[center][color=a187be][b][i]Annabeth Gulch[/i][/b][/color][/center] [img]https://i.imgur.com/sEOIhZw.png[/img] Location-Nox [sub][@Rtron][/sub], [sub][@Fallenreaper][/sub], [sub][@May][/sub], [sub][@Lucius Cypher][/sub] [hr] Behind Annabeth, the more timid woman’s expression oozed with fear. Her arms held close to her chest and eyes widened as she retreated step by step toward away from the beast. This wasn’t what she expected. She knew danger was involved when she decided to join the college, but facing creatures made of nightmares weren’t on the job description. It took every impulse she had not to bolt for the exit. Her eyes flickered to others, each having their issues, before the creature’s motion drew her attention. The Uth’s jaws snapped, drooling with saliva at the possible meal before it. Tentacles that made up its body withered and squirmed across the surface. It took a step then another before it lounged at Annabeth’s figure. The only barrier between itself and a fresh meal. Annabeth had been using a lot of her mage blood, but she couldn’t let that stop her. Not now! [color=a187be]”Take this!”[/color] Annabeth casted a spell onto the dark monster. It was a simple illusion that made it look as though Annabeth had charged forward to stab her blade into its body while masking the fact that Annabeth had actually moved to the side to cut the monster’s face with the tip of her sword. Magic seems effective on these things, but unfortunately for Annabeth her spells did not cause direct harm. And while her blade could strike true, these creatures also seem highly resilient against mortal weapons. Colette, seeing Annabeth’s struggle from her spot, felt anger fill her mind. Preparing her weapon, she lunged as fast as she could. She appeared in front of the Uth and struck it with her rapier not caring if it didn't do much damage. Giving a small whistle, she jumped back as Atticus attacked from another angle biting down at it.Hyllos attacked from above getting at its face the most with her sharp talons before backing away. The Uth snapped then lounged at the illusion, unable to tell it apart from the real thing. As its teeth clashed the imaginary flesh, it realized what it had and snarl deepened into frustration. Pain erupted at the side where Annabeth cut it causing it to flinch. The thing’s head turned, the wound already covered in fresh tentacles, with the intention to rip her apart. A blur appeared in front of it: Colette. The petite woman slashed her blade, reopening the wound but it didn’t linger. Atticus’ bite, however, was more effective. The wounds created remained as small, darkened marks along what served to be the Uth’s head. Its body flared in irritation at the discomfort. Not having any time to react, the bat like demon descended upon its worm like face. It hissed then snapped at the demon. Her talons raked across its front before it managed to clamp down on the bat’s right foot. A dark enjoy formed on its body language as it ripped Hyllos to the side, tossing her behind it where its hooves could crush her. It rushed Atticus’ form catching him on the side. Its neck scooped underneath the Neko then jerked the demon toward the edge, intending to shove him off it. Going low Annabeth pulled Hyllos from the monster’s hooves. Even if it was a demon who could just go back to the Inferno, Annabeth could afford to lose any more allies right now. Canceling the illusion she had up previously, Annabeth channeled her magic to create a different illusion of Hyllos flying towards the monster to claw it in the face, once more serving as a mere distraction for Annabeth’s allies to either clear the area it attack the beast. Colette's eyes flashed in rage as her precious demons were attacked and injured. She sent a smile Annabeth’s a smile as she saw her friend get them to safety. Rushing at the beast again. She jumped high and flipped in midair, her blade aiming right towards it back. She was quick to use its body to propel her body away from the beast glaring at it. The Uth’s hoof crashed down. It cracked and splintered the stone’s surface. A disappointed snort came at the absence of crunching bones during its last attack. Not holding still for long, its lowered head jerked upward. It seemed the Neko wasn’t expecting the attack and the feline like creature flew backwards. On the way, his curled form skidded to a halt just behind Annabeth. His ears ringing from the harsh blow. It would take some time for his orientation to come to him, leaving him open to other attacks. Seeing this, the Uth moved its body to rear on its back legs. Hooves aimed for the tail. At this time, its senses caught the illusion of Hyllos coming. Distracted, its hoof narrowly missed breaking the neko’s tail. It stepped back. Colette flipped over it as her blade sliced across the tentacles. She felt resistance, but the wound looked too shallow despite the effort she put into it. On a normal being, it would’ve been deep and dangerous. On the Uth.. It merely shrugged it off. Back hooves immediately lashed in reaction when she came to land. Annabeth rushed in at that moment to save Colette a headache, using her blade to redirect the Uth’s hoof’s upwards. However at this range Colette could hear that Annabeth’s breath was heavy and ragged; between the constant fighting and vigilance with her mageblood, Annabeth was dangerously low. And so far none of their attacks seem to be useful against the creature; Annabeth had sliced and cut this monster many times, and Colette surely had pierced it’s hide too, but mundane weapons seemed to have little effect against this creature. Annabeth didn’t have many options. [color=a187be]“Colette… Take your demons and run. I’ll create an illusion that you all are still fighting here with me and try to distract this creature long enough for me to escape and we can get out of here.”[/color] Colette panted. It seemed like the fight had gone on for hours and she could feel her strength waning. This wasn't good at all. Being alone for two years, she learned the hard way that you needed strength to survive or you would die. Shaking her thoughts, she looked at the Uth. It seemed that nothing physical wasn't working against it, though Atticus’s earlier attack on it did seem to affect it just a little bit. Colette felt lost at what to do. She wasn't like any other mage, she could manipulate her mage blood into attacks, but then she remembered something her teacher taught her about her mage blood. Remembering that demons could change in size and grow in power themselves. Colette looked to Hyllos and pursed her lips together. She had her the longest and she was too small for battles like this one, though there was a slight change in Hyllos’ size now that Colette was looking at her. She used to be the size of a small mouse, but now she seemed to be the size of a runt rat. Turning her head back to the battle, she gripped the hilt of her rapier, uncertainty filling her. There was no way to tell if Hyllos could use mage blood yet and a battle of life and death was not the time to test it out. Colette lunged for the Uth again, her blade aiming to hit its right hind leg. The Uth lifted its hind leg, narrowly avoiding the injury. A tentacle whipped out and lashed at Colette’s head. The tip sliced deep causing a small bit of dust to escape where the flesh was cut. The impact would likely toss the young mage to the side and nearly over the edge of the narrow pathway they were fighting on. Colette grunted as she landed and held her head. Hyllos, seeing her mistress being tossed like she was nothing, felt rage like no other. She could feel something inside her manifest and she swung her body, her claws creating slices of fire aiming it at the one who caused Colette harm. The flames aimed towards the Uth’s back. An inhuman scream bellowed from what served to be the beast’s mouth. Blood would curl and freeze within their veins from the very sound. The creature impulsively leaned to one side to avoid another of the demon’s blasts. Its hoof stamped dangerously near the edge, a pebble crumbled away and fell where no sound came. Where the fire had touched, the tentacles withered up into misshapen things. They could break off at a mere touch now. One good shove or blast of fire would send it toppling to its death. Gone forever into the Nox's darkness. In the distance, both girls would spot Helena, Darell and Athalus dart for the crystal. [color=a187be]”Aaaaargh!”[/color] Annabeth burst forward in a flash of speed. After seeing Colette struck something primal awakened in the woman as she plunged her blade into the monster’s throat, using all her considerable strength to shove the Uth into the abyss from whence it came. She watched the monster fall for just a brief few seconds before going back to Colette and picking her up. [color=a187be]”Come on Colette, let’s get the hell out of here.”[/color] Annabeth said as she ran towards the others at the crystal.