Gracefall Chapter 12: Blazing Blade

Read chapter 12 of Gracefall by arsy on NovelPedia.

Ishkiel shook his head and began sprinting toward the monster. When he got close, he gripped the hilt of his black sword and lunged toward the Pale. Pulling the sword from its scabbard with all his might, he swung its blade at the monster’s thick wooden leg. Thwack His eyes widened. His blade was lodged in its leg. It barely cut the monster. He tried pulling it out, but to no avail. The tree monster lifted its right arm, preparing an attack. Its movements followed by the creaking of its bark. Ishkiel simply let go of the sword and jumped back. The monster’s arm slammed down into the ground, releasing yet another shock wave. He then put his hand near the scabbard of his sword, summoning it back. It was now gone from the monster’s leg and back in Ishkiel’s scabbard. This was one of the many advantages of having a relic as your weapon. Meanwhile, Lucia and Mercy were now beside the Pale too, their swords at hand. Mercy looked at her. “Now, let us test your new abilities, Lucia!” “All right, I’ll try!” Lucia said, glancing at her. Lingering for a moment, she shifted her gaze to her blade, and closed her eyes. Imagining radiance, she felt a slight warmth move around inside her body. She could move it anywhere with ease, as if it was another body part. It was her new [Touch of Radiance] ability. She clenched her hands, drawing the warmth into them. As she held her sword, it drank the warmth, radiance engulfing the blade. Pale light burst from her sword as her eyes opened, its blade radiating like the sun. The monster lifted its right arm once more, but it was too slow. Lucia had her sword held up high above her head. She was ready to strike, heat and light alike emanating from her blade. Taking a step forward, She swung her radiant sword downward in an angled, arching slash. It effortlessly seared through the wooden leg with the blazing edge of her blade. There was a startled expression on her face, the monster fell to its side before balancing itself on the ground with its arms in a crawling position. She swiftly stood straight up as she knew it was not over yet. Firmly holding her blade in front of her with both hands gripping the hilt, she was ready for a counter attack. And she was right, the creature let out a loud, deep roar that shook the air as it violently crawled toward her. Lifting her blade, she was ready to swing her sword once more. But then, suddenly, it jumped. The large Pale was planning to crush her under its heavy weight. “Lucia, run!” the others yelled as they ran toward her. They would not make it in time to help. But she was determined. If she could slice its leg off effortlessly, then she could also slice the Pale fully in half. It was a gamble, but if she succeeded, it would win them the battle. While it dove toward her, she swung her blade forward with all her might. The monster crashed into her blade face first. Her blade halted when it cut into its face. With some effort, it seared through. She had sliced its face in half. The feminine voice of her Oracle reverberated through her mind. [You have slain, Forsaken Treant.] But it was not over yet. Its gargantuan body was still in a state of inertia as it dove toward her. Therefore, she continued pushing the blazing blade of her sword forward, slicing through the rest of the lifeless tree. Around halfway through its body, the blade of her sword abruptly snapped in half—the radiant light dissipating off the snapped blade as her eyes widened. Now, nothing stood between her and the falling lower body of the wooden monster. Suddenly, its body halted midair. It was levitating. Startled, She turned to mercy and saw her staggering, her fingers were clenched tightly against her palm in a fist. There was a faint, subtle crown atop her head, it was translucent. She grimaced as she turned to Lucia, her eyes like clocks. “Go! Run! I won’t be able to… hold it much longer!” she yelled. Without a word, Lucia turned and ran toward Mercy. Letting go of her broken sword, it fel