As the enemies closed in on the battered and bloodied Sam, ready to deliver their final strike, the air was pierced by a thunderous voice.

"LION ROAR!!!"

The shout seemed to reverberate through the very ground, freezing the enemies in place, their bodies locked in a stunned paralysis.

The oppressive silence that followed was broken only by the sound of heavy footsteps and the swift, rhythmic movement of a figure cutting through the air.

Jason, his shield and fists gleaming in the dim light, dashed toward Sam with relentless speed. Each of his strikes was precise and devastating, smashing into the stunned enemies with a force that sent them crumpling to the ground. His shield crashed against their skulls, his fists driving into their bodies with unyielding power.

He reached Sam, his chest heaving with exertion and his eyes blazing with fury. Planting himself firmly in front of his fallen comrade, Jason raised his shield high, his back a solid wall of protection.

The sight of Jason, resolute and unyielding, brought a weak smile to Sam's face, his consciousness flickering like a dying ember. "What took you so long, man?" Sam's voice was barely more than a whisper.

Jason's reply was laced with a strained attempt at humor, though the anger and worry were clear in his voice.

"I had to protect Gabby, as you ordered, boss." But beneath the veneer of jest, Jason's fury simmered, barely contained.

Seeing Sam in such a dire state ignited a fire of rage within him, his fists clenching around the shield's handle.

"Don't worry, Sam," Jason vowed, his voice hardening with resolve. "This time, I will protect you." The determination in Jason's eyes was a promise, an unbreakable bond forged in the fires of battle. He stood ready, his shield a bulwark against any threat, his fists prepared to strike down any who dared approach.

As the stunned enemies began to recover, shaking off the effects of the Lion Roar, they found themselves facing a formidable adversary. Jason's presence was a daunting silhouette against the backdrop of the darkening forest.

Jason stood over Sam, his shield raised high and his fists clenched with unyielding determination. The enemies circled them like a pack of wolves, their eyes gleaming with malevolence.

Sam, barely able to stand, leaned against a nearby tree for support. His breaths came in ragged gasps, and his vision blurred, but the fire in his eyes remained undimmed. He clutched his rifle tightly. Blood oozed from a deep gash in his side, yet his will to fight on burned as fiercely as ever.

The first attacker lunged at Jason, a wicked blade aimed for his throat. With a swift motion, Jason deflected the strike with his shield, the clash of metal ringing out through the forest. He countered with a powerful punch that sent the enemy staggering back, blood spraying from a shattered nose.

Another assailant came at him from the side, but Jason was ready. He sidestepped the attack, bringing his shield down in a crushing blow on the enemy's shoulder. The sound of bone cracking echoed through the clearing, and the attacker crumpled to the ground, howling in pain.

Despite his precarious state, Sam wasn't idle. He summoned the last reserves of his strength, aiming his rifle at the nearest enemy. With a steady hand, he fired, the bullet tearing through the air and striking the attacker in the chest. The enemy dropped to the ground, clutching the wound, his eyes wide with shock.

"Behind you!" Sam croaked, his voice strained but urgent.

Jason spun just in time to block a heavy mace aimed for his back. The force of the blow sent a shudder through his shield, but he held firm. With a grunt, he pushed back, forcing the attacker off balance and driving his fist into the enemy's gut with a sickening thud.

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The battle raged on, each moment a testament to Jason's unyielding resolve and Sam's indomitable spirit. Despite his injuries, Sam continued to provide support, his rifle picking off enemies with deadly precision.

One enemy, a towering brute with a scarred face, charged at Jason with a roar. Jason braced himself, shield up, ready for the impact. The brute's hammer came crashing down, meeting Jason's shield with a thunderous boom. The force of the blow drove Jason to one knee, but he gritted his teeth and held his ground.

With a roar of his own, Jason pushed back, shoving the brute off balance. He surged to his feet, bringing his shield around in a sweeping arc that caught the brute across the jaw. Teeth flew as the brute staggered, and Jason followed up with a devastating punch to the temple, sending the giant crashing to the ground.

Sam, seeing the brute fall, used the last of his strength to fire a shot that struck another enemy in the leg, crippling him. The translucent shield shimmered in the air, absorbing the strikes of the remaining enemies and giving Jason a brief respite.

"Thanks, Sam," Jason panted, glancing back at his friend.

Sam managed a weak smile, his legs trembling. "Just... hold them off a little longer," he gasped. "I can... still help."

The enemies, despite their numbers, began to falter. They hesitated, seeing the ferocity in Jason's eyes and the unwavering support from Sam. Their confidence wavered, and in that moment of doubt, Jason struck with renewed vigor.

Gradually, the tide turned. The enemies, now fewer in number and weakened by the relentless onslaught, began to retreat. Jason pressed forward, his shield smashing into ribs, his fists breaking jaws. Each step he took drove the enemies back, their fear palpable in the air.

Finally, the last of the attackers fled, leaving the clearing littered with the groaning and unconscious bodies of their comrades. Jason, his chest heaving, lowered his shield and looked around, his eyes scanning for any remaining threats.

Seeing none, he turned to Sam, who was slumped against the tree, his breathing shallow but steady. Jason rushed to his side, his anger and worry etched deep in his face.

"Sam, we did it," Jason said, his voice a mix of relief and exhaustion. "We held them off."

Sam looked up at him, his eyes heavy-lidded but filled with gratitude. "Thanks, Jason," he murmured. "Couldn't have done it without you."

Jason shook his head, a small smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "No, Sam. We did it together. Now let's get out of here."

With that, Jason carefully hoisted Sam onto his back, making sure not to jostle his injuries. He began to make his way through the forest.

Jason trudged through the forest, searching a somewhat safe spot, every step punctuated by his heavy breathing and the weight of Sam slumped over his back.

"Wait, Jason, put me down," Sam's voice came out weak, barely more than a whisper.

Jason shook his head, resolute. "Nope, no can do. Gotta keep moving," he replied, refusing to acknowledge Sam's request. His stubbornness was evident, a mix of concern and a touch of amusement at the situation.

"Listen, man, you—" Sam tried again, but Jason cut him off, his voice taking on a sing song quality.

"Nope, not listening. I can't hear you!" he chanted, a grin spreading across his face despite the seriousness of their circumstances.

He thought to himself, 'Sam's always so considerate, doesn't want to be a burden. What a good friend.'

As Jason marched on, feeling rather pleased with himself, he suddenly felt something warm and wet on his back. It took him a moment to realize what had just happened. Sam had vomited, the contents of his stomach now dripping down Jason's back.

Jason froze, his mind struggling to process the situation. He slowly turned his head to look at Sam, who wore an expression of innocent nonchalance, as if he hadn't just emptied his stomach onto his back.

With a sigh of resignation and a roll of his eyes, Jason crouched down and unceremoniously dropped Sam onto the ground like a sack of potatoes.

The air grew silent, the forest around them seemingly holding its breath.

Sam, looking a little sheepish, managed a weak smile. "Uh, sorry about that," he mumbled.

Jason stared at him, a mix of disbelief and exasperation on his face. "You couldn't have given me a bit more warning?" he asked, wiping at his back with a grimace.

Sam shrugged weakly. "I tried, but you were too busy being a hero."

Jason shook his head, fighting back a laugh. "Next time, just say 'I'm gonna puke' instead of trying to be all mysterious about it."

Sam chuckled, the sound coming out more like a wheeze. "Noted. But hey, at least now we match. Battle scars and all."

Jason couldn't help but laugh, the tension easing slightly. "Yeah, well, next time, keep your battle scars to yourself."

He looked around, ensuring they were still alone, then sighed. "Alright, let's get you up again. And if you feel sick, for the love of all that's holy, just tell me."

Sam nodded, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "Deal. But, uh, maybe carry me a bit more gently this time? My insides feel like a blender."

Jason rolled his eyes but smiled. "Alright, princess, let's get moving."

Jason resumed their trek, more cautious this time, ready to dodge any further gastric surprises. The forest, once a battleground, now echoed with their laughter.