BIOLOGICAL SUPERCOMPUTER SYSTEM
Chapter 1354 - 1354: The last battle (17)

She launched herself from the pillar. Her speed closed the distance between her and Erik in seconds. Her clawed hand aimed for his head.

Erik heated the surrounding area while increasing the moisture in the surroundings. A massive burst of steam erupted. He used the opportunity the steam provided to hide himself and escape and get enough time to prepare a counterattack.

The battle progressed. The forest became even more chaotic than it already was.

Scorched earth lay beside fields of ice. Stone pillars rose from liquefied ground. The air went from super-heated to freezing in seconds and vice versa.

Violent thermal shift occurred. Trees splintered or stood as bizarre sculptures. They were half-burned and half-frozen.

Neither Vania nor Erik gained an advantage. Vania's mutations made her resilient, much more than Erik could expect, while Erik had the hydra's head on his side, so there were ten brains taking care of ten different tasks for him, and telekinesis helped him survive.

Everything within a half-kilometer was flattened. Trees disintegrated or turned into splinters and dust. The ground cratered. Bedrock cracked as tectonic pressure was built and released.

When the air cleared, both stared at each other. Vania had been pushed several hundred meters from Erik. The surrounding area no longer looked like a forest. It was a barren wasteland. It looked more like a meteor impact site.

Howls and roars echoed through what remained of the forest.

<The battle attracted thaids.>

[It did. They came because of the massive amount of mana you two released, but also because of the battle below.]

<Where are they?>

[Around four minutes away.]

Their roars and growls could be heard from their position. For things that could cover kilometers in seconds, four minutes meant they were not close, but they were big and powerful enough—and maybe numerous enough—for their sounds to be heard from their position.

The mana in the air must have sent them into a frenzy.

<How many?>

[Thousands at the least.]

<Shit… >

But it wasn't just that. While Amber and the others defeated the Vindicators, the clones weren't having the same success.

<We need more forces.>

The system gave a mental nod.

Vania charged. This time, she used the mana chains. The bindings sought Erik, trying to ensnare him and allowing her to close the distance.

Erik sliced through the chains with some wind blades. At the same time, he pricked his skin. Blood trickled down and fell to the ground.

The first of many clone eggs appeared, falling to the ground. Erik used telekinesis to gently lower them from the sky while avoiding Vania's continuous attacks.

<Mother fucker!>

The first egg embedded itself in the soil. It already began the sped-up hatching process. A clone would emerge in minutes. Then more drops of blood fell, and more eggs came from them.

Vania noticed what he did. Her instincts told her to stop him. She slammed her claws into the ground. The earth heaved and split. A fissure raced toward the newly formed eggs.

Erik used telekinesis and lifted the eggs from their position as the ground beneath them collapsed and moved them to a safer location, while keeping Vania occupied and preventing her from targeting the eggs again.

Vania pressed her attack. Her elemental powers tore through the remaining forest. Wind blades sliced through ancient trees. Bursts of flame created new wildfires. The ground shifted and reformed as she manipulated the earth.

Erik created a barrier around the growing number of eggs while getting her attention.

Through one of his hydra heads, Erik used the Hive Mind to get in contact with the Dark Shapes.

<Relay this message to all forces: Thaids are approaching from multiple directions.>

<We are not in a good situation right now, Master.>

<I see this. I'm making more clones to help you, but they need a couple of minutes. In the meantime, start leaving the area to not attract more attention to the eggs. Also, some of you must bring Amber to the eastern battle perimeter with Mira and Emily to stop the approaching thaids.>

The Dark Shapes nodded. Erik returned his full attention to the battle and his clone production.

Below, he saw Amber, Mira, and Emily. They disengaged from their current fights and moved toward the eastern edge of the battlefield. The remaining team members intensified their assault on the blackguards, and some Chimaeric Demons helped them.

Vania roared in frustration, unable to land a hit on Erik. She retreated, gathering her strength for another assault, while Erik continued producing clone eggs.

The first egg cracked. Spiderweb fractures appeared on its surface. The shell wouldn't last much longer. A fully formed clone emerged, then it started visibly growing, already knowing what it had to do.

The clone matured and assessed the situation, moving to engage the nearest Blackguard. A second egg hatched moments later, then a third, then more.

In the distance, The howls and screams became louder. The thaids were getting closer, drawn by the massive amounts of energy and the chaos of the battlefield.

Erik saw the state of his friends' and lovers' battles as he prepared for Vania's next attack.

More eggs hatched; the newly formed clones joined the fray, helping their brothers.

Erik saw movement at the forest's eastern edge. Large shapes were pushing through the trees.

<They're here,> Erik said to his clones. <Be ready.>

On the eastern side of the battlefield, where the thaids were coming from, Amber stood waiting, flanked by Mira and Emily.

Amber channeled mana into her brain crystal power, charging with an amount of mana she had never charged into her life.

The corrosive fog poured from her body, and thanks to the infinite mana she had, not only was the fog in massive amounts, but it was also far deadlier than anything she had ever made.

The deadly cloud expanded, filling the space between the battlefield and the advancing thaids.

The first creatures to reach the fog slowed, shuddering as the corrosive mist ate through fur, scales, and flesh. Roars of pain replaced their battle cries as they retreated from the unexpected defense.

[Hostile creature killed: Mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Hostile creature killed: Mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Hostile creature killed: Mana-absorbing process starting.]

[Hostile creature killed: Mana-absorbing process starting.]

Vania noticed the new arrivals, but showed no concern. Her animal mind was only focused on the opponent before her, Erik. She gathered mana for another attack, combining multiple powers into a devastating array.

In the east, Amber's corrosive fog continued to spread. The cloud consumed everything it touched and killed more and more thaids.

Hunger and rage drove them forward. More powerful species pushed through the fog, their brain crystal powers activating as they sought ways to penetrate the deadly defensive line.