Stepping carefully into the direction commanded by Leto, one hand rested on his right holster, and the other moved the shrubs and bushes out of the way.
Without his rifle, Flo kept on high alert.
Some time later, AHHHHH, an extremely high pitched screech blasted into Flo’s direction.
It’s not human.
But what type of beast could it possibly be?
Gradually, Flo got closer and closer and closer to the source and a large amount of flowing water could be heard, krr-shhhhh.
Now much closer and the water splashing and gurgling a lot louder, he pulled a branch of leaves out of the way.
What revealed itself was a large waterfall where the water dropped into a small lake.
Under the moonlight the beauty of the lake was accentuated even more but it wasn’t the serene lake that caught Flo’s eye.
What caught his eye was a figure just barely floating above the sparkling water.
The figure was of a graceful woman.
Actually it wasn’t a woman, it was a beast.
But to Flo they were much the same.
The tail of the beast was designed by mesmerising scales that started from her upper legs and were each crafted like precious jewels.
It curled upwards as the beast was in a sleeping formation.
But if it was sleeping, how did it screech?
Flo didn’t care to answer that question or even ask the question as he stepped out the bushes and moved towards the beast.
Long dark-blue flowing hair decorated her scalp and matched with her blue skin.
Most people who read the books would call this beast a mermaid, except it wasn’t.
No mermaid lives inland.
So what is it?
Well, Flo didn’t care about this either as the waters edge brushed against his legs.
Gradually, the water moved from his feet and up to his knees as he sauntered closer to the beast.
Now extremely close to the beast, with his hips being drenched in water, the beast moved.
Its body unwrapping itself and floating in the air majestically.
Its eyes remained shut but the fairy-like face stared at Flo.
Its left hand reached out to Flo whilst the face smiled an unneedingly kind smile.
Flo’s hand matched this action as their flat palms connected in the air.
The whole body of the beast was arched downwards but remained entirely above Florian whilst he was sunk deep into the lake.
The smile of the beast didn’t vanish but only seemed to grow as Flo reciprocated this smile but not with an elegant smile.
Flo reciprocated the smile with a cheeky all-knowing grin as he pulled out a pistol.
Bang Bang Bang
Successive bullets ripped from the barrel of the gun, striking directly at the beast’s dread-filled smile.
But the beast’s smile quickly turned into one of amusement.
The blooded bullets exploded on the head of the beast and attempted to dissolve the skin of the creature.
Except it remained unharmed.
The bullets weren’t powerful enough.
Flo needed his rifle.
So now what?
Flo answered that question as he jumped backwards, his body submerging into the water.
Swimming backwards, Flo gazed at the creature in horror as its eyes opened for the first time.
The pupils of the creature were a pure flash of whiteness streaked with lines of dark black.
Not taking kindly to the bullets, a book appeared from a vacant space and floated in front of the beast.
As Flo spotted the book, his swimming rapidly quickened and his pupils drew back in absolute terror.
Flo knew what that book meant.
It meant he’s going to die.
The open book indicated only one thing.
The beast had a special weapon body.
Something not even Flo had.
Special weapon bodies are an extremely dangerous thing and very few exist.
In simple terms they bring an explosive amount of power and cheats that no one should have.
The mermaid-like creature has a harnesser weapon body.
This terrifying body allows the creature to wield any element.
And even have more control as you do not have to materialise it from life essence.
You wield whatever is around you.
This is the only downside.
The element has to be around you limiting the amount you can use it.
But even with this downside, it is a lot more horrifying than a regular weapon body.
Using her harnesser body, the creature pulled up water around her from the lake.
Seeing this, he brought his body to his limits, swimming backwards as fast as he could as multiple purple clouds transformed into images of attacks like pink thunderbolts.
Alongside the attacks, people lying in pools of blood and screaming their lungs out for help appeared.
The coercion failed as the beast pulled more of the water from the lake and transformed them into knives, flinging them straight at Flo.
Some of the knives missed but being in water, Flo couldn’t dodge.
One water knife pierced into his left ankle.
Gritting his teeth together he reached the edge of the lake.
Pulling himself up, he looked back at the arrogant flying figure.
Its snarky smile ordained its face as it tracked Flo, watching his black blood trickle into the lake.
About to tap on Hydra for him to join the fray, another array of knives burst towards him forcing him to dodge.
Then, aiming one gun at the monster, he released another stream of bullets as he stepped backwards.
The bullets exploded across its body but no damage was dealt.
Flo continued to retreat but more images attacked him.
Some rushed at him, whilst others begged for help.
All psychological challenges that Flo knew he had to ignore.
Not getting distracted, he ignored the illusion and shot more bullets into the beast.
However, a hole ripped through Cath as a spear of black water stabbed towards him.
Not having enough time to react, his body shifted left, but it still scraped his neck, luckily Hydra’s metal body blocked all damage for him as slices of metal flew off the snake-like machine.
Flo released a few more bullets towards the beast before turning and sprinting for his life.
Only moments later a sharp sound cracked in the air as an explosive earth sword pierced his back, going straight through.
Falling onto the floor, gasping for air, his limbs went numb, his body began to fail him.
His fingers and feet scratched at the floor attempting to get up, but it was futile.
His body stayed glued to the ground as another water knife was flung towards him stabbing his other ankle and forcing a deathly scream from Flo, AHHHHHHHHH!
Clouds of clowns surrounded him, taunting him as he slowly bled out.
Black blood is now streaming into the lake.
The wind began to pick up at a terrifying pace around him.
Flo muttered to himself while coughing blood and gasping for air.
The words couldn’t be made out as they were mixed with his blood but his eyes tracked the book.
Only the book.
Pitying himself, Flo’s hands dropped to his sides.
All of a sudden, the wind travelled at a much faster pace and transformed into clouds of fog.
The fog then formed into hands which shielded and comforted Flo’s body, removing the knives and sword.
Remaining frozen on the floor, Flo didn’t know what was happening.
Behind him the mermaid-like beast was protecting itself, its tail curled around its top as it gathered wind, water and earth to attack the fog.
It was futile.
Just beyond the lake, a figure stepped out of the fog.
The left arm of the man made of pure fog danced like a rabid dog as its own fog dominated the area.
It was Jack Barnum.
His rough face marked in years of war gazed emotionlessly at the floating beast as he commanded the fog to wrap itself around it.
The hands of the fog latched onto the beast and they tightened, squeezing the beast of its life.
Its blood mixed with Flo’s black blood.
No clear water remained in the lake under the moonlight.
A few popping sounds echoed around the area as the beast eventually exploded into slices of meat and its jewel-like scales shredding into dust.
The fog grabbed the large purple core of the beast and the book, chucking it to Barnum.
Grabbing both items he looked at the fallen Flo, “what a strange way to fight,” he said to himself as he walked over.
Standing beside the fallen Flo he kicked his body slightly and left the swirling purple core to Flo.
“Unlucky to encounter a harnesser, wouldn’t have needed me to live then,” he stated to Flo, not caring if he was listening or not.
Not getting a response, Barnum used fog and flew into the air but just before he left the scene he looked at the black blood oozing from Flo’s ankles.
A questioning look crossed his eyes but not needing an answer, he fled from the lake.
20 minutes later, Flo’s body started to move.
His blood now dried on the floor but still swirling with the beast’s blood in the lake.
Glancing up he saw the purple core of the beast sitting next to his face.
He recognised the beast as a platinum tier illusionist.