While he fought to close the final stretch of soil, Nick examined their opponent, suppressing his fear and bringing his tactical mind back online. They would have to either finish the river king quickly or hold it off for a few minutes then disengage, buying enough time for the people racing for the doorways lining the base of the tower to step inside.

The dragon-turtle was in even worse shape than Nick had realized. The great shelled reptile was covered in deep lacerations, bloody gouges torn free from its shell in dozens of places. Hundreds of black feathers were embedded in its exposed flesh, from what must have been scores of redfang hunters.

The sight only magnified his apprehension of the lord of the hunt and its fell horde. If the shadow hunt was able to do this to such a powerful creature, it would obliterate team Earth effortlessly when it arrived.

But Nick didn’t have time to worry about that now. He had to find a weakness to exploit before he arrived at his allies’ side. Something that he could take advantage of using the limited tools at his disposal. Keep it together Nick. Breathe. Think.

He tried and failed to summon his arctic clarity, unable to use the mysterious ability so soon after the last time he’d called upon it. He would have to fight this battle without it.

He would be there in another thirty seconds, so he continued to examine the king as adrenaline turbocharged his racing heart.

The beast’s eyes darted around erratically, like it was having trouble focusing. Its movements were clumsy for all their power, and Nick suspected that the creature had been poisoned or afflicted by some manner of disabling ability.

While it was slower and weaker than before, it was strong enough to kill him in a single strike if it scored more than a glancing blow with its claws or jaws. And despite its sorry state, the thick shell would turn aside all but the most powerful of attacks.

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The great black lance protruding from the king’s back must have missed its vital organs, or it would have died already. It meant that despite its critical condition, the creature might still be able to fight for long minutes. Far more time than Nick had under the circumstances.

Our only chance is to distract it, then attack it along the places where it’s already injured. Prime targets are its eyes and the cracks in its shell. I would prefer to lead it away from the tower rather than engaging it directly, but if we do, we won’t make it back in time. We need to end this fast, or at least hamper its mobility, then retreat while we still can.

By now, Nick and Veronica had nearly closed the distance, and the rest of his team had circled out to engage the wounded beast. At the moment, Devin and Kenji were trading blows with the creature, trying to divert its attention without taking a hit in return.

While he ran, Nick summoned three darts back-to-back, so they would be ready to fire at a moment’s notice, managing to cast on the move for the first time. He judged that he still had enough in the tank to cast a few piercing rays without incurring mana sickness, but he would have to save them for the right moment.

With a surge of will, he put on a final burst of speed and arrived by Sophia’s side. She was casting for everything she was worth. For a moment, Nick was afraid that she was summoning the bonefiend, which would leave her critically vulnerable and unable to retreat.

But then five frostfury wasps grew their way into existence in a flash of emerald light, flying off to join the men holding the river king at bay. She staggered from exhaustion before bringing a green vial to her lips and drinking deep. One of the stamina potions that V had passed out earlier in the day.

Sophia’s movements sharpened as she realized that Veronica and Nick had arrived by her side. “Nick, it’s good to see your face. You too V. You’re a bit late to the party though. Now, how about we put on a good show for our guest of honor and then get the hell out of the bog. The blackmist will break over us any minute.”

With his friends at his side, Nick drew his sword, turned to face the towering beast, and charged, ready for the fight of his life.