Grey Dura 4

Dodging a swiping claw, I thrust my hand into the attacking golem’s chest. The aether rippled around my fist, but the creature seemed otherwise unaffected. Perhaps it was a reflex from learning to fight against the chimeras and carallians, but without thinking about it I began to absorb the tornado of aether into my hand.

The golem shivered, and the metallic screeching that issued from it set my teeth on edge. As I drew in its aether, several pairs of claws jammed into my sides and back from the golem’s brethren, sending shocking jolts of breathless pain through me.

Feeling my core replenishing, I grinned through the pain. My newfound aether supply meant that I could be a bit more reckless in my usage.

I pushed outward, coalescing as much aether as possible into the thin layer surrounding my body. The barrier grew thicker, now casting a purple glow over the trampled snow around me.

A claw came down from above and I lifted my arm instinctively to block it, and the ghostly form of the golem clashed against the barrier. Despite the visible cracks on my protective aura where the claws had struck me, it failed to pierce through.

Taking advantage of the golem’s opening, I plunged my hand into its body. I absorbed aether once more through my hand, which was sheathed in violet energy. Like before, the golem began to emit a piercing shriek and froze in place, quaking slightly.