My friends are gods

Chapter 17: Serpent's Wrath

The massive jaws of the Void Serpent snapped shut with a deafening clang, missing Han Li by mere inches. The sheer force of its attack created a shockwave that sent him tumbling backward. His heart pounded as he scrambled to his feet, gripping the Blade of Eternal Flame tightly.

"This thing makes the last beast look like a house pet!" Han Li shouted, dodging another attack.

The Void Serpent was unlike anything he had faced before. Its dark, scaly body shimmered with an eerie, purple hue, and its eyes glowed with otherworldly malice. At least twenty feet long, the serpent moved with terrifying speed, its body coiling and striking like lightning.

"We can't fight that thing!" Lian yelled, her staff crackling with green energy. "Void Serpents are apex predators. Our best chance is to run."

Han Li glanced at her, then back at the serpent. Every instinct screamed at him to flee, but something held him back. The gods had trained him for moments like this—or so he hoped.

"I'm not sure it's going to let us run," he muttered, raising his sword.

---

A Desperate Stand

The serpent lunged again, its massive fangs aiming for Han Li. He rolled to the side, slashing at its flank. The Blade of Eternal Flame flared, searing the creature's scales. The serpent hissed in pain, recoiling slightly, but the attack only seemed to enrage it.

"Great, it's angry now," Han Li muttered.

"Because you're trying to cook it!" Lian snapped. She fired a bolt of green energy from her staff, aiming for the serpent's eyes. The attack struck true, causing the beast to thrash wildly.

For a moment, it seemed like they had the upper hand. But then the serpent reared back, its jaws opening wide. A sphere of dark energy began to form in its mouth, growing larger by the second.

"Uh, what's it doing?" Han Li asked, taking a cautious step back.

Lian's eyes widened in horror. "It's charging a Void Blast! If that thing hits us, we're done for!"

"Lovely. Got any bright ideas?"

Before Lian could answer, the serpent unleashed its attack. The dark sphere shot toward them with incredible speed, crackling with destructive energy. Han Li barely had time to react.

"Medallion of Fortitude!" he shouted, activating the artifact. A golden barrier formed around him and Lian, absorbing the brunt of the blast. The ground shook violently, and trees toppled around them as the energy dissipated.

Han Li stumbled, his strength waning. The medallion's power was not infinite, and he could feel its limits approaching.

"Okay, we need a new plan," he said, panting. "Preferably one that doesn't involve us getting vaporized."

---

Godly Intervention

Just as the serpent prepared to strike again, a voice echoed in Han Li's mind.

"Need some help, mortal?" It was Kael, the god of chaos, his tone laced with amusement.

"Oh, sure. Now you show up," Han Li muttered aloud.

Kael chuckled. "Don't say I never do anything for you."

A surge of chaotic energy coursed through Han Li's body. The Blade of Eternal Flame began to glow with an otherworldly light, its flames turning a deep, chaotic purple. Han Li felt a rush of power unlike anything he had experienced before.

"What did you do?" he asked, gripping the sword tightly.

"Let's just say I gave your weapon a little...boost," Kael replied. "Now, go have some fun."

The serpent lunged again, its massive body coiling with terrifying speed. This time, Han Li met its attack head-on. With a roar, he swung the enhanced blade, releasing a wave of chaotic flames. The energy struck the serpent, sending it crashing to the ground with a deafening roar.

Lian stared in shock. "What was that?"

Han Li smirked. "A gift from a very annoying god."

The serpent wasn't finished, however. It rose again, its body crackling with dark energy. But Han Li was ready. Channeling the chaotic power, he launched another wave of flames, this one even more powerful than the last. The serpent let out a final, pained hiss before its massive body disintegrated into shimmering particles.

---

Aftermath

The forest was silent once more, save for the crackle of dying flames. Han Li lowered his sword, the chaotic energy fading. His knees buckled, and he sat heavily on the ground, exhaustion washing over him.

"Well, that was fun," he said, his voice dripping with sarcasm.

Lian approached cautiously, her eyes still wide with disbelief. "Who are you, really? No ordinary cultivator could take down a Void Serpent, let alone like that."

Han Li hesitated. He couldn't exactly tell her the truth—that he was a reincarnated chef being mentored by gods. "Let's just say I've had some...unusual training."

Lian didn't look convinced, but she didn't press the issue. "Whatever you are, you just saved both our lives. Thank you."

Han Li shrugged. "No big deal. Just another day in paradise."

As they began to set up camp again, Han Li felt a familiar presence in his mind. This time, it was Sylva, the goddess of nature.

"Impressive," she said. "But don't let it go to your head. Humu is full of creatures far more dangerous than that serpent."

"Fantastic," Han Li replied mentally. "Can't wait to meet them."

---

Suspenseful Ending

Just as they were settling in, a strange glow appeared in the distance. It was faint at first, but it grew brighter with each passing second. Lian tensed, gripping her staff.

"What now?" Han Li asked, groaning.

"I don't know," she said. "But it's heading straight for us."

The glow intensified, and the ground began to shake. Han Li's hand instinctively went to his sword, his heart racing. Whatever was coming, it wasn't friendly.

"Looks like the fun's not over yet," he muttered, bracing himself.

To Be Continued…