Chapter 75 - Battle Arena Part 3

She looked around and found some rocks. She picked them up and flung a few rocks forward. She held her breath and waited. No reaction, she threw a few rocks in a row, one after another, disturbing the sandy area. Suddenly a worm shot up. It looked to be 25 feet wide and stretched up 18 feet. It's body was a smoke grey with patches of lavender purple, parts of it body started to spray out puss. Ariana jumped back as liquid landed in front of her. It started to sizzle and melt away at the earth. The worm had wide mouth with rows of circulating teeth., it bent its body left then right, causing more puss to spray before it roared in displeasure and sank back into it's sand pit home.

"Thank you Vasu." She said as she wiped away sweat from her brow. She proceeded to tiped toed around the area until she was clear to continue to jog. She came up to a rock wall, she smiled broadly and placed a firm hand and foot on the wall. She started to climb, picking up her pace as the moments sped by. 'Master, left.' Ariana pushed herself outwards and swung her body her back hitting the wall just as part of the wall to her right exploded. A red winged snake shot out and coiled into the air while a flock of tiny orange winged snakes followed behind. A few rocks sliced parts of her skin but Ariana griped the rock, refusing to let go.

She took a sharp breath in and swung her body back, resuming her climb again. She made it to the top and looked around. "Vasu are you enjoying the stroll?" Ariana said in a chipper voice. Vasu bounced around in delight as his tail wagged. She looked around and saw in the distance a crater with steam coming out. "A geyser... I guess we should look for Vera..." She said in a sad voice. 'Master?' Vasu said as his beady, black eyes stared right at her. "Sorry... it's okay. I just want to get this done and over with."

Ariana ran down the slope on the other side of the rock wall. Jumping over rough terrain, dodging more attacks from predators that leapt out from all directions while keeping a vigilant watch for Vera. The scorching sun was blazing over head as time slowly ticked by. She wondered how long she had been searching for Vera. She finally came across a small canyon, she looked to her left then right. She figure she would go right and continued walking. Another hour went by and she finally reached a gorge. Water was running rapidly below, Ariana smacked her lips as she stared at the water.

'Master, it's time.' Vasu said as he snuggled up to Ariana neck. Ariana closed her eyes and started to take some deep breaths, her body slowly warmed up. "I'm ready." She said as she opened her eyes. Water sprayed upwards creating a beautiful array of lights and colour. In the middle was Vera wearing the same battle suit but she had a long marigold, scale covered tail. Marigold claws and jagged teeth. Her eyes changes and looked more reptilian then human with it's slit like pupil. Ariana stood her ground as she watched Vera spin her body around and hit the ground with her tail as she landed. Dust and debris filled the air and Vera triumphantly looked back to where Ariana was standing.

To her horror Ariana didn't flinch. She stayed in the exact same spot she was before holding her pink, chibi deer as she eyed her curiously. "You missed." Ariana announced making Vera ball her claw like hands and growl. "You didn't move..." Ariana tilted her head as she looked at Vera. "Why would I?" She asked with a confused tone making Vera's blood boil. "Whatever! Arm yourself and fight me!"

"I don't know how." Ariana answered truthfully but Vera just laugh. "Perfect! Arizona let's destroy this first year." Vera said as she jumped into the air, she turned her body and her tail swished. Ariana let Vasu go and ran forward as fast as she could. Vera watched as she used her momentum to slide underneath, avoiding her arial attack. Her tail hit the ground with a loud thud, creating a descent sized crater. Vera turned around and glared at Ariana, who slow got up then waved happily.

Vera flashed her dangerous looking teeth and lunged forward. Her claws in the air, aiming for Ariana's throat. She quickly moved into a squatting position, narrowly missing Vera's claws and sent a single punch to Vera's abdomen. Vera's body started to shake violently. Ariana looked up and saw that Vera was grinning from ear to ear, her teeth were all lined up as she held in her laughter. "Do you think I'm that vulnerable? I am infused with my familiar! I am as strong and fast as the desert crocodile! Your pitiful attack will do nothing to my armored body!" She laughed darkly but Ariana just looked at her indifferently.

Vera pivoted on the balls of her feet and swung her tail towards Ariana's head. Ariana saw the attack coming and to everyone's surprise she allowed herself to fall backwards, her back was now parallel to the ground while Vera's tail sliced the air over her. Ariana looked up at the blue sky and smile. "Infused? Ha... ha ha... hahahaha! Vera you think that using your familiar will only give you a great advantage?" She brought her hands beside her head and laid them flat. "You are going down!" She shouted as brought her legs up and spun on her hands. Her kicks impacted the side of Vera's head and she took a steps back to distance herself and focus her vision. While Ariana back flipped to her feet, completely unphased.

'Master, jump.' Vasu said gently, Ariana ran at full then started front flipping. The ground started to shake and Vera snapped out if her daze. She dug her claws into the earth just in time to see Ariana soar above her. An indigo, two headed snake broke through the earth and Ariana was able to narrowly miss the rocks flying past her body as she jumped onto Vera's back. "What are you doing?!" Vera shouted as she tried to release the ground but she mistakenly gripped it too hard when Ariana came at her. "Rodeo!" Ariana replied as the snake raised itself higher from the earth.

The ground around them started to crack and brake apart. Vera's eyes widen as one of the heads of the snake turned and found them, it's tongue stretched out tasting the air. Vera was frozen with fear while Ariana eyed the ground. "Hold on!" She shouted as she wrapped her hands under Vera's chin and pulled her face upwards. "Wait! No!" She screamed as the snake opened its hissing mouth and jolted forward.