These Eldritch Hips – (Modbased)Litrpg

There was something wonderful to having a plan, Celia realized. It was the sense of certainty. Of knowing. Of believing that every variable had been accounted for and that every possibility had been considered. That things would go her way.

It was also weakness. For within expectation was the room for disappointment. Within disappointment its own surprise. Doubt, grief, a loss of direction. And it was for that reason that they had made their plan as loose as they could get away with. A general idea. General positions and tasks that needed fulfilling. And a flexible route of escape if all went terribly.

It was, in its own sort of way, perfect.

I'd watch the optimism, if I were you. Discipline warned. We have a record to keep after all.

Don't let my 'better half' keep your mood down. After all didn't future us say that we succeed at this in around 70% of all timelines?

Yes, which is far away enough from a hundred that I would still be worried.

Celia shushed her twin consciousnesses with a thought and moved into position. Slowly waltzing up to E-10'S lair with a facade of confidence she didn't truly feel. Taking in the sight of said lair as she did so in an attempt to calm herself down.

Which didn't really work. Instead the sight of leafless orange trees, dead things strung up by a veil of webs, and the grey sky inspired the opposite. It reminded her that she was in a dangerous situation she was woefully unprepared for.

As we're all the victims on display it would seem. Including a beast that was at least 20 feet long and nearly half as tall. Giant tusked mouth held open by several thick webs, it's entire body seemingly drained of blood and vigor. A fate that Celia couldn't help but wonder would befall her if things went as bad as she feared they might.

No. He would likely just eat you. For a creature like him, you're worth more as a special snack that has the power to elevate him to a new threshold of power than you do as a trophy.

"Thanks." Celia said, mustering up all the sarcasm she could.

Her future responded with the ghost of a non-existent smile. The last reassurance Celia received before she found herself in the lair proper. Standing between two aged trees, trunks bending into the shape of a great gateway above her.

And directly across the clearing that made up the majority of the lair was E-10. A writhing nest of enormous serpentine necks sprouting from a dark green core. At least five heads pointed her way.

Each one looked sick. Scales pale and torn, a slowness to their movements that even she could recognize. It was almost like they were dying. Or were at least close to it, just as Paradox had promised.

Celia decided then and there that she would follow the plan through. That it was actually worth risking.

And the first step all depended on her.

"I've come to bargain!" She declared. One hand on the sword at her side, the other nervously dancing around her body looking for something to grab on that wasn't soft.

If E-10 noticed she was nervous, he didn't show it. Instead one of his enormous necks drew close. The face of an eyeless scale covered maw and a beak bearing down upon her. Staring, studying, waiting.

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"What makes you think we will bargain? Power is ours. Whether you live or die is our choice to make."

Celia pretended not to flinch. Ignoring all the spit that flew free of the giant's mouths and onto her.

"Because I saw your little scrap with that real monster. I saw you batted out the sky. And I know you're weak. Weak enough to want an easy meal." She declared, hoping the confidence she was projecting seemed real enough.

But, behind her shell of projection there was one of fear. The inevitable fear of failure. A fear that smelled.

And E-10 was the exact kind of predator to pick up on it.

"Let me guess your bargain. You want me to let the little gang you've gathered go free in exchange for your life? Or are you offering them to me in exchange for yours?"

"Would you agree to either?"

"No. It is the fool who does not seize all that he can. And we are no fool."

"Well if I am a fool you'll find me a hard to kill one." Celia promised, and drew her sword. At the same time runes winked into existence above her. Portals of tentacles opened up. Flesh became as steel and burned with scalding heat from within. Teeth erupted out from her armored skin. And song brewed behind her lips.

E-10 met her challenge with the arraying of ancient heads. Serpents bearing the faces of beasts slain and devoured. A reptile of fire and smoke. A hairy and horned skull that bore eyes that drowned the world in red wherever it looked. A face made of living hands, each baring seven fingers. Greatest of them was a head split into three, a long maw of winged teeth, a bird made of stone and decaying flesh, and a bull with four horns.

There was an intelligence to the last head that the others lacked. An awareness that betrayed it as a weakpoint to exploit. Or maybe a trap to lure you in. Discipline suggested. Her suspicion mixing with Celia's own.

Whatever the case, Celia was severely outmatched. Even with all her growth, all the strength she had accrued since the last time she fought him, the gap between them in power was too great to surmount. Weakened as he was, he was still too much of a giant for her to conquer on her own.

Utterly and completely beyond her in all the ways it would matter.

If this was a direct contest between the two, that is. Which it wasn't. Instead, the moment it seemed like Celia had E-10's full and antagonistic attention, Haet struck. Using his lightning fast speed to shift from his position in the trees to the back of E-10's lair. Where, seated at the base of his many heads, his truest weakpoint lay.

A green stone that hummed with power and life and strength. A heart of a different kind and the source of a Hydra's ability to seemingly return it's heads from the dead.

The moment Haet wrapped his claws around it E-10 froze. Heads snapping still and quickly turning towards his direction. All too many of his eyes fixed on Haet and the crystal. Realization slowly coming upon his many faces.

"Ah. So a false gambit then? Was this to be your play, the blade with which you undo me?"

"Less a gambit and more a-"

E-10 didn't let her finish the sentence. He became a blur of movement. Of muscles sent hurtling in one direction. Heads converging on Haet with dizzying speed. But Haet was not afraid. He met the bouquet of heads with patience and steady feet, leaping out of the way of a blast of acid. Slashing a gust of violent air in half and landed on his alien legs.

Ground sunk beneath him turning soft beneath E-10'S gaze. A maw of shadow rising up out of the deep to consume him.

Red and black arcs of lightning coiled around Haet's claw, crystal cracking a fracture of a fracture as the pressure on it increased tenfold. And with that E-10's assault came to an abrupt halt. Heads staring at Haet like a cat would a mouse just out of reach.

"If you destroy it, I will ensure none of you leave this forest alive! And in time, my strength will return to me rendering your sacrifice vain." He hissed, heads speaking in uncanny sync.

As he did, the rest of Celia's merry crew crawled into position. Figures slinking free from the trees, both above and below. Weapons, spears and swords and clubs, in the hands of those who could hold them. Groups of three drawing close to the heads nearest them. Each ready and waiting for the signal.

Celia gave it, and the weapons were thrown.

Immediately E-10 responded using the considerable bulk of his heads to batter them into non-existence. Only to met with surprise as their forms faded away. Illusions revealing bombs hidden within. Explosions rocking the lair and leaving E-10 temporarily disoriented, but undamaged.

And in that moment of confusion, Haet crushed the crystal between his claws.

In the next the lair was consumed by green light.