D.E.M.O.N.S: Getting Summoned Weekly isn't so Bad Chapter 2265 Foreshadowing is a Literary Device…

--- Kat ---

After some further arguments, Kat walked slowly towards the big axolotl. Careful to keep her movements steady, her hands against her stomach, and to generally see as non-threatening as possible. The little axolotls seemed to scatter a bit upon seeing her. Not vanishing, but deliberately going the longer way around to avoid getting too close to her. Kat didn’t make any reaction to this, simply allowing it to happen.

Eventually, she got to the mound of dirt and trees that surrounded the area. Kat climbed them as steadily as she could. It was hard with her hands where they were, but her tail managed to make up for it. The extra balance, an occasionally push off the floor, and then lastly using it to pull herself forward by hooking it around a tree once she was close enough.

When Kat got her first proper view of the big axolotl, she could see it still sleeping peacefully. It had a LOT of orbs and the temptation to grab one, or get a bit closer was strong, but Kat simply waited. This was apparently enough because a few moments after one of the little axolotls dropped off an orb, the big one began to shift, turning its face slowly to meet Kat’s. It seemed to pause there for a few moments, so Kat took this opportunity to say "Hello-"

Only to be cut off when she was immediately blasted with lightning. It came from the tip of its headpiece, the lightning in the furry bits on the back concentrating it into a deadly arc. Kat was so shocked, so unprepared for such an immediate attack, one that was lightning fast, she didn’t even dodge. It slammed into her full force, but due to the fact she was grounded it sped through her body and into the swamp proper just as quickly.

Kat let out a stunned cough. She was mostly fine. The residual electricity was causing her muscles to twitch and spasm a bit, but not even enough to move her arms. Her durability was such that she was fine. Her heat resistance especially had ensured that her organs weren’t cooked... but the same could not be said for her clothes. Kat found herself wearing the ashen remains of her outfit and the smell of smoke filled the air.

The axolotl shifted slightly, breaking a few orbs under its feet as it did so, producing a crackling sound. This was enough to jolt Kat back into action as she turned around and booked it. *

Kat booked it through the trees and then slid down into the water, flaring her wings to keep herself above it and not be slowed down. In the background Lily had started to fly, with shadow steps for Appoline in the more waterlogged places... though Appoline too had an idea.

A potion was lobbed a few steps ahead of her, timed such that just as she ran over the area the glass shattered, spreading the liquid across the ground. As Appoline stepped on them her shoes started to glow, and soon the elf was floating in the air. Just a few centimetres above the mud and water, but it was keeping her footing stable and allowing her to run properly.

Kat heard another crack, just before another bolt of lightning slammed into her back. This time she was in the air, so the lightning had to jump from her to the floor. The extra power flowing so much less cleanly from her feet to the air burnt her soles... slightly. It was still mostly fine and Kat was healed up before she hit the ground. Sadly, the lightning had stunned her wings for a bit, so she hit the ground, which was currently rather muddy.

Kat wasn’t ready for the drop, and slid forward until she simply fell into the mud. Kat didn’t let that slow her long, she rolled as best she could while her muscles were spasming, and managed to hop back up to her feet. The mud and ash were slowly sliding off her at least, but there was still a lot on her.

Glancing backwards once the mud had at least fallen past her eyes, Kat could see the axolotl... flying? Swimming? After her. It was hard to say what was more accurate. It looked to be swimming through the air. Black clouds with purple lightning were situated around its feet, underneath its stomach, and right at the very tip of its tail. This seemed to be allowing the thing to ’swim’ after her... by flying.

It was strange to look at. However, her moment of inattention had led her a little too close to one of the cracks. Or rather, one with a jellyfish inside. A tentacle wrapped around her arm and Kat reacted immediately, demonic fire burning around the thing and following the tentacle back to the main body. Even as it reformed the flames burned and the crack drastically reduced in size...

But it was a warning. Kat had to look ahead of her to ensure that she didn’t run into a crack with a jellyfish to catch her, as well as watch the ground for other monsters and still be ready for the axolotl behind her. *

Kat sent a mental *and continued her run this time at a slight angle. More lightning was shot at her, but she started to get better at dealing with the lightning as long as she was on the ground. Sure it caused her muscles some issues... but it turned out that if she just kept her focus on them it passed in no time at all. Kat didn’t know if it was her regeneration, or that a bit of extra forceful effort on her part was enough to keep her moving, if not quite at full speed.

Sadly, once the axolotl realised that wasn’t quite working, it didn’t give up. The sound of crackling started to build behind her and Kat chanced a glance back. Instead of a quick sharp lightning strike, the axolotl was charging a giant orb of plasma. Kat’s eyes widened as it continued to grow in size, first reaching the size of the axolotl’s head, then double that, before it was fired off.

Kat had no idea how the heck she was meant to dodge it. It wasn’t as fast as the lightning, but it wasn’t slow, and it was a lot like trying to dodge someone in an bus, assuming the bus was heading towards you sideways. Kat decided to chance it with ’up’ as her best option. Kicking off the ground, Kat tried to get as high as possible before the thing made impact.

Kat managed to dodge the ball itself, but when it slammed into the ground underneath her it started to rapidly expand. Kat hissed and considered things for a moment, her mind slowing the world down. *In the end Kat just grit her teeth and took the hit. The slightly less condensed lighting licked at her skin as it covered her up to the knee. It was painful, like she was being jabbed with thousands of needles all across her body...

But it apparently didn’t penetrate, and didn’t do more damage. Kat was thankful for that, even as the heat from the thing made the air around her turbulent, slowing her flight down further and sending her up into the air. The problem with that, was Kat could see that crack Lily had been talking about.

Kat snapped her wings shut, crashing down to the ground, stumbling on the cracked and charred mud below her feet as it broke apart under her weight. Kat pulled herself together swiftly, her tail working as a lever to keep her upright and moving. *