The Azurefang Strifelion lunged, its wings beating the air so hard it felt like a storm tearing through the clearing. Dust and leaves whipped around them, and Rowan dug his heels into the dirt, trying to stay upright against the wind. The beast's claws flashed in the sunlight, sharp enough to tear through steel, and they were coming straight for him.
Standing just a few feet away, Jacob and Connor braced together, their shared body leaning back as one. Connor's fingers twitched, adjusting the grip on their spear, while Jacob's eyes locked on the beast, reading every muscle in its body.
"Ready?" Jacob whispered under his breath, loud enough that only Connor could hear.
Connor gave a quick nod. "Always."
Their hearts were pounding in sync.
As the Strifelion pounced, Rowan lashed out first, a flicker of magic crackling at his feet as Trap Snare erupted from the earth. Thick roots shot up, tangling around the creature's legs and yanking it down with a heavy thud that shook the ground.
"Nice hit," Connor muttered.
"Not done yet," Jacob added, watching as Rowan hurled his axe, aiming to cripple the beast.
The axe slammed into the Strifelion's leg with a dull thud—
—but before Rowan could follow up, the monster lashed out, its massive paw swinging like a battering ram. The blow caught Rowan square in the ribs and sent him flying back, crashing into a tree with a painful crack.
"Rowan!" Jacob called out, a sharp edge in his voice.
They didn't have time to check if he was okay. The beast was already tearing free from the roots, growling deep in its throat.
Jacob and Connor moved together, instincts sharpened from years of fighting as one. Jacob raised a hand without needing to ask—
"Metal Spear, now!" Connor said, already focusing.
A sleek spear shimmered into existence in their grip. Before they could throw it, a glowing message flickered in their mind:
New Skill Unlocked: Piercing Shot.
"Guess we're doing this the hard way," Connor said, breathing out.
"Always," Jacob echoed.
They let the spear fly—
—but the Strifelion twisted at the last second, and the weapon barely missed, slamming uselessly into a tree behind it.
Jacob clenched his jaw, frustrated. Connor was already shifting, trying to summon another, but the beast was moving fast now, closing the distance.
Their basilisk, coiled around their arm, hissed sharply, glowing faintly.
Jacob glanced at it, a spark of hope igniting. "Alright, let's see what you can do."
"Gaze of Binding!" they called out in unison.
The basilisk uncoiled and launched itself forward, its emerald eyes glowing brighter as it stared down the Strifelion. Invisible force wrapped around the creature's limbs, slowing it mid-charge.
"Nice save," Connor said, smirking slightly.
"Not over yet," Jacob shot back, eyes scanning for Rowan.
Rowan staggered to his feet, blood at the corner of his mouth, but his grip on the axe was firm. He gave them a nod, like a silent promise that he wasn't out of this fight.
"Connor, now!" Jacob said sharply.
Connor focused, summoning another spear, and this time, he poured every bit of strength they had left into it.
"Piercing Shot!" he shouted.
The spear whistled through the air, and this time it hit home, sinking deep into the Strifelion's wounded leg. The beast let out a roar of pain that echoed through the clearing.
"Rowan!" Jacob called out, already knowing what needed to happen.
"On it!" Rowan growled, charging in with everything he had, axe raised high.
But the Strifelion wasn't done yet.
Its body shimmered with a dangerous glow, and with a sudden blast of wind and heat, it launched into the air, wings beating hard. Blue flames licked around its claws as it rose high above them.
Jacob and Connor's eyes widened, sharing a sharp breath.
"It's gonna dive," Connor said quietly, adjusting their stance.
Jacob nodded grimly. "We hold."
The Strifelion shrieked as it dove, wreathed in blue fire, a living comet screaming toward the earth.
"MOVE!" Rowan shouted, throwing himself out of the way as the beast crashed down, sending a wave of flames and shockwaves exploding outward.
Jacob and Connor rolled together, hitting the dirt and narrowly avoiding the worst of the blast. The heat singed their clothes, and they could feel the sweat clinging to their skin.
Breathing hard, Jacob looked at Connor. "You good?"
Connor smirked despite the adrenaline coursing through them. "You know I am."
As the dust cleared, they spotted it—the Strifelion's injured leg, shaking, struggling to hold the creature up.
"There," Jacob said, voice sharp with focus.
Connor was already moving, summoning another spear.
"Rowan! Go for the leg!" Jacob shouted.
Rowan gave them a quick nod, determination burning in his eyes. "Let's finish this!"
Jacob looked at their basilisk, who was already coiling to strike again.
"One more time," Jacob whispered.
"Gaze of Binding!" they commanded together.
The basilisk's eyes glowed bright, locking onto the Strifelion, halting its movement just enough.
Connor drew back the spear, muscles tight. "Together?"
"Together," Jacob confirmed.
Connor launched the spear. It flew like a lightning bolt, driving deep into the Strifelion's injured leg. The creature screamed, buckling under its own weight.
Rowan reached it a second later, axe gleaming as he brought it down hard, smashing into bone and sinew with a brutal crunch.
The Strifelion collapsed, gasping, wings twitching uselessly in the dirt.
For a long moment, all that could be heard was the sound of their own breathing, heavy and ragged.
Jacob let out a shaky laugh, leaning slightly against Connor. "We did it."
Connor grinned, resting his hand on Jacob's shoulder. "We said we would."
Despite the discomfort, Rowan smirked as he hobbled over. "Please remind me to stop picking fights with flying lizards."
When Connor and Jacob both laughed, the tension at last subsided.
"Yes," Jacob said with a smile. "Something smaller the next time."
Connor gave a snort. "Like a bear?"
Rowan's eyebrows went up. "No assurances."
Before any of them could celebrate further, another system prompt appeared.
New Quest Unlocked: The Guardian's Challenge.
A chill ran through Jacob's spine.