Aetheric Chronicles: Reborn As An Extra

Kairen's eyes glowed an intense green as he invoked 'Tempest Fury.' The air around him spun violently, forming a vortex of energy that crackled with destructive power. He had always been reluctant to use this ability, knowing its unpredictable nature and the immense toll it took on him. But now, with no other option, he had to unleash it against the towering monster.

The tall monster's body began to glow with a sinister red aura, its eyes narrowing as it sensed the approaching threat. With a roar, it met Kairen's attack head-on, the two forces colliding in a cataclysmic clash.

The cave shook with the impact, the walls vibrating as the energy from their clash sent shockwaves through the air. The silhouettes of Kairen and the monster were visible in the blinding light, their forms locked in a fierce struggle. From an outsider's perspective, it looked as if two monsters engaged in a fierce fight - a green and red monster.

The force of their clash created a powerful shockwave that blasted both combatants away. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring the scene from the others. Aria quickly used a wind spell to clear the dust and smoke, revealing the aftermath of the battle.

"W-What happened?"

"Who won?"

Onlookers stared at the aftermath of the battle, hoping for their side to win.

Two figures stood not far from each other, their forms barely visible through the lingering haze.

Kairen then suddenly staggered, his body trembling from the strain of using Tempest Fury. Blood suddenly spewed from his mouth, and he fell to the ground, exhausted and spent.

The tall monster, despite its left arm missing, still stood tall. Its eyes burned with undiminished vigor and a twisted desire for destruction and devouring.

"RAAAR!" It roared in triumph, the sound echoing through the cave as it stepped forward, its focus now shifting to the weakened Kairen.

Now it finished with toying with its prey, it was time to dig in.

Aurelia, having finished healing Aurelius, looked at Kairen's side, immediately casting a protective light barrier around him. Aurelius, though still in pain, stood up, his gaze locked onto the monstrous foe.

Aurelius focused on his Aether Core, ready to activate his own ability. 'Its arm was shredded into pieces by Kairen's tempest... Then I need to go with the element with the most destructive or penetrative power...'

"Everyone retreat and protect yourselves!" Aurelius shouted as his silver hair turned dark blue, and so did his aura and Aether Core. His body levitated in the air as he looked at the monster already in front of its 'food.'

Aurelius extended his hand, channeling his energy into a powerful lightning bolt that struck the ground in front of the monster. The beast recoiled, momentarily distracted by the blinding flash and deafening crack. Taking advantage of the moment, Aurelius swiftly moved beside Kairen and grabbed his unconscious body.

He hurled Kairen towards Aurelia's side. Aria, quick on her feet, used a wind spell to cushion his fall, while Lila caught his body and hurriedly took him to Aurelia with hopeful and tearful eyes.

After making sure Kairen was safe, Aurelius turned to face the monster. "Now eat this," he coldly muttered. He raised his hands to the sky, and suddenly, numerous bolts of lightning began to rain down on the beast.

The cave was filled with the sound of thunderous impacts as the lightning bolts struck the monster, each hit causing the creature to convulse and roar in agony. The intense light illuminated the cave, casting eerie shadows on the walls as the monster was bombarded by the relentless assault.

The monster's red aura flickered, its strength waning under the onslaught of Aurelius's lightning. With each strike, the beast's movements became slower and more erratic, its once formidable presence now reduced to a struggling mass of pain and fury.

Aurelius maintained his attack, his eyes blazing with determination.

"This is for Kairen!" he shouted, pouring all his remaining energy into a final, devastating bolt of lightning.

The bolt struck the monster squarely in the chest, its body convulsing violently before collapsing to the ground with a thunderous crash. The cave fell silent, the air thick with the smell of ozone and the lingering echoes of the battle.

Aurelius landed on the ground, his breathing heavy and ragged as he surveyed the scene. The monster lay motionless, its red aura completely extinguished. He turned to his friends, relief washing over him as he saw Kairen being tended to by Aurelia, Irithel, and Lila.

"It's over," he whispered, his body finally giving in to exhaustion. He fell to his knees, and then to the ground, his consciousness slipping away.

Aria looked at Aurelius, now unconscious on the ground. She noted the signs of exhaustion and the depletion of his Aether. He had given everything to protect them, and now he needed rest.

"Probably exhausted and out of Aether," she muttered to herself.

She then turned her gaze to the fallen monster. In the next moment, the creature's body transformed into a massive block of ice, its sinister red aura extinguished. Aria's eyes narrowed in chilly coldness and a slight curiosity as she wondered about the mysterious forces at play. She had a guess this monster wasn't a natural one but... a creation.

Her attention shifted to the cave's exit, which was nearly closed off by debris and stones. She realized that the chaos had created new dangers, but her thoughts quickly turned to the woman they had encountered earlier.

"Where did that woman slip away to?" Aria pondered, her mind racing with possibilities. She caught a glimpse of Selene slipping away when Kairen and the monster started fightinh. "Did she go after Adrian and Rhea?"

Determined, she clenched her fists and made a decision. Turning to the remaining group, she shouted, "I'll go after Adrian!"

Without waiting for a response, Aria dashed towards the blocked exit, using her magic to clear a path through the debris. The others watched her with a mix of concern and admiration as she disappeared from their view.