Born in Blood



The giant crane was utterly unbalanced.

With its smooth, metallic surface, thin but swift legs, and majestic wings, it looked beautifully dangerous.

It used its vast golden wings as defense and offense at the same time.

With each swipe of it, powerful gales of wind swept through both the air and the ground below, flinging away the disciples and acolytes.

At the same time, its beak was beyond powerful.

A single peck caused a see-through hole to form in Elder Verium's shoulder.

And that wasn't even all it could do.

It could spew fire from its beak like a dragon, split off pieces of its gold feathers into deadly shards of stone, and used a membrane of water as a defense.

Even the Berserker Hound, arguably the one with the bulkiest and most resilient body, had his muscles shredded to a gruesome amount.

Fire.

Water.

Earth.

Wind.

Defense.

Offense.

It could use everything!

The only thing it missed was the ability to shoot lasers from its eyes.

Liam's mind worked overtime.

Nothing was without its weaknesses.

The crane golem couldn't fly.

It was rooted firmly to the ground, unable to move past what seemed like a circular Formation.

Erasing the Formation could probably rid some of its strength, but getting that close was extremely dangerous for a low ranking cultivator.

But Liam had to do something.

His eye constricted towards the body of the crane Golem.

The only way Liam knew where the six Zeniths were, was because he could see where 'Ora' gathered and spread from the crane's body.

In fact, he could vaguely tell how the crane worked.

Each of the elements used by the crane belonged to a Zenith riding it.

There was one at the crane's head, two to the wings, two to the sides, and one to the back.

And he could somewhat pinpoint where their location within the crane was.

Liam smiled.

It wasn't one of arrogant confidence, but of realization.

The Zenith stationed at the beak controlled everything with the help of those below him.

Everyone else just acted as a human battery to charge up the crane's abilities.

There were basically six Rank 4 minds in that golem.

Liam honestly admired that invention.

It was ingeniously made.

It made him want to make things.

It kindled a strange creativity in him.

But there was one massive, glaring weakness the crane had.

Him.

Liam's pupil constricted towards the crane's head.

Instead of eyes, there were golden 'Ora' crystals studded to the sides.

And right now, one of them was punched away courtesy of the Hound, leaving a large hole that left the Zenith inside vaguely visible.

The hole was just enough for an Abyssal Needle to pass through.

But that wasn't the problem. 

'How do I make it land?'

The Crane was in constant movement.

It was surrounded by powerful gales of wind, fire and mountainous spells.

Not to mention, Liam saw some sort of amplifier on the crane's beak that spread the pilot's mental energy.

That explained why all his movements were so crisp and how he managed to defend against six different Zeniths at once.

Liam studied the crane's attacks for a solid two minutes. 

All the while, the Elders grew more and more dire.

Liam looked to his side.

Jargon, Krel and Adrian still hadn't used their Abyssal Needles, their expressions filled with shock at the battle ahead.

Maybe…

'That could work.'

Liam had to get up close and personal if he wanted a bullseye.

However, he'd just be crushed under the strain of so many attacks before he even got close.

But… if all those Needles were hurled at the beak, the Zenith riding the beast had to focus on dodging them.

With a small opening, all Liam needed to do was time his needle, aim, and throw.

Liam heaved a breath.

"Oi! Throw your needles at its beak!" 

That's all Liam said towards the three before directly rushing towards the crane. 

The three Shadows didn't say anything and did exactly that. 

Even Jargon didn't question where his liege was going, but Liam was more than capable of taking care of himself.

Meanwhile—

BOOOM!

SWOOOSH!

SHING!

The battle had never stopped. 

Although the Elders looked worse by the minute, the crane had suffered reasonable damage. 

Its golden surface wasn't as ostentatious, and wide cracks riddled it here and there. 

As Liam got closer, the winds and shockwaves threatened to whip him away. 

Using his Dusk Blades, he managed to get closer to a ruined Sect building near the crane. 

Now that he was this close… the golem was way more intimidating than it looked. 

Liam didn't let fear overtake him and focused.

At that moment, Jargon hurled his needle. 

It was right after the crane swiped with its wing, which was the split second that it kept its neck unguarded. 

The giant bird golem weaved under and dodged, but it gave the Elders a chance to strike back.

SHING!

CHENK!

As Elder Verium's spear pierced through the cracked chest of the crane, the Berserker landed a claw-shaped attack on its neck.

Adrian and Krel threw theirs right after, and clouds of dark smoke shrouded the crane's body.

Meanwhile, Liam squatted, planted his feet firmly in the ground, cocked his knees, then looked up at the crane.

In his right hand was the Abyssal Needle. Made from Rank 4 materials and near the middle-tier. 

Liam's pupil constricted. 

Everything zoomed out of focus. 

Only the crane's neck was visible through Liam's vision. 

Every little movement. 

Every swing. 

Every peck, spell and weave. 

There was peace.

...

Now!

Liam's left hand churned with chaos which he threw to the floor. 

It didn't explode instantly, but lingered.

A second later, Liam used Vanishing Steps and uncocked his Shadow-coated knees, bursting upward. 

BOOM!

At the same time, the mass of chaos exploded, giving him a sudden boost of speed. 

WHOOOOOSH!

Liam had underestimated just how fast he tore through the air, but he steadied himself.

The crane's eye socket was in full view. Unguarded.

Time appeared slower.

In one smooth motion, Liam twisted his body mid-air and took aim.

Just as he reached the same altitude as the crane's eye, Liam let the Abyssal Needle fly.

…

Bullseye!