Chapter 38 - 37: Nightmare Poison
"Get up, Leon!"
Elise’s voice cuts through the haze of venom clouding Leon’s vision. He lies on cold stone, chest burning where the hag’s claws tore through leather and flesh. The poison spreads through his bloodstream like liquid fire, making his muscles seize.
His mage zombie materializes between Leon and the Night Hag. Blue fire blazes in empty sockets as it raises spectral hands. A concentrated mana bolt erupts from its palms, streaking toward the creature’s head.
The hag moves like flowing shadow. Her body bends at impossible angles, spine twisting as the bolt sails past her ear. Stone explodes behind her where the magic strikes.
She pivots on one clawed foot, attention fixed on Leon struggling against the venom. Her arm draws back for another killing strike.
Sarah’s lightning bolt catches the hag center mass. Electricity arcs across black skin, cooking flesh and filling the chamber with the smell of burnt meat. The creature’s screech makes everyone’s ears ring.
Smoke curls from the charred wound, but the hag recovers with inhuman grace. Her burned flesh already begins knitting together, new skin growing over exposed muscle.
"That should have dropped her," Sarah gasps. Her staff trembles in both hands, crystal focus dim from the massive energy discharge.
Jake hefts a chunk of broken stone, muscles bulging as he hurls it at the hag’s skull. She shifts sideways like liquid mercury, the rock smashing into the wall where her head had been.
Mist begins pouring from cracks in the floor. Thick gray fog that tastes of grave dirt and forgotten screams. The hag’s form wavers, becoming translucent as she merges with the supernatural haze.
"Where is she?" Marcus spins in place, shield raised but unable to target what he can’t see.