Grimoires - Treasures above the Clouds

The cove was still. Humid. The air thick with the scent of damp earth and unknown blossoms. 

Spark took a deep breath. The massive lungs in his chest were expanding. This was it. The Ancient Island of Glory. A labyrinth. And like any labyrinth, it demanded systematic exploitation.

He immediately assigned his women their specific duties. Each of them moved with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine. Honed by long-time cooperation practice under his command.

Lilith Lunaire, his blonde secretary, was scouting slightly ahead of the team. Her movements were fluid. Almost unseen amongst the colossal vegetation. 

Her [Life Observing Spyglass] was already in her hand. A telescope that could pick out even the most camouflaged life forms at a distance. Without being limited by any solid obstruction.

Scarlett Eventide, his dark-red haired security specialist, also moved ahead with an eager hum. She used her gu-insects. A chitinous swarm of tiny, buzzing horrors. 

They were fanning out around her. Acting as an advanced, living sensor network. They scuttled silently over roots thicker than Spark's torso. Their multifaceted eyes feeding data directly back to her. 

In Scarlett's hand, the [Celestial Treasure Radar] pulsed softly. It was a beacon for hidden wealth. She was taking over the task of treasure finding.

Melody Aurora was graceful as ever despite being in the primeval wilderness. She held the [Witch Doll of Fortune]. 

The cute doll was a potent effigy. Occasionally floating over her hands. Pointing a stubby arm. Its movements were guided by subtle magical currents. Indicating the path to the most fortuitous route.

Beside her, Serenade Aurora, held the twin to the other doll... the [Witch Doll of Misfortune]. This doll occasionally twitched and shuddered. It sensed danger. Pointing its stubby arm toward the most ominous direction. 

It was a potent counterpoint to Melody's fortune doll. Ensuring they never blundered blindly into a trap.

Ivy Stellaire, the tiny brunette researcher, walked at the back. Her gaze often switched focus. To both the surroundings and the [Labyrinth Chart] in his hand. 

It was a tablet-like object. The newest result of the collaboration between Spark's rune knowledge, her alchemical skill, and Melody's artistic precision. 

It glowed softly with a constantly recording and updating map. Linked to her perception and Melody's symbol-drawing style.

She meticulously checked the recorded path. The towering trees. The strange rock formations. The winding streams. This was their lifeline. Their assurance of an efficient way back.

Spark walked in the middle. His power rifle was held loosely in his hands. His dark-grey eyes were constantly scanning. Processing every bit of information he perceived.

They had been moving for less than an hour, when Lilith stopped. Waiting for the others to get close, before reporting.

"Two targets ahead. Size of an ox. The spyglass identified them as Horned Hares. They were supposed to be very fast." Her tone was crisp. Efficient.

"Horned Hares." Scarlett's voice added. "My gu-insects confirmed them. They didn't show aggression. But it might change. High mobility."

Melody's doll spun and pointed to the direction of the monster. Serenade's doll pointed to the same direction. Confirming it. The targets were dangerous, yet also their fortuitous chance.

Spark nodded. "Form up. Ivy, keep the chart updated. Melody, Serenade, maintain your distance, prepare for support."

The clearing ahead opened up slightly. Two immense hares. Their fur was a mottled brown and grey. They sniffed the air. Each was easily the size of a mature ox. With massive, spiraled horns jutting from their foreheads. 

Their legs were thick. And seemed like powerful springs. They looked like something out of a nightmare. Like a forbidden cross between a bovine and a rabbit.

They saw Spark. Their ears swiveled. Then pinned back. A low growl rumbled from their throats. Utterly incongruous with their hare-like appearance.

"Hostile." Spark stated, as if it wasn't obvious. 

He raised his power rifle. The weapon hummed with contained energy. No time for tactical nonsense. He needed to thin the herd.

He aimed for the head of the bigger hare. BANG! The shot was instant, an explosive crack that shattered the silence of the jungle. 

A beam of superheated metal and concentrated energy lanced out. Striking the Horned Hare precisely between the eyes. 

Its head exploded in a spray of blood and brain matter. The massive body crumpled. Twitching once before falling still.

The other Horned Hare shrieked. It was a sound of pure, unadulterated rage and pain. It launched itself forward. Faster than Spark had anticipated. 

A blur of fur and muscle. It covered the twenty meters between them in less than a second.

Spark barely had time to react. He braced himself. Dropping his rifle to let his powerful forearms absorb the impact. 

Jack managed to deflect the horns. But, the hare's body hit him like a battering ram. The air was driven from his lungs in a painful gasp. 

He was a huge man. Capable of shrugging off most blows. But this was different. The sheer momentum of the enraged beast, combined with its surprising strength, sent him flying. 

He slammed into the base of a colossal tree. The bark was scraping painfully against his back.

He grunted. Pushing himself up. Despite his aching ribs. But the Horned Hare didn't give him a second chance. It was already coiling, preparing to stomp or gore him.

Then, Lilith was there.

She moved like a phantom. Teleporting behind the beast. Her cursed dagger struck with surgical precision. Plunging the dagger deep into the soft flesh behind its massive ear.

The Horned Hare shuddered. Its powerful legs buckled. A gurgling cry escaped its throat. As it collapsed. Dead before it hit the ground.

Spark pushed away from the tree. Rubbing his chest. 

"Good work, Lilith." His voice was rough.

Lilith nodded. Her face was impassive. "It was too fast. My apologies for not reacting fast enough."

"No apologies needed. That was indeed quicker than expected." Spark corrected. He bent down to retrieve his rifle.

But the silence was already broken. The gunshot. The cries of the hares. And the smell of fresh blood. All those things had done their work... Inviting disasters.

Scarlett's voice, a sudden urgent whisper, could be heard. "Master! Twelve large creatures! Quadrupedal. High speed. Energy signatures consistent with… lightning. Coming fast."

Spark's dark-grey eyes narrowed. The island was different from the previous 'labyrinth' in Canarine Island. Here, the monsters seemed to be interconnected. Just like in natural ecosystems.

He stood fully. Discarding the polite, easy-going façade. His muscles tensed. Shifting under his tanned skin. This wasn't a skirmish; this was a fight for survival.

"Brace yourselves!" He roared. His voice was low and guttural. "Lilith, flank and assassinate. Scarlett, protect the support. Ivy, use your grenades. Melody, Serenade, protective auras, damage buffs, and de-buffs ready!"

Twelve hulking figures burst from the tree line. They were massive. Almost doubled the size of the Horned Hare. With jagged teeth. And eyes that crackled with blue electricity. Their fur stood on end, sparking. Lightning Wolves.

Spark didn't hesitate. He dropped his rifle back into his Technomind Space. There was no time for ranged combat. He needed raw power and speed.

His body began to shift. Muscles bulged. His spine elongated. His bones thickening. Thick scales appeared in some part of his body. Dark fur sprouted over other parts. Culminating in a magnificent black mane around his massive head. 

His face elongated into a bestial snout. His teeth becoming razor sharp fangs. Dual horns appeared. A draconic tail, thick and scaled, erupted from his tailbone. The transformation was swift, brutal, and utterly complete.

He was now the Draconic Werelion. A beast of immense, overwhelming power.

The lead wolf, its fangs bared, lunged. Spark met it head-on. His claws were already powered by his soulcraft crestmagic. Pulsed with earthy brown energy. [Earth Element Coating]. 

The ground beneath him vibrated as he attacked. He brutally ripped through the lead wolf's chest. Its body tearing apart with sickening ease. It twitched, then fell.

But there were six more.

They were intelligent. They didn't just charge blindly. Two wolves immediately branched off. Circling wide, aiming for Melody and Serenade. The strategic move was chillingly effective. The musical mages, while potent as supports, were vulnerable in close quarters.

"Melody! Serenade!" Spark roared. His voice was a distorted growl.

Before he could move, Lilith was already there. She blurred past the first wolf. Her arcane handgun barked. A beam of light striking the wolf's leg. 

It yelped, momentarily stumbling. 

Her [Spatial Blink] magic shimmered. And she reappeared behind the second wolf. Already plunging her cursed dagger into its spine. Two down, in less than a second. But not dead.

Scarlett's gu-insects swarmed. A buzzing cloud descended on the remaining wolves. Biting and stinging. Distracting them. Trying to disrupt their assault. 

Ivy's grenade launcher was already lobbing a potent flash-bang grenade. Momentarily blinding a charging wolf.

But the wolves were relentless. They shrugged off the insect bites. Their electric hides crackling. One snarled. Leaping over Ivy's grenade. Its eyes were fixed on Melody.

Spark was hindered by two Lightning Wolves. Clawing and biting. Their lightning attacks stinging his werelion body. He swiped. Tearing through one. But another lunged for his back.

He saw the wolf closing on Melody. Scarlett appeared and blocked it with her buckler smash. And her eldritch handgun shot multiple bullets. 

But three others charged at Serenade. Lilith used [Spatial Blink] to ambushed one. Two were still a great threat. No time.

"Damn it!" Sparks snarled.