There was still hope for more, potentially relating to spellcasting or Resource usage, but those chances seemed even lower than diving beyond the thirtieth layer for a shot at another Ruthless Underdog.
“No new ideas, but I have a few about how we could approach our hunt?” Ianmus suggested.
Kaius shot the mage a smile.
….
“So, what’s our plan?” Kenva asked.
They were crouched at the very edge of the plateau, watching the Glacial Sovereign for any signs of movement. It was, thankfully, a clear day, so there was little snow or storm to obscure their vision. Yet despite watching for half an hour, the spirit did not move — blending into the snowbanks that littered the flat-topped mountain. It wasn’t too surprising; its periods of activity were few and far between, mostly consisting of wandering around its domain before settling in a new location.
Kaius bore into it, trying to peel apart the layers of snow and ice, searching for a core. He was unsuccessful. He knew it must be there somewhere in the monster, but no matter how much he tried, neither he nor Kenva had been able to spot it.
“Porkchop and I will hold its attention from the front using his Warden’s Challenge and my Compel Obsession.” Kaius said, refocusing on Kenva. “You circle around, try to get close. Don’t attack it or draw any attention to yourself. All you need to do is find that core. When you’re safely back at the edges, that’s when you can engage.”
“And me?” Ianmus asked.
“We know it’s common for most monsters at this point to have some form of mana sight — judging by the amount they’ve been able to read your casts, at least. I don’t think we should open with a large beam and risk drawing it to you. However, once we’ve found the core, start to prepare. Before then… perhaps use your light weaving to strike it from the rear or the sides. Anything we can do to keep it off balance.”
Ianmus frowned. “I doubt that will do much to injure it.”
“Nothing will until we find its core,” Porkchop replied, “There is no blood to bleed, no brain to crush — just that nexus. I know it galls to feel like you aren’t contributing, but it’s for the best you save your mana until it matters.”
“I’ll try to stay close for long enough to see if its core moves then. I know most powerful spirits are supposed to have some form of capability in that regard, but few are smart enough to do it preemptively. If it doesn’t, perhaps we should try to layer our strikes.”
“A good idea. If Porkchop and I can get it to commit to a single attack, we should have our opening while he binds it with his defensive skill. I’ve got plenty of practice from the trial, so I’m confident in using Vos without crippling myself — although I can probably only do it once, and it won’t be anywhere near as powerful as the Hateful Nail I used against the manticore.”
“Still,” Ianmus said, “if we combine Kenva’s charge shot with one of my beams layered with Armour-shredding Spell, and a Vos-empowered Nail, we should be able to crack it right open.”
“Do you have Redoubt of the Speaker prepared?” Porkchop asked. “I wasn’t paying attention to what you were doing with your mana while you inscribed.”
Kaius nodded. He’d been diligent, going for a broad collection of spells that consumed a chunk of his pool. He had already used Warhaven five times over to create a small but long-lasting redoubt at the very edge of the mountaintop. It was still unknown if they’d be able to reach it, as his only previous experience fighting a Guardian had locked them into the arena. He didn’t want to risk triggering the creature with half his pool consumed. It was still worth the extra couple of hours of preparation, just in case.
The rest of his mana was split between his spells. He’d gone heavy on Bound Maelstrom and Expedient Shunt for his defensive measures — swift movement and magic defense would be vital. For offense, he’d leaned more on his Nails than Stormlash. The spirit was a creature of winter, ice and glacial affinities — ones naturally opposed to the storm and electricity of his spell. He hadn’t discounted it entirely — he had mana to spare, and it was his major non-physical method of attack.
From Eirnith, he’d leaned more towards Compel Obsession. It would be useful for baiting his feints, and making Porkchop’s job a little easier. His Zone lasted long enough he would only need a few for the duration of their normal fights.
“Well then, if we’re ready, shall we start? I’m getting sick of standing around and waiting,” Porkchop said.
Kaius nodded to his brother, drawing his blade and enjoying the heft of it in his hand as he admired the way it warped snow and ice through its crystalline edge.
It would be his first true and proper battle since he had upgraded his blade, and he was looking forward to seeing how it performed against a Guardian. Until recently, it would have been an utterly lethal threat. Against a creature made of solid ice, there was no doubt that the old form of A Father’s Gift would have struggled.
“Let’s move,” Kaius said. “Stay at the edge of the arena until Porkchop and I have thoroughly grabbed its attention.” He directed his last words to his back line.
Porkchop shared a hungry grin with his brother, and they both charged — their feet pounding against icy snow as they ripped inwards towards the Guardian.
In the space of a heartbeat, Kaius cast two spells. Both Aelina and Vyrthane lit up with internal fire as mana discharged through Slipstep and Bound Maelstrom. His form wavered, slipping in and out of the world as his steps lengthened through space. Wind howled, ripping around him in a great magical funnel — tearing at the snow as he was hidden in a pillar of living storm.
The second he used his mana, the Guardian awoke.