Blood was burning and singing as it was spilled by Lannseax and I in this mortal battle. This was a battle of domination and murder more than a dragon attempting to slay a knight or hero.
Thus I didn't summon Paarthurnax or any of my other tamed monsters as I used my 'fang' as Lannseax put it in the Dragonslayer Swordspear. And all the agility and dexterity I had gained from the Falna to parry and dodge the far larger dragon's blows and attempts to kill me.
"Your immunity to lightning is most vexing little human! One would think you a demigod if I could not tell your resistance came from your gear that acts as your scales!" Lannseax shrieked as I stabbed through her thick scales with her ignoring the dragon-killing lightning that ran through my swordspear.
However, it wasn't like she was ignoring it because she was so durable or her own draconic lightning neutralized it. No, instead I could see that whenever I stabbed her, she would discharge the harmful lightning across the spikes across her wings and through her claws into the ground.
'And you are so fucking big I can't stab you properly!' I wanted to shout back but calling Lannseax 'fat' probably wouldn't go so well. "Then rake with me tooth and claw Lannseax! Quit flying away from me haha!" I roared back at the dragon who had beaten me back with thunderous wings after I stabbed her.
Lannseax snorted with her growling and I summoned a thick metal shield and slammed it into the ground deeply as a burning crimson glow filled her mouth with lightning arcing outside of it.
"O radiant bulwark, guardian of the steadfast, weave thy barrier thrice. Shield me from harm, encircle me with thy light. Aegis Bastion!" I quickly chanted with a three-fold barrier forming around me just as Lannseax finished charging up her death beam of compressed crimson draconic lightning.
An ear-shattering roar of lightning rang out as a blinding beam of lightning washed over the rim of the thick metal tower shield I had braced myself against and the shield for a moment bowed towards me, before a long groan rang out as the shield was pushed through the ground even with me propping it up as I got pushed back by the beam of lightning.
'Fucking kinetic energy in magic... Even with lightning, heat, and magic resistance fused into the shield. I am still being pushed back the simple kinetic power within her beam attack.' I thought as I just held on knowing Lannseax couldn't do this for long.
And I was right, as I could finally feel heat blooming on the other side of the shield, Lannseax the dragon broke the beam of lightning so she could take an inward breath.
Then seeing that Lannseax had actually been moving closer to compress the magic beam on me while she was doing it... I just hefted my shield and then I spun around before throwing the superheated shield like a discus that smashed into Lannseax's face and exploded sending fragments of the shield into her flesh making her roar in pain.
I ran in towards the dragon who was recovering from having a giant shield exploding in her face and I jumped onto her leg and used its as a hold to jump onto her back before slamming the Dragonslayer Swordspear into Lannseax's back making her roar loudly.
'Gotta take out her wings!' I thought jumping into the air with all my power as the pissed dragon literally rolled across the loamy ground, trying to crush me with her great size as well just getting me off her.
And in her hurry to get me off of her, I used that chance where she didn't know where I was... Being like twenty feet above her, to fell into the base of her back where her the bottom spines of her wings were.
With a loud shout, I filled the swordspear with dragon-killing lightning and I swung it into the base of her wings making her scream in agony as I cut off the bases of her right two wings.
"You wretch!" Lannseax screamed in agony before I myself screamed in surprised as she reached up and with surprising dexterity grabbed me with her front claw-filled hands that I realized had five digits just like a human...
But my surprise soon turned into agony as she squeezed me hard in her hand, like a human would pinch a tick that they found crawling on their leg.
My armor, made of shards of adamantine that was rated for the hands of level sixes and sevens made groaning noises as it slowly crumpled in on itself.
"Die little human... Be proud of making me bleed as you have Jake Bariss." Lannseax hissed through the agony she must be feeling after losing her wings.
And through it all... I just grinned as I spat out. "Fuck you... Eat forceshield!" And my barrier spell that had been protecting me all along exploded with all the force of all three barriers blocking the blow at once with Lannseax howling as the hand she had me literally exploded off at the wrist.
"Do you yield Lannseax!" I roared as I dashed in between her back legs as she leaned back on her back legs. And her howl of pain became a squeal of agony as I spun around with my heels digging into the dirt as I sliced off the back tendons of her hind legs making her collapse face-first into the ground while I was already circling around.
I saw her head smash into the ground as her back hind legs couldn't support her weight, and half of her wings were taken from her form. Not only that, but with one of her front paws/hands also being removed she couldn't land with any other grace than face first.
I ran in to bash Lannseax upside the head with my sword spear with how she was still recovering and clearly unwilling to give up yet despite me cutting off literally three intergral parts of her.
Then in a blinding flash of speed as her sole hand filled with lightning and I was abruptly jerked to the side as one of her claws caught onto my pauldron on the top of my shoulder.
A crash rang out and blinding pain rang out with my mind going numb as I was smashed into the ground... But it wasn't the pain of being smashed into the ground that got to me. Only my clearly superhuman strength at this point allowed me to roll aside as Lannseax smashed into where I was with a scream escaping me as agony shot through me.
As... Lannseax in getting her claw caught in my armor before breaking the bindings and joints tore off my right arm at my shoulder.
Never before I had felt so much agony and just coming up to a kneeling position I knew I was going to need to summon Parthanax to survive this. But I choked on blood from broken ribs as Lannseax said in exhaustion. "You win... I cannot go anymore, I cannot summon any more lightning, fly, nor walk properly while you still have trump cards."
Even as I stared at the dragon in shock between looking at my torn-off arm holding the Dragonslayer Swordspear. And she continued. "Jake Bariss, I surrender myself to you as my lord. In accordance to the old ways and the strength you have shown now, I shall not challenge you for at least a decade."
I hissed in utter agony as my vision faded as the Trial Space clearly accepted her surrender and I came awake in reality with a howl of fucking agony as I still was fucking missing my goddamn arm in reality.
"Fuck! What the fuck do I-" I took a deep breath as I growled at seeing my fucking gauntlet and mangled arm in my fusion space which wasn't far in the Fusion Space where Lannseax and the rest of my summons rested.
I realized all too quickly that even being a level 3 adventurer, I didn't have all the time in the world to fix my arm situation and with myself being alone... I couldn't exactly take a bunch of elixer's to stick the shit back on and have it fix itself.
"Fuck it... I can make magic to regrow it if needed. I just can't fucking bleed out here." I cursed as I fused my arm, the armored gauntlet, a bunch of healing reagents, a fuck load of monster stones, and then electric and magical-based materials into the idea I had.
And finally one of the five remaining mermaids I had tamed back in Melen into what I was doing
[Magical Prosthetic Growth Arm- A prosthetic arm created with a vast quanitity of magical materials to provide multiple effects.-
Prosthetic will automatically attach itself to user and seal any wounds made in it's attachment or prior to placement.
Prosthetic is partially alive with mermaid blood being produced within the arm which will flow into the user constantly when attached giving them powerful regeneration.
Prosthetic due to the magical materials used in construction is a conduit to strengthen the user's falna and personal magic.
Prosthetic gain's strength beyond matching the user's natural bodily strength via being fed monster stones.]
The prosthetic came out of my fusion space covered in deep blue scales like what a mermaid's lower fish half would have and I noticed how the hands even had claws at the fingertips and in the palm area was a mouth area which would seemingly eat any monster stones probably.
I held the Prosthetic over my shoulder and I couldn't help a howl of pain as literal teeth from the prosthetic grew from the outer lip of it and burrowed into my flesh. And then my vision went dark as I felt the magical artificial nerves it had synched and burrowing into my ruined shoulder.
And my last thought was. 'Holy fuck... Tina is going to kill me, and so is Hepheastus.' Before my darkening vision was lost completely as the combination of blood loss, exhaustion from the fighting Lannseax, and just stress made me lose consciousness.
-
I awoke to having being moved from my bed to my couch and when I awoke it was to the feeling of my head being shifted with a slight inhale of my own being more of than a tip-off that I was awake.
"What in the hell did you do Jake? How the hell do you lose an arm in your damned bed Jake?" Tina demanded quietly as my eyes slowly opened up and I saw the short Pallum was leaning over my slightly from the end of the couch.
"I got caught doing something with my fusion ability... It didn't go well and I lost my arm doing it, and I didn't have anyone to hold my loose arm to the wound for me to heal with elixers." I grunted out.
Tina just stared at me with heat in her eyes before she jabbed me in the chest with her saying spitefully. "Yeah well, guess who has to fucking sleep on the couch for being a dumbass and not waiting to have anyone there to watch over you. You ruined your bed so unless you fuse it back into a clean state, we are going to need to get a new master bed."
I took a deep breath as... Annoying as Tina scolding was. She was right, and frankly even now with the cloud of agony gone and the mental fog of literally bleeding out having been wiped away. I realized I didn't even need to make the prosthetic.
As sure. I couldn't hold up the arm to the wound to fit it back in myself. But I did literally have five mermaids at that point that could have just laid in my bed with me and held it there to fix it.
Hell, they could have just done the same thing that Mermaid Xeno did for Bell and allowed him to re-attach his arm after the Juggernaut took it off in but a couple of moments.
So yeah... I did have a dumbass moment, but to be fair I was bleeding out, and I had so much Elden Ring on the brain, all I could think about was making a fancy prosthetic or something to that effect.
"How long was I out?" I asked quietly as I wondered if Shenhe was coming over to snap my spine in half for ghosting her.
Tina poked me again in the stomach this time making me sit upright to actually investigate my new arm as she said blandly. "You were unconscious for at least a few hours as Blake and Kali said you were fine before doing... Whatever the hell you did."
I grunted in acknowledgment and I asked slowly. "Does Hepheastus know yet?" And I looked up from where I was feeling my new arm and the scales that I could actually feel due the magical nerves running through it and the living Mermaid that was fused into the arm.
"Hmm, almost certainly at this point. Me and Tamamo found you unconscious in a puddle of blood, and seeing as Tamamo is our goddess's little darling. While she is learning smithing from Hepheastus, she probably has told her." Tina explained helpfully.
And I wanted to scream at that... But thankfully although Hepheastus does care about me to an extent. She wasn't exceedingly needy like Freya, Hestia, or other gods/goddesses that would hover their wounded children.
When Tina went for another poke I stopped her with my new prosthetic hand with her raising an eyebrow as she pushed her smaller fingers between the metallic warm scales of my new hand with her saying in interest. "Let's see how strong your arm is Jake."
And I just threw the midget a dull look who blushed as our hands didn't push one another away... But I, and by extension the couch I was on was pushed back with a loud groan of the wooden feet of the couch scratching the wooden floor.
"So, think I can say I lost my arm during the Amphisbaena attack and Hephy just didn't notice it?" I asked with a wry smile making Tina shake her head and let go of my new hand.
"You got any way's to regrow your arm Jake?" Tina asked bluntly and with a groan, I moved to a full sitting position with myself lifting the blue arm outwards to inspect it.
And even as I did do, I said quietly. "I am sure I could get or fuse elixer's to do so... But this prosthetic is stronger than my own arm, doesn't tire, get cramps, and will serve as a method for me to fuse stuff directly into the arm that can make me stronger."
I took a deep breath and said even quieter. "Most importantly, it's also a brutal reminder about the weakness of human flesh compared to the claws of a monster."
Tina rolled her eyes and after poking the clawed tips of my prosthetic's finger she said bluntly. "Well, you aren't holding me by the hips when we are having sex with these sharp tips. Anyway, I came to check on you as I have dinner ready, and Tamamo and the cats will be here soon."
I got up with a slight grunt of effort and said. "Alright, let me come help set the table and whatnot. I need to practice moving this arm as I am stuck with it for at least a few days to let my body recover."
So I got to work, and found out quickly enough that the arm worked with great dexterity reminding me of the prosthetic that Naaza Erisuis had in canon times later on. Though mine innately matched my natural strength and I could feel a bit of strain as I pushed it to go beyond my natural strength.
A few minutes later, the door to the apartment opened and then closed with the soft sounds of women speaking before pausing. Kali, Blake, and Tamamo came into the kitchen and gave my new arm interesting looks.
And just to keep things simple... I waved and said. "Sorry for worrying you girls, I got hurt doing a little adventure. Similar to that special helmet I let you guys wear that broke those slavery bonds on you."
"Are you... Will you be okay and are you capable of giving yourself your arm back?" Kali asked with a bit of trepidation
I nodded and said firmly. "Yes, yes I can. I just need time for my body to heal. Though I may keep this arm and just put a sleeve over it or something maybe." I mused at the end to myself.
Running through the massive piles of thousands of weird objects I went to the dead corpses of animals and with a thought I fused them together with a bunch of rubber latex/sap with the intent of making a skin-like glove that would cover up my prosthetic.
Low and behold I made a stretchy skin glove that would feel like normal skin tissue with it stretching from hand to well past my elbow in case I was wearing a short-sleeved shirt and still didn't want people seeing my prosthetic arm.
"See, there ya go." I said with a wry smile waving my false arm around that was covered in even more fake of skin making the girls look at me in exasperation.
There was a pause as we all got our food together from the garlic and buttered toast, and spaghetti that Tina made before Blake asked somewhat bluntly.
"Are you capable of going into the dungeon tomorrow Jake? Like honestly, are you capable of it?" Blake asked with some worry for both myself and the rest of the girls.
And before I could even reply, Tina dryly stated. "The dumbass due to his pride and wanting to get every bit of strength to fight another woman wouldn't miss it for the world... Even if he wasn't nearly completely healed up."
"Shush Tina." I said with a weak smile before shaking my head and looking at Blake. "Blake, you are very much a level one and your mother has the weakest falna possible due to her rush to level up. Even if I am not at 100% I am at least at 70% even now. And I will be better by tomorrow. We aren't even going too deep into the dungeon for your own safety after all." I explained.
Taking a breath I continued. "We will be making a run to Rivira with the maps I have of the dungeon, and then we will spend the night there in the dungeon town before coming back up."
That would be a good way for me to get deep enough into the dungeon that I could take Lannseax out of my fusion space and her massive size not cause even more massive issues with the giant dragon being seen.
Actually... I needed to see if I could communicate with my tamed beings inside my fusion space somehow, maybe she could take on her supposed human form without me needing to let her out first?
But I pushed the thought aside as we continued eating with Kali and Blake talking about how they had a bit of a hobby in selling some leather works to the Hepheastus Familia to be integrated into armor and adventurer-grade clothes.
With food wrapping up I went to go fix my ruined bed that even half a day later was still covered in wet sticky blood so I fused it clean... But as a bonus due to all the blood covering it when it got fused. It came with a bonus towards replenishing lost blood to anyone sleeping in it.
I went to sleep alone this time for a change as even Tamamo was a bit angry at me for doing something as stupid as I did that resulted in me losing an arm. Which was fair. Though lying in bed, I decided to see if I could communicate with my tamed creatures somehow.
Obviously, I avoided Moist Cluckers the constantly orgasming Jack Bird that made my Jack Bird Egg's, and after a moment of thought between Lannseax, and Paarthurnax I chose Paarthurnax as my conversation partner.
As I was still a bit salty at Lannseax for breaking several of my ribs, ripping off an arm, and putting me in the dog house with my women. Granted she didn't look like she was in a happy mood either as my fusion space had regrown/attached her limbs rather abruptly.
'Paarthurnax, you there?' I tried to speak mentally towards the male dragon in my fusion space and there was a pause before crimson-slitted eyes snapped open and he lifted his head up from the large rock outcropping he was laying atop to look towards where I could see him.
'At least he can hear me.' I mused before I blinked as Paarthurnax spoke quietly but with a voice as rough as stone and as deep as an endless ravine.
"I am here partner." He said simply as he stared at me before continuing. "Did you wish to speak with me about the newest dragon you tamed?"
I was silent for a moment as I heard something in his voice about mentioning the other dragon but I dismissed it as I said slowly. "Not exactly... I was curious as to how-" I paused as I considered how to put it.
But Paarthurnax seemingly understanding my hesitation stated calmly. "I am now an actual sentient being. No longer a hollow shell of a monster-filled only with your will. With the Magma Wrym and Agheel's essence and minds added to mine. Along with a core in the name you gave me, I am my own person now."
I didn't exactly know what to say to that, do I need to let him go now? As I was many things at this point in my new life. A hedonist, a murderer, and other things I had to do in order to get to where I was now. But a slaver was something I wasn't and something I refused to be.
"The fusion space... Is it comfortable for you?" I asked slowly.
Paarthurnax huffed and said flatly. "There is no sun, there is no winds to carry a dragon through the still air... Only the rock outcroppings, thin grass that keep the mindless cattle comfortable and miles to actually roam around."
There was a pause before he shrugged and said calmly. "You could make it more comfortable I am sure... Add real tree's, move some of the massive amounts of water you have in the fusion space to make a small lake or pond here, perhaps move a great amount of stone so I could attempt to make a cave home or volcanic patch so I can doze in the lava."
I just stared at Paarthurnax before I said with some amusement. 'Alright Paarthurnax, you just gimmie a minute. Let me see what I can do. I do have a small mountain of base materials available after all."
As I did do that whole mining episode back when I tamed the Emerald Dragon that I fused into the Infant Dragon that became Paarthurnax. I still had a literal small mountain of stone, dirt, bedrock, and other shit I could use to make him a mountain home.
I moved a great deal of material well away from Paarthurnax's large form with myself fusing after a moment of thought, the craggy land his surrounding area into a smoother platform atop a large hill to give himself a large deep moat of water at the bottom of the hill.
Then with the hill being of thick rough stone, I asked. 'Do you want me to make the cave for you?'
And he snorted a line of smoke from his nostrils before he said calmly. "No thank you. It will keep me busy, allow me to express myself as I craft my own lair. And make a pool in the depths for a lava bath."
The large dragon got up and he threw himself into the air with him taking to the air with some effort as he did note my fusion space didn't have rushing winds or anything to help him fly. And after circling around the small mountain I made him, he flew down to the edge near the large moat I made around the mountain.
And I saw the Magma Wrym and earth dragon bloodline from the Emerald Dragon he fused into him was still strong as his claws broke stone and shifted boulders easily allowing him to work as the stone softened as it glowed cherry red hot as he radiated such heat.
'Well, that was something.' I mused as I gave Lannseax and my other tamed creatures some looks before I cringed as an orgasmic cry rang out as Moist Cluckles laid a fat egg down in her nest.
"Yeah... That's enough." I muttered pulling my mind out of the taming space and tried to get some sleep.