Amadeus stood stock still as the meadow rippled and the head came up out of the grass. It was much larger than he was, wide and angular, topped with ridges of darker green that gave it a savage, primeval look. It scales glittered with colors that shifted form deep emerald to pale, almost white green, like sunlight passing through water. Around its thick neck, a shining golden ring was set, with sigils that glowed with subdued power, as if something far more powerful than this creature was sleeping within it.
Two eyes opened, vertical pupils constricting with endless hunger, and the serpent raised itself higher off the ground. Its coils unwound like living architecture, the body stretching impossibly long as it looped back in through the glowing field behind it.
A smooth voice slid through the air, rich with amusement. “Well, well,” it hissed. “What a charming little snack.”
Symbols ignited in the air, glowing with sharp clarity.
Green Serpent Tyrant
Level 9
HP: 320 / 320
Amadeus lifted his chin proudly, meeting the creature’s gaze without any hesitation. “I am not your prey.”
The serpent laughed. The sound it made was very much like stone griding against silk, soft and rasping yet filled with cruel amusement. “Everything that breads on this meadow belongs to me.” The serpent whispered. “Your lungs flutter beautifully, little prey.”
Amadeus
Level 2
HP: 44 / 60
The gap between their levels burned like an open wound in his vision. Amadeus swallowed as he watched the serpent’s tongue flicker lazily through the air, like it was already savoring him. This felt like a violent intrusion that made his skin prickle beneath his fur.
“Run,” it suggested smoothly. “It will make the meal more interesting.”
Amadeus bristled, fur lifting along his spine as his gaze hardened. “I do not run,” he said.
The serpent struck.
The golden ring around its neck flared in the sunlight, and its tail came in a wide sweeping arc, moving faster than a creature of that size should have been able to move. Amadeus barely twisted aside, but even so, the tip still hit him with the force of a falling pillar, hurling him across the field.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
He rolled through the glowing grass, pain exploding through his side, breath tearing from his lungs.
[ENEMY ATTACK: Tail Cleave]
Damage Taken: 20
Amadeus HP: 24 / 60
He skidded to a stop, gasping, while the world turned around him.
Too strong.
He charged forward anyway, unwilling to retreat. His claws raked the serpent’s side, leaving a trail of dark blood behind them as they scraped against its scales.
[ATTACK: Claw Swipe]
Damage Dealt: 2
Green Serpent Tyrant HP: 318 / 320
The snake barely noticed.
“Adorable. Truly.”
Its body uncoiled like a collapsing tower and came down around him in a crushing spiral.
[ENEMY ATTACK: Crushing Coil]
Damage Taken: 12
Amadeus HP: 12 / 60
The world closed in around him. Ribs screamed, breath vanished, and blood ran warm in his chest as the pressure took the strength from his lungs. Desperation flared in an instant, raw and primitive, and he attacked wildly at the coils that bound him.
[ATTACK: Frantic Rake]
Damage Dealt: 3
Green Serpent Tyrant HP: 315 / 320
“Oh,” it whispered through its fangs. “You squirm so well. You will make a fine meal.”
The serpent laughed and squeezed tighter, the coils constricting with unrelenting strength.
Status Applied: Crushing Pressure
Amadeus saw it: his life ticking away in a merciless rhythm.
[CRUSH TICK]
Damage Taken: 3
Amadeus HP: 9 /60
[CRUSH TICK]
Damage Taken: 3
Amadeus HP: 6 /60
[PASSIVE REGEN]
Amadeus HP: 7 /60
[CRUSH TICK]
Damage Taken: 3
Amadeus HP: 4 /60
The field blurred red around him as the serpent leaned closer, its eyes shining with cruel pleasure.
“You smell delicious when afraid.”
Amadeus’ vision flickered.
[STATUS WARNING: Critical Condition]
The world seemed to dim around him as he felt the weight of the coils pulling him under. Something inside of him snapped. It was not fear, but pride that burned hot within him. With the last of his strength Amadeus draw his claws upwards, aiming not at the serpent’s scales but at its eyes.
His strike landed true. Flesh parted and light broke through as the serpent reeled back, its scream splitting the air. His coils loosened in shock.
[CRITICAL HIT: Eye Rake]
Damage Dealt: 5
Status Applied: Stunned (1 sec.)
Green Serpent Tyrant HP: 310 / 320
The pressure vanished. Amadeus wriggled free and hit the glowing grass hard, rolling once one the earth before forcing his burning limbs into motion. Behind him the serpent trashed blindly, bellowing in rage.
Amadeus did not look back. He ran.
The serpent shrieked in fury, its injured eye blazing with a sickly, unnatural light.
“You will not escape,” it snarled, its voice cracking with wrath. “I will hunt you to the ends of this world.”
Its coils crushed to the earth as it lurched forward, tearing through the glowing grass in a violent wave.
[ENEMY PURSUIT: Relentless Slither]
Distance: Closing
