The Reaper's Wicked Obsession
Chapter 95: The Snákr

Chapter 95: The Snákr

(Music Recommendation: To Ashes And Blood - Woodkid)

The Snákr—sigil of the skin weavers.

Isadora never thought she would one day gaze upon the creature responsible for passing the skin weaving abilities for generations.

Such creatures were meant to be worshipped and respected, because they were sacred gifts bestowed upon them by the olden gods, each representing their glory and order.

But that was only meant for the tamed ones. The untamed were different beings on their own, and they were told to defy their nature and go against the ways of the realm.

Yet, its presence was unmistakable. Isadora was nearly compelled to her knees, to reverence such a mighty being.

The aura that clung to it carried an undisturbed connection. Yet, as she met the creature’s obsidian eyes, she realized—it was not one meant to be honored.

Its eyes were void and soulless and there was nothing sane. This was nothing but a terror-stricken beast ready to instill havoc.

The Snákr shrieked, the mere sound causing a bone-crushing chill down Isadora’s spine, pure fear taking over her gaze, watching as it moved its colossal head to the Ravenites—silenced and still.

A heavy pause lingered, an extreme silence engulfing the entire place, broken only by menacing hisses.

In a blink of an eye, the Snákr’s colossal head charged at the crowd but slammed against an invisible wall and propelled away.

There were forts around the arena protecting the Ravenites from its wrath.

The Snákr hissed glaring at what kept it from having a fulfilling meal, but it was not the fort it concentrated on but the person responsible.

Kraven glared right back at the creature, prompting it to lean closer, a growl rumbling as the red scales vibrated from the tension.

Two beasts locked in a silent stare—one fueled by rage, frustrated by its interrupted hunt, and the other driven by twisted entertainment.

With a shriek, the creature turned its head to focus entirely on Isadora—the easier prey.

Isadora tensed the moment the Snákr’s attention was now fixated on her, her grip tightened on her swords as she rooted her stance.

Yet, she was unable to stop the quavers from taking over her entire body. Her mind and body knew there was no way she could fight such a beast. The difference between their strength was laughable.

This was a clear invitation to the god of death.

Isadora gulped, unable to take her eyes away from the impossible, her neck strained from keeping them lifted for a long time... but she couldn’t move her eyes away, because if she did she’d never see it coming.

The Snákr leveled its head, just a few feet from her, it stopped, tongue hissing but making no further movement.

Isadora was paralyzed to the bone, unable to think or act as the creature set its gaze on her as if determining what to do next. Her heart thrashed heavily in her chest and her unstable breath was akin to a panic attack.

Keeping eye contact and staying on her feet suddenly became one of the hardest feats of her life. Her body felt as if it might crumble under the weight of the creature’s stare.

Which would take her first? This beast or a heart attack? Maybe both.

The Snákr suddenly retreated its head, hoisting back to its height, showing Isadora just how much she looked like an ant in its presence, ready to be squashed like an insect.

It was a few agonizing seconds for Isadora because she could not understand why it was yet to attack. It was almost as if it was savoring the smell of her fear.

In a heartbeat, the Snákr shrieked and lunged toward her at a breezing speed like the forthcoming of a tsunami.

Isadora leaped out of the way, prompting it to smash itself against the wall causing debris to fly around.

Using her arm, she blocked as many as she could, but a single hit from the last one, which was heavier, broke her arm.

Her yelp of pain echoed through the air, but it was cut short when the creature lunged at her again, this time faster and more unpredictable than before, too quick for her eyes to follow.

Such a colossal creature was terrifying, but with such speed, it was a reckoning force to deal with.

There was no time to act, and Isadora knew it too was late.

The Snákr’s head slammed into her body, the sheer pressure also ripping her skin from her body and sending her small frame hurling at a terrifying speed. She slammed into the wall, breaking it on impact, the force of the blow snapping her spine.

"Alda!" Logi exclaimed faintly, running a hand through his hair, distressed.

This was not interesting to see. It was like watching a clear massacre, the other battles weren’t like this when the power display was one-sided. Isadora was way out of her league.

And what he heard earlier... Wasthatherspine? A cold chill shot up his own as a lump swallowed down his dry throat.

Nyssa chuckled, the amusement wrecking her entire body "She cannot escape her fate this time," she said, reclining in her seat. "Poor girl, I pity her."

Logi hesitantly turned his head to Kraven—who remained silent, elbows resting on his kneecaps, hands clasped together with his chin resting on them. His attention was undivided, an eerie glow in his silver eyes that sent a chill through Logi’s spine.

Logi couldn’t decide whose bloodlust was more unbreathable, his or the Snákr’s. They were a terrifying blend that caused the tension in the air.

’You really don’t want her dead do you?’ Logi thought, turning his gaze back to the battle. It was strange. Kraven had never had much interest other than his thirst.

Yet, the look in his eyes held true... he was not entertained by the display of a fascinating struggle of a prey at the bridge between life and death, but simply on the verge of losing control.

"It would not end well if you get involved, Kraven," Logi said, trying his best to remain seated, and not vomit from the tension. "For the sake of everyone here, donot."

Isadora’s fingers twitched, there was a sharp ringing in her ears that forced her awake.

She opened her eyes but her vision was blurred, closing them briefly she tried again, but she could only see from one eye. Blood from her head wound had slipped into her eye, temporarily blinding her.

Her one good eye stared at the fingers twitching from the pain exploding through her body. Her other hand was broken and there were wounds in many places she couldn’t tell but the only one that unleashed hell to her mind was her back.

She was paralyzed in a sitting position with her head lowered, she couldn’t raise her head too and even if she tried there would be no movement.

A part of her was gone.

Moving her good hand, a gut-wrenching scream escaped her lips, echoing through the air, but she was determined to get it to work. Clenching her teeth she summoned her weaves at her fingertips, moving her hands in rhythm as her weaves slipped in through her chest.

A growl broke from her as body fixed, her broken hand snapping back in place as the agonizing pain almost crushed her to death, and when her spine snapped back in place, a scream broke through.

The Ravenites fell silent, watching the scene with horrified eyes, none of them could bring themselves to question her ability to heal herself, they were all taken over by the resilience displayed by an impure blood.

Nyssa’s smile slowly faded. "She’s capable of healing herself?" she whispered, turning her head to Logi, hoping for some explanation.

But just like everyone, he was immersed in the scene, silence filling the area like a graveyard.

Nyssa gulped heavily and turned back to the mannfae who had the knack of defying everything she understood. This explained everything, the reason she survived, after all this time.

Taking her swords, Isadora’s movements were painfully slow as she rose to her feet, pointing one of the tips of her swords at the creature watching her.

A half smile found her lips as she understood what this creature was doing. "P-Playing with your food, are you?" she said weakly. "You remind me of a certain s-someone."

The Snákr growled deeply, rising more in height and almost reaching the ceiling. In a heartbeat it descends in speed, causing a whirl of wind blasting the entire place.

Isadora took a deep breath, closing her eyes briefly, the Snákr was just a few feet from her body but yet she did not move almost like she was welcoming her death.

However, when she opened her eyes, her body felt lighter and swifter. Her reflex guided her, navigating her body to the side, just in time to dodge the Snákr’s attack, prompting it to slam through an empty wall, trapping its head.