The Transmigrated Author

Chapter 157: The Divine Sorceress (3)

[Country United States, State: San Francisco, North beach]

At midday, the bustling sounds of the seaside market created a familiar and comforting background noise.

Fishmongers hawked their fresh catch, the scent of fried seafood mingling with the salty breeze.

Children chased each other through the stalls, their laughter as bright as the glint of sunshine on the waves.

Nearby, on the sun-drenched beach, families built sandcastles and volleyball players dove for the ball.

But as insidious as a rising tide, a single word rippled through the crowd, shattering the vibrant facade.

"Monster."

Whispers turned to murmurs, murmurs to panicked shouts.

Heads whipped towards handheld screens, faces paling as grainy news footage flickered to life.

The creature wasn't simply enormous; it dwarfed even the tallest skyscrapers.

Thick, armoured scales covered its immense form, shimmering with a metallic sheen that seemed almost alien.

Four powerful limbs, each ending in razor-sharp claws, churned through the depths of the ocean in the live footage.

From its gaping maw, rows of jagged teeth jutted out, a terrifying testament to its destructive potential.

Its head was crowned with a series of sharp, horn-like protrusions, while its eyes glowed with a fierce, unnatural light.

This monstrosity boasted a series of towering crystalline formations on its back, resembling monstrous stalagmites.

These crystals pulsated with an inner light, blues and greens mingling with fiery reds and oranges, casting an eerie glow around the colossal beast.

Eyes, wide with a mix of dread and facsination, were glued to the unfolding horror.

THUMP!!!...THUMP!!!...THUMP!!!

But there was another element of fear seeping into the crowd - a rhythmic, ominous thump that vibrated through the air.

Each muffled thud sent shivers down spines as the realization dawned - the creature was nearing the surface.

"Evacuation warnings?!"

A woman's voice pierced the growing panic, her beach towel discarded on the sand.

"Where do they expect us to go?"

Nearby, an elderly man stared out towards the vast expanse of the Pacific, his weathered features lined with a grim resignation.

"The sea's always taken somethin' from us fishermen... now it wants to take everything."

"RUN!!!!"

A volleyball soared through the air, then landed with a soft thud amidst the chaos, While everyone on the beach ran screaming for their lives.

***

[Geneva, Switzerland - International Heroes Association Headquarters - Meeting Room]

The atmosphere in the briefing room crackled with more tension than any monster outbreak.

Paloma Sierra, The head director of the monster subjugation department sat at the head of the polished table, facing the other commissioners of the IHA.

"Summoning Draxen?" A balding man scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain.

"Is this a joke? She's a liability, washed up years ago! You're putting her unchecked power above the safety of millions!"

"Washed up is a gross exaggeration," Paloma countered, her voice sharp as a scalpel.

"Technically, Aurelia is still classified as the strongest hero of today. However, President Idris has expressed significant reservations about this course of action."

A murmur rippled through the room as the unidentified threat had yet to reach the surface.

Milio Idris, known for his measured approach and unwavering support for the IHA, rarely intervened in operational decisions. His reservations spoke volumes.

"Idris's concerns are well-founded," another official chimed in, a woman with a clipped voice and steely gaze.

***

[Country United States, State: San Francisco, North beach]

A buzz of excitement replaced the fear on the once-peaceful beach. Whispers turned into excited shouts. Fingers pointed skyward, tracing the golden streak slashing through the darkening sky.

"It's her! The Divine Sorceress!"

"She's here! We're saved!"

A wave of relief washed over the crowd, momentarily overshadowing the distant, ominous thuds of the approaching monster.

Years of fear and whispered doubts seemed to vanish in the face of this dazzling spectacle.

A child, eyes wide with wonder, tugged on his mother's sleeve. "Why does everyone believe in her so much? The monster looks so much bigger..."

The mother smiled, her gaze fixed on Aurelia's descent.

"Because, darling, she's the strongest."

...

...

...

Aurelia didn't slow down, didn't descend. She held her position in the air, hundreds of feet above the churning ocean, a defiant force against the monstrous Thrax.

The sheer strength of will held her aloft, sending invisible shockwaves rippling through the water below.

Thrax, its massive form now fully visible even from the shore, slowed its relentless advance. Beady, malevolent eyes locked onto the tiny figure in the sky.

"Well, lookie what we have here," Aurelia's voice boomed from the direction of the beach, amplified by magic. "Been a while since breakfast tried to eat me."

GRRR...GRAHHHHH!!!

The creature roared, a sound that shook the very foundations of the nearby buildings.

Its response wasn't fueled by mere rage, but a predatory instinct sensing a genuine threat.

With unnatural speed, it launched skyward, its claws like rusted metal tore through the air, aiming to crush Aurelia in one swift movement.

SLASSSH!!!!

But Aurelia was already gone. She vanished in a blinding flash of gold, leaving only specs of light in her trail.

Thrax's attack met only empty air.

The creature's frustrated snarl echoed across the water as it whipped its head around, searching for its agile opponent.

"Heyyy..."

Aurelia's voice echoed and reappeared below it.

As she clenched her fist, it shone with an overload of golden aura, hardening like iron around her hand.

With a surge of speed, she drove the aura-enhanced strike into Thrax's underbelly.

BANGGG!!!

A massive explosion of force erupted upon impact. A shockwave rippled outward, momentarily parting the waves.

Even from the shore, onlookers could feel the sheer power of the blow. The creature, thrown back, let out a screech of pain as it tumbled through the air.

"Get up!" she taunted, her voice filled with uncertainty.

"C'mon, it didn't take one punch right?"

______________

Authors Notes:

- Unlike those who rely on wings or external devices, Aurelia's affinity for the rare light element grants her a unique form of flight. By manipulating a soft, constant radiance that surrounds her, she creates a counter-pressure, propelling herself into the air with effortless grace.

This ability is a natural extension of her power, requiring minimal focus and allowing her to remain airborne for extended periods.