Whiz—
Columns of brilliant white light poured down from the sewer ceiling. Unlike the previous volley, many of these beams struck the exact same wounds as before.
In an instant, both giant prawns began to convulse violently. The one with lighter injuries descended into a state of pure frenzy, its massive claws a blur as it lashed out at the Miranda Flower before it.
The Miranda Flower, deeply rooted in the muck, was utterly unable to dodge the onslaught. It could only endure the crushing blows, calling out desperately to the Lesser Miranda Flowers to swarm forward and buy it a few more seconds.
But the sheer destruction wrought by the two prawns had already claimed the lives of many Lesser Flowers. Those that weren't dead lay limp on the ground, their vitality drained, barely clinging to life.
Thud!
As the prawn closed the distance, the Miranda Flower suddenly extended its retracted main stalk to its full length. It swung the top of its form like a massive morning star, slamming it directly into the prawn's head.
Boom!
Stunned by the heavy impact, the prawn fell into a daze. The Miranda Flower seized the opportunity, sending its surrounding vines snaking up the creature's body.
The other prawn, seeing its companion in trouble, finally unleashed the high-pressure water jet it had been charging.
Splash!
Zip!
The flower's main stalk—already heavily damaged—was pierced again, leaving a massive, circular hole. The Miranda Flower's aura instantly withered. Its surrounding petals began to droop toward the filth.
With one final, desperate spasm, it sprayed a thick cloud of green toxic mist into the air before collapsing in defeat. Its once-towering form shrank into a mangled heap on the ground.
Seeing that the flower had lost all ability to resist, the first prawn charged forward. It raised its massive pincers and hammered the remains of the Miranda Flower into the dirt.
Only when the flower—stalk, roots, and petals alike—had been reduced to a pulpy green smear did the prawn finally cease its movements. It turned slowly and hobbled back toward its stunned companion.
It was then that something occurred which caught both Mohg and Morgott by surprise.
The prawn circled its dazed comrade for a moment, then suddenly raised its heavy claw and brought it crashing down onto the other prawn's head.
With a sickening crack, a mixture of red and yellow viscera sprayed from the creature's skull. The unconscious prawn gave a violent, reflexive jerk, its limbs twitching for several seconds before it finally went still, embracing the cold silence of death.
Having murdered its companion, the surviving prawn moved forward and began to quietly feast on the body.
Mohg and Morgott exchanged a look, both swallowing hard in perfect unison.
"What do you think... do we stand a chance against that thing?"
"Hard to say... It's taken a lot of damage, but judging by the noise it just made, it hasn't lost much strength. One mistake and we're both getting turned into meat paste."
"Fortune favors the bold. If we take it out, not only is our food problem solved, but there won't be any 'gatekeepers' blocking the path ahead... Plus, we can bathe in their blood to grow stronger."
"Do they even have blood?" Morgott blinked. During the entire battle, he hadn't seen the prawns bleed in any recognizable way.
"They do. It's just not as obvious," Mohg replied with a nod. He continued to whisper, outlining a plan to Morgott.
Morgott began to waver. Reaching the lower levels was their goal, and this path was their best option, but the giant prawn was a hurdle they couldn't ignore. Now was the moment of decision.
Would they risk everything to slay the beast, or retreat and end their exploration here?
"Let's watch it a little longer," Morgott whispered after a moment of internal struggle.
He noted that before the Miranda Flower died, it had saturated the area with toxic spores. The previous combat and surging water had dispersed much of it, but now that the fighting had stopped, the mist was beginning to settle and concentrate again.
Judging by the prawn carcass they had seen earlier, the Miranda Flower likely relied on its poison and attrition to kill its prey. Mohg suspected the earlier prawn had simply been caught off guard; once a direct fight started, the flower had no real defense beyond taking the hits.
Time ticked by. The surviving prawn gradually finished devouring the "tomally" and brain matter of its kin. Just as the brothers thought no more surprises were coming and prepared to retreat back into the safety of the pipe, the prawn's movements began to stiffen.
Its actions became sluggish and labored.
The brothers looked at each other and decided to wait just a bit longer.
Sure enough, after a few more minutes, the prawn collapsed onto the ground and stopped moving entirely. However, they couldn't be sure if it had simply fallen asleep or if the Miranda Flower's neurotoxins had finally paralyzed it.
Slowly, inch by inch, Mohg and Morgott began to creep toward the beast.
Morgott gripped the dagger tightly, his internal energy already swirling. At the slightest hint of movement, he was prepared to unleash the Battle Skill—Golden Retribution.
To their relief, they reached the prawn's massive frame without it making a single sound.
"Is this toxic mist really that potent?" Morgott exhaled, finally relaxing slightly. He reached out as if to catch the floating spores, his curiosity piqued.
"I'm not sure... but it seems the poison has little effect on us."
Mohg inhaled a few lungfuls of the pollen. It felt much like before, though the accumulation was faster. However, as they breathed it in, their bodies seemed to be developing a sort of antibody. The numbing effect was growing weaker with every breath.
Mohg marveled at the adaptability of their Omen bodies. In such a short time, they were already acclimating to the toxin... It was truly terrifying.
"Wait... the prawn is still awake!"
As Mohg was lost in thought, Morgott noticed the prawn's mouthparts were still trembling slightly. Its eyes seemed to be track them, fixed on their two silhouettes.
Mohg started for a second, but seeing that the prawn was genuinely unable to move, he regained his calm.
"Better finish this before things take a turn for the worse."
"Mmhmm."
They nodded to each other and moved toward the cracks in the prawn's shell—the spots where the Miranda Flower's light beams had earlier pierced its armor.
Puchu!
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My : https://[email protected]/AuAuMon
Elden Ring: As the Consort, I Reject Miquella (133 Chapters – Ongoing)
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