A Journey That Changed The World.

Chapter 143 Thornbacks.

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After pillaging the bandit camp and seizing their coins, Archer ventured deeper into the Howling Jungle.

He spent hours scouring the jungle, relying on his Aura Detector to uncover the elusive bandits.

Along the way, Archer encountered traders and soldiers who, upon recognizing him, expressed gratitude and offered well wishes.

Eventually, he stumbled upon a large bandit camp nestled at the base of the formidable Grimshadow Mountains.

Approximately 200 bandits lazed about, indulging in ale and idling around.

Even from the tree he perched in, Archer could smell the aroma of ale wafting up. He continued to observe the bandits, noting only a few guards keeping watch over the camp.

With the waning afternoon sun in sight, Archer knew that Teuila and Ella would likely arrive in a couple of hours.

As he pondered a quick method to clear the camp, a smile spread across his face as an idea took hold.

Archer leaped from the branch, soaring into the sky above the camp. Hovering in mid-air, he decided to employ the Element Bolt spell to dispatch many bandits from a distance before engaging them in hand-to-hand combat.

He cast dozens of bolts imbued with different elements, raining them down upon the unsuspecting bandits.

Translucent Spirit Bolts shimmered while serene Aquarian Bolts exuded a tranquil energy with an underlying pressure.

Though some bolts missed their intended targets, many found their mark, striking the bandits precisely as Archer had planned.

Folded wings guiding him, Archer descended from the sky, fixating on the largest bandit emerging from a tent.

Startled by the thunderous whoosh above, the bandit's gaze shot skyward. In a blink of an eye, a young man with a smile appeared high above him and vanished just as swiftly.

Archer deftly employed Blink, teleporting himself just before landing. Reappearing behind the bandit, he unleashed a precise Plasma Missile that struck the bandit's back.

Hurtling forward, the bandit careened into a nearby tent, startling cries emanating from within.

Amidst the ensuing chaos, Archer laughed, his movements fluid and relentless. He seamlessly executed slashes, thrusts, and spells as he maneuvered through the bewildered bandits, leaving them no room for respite.

Using Blink to his advantage, Archer swiftly traversed the camp, striking down the remaining bandits who fell like flies.

After an hour of intense combat, Archer sat atop a fallen bandit, his breath heavy and adrenaline still pumping.

He paused, allowing himself a moment to regain composure and let the intensity of the battle subsided.

Following a brief rest, Archer began collecting the hearts of the 200 fallen bandits. Satisfied with his haul, he proceeded to search for their hidden stash of gold.

Surveying the camp, Archer decided to start his search with the bandit leader's tent. He walked towards it with caution.

Entering the tent, Archer's narrowed eyes took in the chaotic scene before him.

The room was a mess, with maps, papers, and weapons strewn across the floor. The air reeked of stale ale and unwashed bodies.

Unperturbed by the disorder, Archer directed his attention to a large, ornate bed at the center of the tent.

Despite its once-grand appearance, the bed was now surrounded by disarray. Determined to find the bandit's gold, Archer meticulously combed through the tent, searching for any hidden compartments.

Curiosity sparked in his eyes as Archer's gaze fell upon the bed. Moving closer, he flipped it over, revealing a concealed compartment that housed a chest.

As the greedy dragon within him ignited with excitement, Archer retrieved the chest and pried it open. Inside, a dazzling array of gold coins and precious gems greeted his eyes.

Securely fastening the chest, Archer left the tent, satisfied with his thorough exploration of the area.

While the other tents yielded only small amounts of coins and gems, Archer decided to use his Dragon's Breath to burn the camp down.

Drawing a deep breath, he expelled a stream of violet flames, meticulously moving around the camp to ensure the tents were engulfed in fire.

Taking flight as the camp erupted in flames, Archer scanned the area for a tall tree. Spotting one in the distance, he flapped his wings with increased speed, soaring through the air.

During his flight, he observed various beasts inhabiting the jungle below. Massive creatures roamed the land, while tiny monkey-like creatures swung through the trees.

Approaching the chosen tree, Archer slowed down to avoid colliding with its branches. He landed gracefully on a sturdy limb, settling in and taking out some chocolate to savor.

Perched on the branch, Archer's attention fixated on a passing herd of dinosaurs below. Their resemblance to Earth's stegosaurus was remarkable.

'Thornbacks.'

He knew the name of these beasts thanks to the old Archr's memories. As the herd gathered beneath the tree, the baby dinosaurs began nibbling on the nearby bushes.

Archer enjoyed the spectacle until a sudden ping from his Aura Detector alerted him to the presence of six approaching threats.

Feeling at ease, he continued observing the unfolding scene. The Thornbacks leisurely grazed below until one of the larger ones suddenly became alert, sensing an unknown danger.

From his vantage point on the branch, Archer's eyes widened as he witnessed a surprising turn of events.

The Thornback, feeling the imminent threat, circled protectively around the group of unsuspecting baby dinosaurs.

Emerging from the shadows, a pack of Shadowclaws stealthily targeted the defenseless young dinosaurs.

They looked exactly like Raptors but more deadly. Archer's heart raced with anticipation as he witnessed the intense clash between the formidable dinosaurs.

With powerful swings of its spiked tail, the Thornbacks fought off the relentless attackers. The raptors darted in with calculated strikes, testing the defenses of the larger dinosaur.

In a mesmerizing display of strength and agility, the Thornbacks successfully repelled the initial onslaught.

Its massive size and menacing spikes proved to be formidable weapons against the nimble raptors. Archer was captivated by the raw power and resilience of these ancient creatures.

He marveled at the intricate dance of survival, as each species utilized its unique adaptations and instincts.

As the battle raged on, Archer's admiration for the Thornbacks grew. The dinosaur courageously protected the vulnerable young, earning his respect for the delicate balance of nature and the eternal struggle for survival.

Fully immersed in this primal spectacle, Archer silently cheered for the Thornbacks, hoping its strength and determination would prevail against the relentless raptor pack.

The Thornbacks battled the Shadowclaws fiercely, striking fear with each swing of its spiked tail. The raptors were sent flying, their cries echoing through the jungle.

With its immense size and sharp spikes, the Thornbacks provided excellent defense. It moved swiftly, preventing the raptors from getting too close.

With each encounter, the stegosaurus grew more adept at countering the raptors' attacks. Its sheer strength overwhelmed them.

One by one, the Shadowclaws fell to the Thornback's might. Its powerful tail strikes and stomps crushed their ranks, leaving no room for the relentless predators to retaliate.

Realizing their defeat, the remaining beasts hastily retreated into the safety of the dense underbrush.

The victorious beasts let out primal roars, their dominance resonating through the clearing. The babies sought shelter behind their protective mothers.

As the tension eased, the Thornbacks resumed their feeding, while Archer shook his head, reminding himself to collect the fallen raptors before leaving.

While Archer sat there, a deafening roar shook the earth nearby, stirring something within him.

His gaze darted around, and he noticed the distant trees forcefully swaying aside.

Just as his attention fixated on the approaching threat, Teuila and Ella materialized beside him. Teuila was the first to speak, "Hey Arch, how's everything going?"

Archer pointed at the moving trees as he answered without looking at the girls. ''Something bigs coming and I feel that it's something bad.''

Both girls got worried looks on their faces as Ella spoke. ''What do you mean Arch? What's coming?''

He shrugged his shoulders as he replied. ''I'm not sure but my blood is boiling as the thing gets closer, and I've never experienced this before.''

Archer quickly opened up a portal and told Sera to go into the domain for a while so she will be safe.

All three of them stood frozen, their eyes locked on the approaching creature. Suddenly, a massive tree trunk hurtled out of the surrounding trees, hurtling straight toward them.

Reacting swiftly, Archer instinctively grabbed hold of the girls and Sera enfolded them in the safety of his wings.

He summoned his powers and cast the Cosmic Shield just in the nick of time, creating a protective barrier.

The impact was tremendous as the tree collided with the shield, sending the trio hurtling through the air like a speeding bullet.

Despite the chaos, Archer held the girls tightly, his wings shielding them even more. As they crashed through trees and rocks, Ella's panic was palpable, her voice filled with fear.

Teuila, on the other hand, remained surprisingly calm and composed. Her worry for Archer's safety outweighed any personal concerns.

After a turbulent journey, they finally came to a stop, landing over a mile away from the chaos.

Archer's body was bruised and battered, but he paid it no mind, relieved that the girls had escaped with minimal injuries.

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