Bastard Homunculus: Reborn in the Corpse Pit-Chapter 145: The Vengeful Elf(Part 5)

"We’re grateful to all of you, the outcome would undoubtedly have been much worse if you hadn’t helped us. So, thank you," Remarked one of the Elders, with a grateful bow of her head.

"You don’t need to thank us, we couldn’t very well just sit back and do nothing in that situation. I just wish we’d actually managed to make a difference...we were up against a single enemy, but we were helpless," Responded Jules, a frustrated grimace on her face, before thinking to herself, "If only I’d thought to summon the Resurrection Baton, we might have been able to reverse at least one of the deaths, but it completely slipped my mind during the battle...and by the time I remembered, it was too late."

"You’re wrong about that. If it weren’t for all of you, more of us would almost certainly have been killed," Pointed out Zesta.

"And while we are grateful, we cannot possibly be so shameless as to ask for any additional assistance in this matter. And we will need to table the discussions of the alliance until this matter has been dealt with...but please don’t misunderstand, we fully intend on forming the alliance as discussed, and we will move forward with it, if and when we deal with the current issue we’re facing," Spoke up another of the Elders.

"Indeed, you should leave and head back to Persona, this is not your problem to fix, and you’ve already lost one of your Knights in this battle. We cannot and will not ask you to risk any more of your lives for our sake," Nodded one of the other Elders in agreement.

"Well, you don’t need to ask. We’ve already discussed it amongst ourselves, and we’ve made the decision to help. That Elf, I believe he said his name is Leptar, is extremely strong, so you’re going to need all the help you can get. And we’re willing to provide you with that help, so we’ll stay and fight," Replied Lyra with a smile.

"Are you certain of this? We cannot deny that we are in a dire situation here, and we’re not so prideful as to refuse help when we clearly need it, but...," Frowned one of the Elders hesitantly.

"We’re sure. It may not be official yet, but we are allies, aren’t we? So, it’s only natural that we help," Smiled Lyra in response.

"Thank you. We are truly grateful," Replied the Elder as she bowed her head, the other Elders, as well as the Grand Warriors, following her lead.

"That said, I think you should return to Persona, your Majesty. There’s no reason for you to stay here, we’ll handle the situation, and I’ll carry out your duties in your stead," Remarked Jules, as she turned to Lyra with a serious look on her face.

"Yes, I must agree. It would be unacceptable to allow the leader of another nation to be killed on our land, so I believe it would be for the best if you returned to Persona," Nodded one of the Elders in agreement.

"Well...I suppose you have a point. I’ll only get in the way if I stay, so I guess I don’t have much of a choice. I feel bad, though...it doesn’t seem fair of me to run off to safety while the rest of you risk your lives in this battle," Responded Lyra with a conflicted look on her face.

"I don’t see it that way at all. As the Queen of our nation, your life is of much greater importance than the rest of us. Not to mention, with Persona undergoing such drastic and significant change, we can’t afford to have a change in leadership now," Pointed out Jules objectively.

"I’m glad you understand, your Majesty. I’ll teleport you back to Persona right away and-...oh, wait," Remarked Jules, before turning to the Elders and requesting, "If possible, could you provide me with a Teleport Spell that will bring me back here after I go to Persona with the Queen?"

"Oh, of course, I see no reason to refuse," Nodded one of the Elders with a smile.

"We shall request that such a Spell be made right away, it may take an hour or so to complete."

"That’s fine, I know creating Spells takes some time, I apologize for making such a sudden request," Replied Jules, as she bowed her head apologetically.

Meanwhile, elsewhere in the Elven settlement...

"Come on, Raven, you can do this. Focus up, kiddo," Remarked Aster encouragingly.

"I...I’m trying! But I can’t move a muscle...!" Responded Raven through gritted teeth, straining himself as hard as he could, but to no avail.

Aster had decided to conduct some last minute training sessions with Raven to help better prepare him for Leptar’s return, hoping that Raven would be able to figure out how to use one or more of the abilities he displayed the last time he went berserk.

He’d restrained Raven in the grasp of his Telekinetic Zone, and instructed Raven to try and resist the grasp and move. But it wasn’t working, Raven was completely immobilized.

"That Elf was able to break free of my Zone. Granted, I didn’t manage to grab him at full force, but still, that was something even the Undead King was unable to do. But it isn’t the first time someone was able to move after being caught in my Zone...when I restrained you in your Dark Form after you defeated the Undead King, you were able to move, despite being restrained with the full force of my Zone.

In other words, you do have the innate potential to generate enough raw strength to break free of my Zone. If you can access even a bit of that strength, you should be able to hold your own a lot better against that Elf when he shows up again," Surmised Aster, as Raven continued to strain himself.

"I-I’m doing my best, but it just isn’t working! There’s still a fraction of my Aura that I haven’t gotten under control yet, and I’m guessing that I won’t be able to use the full extent of my Homunculus powers until I do. I’ve managed to figure out a few of those abilities, I can extend my arms out a bit and I can detach and fire off my forearms now too. But I’m far from having mastered them, and there are still other abilities I haven’t even figured out yet," Sighed Raven, before Aster relented and let go of him.

"Well, I suppose it is unrealistic to expect you to magically have some epiphany and master a new ability in just two days. Alright, let’s switch things up a bit. Try and hit me as hard as you can. I’ll put up my Zone again at full force, and you’re going to strike it with all the power you can muster up."

"Okay, I guess. Not sure how practical this is, though. Attacking at full force means leaving myself open to a counterattack, and it also means that my attack will be straightforward and telegraphed," Pointed out Raven.

"That’s fine. I want to see just how hard you’re capable of hitting in your current state. Making you push yourself to generate as much brute strength as you can could be effective," Reasoned Aster objectively.

"Well, it’s not like I’ve got any better idea," Shrugged Raven, before spreading out his wings.

A gust of wind burst out as he took off into the air, getting some distance away from Aster before taking a deep breath and letting out a slow exhale, composing himself before locking on. ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom

"Whenever you’re ready!" Called out Aster, as he activated his Telekinetic Zone.

"Alright...here I come!" Exclaimed Raven, as he swooped down with a powerful flap of his wings.

He fired out pressurized jets of flames from his feet to generate more speed, drawing back his fist as he charged and compressed flames behind his elbow, gritting his teeth as he closed in before letting out a fierce roar of exertion as he drove his fist towards Aster, unleashing the compressed flames behind his elbow to launch his fist forward.

A deafening crash rang out as his fist collided against the Telekinetic Zone with a devastating impact, an intense shockwave erupting out upon impact, a cloud of dust rising up around Aster as bits of dirt flew out.

"That’s pretty much my full strength in my current form," Sighed Raven, landing on the ground before adding, "And it’s just as ineffective as I expected it to be against your Zone."

"Oh, you didn’t notice? Well, you’ve definitely gotten stronger...you pushed me back about a couple of centimeters, see?" Smiled Aster, nodding at a slight skid mark on the ground in front of his Telekinetic Zone.

"Hm? Huh, guess I did...but that’s pretty inconsequential. You’re probably our best bet against that Elf. I mean, it’s not as if your Zone is completely ineffective against him, just slightly less effective than it is against everyone else, right?" Pointed out Raven.

"Well, yeah, but the problem is getting him within its range. He’s strong enough to trigger powerful shockwaves just by stomping on the ground, and when I’m off-balance or anything, my focus wavers slightly and my Zone weakens. Which usually wouldn’t be a problem, but that guy’s strong enough to brute force his way through my weakened Zone," Sighed Aster wistfully.

"In that case, why not fly? A shockwave would be much less of a problem if you aren’t on the ground."

"True, but my Zone is at its strongest when I’ve got solid footing. Flying required grabbing my whole body with my Zone, which splits my focus and makes my Zone a bit weaker," Explained Aster with a grimace.

"Uh...can we even beat this guy?" Responded Raven in bemusement.

"Honestly, I’d say the odds are against us. While I doubt he can regenerate on the same level as the Undead King, he definitely packs more of a bunch, and he’s a hell of a lot more durable too. If you ask me, I’d say our best hope is your Dark Form. You made short work of the Undead King in that form, so it could be just what we need against that Elf," Mused Aster thoughtfully.

"I get what you’re saying and all, but I’d really prefer not to have to rely on that form, it may be powerful but I have absolutely no control over it. I’ll just have to hope that it doesn’t come to that," Responded Raven with a look of dread on his face.