They knew that, of course they knew that! Nymira had tried attacking the Varuna and had no success, now they were being confronted with this massive beast. It was slower than those before it but larger and likely even more potent, they couldn't simply ignore something like that. Perhaps there was a way to make this work though, if they could simply split up and divert their attacks, someone was bound to get through. It infuriated her to no end that her flames, a symbol of both purity and renewal was unable to rid the world of this taint. What good was she as a disciple of Ralthor if she couldn't carry His will? Scowling as her attack barely phased the beast and only served to scald away some tainted flesh but little else, watching as it continued to lumber towards the shore. A lot more magic was going to be needed to bring this thing down, or something short of a miracle.
Courtesy of Cecil they would have just that. Seeing him take to the air Nymira watched as he began throwing consecutive strikes in rapid succession, his fists aglow with electricity as the Machina pummeled away. With each blast a heavy chunk of gel came off of the monstrosity's body, falling to the water with a crash and dissolving in the water. He was doing more damage to their foe then she had with her spell, and it seemed like Cecil might be able to actually handle it. "That's it, let it feel your wrath! Beat it to a pulp!" the Dimura cheered, grinning as she threw a fist in celebration. Cecil wasn't content with just throwing fists, there was yet one more attack he had up his sleeve. Watching awestruck as his arm seemed to open itself up and a massive amount of energy gathered it was released just as swiftly in a blast, not terribly wide but focused and powerful. As it slammed into the monster it let out a low rumbling roar, its body quivering on impact before seeming to melt away as a result, massive pieces of its body falling to the water. That seemed to have done it!
Seeing Cecil falling from the air towards the water Ethan darted out through the water, leaving his sword at the shore as he pushed along with what magic he could muster still. He managed to get under Cecil before he hit the water, groaning as he struggled to hold up his friend above the river. "Heh... Got you buddy, don't worry," the white-haired boy mumbled, stumbling slightly as he fought to find his footing, managing to somehow stay upright. Those attacks from Cecil looked to have done the trick, the monster was crumbling beneath its own weight as the noxious gel began to slide off its frame. The skeleton became twisted and distorted as weight shifted around, bones snapping and slipping free into the wash as well, the entire beast coming down after a few spectacular moments. They had actually done it! Or rather Cecil had, that was more or less all him. Smiling proudly Ethan looked across the way at the Varuna Magi, taking a small step back as he began tracking out of the water. "We beat your creature, so just leave us alone! We don't want to fight!"
"Oh, but you have no choice! I musssst kill you!" the Varuna replied, raising his staff once more with a malicious smile, "I can sssssumon more beasts from the void, you don't sssstand a chance! Ssssooner or later you will die!" Two massive puddles began to form on the water's surface this time, just as it had before with the one large beast. Slower this time, the creatures began to take shape and emerge from the river, tower well over everyone once they had formed. The only sound save for the rushing of the water was the Varuna's laughter, the Magi nearly doubling over before pointing a webbed finger at the group. "Yessss! You ssssshall die here! I sssshal win!"
"Oh crap... Two of them...?" Ethan muttered in disbelief, smiling despite himself as he stopped in his tracks, "Heh... Cecil? Take the one on the left, Nymira and I got the one on the right." He had to get his friend back to shore though, couldn't let him get wet and risk getting ruined. Turning to rush back to shore he got halfway before another curious sound made him stop, drawing his focus upstream curiously. It sounded like rapids, though it wasn't a sound that was there before. So what gives? Narrowing his eyes as he peered into the darkness Ethan let out a gasp seeing a wall of water, picking up the pace again as he hurried to shore, with Nymira doing the same. The three of them had just made it when the wall of water tore through the spot, engulfing the two monsters in its wake and forcing the Varuna under water.
"What was that?!" Nymira shouted, watching in awe and horror as the monsters were swept away like nothing. They had struggled so much to dispatch just one and something had just taken two out with minimal effort, what was going on? Becoming then alerted to another person's presence she looked down the shore and frowned at a silhouette of a man further along, noting his massive stature even in the dim lighting. Another enemy? Pushing herself to her feet she pulled her daggers free from their soaked sheaths, preparing to fend him off despite her own exhaustion. "You, don't come any closer! I'll be forced to attack if-"
"Relax, I'm not here for you," Remus interrupted, continuing to walk along despite the threats. Giving Nymira nothing more than a passing glance he walked right on by, then stopped at the shore and looked out to the Varuna among the waves. "I'm supposed to be killing you kids, but I have to deal with him. So... Get going, you get a pass this time," the old man continued, letting out a sigh before rubbing at his neck, "Though compared to fighting him, you three would be a breeze. I hate getting stuck in these situations." But he had to do it, if he had any hopes of finishing this job he couldn't let the Varuna get in his way.
"Sssss... Remus! What are you doing?!" the Magi screamed from the water, stomping its foot on the surface in a fit, "They are my prey, you cannot have them! I will kill you too if you interfere!" No no no, he'd won this battle, they were through! This damned Muran getting in his way, the nerve! Hissing furiously when Remus didn't even budge, its eyes glowing as the staff was pointed in his direction. "I shall kill you first then, and after I shall sssslay the children!"
Stubborn fish, why was he making this more difficult than it had to be? Crossing his arms over his chest Remus frowned, unmoving as he summoned forth three water spouts from the river before him. At the same time the Varuna summoned half a dozen of his water creatures, the women again, and sent them charging forward in a flurry of screams. Directing each of the spouts simultaneously he threw the first two at one creature each, slicing through it like hot steel through butter and tearing them asunder, destroying the skeletons to which they were bound in the process. Two of the creatures managed to get through and nearly reach him, but the third spout was used almost like a whip and slammed into them, sending them flying all the way to the other shore and shattering among the rocks there. The final two reached him, but rather than retreat Remus reached out and grabbed them by the throat, and with a roar of effort lifted each up and slammed them into the ground at his feet, crushing their skulls in the process. His hands had become burned as a result but he seemed unphased, sending another water spout out at the Varuna.
It was safe to say this was well out of their league now. They had only gotten past the old man earlier as a fluke, Ethan was certain he could have beaten them were it not for a stroke of luck. Now that he knew Cecil could use electricity it was doubtful the same mistake would be made, best to avoid fighting him for now. And that Varuna, those creatures he summoned, fighting them was out of the question. "You heard him, let's go!" Turning on his heel he rushed over to where Amuné was and scooped her up in one arm, heading for the embankment behind their camp.
"What about our things?! What about the horses?" Nymira called, looking at the camp and starting towards it, "We need our supplies!"
"Yeah well... We kind of need to be alive to use them, now come on!" Ethan shouted again as he reached the top of the hill, waving for Nymira to join them. Thankfully she did, just as well seeing as the fight between those two seemed to be heating up. Or getting wetter, they were both using water. Whatever, they had to get going! Once everyone had gotten clear of the river they rushed back down the road until the camp was well out of view, the sound of water crashing still carrying over the morning silence of the forest. Until the fighting died down they couldn't go back, Ethan hoped they'd be able to salvage at least something.
