Chapter 81: A Flower of Dread
Managing to descend faster than they had ascended, the Chosen quickly shot south toward the camp Seraphina had established.
"So now that we’re on the ground, care to enlighten me?" she said, running to his side, eager to hear what had gotten him so shaken.
"You know that the Danger Level represents change in behavior and not just the amount of Corruption an abomination can use, right?"
She suppressed a scoff, being one of, if not the most, knowledgeable person in her branch at the Elite School. Few knew as much as she did.
"Naturally. Feral monsters are mostly brainless, relying solely on instinct. Savages are a little more intelligent, being able to use tactics like ambushes, groups, or making use of the terrain. Reavers display a form of leadership, being able to rule those lesser than them. While those classified as Apex often rival human intellect, adapt to any situation, and force every being in their territory to bow to them with no room for defiance."
Azrael nodded. "What about the ones beyond that?"
"You mean Calamities? Little is known about them, since even the strongest humans can’t afford to observe or study their movements carelessly. All we know is that they take the Apex’s rule to another level, not just ruling but having an actual environmental impact over the land. Bending the surroundings under their Corruption, they can change and shape the environment at will."
He wasn’t surprised, by the knowledge the woman that was often regarded as an angel possessed.
"Yes, they alter their surroundings as they see fit, causing things to appear unnaturally—like storms forming without any warnings or tsunamis capable of leveling entire countries." He smiled bitterly. "Now... does that sound familiar?"
Seraphina arched an eyebrow, her mind slowly connecting the dots.
"You mean the lava ocean tides to the east and the Taintstorm to the west?" She shook her head. "If we were in the human realm, that could be the case. But in the cursed planets we entered through the Rift, things don’t work that way. The natural state of this world is corruption, which causes all the unexplainable behavior, not some powerful beings."
Azrael heaved a sigh.