Zogarth’s POV:

Zogarth, a towering and formidable figure, stood resolute at the southern gate, awaiting the imminent appearance of the guardian. His gaze fixed upon the two moons ascending slowly in the sky, their convergence signaling the imminent commencement of battle.

"These moments brim with tension," a voice announced itself, drawing near from his right. Turning, Zogarth beheld Vigil, whose eternal smile graced his face. "Once the battle begins, all uncertainties will dissolve," Vigil remarked.

"What doubts are you talking about?" Another voice chimed in, this time emanating from Ventus. "I can’t wait until the battle starts, then I can show off all my skills!"

"Not everyone possesses your easygoing demeanor," Vigil chuckled in response.

Observing the contrasting perspectives of his kobold companions, a faint smile played upon Zogarth's lips. "As an orc, it is in battle that I truly live. As such, I can’t say that I disagree with you, Ventus. I can’t wait to prove myself in battle."

At Zogarth's acknowledgment, Ventus erupted in joyous laughter. "See? even the ever-so-serious Zogarth can’t wait to fight!"

Vigil rolled his eyes slightly. "I don't mean to imply I'm not eager for the fight. I simply acknowledge the many emotions and tension in the air."

While the two kobolds conversed, Zogarth's attention snapped back to the sky where the two moons had finally overlapped.

"The time has arrived," Zogarth declared solemnly, gesturing for everyone to assume their positions. "Prepare yourselves, everyone."

As the luminous display faded, unveiling the celestial convergence of the moons, a breathless hush descended upon the battlefield. Zogarth, Ventus, Vigil, alongside their united forces stood poised for the emergence of the Guardian. An electric anticipation permeated the air, each monster holding their breath, the atmosphere thick with ominous foreboding.

As the brilliance of the light beam faded, the long-awaited Guardian materialized—a towering red serpentine figure. Its colossal form loomed over the battleground, exuding an ominous aura. Scales shimmered in searing crimson and flickering gold, resembling a living forge ablaze with molten embers. Eyes of scorching intensity surveyed the assembled army, radiating an otherworldly wisdom.

The colossal salamander's presence warped the air, intense heat radiating from its colossal frame. Waves of searing warmth rippled outward, causing the ground to smolder beneath its feet. With sinuous grace, its elongated body coiled, embodying fiery fury and raw power. A thunderous roar echoed, flames licking at the air, and embers swirling around its imposing form, issuing an unmistakable challenge to all who dared oppose its infernal might.

Witnessing the awe-inspiring sight, Zogarth tightened his grip on his battleaxe, determination gleaming in his eyes. As the High Orc General steadied himself, a resolute sense of purpose washed over him.

"Damn, a magma creature?" Ifrit positioned herself at the forefront alongside Zogarth and the others. "Could there be a worse matchup?"

"Stay back and utilize your earth skills," Zogarth commanded. "Fighting fire with fire won't serve us."

He bellowed his command. "Warriors, advance!" With resounding fury, orcs, hobgoblins, and evolved kobolds surged toward the towering salamander. "Priests, bless the warriors!"

Various chants erupted from the monstrous priests. Kobolds bestowed their moon blessings, goblins performed shamanic rites, and war orcs pounded their chests like drums, stoking a primal fervor within the warriors' hearts.

The salamander retaliated with a blazing onslaught, spewing molten lava and unleashing scorching heatwaves. Its ember attacks aimed to incinerate the warriors within their offensive formations.

Yet, fortified by blessings and their inherent aura usage, they deftly evaded the guardian's assaults, dispersing in all directions before reconverging upon the salamander.

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Sensing his own battle fervor rising, Zogarth unleashed a mighty roar. "Charge!"

Enveloped in a blood-red aura, the high orc surged forward like a speeding missile. With his axe raised, his singular focus was the salamander's neck. His aura converged upon the weapon, intensifying its crimson glow. As it cleaved through the thick hide of the guardian's neck, a gush of searing orange blood erupted forth.

The salamander roared in agony from the formidable strike, and Zogarth's warriors seized the opportunity without hesitation, redoubling their assault from all angles.

Glancing back at the assembled army, Zogarth commanded, "Magi, now!"

His directive echoed across the battlefield, prompting the Magi—masters of elemental magic—to respond swiftly. Each adept channeled the essence of their respective elements, merging their arcane energies for a synchronized attack against the colossal salamander.

A cacophony of elemental chaos ensued as the Magi unleashed their spells with precision and unity. Fire Magi conjured blazing projectiles, hurtling scorching fireballs toward the Guardian. Upon impact, the fiery orbs detonated, engulfing the creature in blistering flames.

Simultaneously, Wind Magi unleashed furious gusts, sending cyclonic blasts swirling around the Salamander. Slicing winds buffeted the creature, tearing at its fiery defenses and disrupting its balance.

Earth Magi contributed a barrage of stone projectiles, hurling rock bullets that pounded the Guardian with unyielding force. The ground upheaved in earthen eruptions, ensnaring the creature's legs in rugged snares.

In unison, Water Magi summoned immense watery spheres crashing upon the Salamander, enveloping it in cascading torrents. Some manipulated these watery masses, creating swirling currents that encased parts of its form, hindering its movements.

As the beast found itself ensnared by both water and earth spells, Ventus prepared his most potent incantation. "Clear the way!"

Understanding Ventus's intent, Zogarth and the warriors swiftly distanced themselves from the Salamander, creating an open path for Ventus's spell.

With an unusually determined expression etched upon his face, the lightning magus concentrated, harnessing the ambient energies swirling around the battlefield. Arcane sparks crackled along his outstretched claws as he shaped the raw energy into a concentrated bolt of crackling lightning.

"Lightning Arrow!" Ventus's resounding voice echoed across the battleground, charged with potent determination.

The amassed energy converged into a shimmering arrowhead, crackling with electricity. With incredible speed, the bolt hummed with potential as it streaked toward the immobilized salamander.

The lightning arrow surged through the air, an incandescent force hurtling toward the colossal Guardian. It struck unerringly, piercing through the Salamander's defenses and embedding itself deep within its scaly hide.

Upon impact, the arrow detonated with a thunderous blast, unleashing a dazzling explosion of electrical energy. Crackling lightning cascaded forth, engulfing the Salamander in a coruscating web of electrifying power.

The colossal Guardian convulsed and thrashed within the electrified storm, its form engulfed in blinding brilliance. Stunned and incapacitated by the overwhelming surge of electricity, the Salamander writhed amidst the arcing currents, its once-fierce roars reduced to pained and feeble cries.

Battered and weary, the salamander neared its final moments. In an act of desperate defiance, it unleashed a mighty roar of agony, forcing half the battlefield to cover their ears lest they rupture.

Its entire form glowed a fierce red as fire and magma erupted from all over its body. Morphing slowly, the creature's shape shifted, encrusted with lava rocks amidst flowing streams of liquid flame.

"Oh, you won't!" Zogarth's thunderous roar pierced the chaos. A blood-red aura enveloped him, intensifying with unparalleled vigor. His eyes blazed bloodshot, nearly losing focus amidst the swirling aura. Dark shadows emerged amidst the crimson hue.

With a single stride, the high orc darted forward, leaving the ground shattered in his wake. In an instant, he materialized before the salamander, his axe poised for the decisive blow. Each strike carved a massive gash into the beast's body, forcing its colossal frame backward with each powerful blow.

Witnessing their general lead the charge, the warriors surged forth, delivering relentless slashes that wounded the beast from all sides. Their blows hacked through the rocky armor, delving into the scorching flesh of the salamander.

Amidst the fray, Zogarth persisted, his strikes unyielding. Each slash carved deeper wounds into the salamander's chest, akin to a miner relentlessly excavating the earth to unearth precious ore. Soon, he reached his mark—the beast's heart, encased within its rocky ribcage.

With a powerful strike from his aura-infused axe, Zogarth shattered the creature's rib cage before cleaving through its massive heart. Fiery blood gushed forth, bathing the high orc's entire form. As he leaped out from the salamander's chest to face his army, he exuded an aura akin to a god of war.

"Congratulations, you have slain the southern guardian: the Emberthorn Salamander," an ethereal voice reverberated within everyone's minds, soothing Zogarth's frenzied state. Familiar with this voice from their dungeon conquests, he recognized its tone. "You shall now claim your rewards."