The second strike didn't land solidly, the dragon jerking back to turn what would have been a devastating blow into a mere graze.

With some breathing room now, I adjusted my grip on the hammer and analyzed the dragon.

Fire Dragon

Hit Points: 155/200

Status: Defense Broken, Vulnerable

A wide smile spread across my face as I readied for a third strike.

The scales at its throat where I'd hit were cracked. I would have preferred to crush the thing’s neck entirely, but I could work with this. I didn't get a chance to leap forward before the dragon screeched, throwing its head to the sky in fury.

“Pathetic, puny peasant! The energy of an Old One burns within your worthless flesh. Who did you pact with?!”

Its wings beat furiously, stirring up loose debris, but I didn't flinch. Instead, I grinned up at it and braced myself for another swing.

“Hell if I know, but damn do they pack a punch!”

The dragon eyed my still-glowing hammer warily before hissing out a breath of smoke.

“This is far from over.”

Then its wings surged, lifting its bulk into the air. I swung at it one last time, despite knowing it wouldn't land, and bellowed after the retreating form.

“Cowardly lizard!”

It didn't pay me any mind, and when the last of its massive bulk disappeared in the distance, I finally let the hammer drop.

The light faded from it immediately, leaving dull and twisted metal in its wake. Considering the sheer force behind that hit, it was surprising the weapon had held up at all. Hells below, I had barely held up to that power.

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Everything from my shoulders down ached, but the thrill of victory buried it under a wave of elation so potent I felt ungrounded, as if I could float away.

I hadn't won, but I'd saved my family and sent that lizard running. Seeing it's scaly behind fleeing was well worth the bruises I'd doubtlessly sport tomorrow.

Whoever you are, Spirit, you have my eternal gratitude.

Nothing followed the prayer, but before I could dwell on that, Daedra slammed into my waist with enough force to knock us both to the ground. Pain radiated from the impact, but I ignored it, my earlier elation melting into relief.

Sobs wracked her small frame, and I pulled her closer, tucking her head into my shoulder to muffle the cries. After the hell we'd been through today, she'd well earned the right to break down.

“It's alright now, just let it all out.” I murmured, my voice soft as I traced soothing circles on her back. Her sobs grew louder in response.

I didn't mind. I was content to hold her tight for as long as she needed. As I did, I let my gaze sweep over the rest of my siblings. Collin stood a few paces away, slack-jawed, his brown hair disheveled and his wide gray eyes fixed on me in stunned disbelief.

Samson, James and Beatrice weren't any better. Their faces were streaked with ash, and their black hair hung in tangled clumps, but they were alive. I had never seen a more beautiful sight.

They didn't seem injured, but just to be sure, I analyzed them.

Collin

Level 2

Hit Points: 25/30

Mana: 10/30

Status: Healthy

Samson

Level 1

Hit Points: 9/10

Mana: 0/0

Status: Healthy

James

Level 1

Hit Points: 8/10

Mana: 0/0

Status: Healthy

Beatrice

Level 1

Hit Points: 10/10

Mana: 0/0

Status: Healthy

Seeing their stats confirmed what I'd hoped. A sigh of relief slipped out of me.

“Well, that was…bracing.” I said, blowing a long strand of silver hair out of my face before letting out a breathless laugh. “I'm too relieved for words that you're all okay.”

That broke the spell holding them in place. In a mass charge, they were on me, all four of them tackling me back into the dirt.

Pain flared through my already aching body, and I winced, trying to shield Daedra from getting crushed in the chaotic pile.

“Easy, guys! My everything has been tenderized, and we don't want to squish Daedra flat.” I groaned, though there was no real heat in my words.

They quickly pulled back, giving us some space. But before they could start asking the dozen or so questions I could see burning in their eyes, the local blacksmith emerged from the rubble nearby.

His once-black hair was now streaked with ash, and blood dripped down one side of his face from a gash above his left eyebrow.

He clutched a hand to his chest as he approached, his face pale and drawn.

There was fear in his eyes as he raised a trembling hand to point at me and choked out one, damning sentence.

“You need to leave, immediately.”