Christa rolled several times across the ground, only managing to stop at the edge just before she fell into the water.
She sucked in a sharp breath as she climbed to her feet. Her whole body felt as though it were falling apart, and every inch of her hurt.
Only then did Aequus react.
"Christa!"
The sight of the blood on Christa's chin filled Aequus with fury.
After landing its blow, the monster spread its arms, threw back its head, and roared before leaping into the air.
It was coming down right on Christa.
Christa felt an oppressive force bearing down on her.
With a thought, she transformed into her elemental form ahead of time.
The next second, the monster landed, and Christa burst into a mass of Thunderbolt.
A deep crater was gouged into the ground as well, and seawater seeped into it.
Thunderbolt quickly gathered, and Christa reappeared.
The monster rose amid a cloud of dust, shook its head, then turned its gaze back to Christa.
Aequus set Akainu down and charged at the monster.
"Take my iron fist!"
His right fist turned jet-black and slammed like a cannonball into the monster's... lower leg.
With a bang, the monster swayed slightly.
Aequus froze, unable to process what had happened.
The monster glanced down, as though wondering what insect had bumped into it.
This is bad! Aequus thought, preparing to dodge.
To his surprise, the monster merely glanced at him before ignoring him and walking straight toward Christa.
Aequus's pupils constricted.
"Has it locked onto Christa? Has it lost its mind completely? This is bad..."
He muttered to himself, then shouted a warning:
"Christa, watch out! That monster may have locked onto you!"
Blood trickled from the corner of Christa's mouth, and she felt a wave of bloodthirsty violence