Chapter 35: Beatin’ Stick

“The whole point in making a weapon was to help with the Rex.”

“Well, lassie, ya don’t have’ta’ take me up on me offa. Ya can use a nearby rock or something for the head if you prefer.”

“...Bone it is.”

Ellena and Rugtug were currently walking through the dungeons corridors heading slowly for the Cission Rex's oversized chamber. It was only the night before that Rugtug had made the suggestion to use the strangely tough bones of the Cission Rex for her hammer head. The only being that this fight was going to be a lot tougher without said hammer.

According to her diminutive friend, the Rex specifically had incredibly high defense for his level. Part of that were said bones. Certainly if she was going to build a lasting weapon it would be best to get her hands on lasting materials. A rock was likely to break.

Begrudgingly, this was her best option. Unfortunately the adults around her had put the fear of these beasts at the forefront of her brain. They had also discussed very little on tactics. Other than being a little dumb and truly wild, the Cission Rex had no real weakness. It wasn’t particularly fast, but it wasn’t slow either. It had great defense and great strength and its vision was decent with all six eyes, in fact the beast only two quite small blind spots.

That was what they were going to attempt to exploit using Rugtugs distractions. A handful of Tuglits were to distract the beast whilst Ellena snuck up from behind and do as much damage as she could. Then they would just go from there. It wasn’t exactly complex, but it also wasn’t exactly as if she ever went into one of these battles with a plan in mind.

Whilst the Mushman worried about this, they reached the wide open room they were seeking with the great beast lazing deeper inside. Rugtug ushered Ellena over to a corner with a particularly thick vine they could hide behind. He peaked over it, making sure the Rex had not spotted them.

“Right then. We committing lass?”

Ellena followed suit, looking at the monster one more time. Double the size of the Black Wolf Packleader and that was already massive. She had to wonder if this creature had to crawl through the rest of the corridors on the second floor. She sighed and disappeared back behind the cover. Committing felt risky, but the only other way to get to the next floor was to try and sneak past this giant which came with its own risks.

She looked to Rugtug and smiled. “I’ll commit, but are you suwe Rugtug? This is putting you and youw people in dangew.”

Rugtug scoffed. “Lass, crittas’ like us this entire world is a danger. Least I’m takin’ control of the danger this time, aye?” He slapped her back and gave her a reassuring smile. “I’ve decided I’m gonna help ya lass. This is just the start, ya hear?”

“I don’t entirely understand why, but i’ll take it. Thank you, Rugtug.”

There was a quick pleasant nod, then the Tugglit gibbered something in a language that seemed like just noises. Three holes appeared around them causing three Tugglits to pop up out of the ground.

One was quite wide and tough looking, the other two just seemed slightly larger than an average Tugglit. All three wore crude armour of sorts. Wood and gnarled hides. A scavenged rusty shoulder plate sat on the large one's shoulder. They all had a pouch of rocks and a sling each.

“Dees three are some of me oldest kids. At least I think they’re my kids, could be my grandkids?”

Two of the Tugglits nodded.

“Bah, don’ matter. Point is dees three are quick n’ smart. Can’t lick a word o’ common, but don’t let that fool ya. They’ll distract the Rexy good and deal some damage at the same time, ya hear?”

Ellena smiled. “Nice to meet you boys.”

“We got Dumgu, Robb and Timggus. Dumgu is da big one, dee other two are twins. They can’t tell each other apart most da time so don’t you worry if you can’t either,” he introduced Ellena to the three slightly tougher looking Tugglits.

“H-How exactly can the twins not tell themselves apawt? Suwely you at least know who you youwself is?”

The twins looked at each other puzzled, then back at Ellena. One of them gently titled their head. Ellena did not feel as though she had said anything that strange.

“Anyway, lads. Get intya’ positions yeah? Triangle around the beastie. You remember what a triangle is right?” Rugtug put his hands on his wrists and looked over each Tugglits expression carefully. Satisfied he nodded. “Good.”

This also did not instill confidence in the ex-Human.

Regardless, the three little monsters disappeared below the ground leaving small dirt mounds quickly cleared up by Rugtug. They watched as each one proceeded to pop in three separate spots. They did appear to manage a triangle.

“Right. Won’t be long til Rexy takes notice. I’ll stay here lass, cover you and my boys throw a few spells yeah?”

Ellena nodded.

Indeed, it did not take long for the Rex to spot one of the twins. He growled, and walked slowly towards the Tuglit. Before it could reach him though, the Tugglit suddenly shifted rapidly to the right, moving to the exactly opposite end of the room to Ellena and Rugtug.

Rugtugs mastery over the earth in this dungeon was masterful, it looked as though the Tugglit was swimming through dirt. Not that Ellena had a chance to admire his skill, as they had just lured the Cission into the perfect spot.

A few deep breaths, a shake of her hands, and an activation of three shields. Ellena was ready to go. She turned quickly and threw one last grateful nod at Rugtug before launching herself forwards, moving as quickly and as silently as she could.

The Rex’s approach quickened and the targeted Tugglit began to look a little panicked, backing away as far as he could. Ellena felt her own speed pick up, then she felt the ground beneath her lifting up.

At this point she was airborne, flying over the Rex. She threw one shield behind her, high in the air. Then used it to launch her body forwards, straight for the Cissions head. The other two shields were on either hand, going for maximum blunt damage.

When she was sure she would hit, Ellena pulled her head down, making sure it would be the helmet that connects. She braced her body and waited for the impact.

A sickening crack echoed in the room and a deep pained roar followed suit. The Cission Rex fell to the ground, spitting vile greenish blood from its mouth. Much more seeped from the new deep wound in its head.

Ellena jumped backwards onto the giant beasts back, but quickly lost her balance tumbling down its belly. She grasped her head as the world began to shake around her.

It was the first time she had felt this kind of pain in this life. Her head had been far too hard to get even remotely concussed, up until this point at least and she was pretty sure she could split rocks at this point too.

She had to get her hands on this beasts bone. Though it was clear it wasn’t going to be easy. Even with the cracked and caving skull, the Rex stood up and shook its head. Its eyes almost rattling around inside their sockets. He turned to Ellena, unleashing a menacing low growl. She would have almost preferred a full on roar.

Rather than the mouth full of knife-like teeth getting her though, Ellena felt the pain of something else. Its tail, whipping into her body and launching her towards the wall. In the brief moment of time he had to react, Rugtug tried to turn the wall into something softer, succeeding just barely to lessen the impact.

Ellena hit the now softer dirt wall and coughed up her own blood. She fell to the ground and gripped her now concave body. Quickly she checked her health.

[Health: 251/328]

Whilst it wasn’t life threatening, that one hit had hit her for almost a third of her health. She was sure she had done significant damage to him too though. She found herself very grateful for Rugtug in this situation now. That attack may have put her out of commission if it weren’t for him.

She stood to her feet as quickly as they would allow, stumbling a little as she tried to get her bearings. Someone the Rex had not pursued with a second attack. Though the sounds of combat might have had something to do with that.

When she could finally see again Ellena watched as the three Tugglits did their thing. Hopping ten feet into the air and swinging sharp rocks at the Rex with their slings at the apex of their jump.They jumped from the dirt like dolphins from water.

Each time the Rex looked close to getting one Rugtug would raise a dirt wall. Easily smashed through, but distracting enough. The Rex was getting angry, getting impatient.

It began to thrash wildly, knocking its colossal body into one of the walls, causing the entire place to shake. Honestly Ellena wondered if they even needed her at this point.

“Lass can ye stop standing around now! My mana is startin’ to run a tad thin!”

Of course it didn’t matter how well they were doing at getting on the giant monsters nerves when they couldn’t do any real damage. That was the main reason she was there.

Ellena smirked, then evolved that smirk into a viscous grin. She curled her hands into fierce fists and darted towards the fight. Her mind now far clearer and back to normal.

The earth once again pulled her up into the air, launching her towards the beast once more. He turned his head at the last minute, only just spotting her, but it was too late as a powerful punch connected with the Rex.

He stumbled backwards yelping, before swinging his tail once more, but this time Ellena was ready, pulling all three of her still active shields up in a row.

The first two shattered, but the third held strong, causing the Rex to wince a bit as his tail had connected with a solid object. There was no time to celebrate the small victories though. Ellena pushed the tail away with her shield slingshotting it backwards, causing the Rex to stumble once again and get pelted with various stones.

Whilst it was practically on the floor stone rose from the ground and enveloped the beasts hind feet and claws.

“Let him have it lass!”

Ellena obliged, launching a flurry of blows and shield bashes into the beast.

The Rex screamed and yelled, struggling against the trap. His tail flailed wildly, coincidentally connecting with the larger Tugglit. Luckily, the erratic movements had less strength behind them. Though he was now bleeding, Dumgu had not been smacked against any walls, dirt or stone.

“Lass! Ya need a big one. I can’t hold this fella much longer!”

Though he had indeed been beaten with a dozen blows, the Rex still seemed quite alive. Ellena had an idea, but it required using the last of her mana. She pulled one more shield out, and threw it with all her might.

Just as she had hoped it lodged itself into the beasts neck, which was met with a lot of screaming. Ellena then placed her one surviving shield over it. She grinned, taking a step back.

“Do you have enough to launch me again?” She asked Rugtug.

“What do ya mea-” Rugtug paused. “Ah. Ha ha! Ya got it lass! Here goes the last of my mana.”

Ellena’s grin grew wild as she felt her body launch forwards one final time, with speed enough to wrinkle her youthful features.

She pulled back her fists, and lowered her head, aiming directly for the flattened second shield floating over the first. Sometimes you really do have to use your head. The Mushman sniggered at the point joke in her head, just as her helmet and the shield met.

There was a thud, a squelch and a scream. Then, there was silence and an even greater thud and this time, Ellenas head hurt even more. She tried to open her eyes and look around, but around was all around and it refused to stop.

“Did. Did that get it?” She asked.

An incredulous laugh burst out by her side. “Aye lass. Ya only bloody went and did it!”

The Mushmans vision slowly returned to her. She saw a lot of blood and a lot of exposed bone. The shield had not managed to rip through the beasts entire neck, reaching the bone just under halfway, but it was certainly enough to finish it off at least. It turned out working with other was very useful.

Before she could celebrate and look at her stats, Ellena had to check something else quickly, jumping to her feet and running to the back of the Rex. “Dumgu?!” She shouted.

There was a shushing sound as she reached the corner. The twins had Dumgu resting on their laps, head on one legs on the other. Blood poured from his wound and his mouth. His fur was soaked in the stuff and his eyes were closed.

“Dumgu. Please tell me you’we alwight?”

A single clawed hand shook, struggling to lift. The thumb lifted from the fist into a thumbs up before falling back to the Tugglits chest. Ellena felt another presence appear at her side.

“See lass, I told you. These are my best lads.”

She smiled. “So I guess these guys should be fine when you’we gone?”

Rugtugs expression changed. It was something not entirely readable. Contemplative at the very least. “Maybe they will.”

Ellena did want a travelling partner and so far Rugtug was the best candidate, but that didn’t mean she wanted him to leave with regrets. Offspring like those three were a good choice to give him that peace of mind.

“More importantly lass howd you do? Gain many levels? I meself gained more than I have in da’ past decade,” he chuckled to himself.

Indeed, now that she knew her heavily injured companion was at least breathing, Ellena finally had a look at her stats.

Damn. Ellena thought. That’s like, a lot of levels.

“Well?”

Ellena thought for a moment, then smiled. Turning to Rugtug. “Say, Rugtug. You weckon thewe might be mowe of these things on the thiwd floow?”

Rugtug raised a single eyebrow. “Lass, for both our sakes I hope not.”

She shrugged. “If we found anothew one I could evolve.”

He chuckled. “I think ya not gonna struggle to find something equally tough down there at least.”

The Tugglit then turned to the Rex’s corpse. So large that it felt more like looking at a particularly mossy rock rather than a living creature. He clapped his little hands together as dozens of Tugglits appeared from holes all around them, a few of which carried primitive pickaxes. “Before any of that though. Shall we help build ya’ new beatin’ stick?”