful…" Michael's eyes searched hers the redhead was a bit confused. All the girls were brought to their knees. He didn't feel all too good in the tummy but it wasn't so bad he'd faint or anything.
Karim waved Lion over to Birdy he wanted to handle this slightly unexpected hiccup fast. 'Why?' He gave Votzaak a questioning eyebrow. He could easily have prepared something for countermeasures or given them a heads-up if he had known the Leprechaun wouldn't bother.
A bit offended he mumbled back, "It's a class. I promised they learn something on this trip to Faragonda." Votzaak made his way straight to Kitty who they had placed mid-way between frontline to their backline.
Karim only rolled his eyes surely that wasn't what the dear Headmistress had meant, but Votzaak knew that. 'Division Hunters and their hands-on approach… even if the rest is a nobody we still have Crown Princess and one Lady and a Lord with us… Oh, well, a bit of Wild Magic flux never killed anyone…' He loosened his back muscles once more as his snout twitched he felt that Breeze had a handle it herself, it wasn't that hard after all. And of course, Mercury's half-panicked face didn't go unnoticed it figuratively screamed for help. Karim moved through the boys and pulled Blade up. "Blade," Karim with concern in his eyes checked her over as he let some Dark Magic flow through her. Wild Magic was neither Light or Dark, it was both and in constant flux and that often created some dizziness for beginners. Blade did seem a bit more under the weather though than Nebula, Breeze and Birdy. 'She connects to both… Light and Dark does she feel it differently than any of us? Or is it cause her magic pool is so small?' He felt how her body wasn't sure with what magic to react. 'Wait… that means it's trying to adapt to the flux.' Karim quickly cast in the cover of the commotion and baffled crowd, "Nexum Impedire."
"What's wrong with her?" Mercury looked like a sad puppy at him with his amber eyes.
Blade felt the pain in her head vanishing instantly, "Thanks…" She breathed out it was much better now. "I'd say, on your scale, undead," she chuckled at Mercury to answer his question, but he wasn't up for joking right now. 'Will he ever relax…?' Her attempt to relax the situation had hit another brick wall.
"…" Mercury wasn't even sure how to scold her after all this had been his request.
"It's alright, Mercury," Karim placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's not uncommon for first-timers to be overwhelmed, especially Fairies of only Winx or Charmix rank." With a swish of his hand, he had a simple pendant in his hands which he carefully locked around Blade's neck. "There, no more hick ups. You're protected now." His smile set even Mercury the worry ward at peace.
Blade staggered a bit alarmed seized the trinket as she couldn't draw on her magic, "Green Jade?" She stared at that shimmering gem.
"Yes, now if you excuse me Nebula and Birdy need one too," Karim rose and nodded to Breeze who was steadfast already.
Votzaak let Karim handle the Fairy dilemma. His eyes were on Kitty that fool, 'That Kitty dragging us to a level ten rift of all things… what a pain.' He had thought the Sorceress had at least some brain cells, but no.
Kitty wouldn't hide behind some stupid meat shield and a fish. Her Zheng was waiting like an arrow she darted forward circled around the Wild Rift and broke out of the formation. She had seen Wild Rifts tiny once compared to this storm though. However, the general feeling didn't throw her off her body exactly knew what to do. "Let's get this done with," Kitty finally got her grip again as she with haste crossed the field. "HEY, GET YOUR ASS OUT HERE!" Kitty picked up a stone and hammered it through the air right into the shadows of that one ridge to the side.
Riven was about to dash, "Oh, come on," He growled tensely yet Nerrocean simply grabbed him on his weapon holster straps and jumped backwards out of the rift's pull. "Hey…" He nagged but his eyes already searched for what Kitty had spotted.
A beastly snarl as the shadow moved. Piercing orange purple irises that gleamed from the pitch-black eyes. A low growl that went through skin and bone as the prowling Zheng showed itself. It was magnificent and just by staring at it, it was more than clear that this wasn't just some predator. No. This was Apex level even way beyond that. The Zheng was easily bigger than a warhorse. The five lion-like tails bundled up their tips just like its mane a wine-red fading into amethyst. Accompanied by deadly claws at the ready in a vibrant violet. Bleak white fangs flashing through the fletched snout. The maelstrom created a slight ruffle through the bristled fur which was covered similar to a jaguar in dots a bright orange enclosed by the same wine-red as it was present in the mane on the otherwise dark grey-to-black fur coat and an impressive horn on its head similar to a ram's sturdy and ornamenting it like a crone. Carefully one paw before another they were easily bigger than Kitty's face. Muscles that even made Nerrcoean's seem lacking in size. That monster could eat Kitty whole ten times over.
And yet…
Kitty stared at her priced Dark Fairy Animal, 'Why is it such a pussy!? Damn it, I chose the wrong one. Come on, you're supposed to be THE most powerful one my tribe has ever found…what a let-down…' She already was considering checking out other places. 'Maybe the original one left…died of age?' This made no sense.
"Greetings, most honoured Zheng," Votzaak blinked right to her side the girl had a proper jump scare when he suddenly appeared next to her, "You are the Zheng and guardian of this rift correct?"
The Zheng flinched as well his eyes darting to find an escape route nonetheless annoyed it answered even if only begrudgingly, "Yes…." A thunderous growl within the reply a retreat was imminent.
"Ooooh, I see," Votzaak laughed he did enjoy that he could instil such a response in such a powerful Fairy Animal without having to cast any spell and he didn't truly hide that fact, "You got it all wrong, my dear Guardian." He waved his hand leisurely, "I'm not here to steal or challenge you nor my peers. It's her," he gestured to Kitty next to him.
The Zheng's eyes narrowed in disbelief, "Her…..that magic huff-puff?"
"SORCERESS!" Kitty instantly hissed back. "The nerve! Who do you think you are!?" Dark Magic flared up around her in an angry response.
"Well then, good…luck," Votzaak snickered and gave the sign for Riven and Nerrocean to retreat back to the rest of the class.
"You got to be kidding me …" The Zheng instantly ignored Kitty as his posture transitioned from crouching for protection and slick escape to imposing and bored. "Hey, I'm talking to you Leprechaun."
Votzaak simply raved his hand around disinterested, "Get on with it and YOU better not kill-"
"Please, I know how to hold back," Kitty protested super pissed and Votzaak left her statement uncommented. She gawked at that Zheng already narked, 'Great what a time waste. Oh well, should give me at least training for the real deal. How can something so big be so lacking in a will to fight…?'
The beast blinked confused, and snorted as he realised that Votzaak wasn't kidding and even the swordsman and Merman departed the battlefield. His eyes spotted the Werefox as well who stood amidst a bunch of insignificant litter. "HA…AHAHAHA…" He turned his back on Kitty, "And I even began to worry… not interested Witch. Get lost, kitten," the Zheng trudged away. "Bipeds, what a tedious request…" He mumbled to himself seemingly incoherent.
"Arrogant! Face me, I CHALLENGE YOU!" Kitty clicked her tongue, "Answer my call, Twin Terror Wolfs!" Pure Dark Magic burned bright on each of her hands as it oozed from them. And the two wolves formed instantly bigger versions than she had ever used before. The wolves' bodies grew as flaming copies of the proud species with antlers and horns on their heads sharp and strong. Terror Wolves were one if not the strongest kind of wolf monsters, physically wise. On top of that Kitty's were larger than the real deal and at least double the size of that Zheng before her. Their paws were as massive as the Fair Animal's face. "I got some enticing four paws of my own. Tare the Zheng to pieces!" Kitty shot her arm forward in her command while she already began to muster even more magic, 'Zheng you will regret ignoring me! The more you do the more…' She breathed out through her clenched teeth. "Answer my call…"
The Zheng ignored Kitty's huge pups completely as they charged at him. Utterly unimpressed. A wide yawn as he assessed the summons shortly with a quick check over the shoulders, "I told you to go home already…kitten," A bit tired he slumped to the ground in front of the Wild Rift crossed its front paws as he licked over his fur that got ruffled by the raging gale that was so strong right next to the rift and the five tails settled on the ground. The earth trembled as the aggressive growls of the racing Terror Wolves echoed through the mountain tops nearly in reach of him.
"…Blood Bat!" Kitty screamed out as in a burst of Dark Magic the wings of her Bat spread out. A long shadow was cast on her by it from the rift's fluctuating light. "Hey! Take me seriously, ZHENG! I will make you MINE, YOU HEAR?! GO, screech its ears out!" She pointed towards the beast and her bleach blond pigtails raged in the wingbeats of her shadowy bat. She of course had positioned herself far away from that death trap of a rift.
"…." The five tails flicked through the air his mane streamlined was drawn towards the Wild Rift by its winds. Just as the wolves hit the ground hard and pounced they nearly got vacuumed into the rift the second their paws left the ground at the same time the spots on the Zheng's fur glowed up. "Just leave already…" The shine reflected that of the Wild Rift to some degree and a shimmering dome of darkness built up until it encompassed the Zheng completely glistening northern lights.
Jaws wide the Terror Wolves hit the shield as it just barely, or well-timed, went up. The maelstrom ripped at them. The short wolf claws scratched the surface and their fangs couldn't get a hold in time. So, like on a blackboard they slid off overturned on the ground and barely managed to gain footing in time. Their bodies pressed to the ground as they crouched forward trying to get away from that death beam of Wild Magic.
"Back!" Kitty shouted her command. 'Fuck!' Her bat filled its lounges with air for a magic soundwave attack to shatter the dome but the big wings had to work hard to escape the pull as well.
"Go, Kitty! You can do it!" Karim shouted with the other kids from far away before he stopped cheering and glanced at Riven, "You're running out of time, boy, team missions for you," He smirked.
"We're not there yet," Riven crossed his arms, "And since when are you so cruel Karim? Ahhh, stupid cat. End this already… the Zheng could totally swipe her any time." He ground his teeth, "That's all because of you…" He grumbled and glared at Votzaak.
"Ohh, don't be salty, little hunter. I always play to win," Votzaak tipped his hat with the symbol of his Order glowing up in gold. "Your fault to go against someone stronger than you you're as foolish as she is." A big smirk he enjoyed this way too much.
Karim sighed his ears laid flat. Kitty's bat was screeching its lounges out for nothing and the wolves struggled to get a decent hit in. "And I'm, of course, not cruel," He remarked between his cheers. "I simply give psychological support. She needs it." He added kindly he was true in that statement he wasn't mocking her. He did everything he could to keep her will to fight up even if he knew she'd lose.
"Isn't that something for the aftermath as Shanna taught us? I doubt she truly hears you," Nerrocean scratched the back of his head. "Can she even get through that shield? At this rate… Why didn't she use her boar or something to push it away from the rift before it set up a shield? Those are way faster than her wolves." He watched as Kitty had already changed her tactic and ordered her wolves to use the horns instead of teeth but even if they could use it like a stag their horns were more to fend off enemies not to ram things. But it kept the paws on the ground and they weren't in danger of getting destroyed simply by touching the rift. The bat screeched when the twin wolves jumped back to gain runway for another charge all on one focus point.
"Was it supposed to go like that? Is this still part of the plan or?" Julius blinked and looked at the girls. Breeze was laughing her ass off by now and the three Fairies supportive as ever shouted cheers with Karim.
"If she gets sucked in I swear," Mercury stared at the scene a hand on Blade's shoulder almost like he wanted to hold her back from rushing in herself, "She said she had a master plan... She knows a lot. Maybe breaking the shield is the first thing to do and the rest goes easy?" A hopeful wish but the laughter of the Sorceresses didn't support that in any way.
"GO BIG, KITTY!" Nebula roared towards her before she looked at Julius and Mercury, "Heck no if that Zheng can build such a shield… and can stand tall next to that rift. I don't want to know what it can do when it attacks…"
Seth shook his head, "So, why are you telling her to go big then? If she breaks through…" He was so tense just by looking at that overwhelming power from that rift and that beast simply shielding himself and letting the rift do the work for him.
Blade bit her thumbnail, "I could fire a spear…. but even then…" She wasn't sure if she could make the shot. It either would speed up for massive damage or go of course and be sucked in.
"What? No!" Lion protested. "You heard Kitty she needs to win on her own! Don't you dare," He even lifted his hand up to physically call her to hold, as any true team leader would do?
"I know that," Blade rolled her eyes, "I mean theoretically. Michael's crossbow in combi, maybe?" This was a tough nut to crack. "It'd be speedy and small enough."
Michael chuckled, "I doubt it. The data that I get clearly shows that Zheng is using that Wild Rift to power its shield. Not in a million years would all of us get through that shiny dome, forget it. This is a DANGEROUS waste of time." His freckled face furrowed as he tried to decipher more of these readings.
"How do you even get through the static of the Wild Rift? Our bracelets get nothing," Damon looked to his fellow Specialist even from way back here his cloak waved in the gusts that blew.
"What? No, the last update was for that, did you not download the add-on?" Michael grinned superiorly and proudly.
Blade shook her head she as a Zenith herself knew exactly what was going on. "YOu gave yours to Marble for 'making setups'? Oh, foolish archer… The Council Guard will have your head," She snickered quietly as she looked at the grown-ups and saw Karim's ears twitch but they refocused elsewhere. "You better get rid of Marble's add-on later, third-party ware is a security risk," She went pale as Karim suddenly was behind them.
"FIGHT KITTTY, FIGHT!" He slung his arms around Michael's and Damon's shoulders. 'So troublesome. One might think half of them are Head Hunters already,' He pretended to have heard nothing, "What are you guys doing? Your cheers are so quiet. Come on, give it your all. Her win is a win for the class! Just imagine what would be possible if she succeeds. She needs you, you're a crew now." Yet his glance wandered to Michael's watch while he had guided their gazes towards Kitty. 'Hmm… interesting,' He had just gotten a glimpse of that reading. 'He's right. The Zheng's not using its own magic. So, it's true. Old ones can manipulate rifts for spell casting. Hmmm, maybe a meteor spell would do the trick…hmmmm…' He pondered how he would do it. 'Definitely need to tell the Council Guard and Red Fountain to do another 'update'. So bothersome how much shit these kids toy around with the bracelets beyond what's already allowed… Though I guess Marble writes her own code and of course eager to get some test results.'
'This is going nowhere…fuck, shit, damn it!' Kitty clenched her teeth. That rift was a problem it hindered not only her moves which was bad enough. No, it also wore down her summons she could feel it. The Wild Rift was tearing at her copies its maelstrom jaws into her copies slightly ripping them apart. "Come on, think…" Her eyes wandered the scene. The Wild Rift wasn't all too big in the sense of its earth crack width, still massive though. "Gotta …just… ANSWER MY CALL, TIDE SNAKE!" She went for a giant summons which took the majority of her magic. Originally, she had wanted to keep her ace in the hole for later but this was just hopeless otherwise. "GO!" She pointed to the ridges to the side. Before she coughed and stemmed her hands onto her thighs to get a breather, this put a lot of strain on her. 'Get a grip…' Shocked her head ripped up but she could only watch as one of her wolves was hurled through the air in seconds it smashed into the rift and with an ominous thunder it got obliterated on contact it only created the smallest flicker within the light pillar. "Fuck me… retreat!" She called her summons away from the dome and crack of desolation. Her head snapped to her Tide Snake waiting for her command. "Crush it!"
The giant snake wrapped around the stone ridges ensnaring the stone and cracking it up with its dark flaming body.
"Halt it," Nerrocean held his war scythe out and Riven's sprint got stopped from the get-go yet again. "She's fine…" He glanced at Votzaak if he didn't lift a finger everything was fine. Normally.
Karim loosened his shoulder plates a bit his cloak flickering in the winds, "So that's her limit? Hmm, she lacks field vision…" He made a mental note.
"Bigger isn't always better… girl," Riven ground his teeth silently ignoring the fact that they were over his time mark for the bet. "No wonder that cat does nothing. She'll simply collapse from exhaustion." He stepped away from the scythe's shaft. 'This is no different to Fane's fight with the class.'
"Eh…" Lion scratched his head next to Rise, "What just…? Why did her copies freeze like that?" He was baffled he had never seen that before.
Nebula bit her lip, "Too many…" She looked to the others a bit unsure. She kept thinking about what to do. She wanted to help her but she couldn't. Her clones would only evaporate so close to the rift. 'How does Kitty hold hers stable at all? Yet still…Are we that weak?'
"KEEP AT IT!" Birdy shouted before she nodded in agreement, "Yes, Lion, see her as a puppet master. She needs to envision what happens, but when she concentrated on summoning and looked away to give her command to the Tide Snake she lost sight of her commands for the wolves or at least one of them." She knew her own spells would be swallowed by the wind. 'I neither have the speed or power…'
"Should have recalled them beforehand," Breeze laughed. "She can be glad that she didn't lose all three." This was hilarious to watch! Oh, how good it felt to be on the sidelines for that. "We forgot to bring the popcorn."
"She must be good then," Lion commented impressed as he thoughtfully caressed his chin, this was all good information for later missions. The girls stared at him so confused. "Well, commanding many people isn't easy and hers don't have a true brain of their own. So, three is a lot."
Blade shook her head, "Yes and no. She could easily use ten boars. She would just need to picture a stampede and it would work without a hitch. It depends on the complexity." Her eyes were fixated on that dome. "It doesn't even bother to stop the snake… or do anything…"
Kitty heard the rocks crumble, "You'll regret this…" She used her giant snake to hurl the stones at the shield at an angle feinting to try to break through it. 'Just gotta block that maelstrom of magic so I can properly charge.' Her plan was solid.
The hug rocks flew like a catapult barrage on castle walls smashing in on the top and bouncing off to the rift as solid matter they didn't get absorbed like her wolf.
"Yes," Kitty smirked as she enjoyed her little victory as boulder on boulder rammed into that rift crack in the ground narrowing the escape routes for the magic beams that now split from the big one. "GO!" Her Blood Bat dashed forward with her Terror Wolf with fewer gales they could better charge up their attacks. "Answer my call, Yello-"
A Wild Magic ray shot out gleaming like the sun right at her.
Kitty just in time scrambled to the side and crashed to the ground. A massive explosion behind her. "When did-!?" Her eyes stared at the melting rock around the never-ending beam and back to the Zheng… who still was under his shield. "What the?!" She rolled off to the side to gain a different angle as the ray was just too glaring. "The rift?!" Her eyes went wide. The boulders were stacking crumbling and braking. "Woah!" like lightning she dashed into the air. Like a disco ball, all of the magic geysers lit up in narrow rays and beams as the Wild Magic found its own ways to escape. She had created her own death trap.
"Shell surface, Tetrahedron!" Within the blink of an eye, Votzaak amassed so much magic it knocked all the kids off their feet. The narrow Wild Magic rays cut through their prior set-up shields like butter. The Tetrahedron was a slim somewhat aero-dynamic construct that limited the ray angles and with some up soars of magic at the points where it got hit the surface rune circles glistened and the rays got deflected away past them behind into the mountain ranges.
Scared shitless many of the students looked at him and the other grown-ups. Nebula and Birdy had been on the verge of shouting their shield spells, way too slow, yet with the new shield which…hold. There was no need to.
Nerrocean and Riven had both jumped to the peak of the tetrahedron sword and dark water magic on the ready to take the brunt of needed magic like a cloak raving around the both of them.
Karim was long gone. Right behind Kitty mirroring her every move to the T like a shadow she couldn't lose. A shield bubble with many rune rings inscribed on it around him. His paws were set ablaze in magic and moving rune scripture around them. 'Come on, Kitty. You can do this…' He hoped he wouldn't need to swap positions if he had to all chances of impressing that Zheng would go up in smoke though honestly, they already were blowing up in Wild Magic beams.
"Fuck off," Kitty noticed him behind her as she outmanoeuvred the death trap she had created. Highly concentrated, her heart racing, head pounding, so much adrenaline that it felt like everything was in slow motion.
"I shall not," Karim declined promptly. "I won't let you die. I also won't interfere unless needed, either." His staff was at the ready brimming with magic as more and more complex rune rings formed around it. The huge ornament glimmered as if a moon reflected on a vast sea.
Kitty had no time to truly argue. She felt her bat puffed out of existence same as her Terror Wolf. Her hand reached out quickly to the Tide snake brimming in magic to fortify its form as it slithered down the mountaintop for cover. "Shit," she was a bit desperate so much magic wasted nonetheless her hopes rising. She had not seen the Zheng escape and down there - all were but blinding beams of magic. "Heh, something must have hit for sure. That evens us out. I still got the Tide Snake."
With a thunderous boom, every last boulder clogging the Wild Rift evaporated into dust and the geyser of Wild magic shot up like the unbending force it was and the onslaught of rays was gone as fast as they had come.
"…" Karim breathed out relieved, "There are many more ways than brute force to break through a shield." He cautioned the young Sorceress before he dashed back to Votzaak. He already had spotted the outcome of that hick-up.
Kitty stared down below to see what everyone was eager to see in the settling dust of devastation. "You're mine," A smirk on her lips.