As their party journeyed through the marshlands, the sounds of combat reached their ears. Shouts and roars reverberated through the swamp.

"We're close," Ophis remarked, hissing excitedly. "Prepare yourselves!"

As they passed through a grove of tall cypress trees, the Seraphidae quickened their pace, moving through the vegetation and entering a clearing where a battle raged. Several groups of Kungwan and Seraphidae engaged one another, clashing in brutal combat.

The Kungwan appeared to be outnumbered, but the battle had taken a heavy toll on the Seraphidae already. Corpses of fallen warriors littered the ground, along with numerous dead Kungwans.

The Seraphidae led by Ophis joined the fray, rushing in to support their brethren. Their arrival bolstered the morale of their allies, who fought with renewed vigor.

Bjorn drew his blade, readying for battle once again. Serrandyl followed suit, activating her gauntlets and pounding her fists together. Lira began casting, summoning an array of magical energy around herself, while Th'maine gripped his staff, chanting his spells under his breath.

"Serrandyl and I will handle the Kungwans in the clearing. Lira, you focus on healing the Seraphidae and protecting them from harm. Th'maine, keep your eyes peeled for anything unusual, and assist us where you can."

Everyone nodded in confirmation.

Without another word, Bjorn charged forward, rushing towards the nearest cluster of Kungwans. Serrandyl joined him, following closely behind.

As they neared their opponents, Bjorn swung his blade, cutting a horizontal line across a Kungwan's body. It roared in pain as the silver weapon pierced its thick hide, slashing its torso open.

The Kungwan swung back in retaliation, its razor-sharp claws glancing harmlessly off his Ebonwood armor, but the blow sent him staggering to one side. Serrandyl took advantage of the opening and lunged, slamming her fist into the side of its head, shattering the creature's skull in a single punch.

Another Kungwan turned toward her, snarling. The monster pounced, but Bjorn intercepted it. He parried its swipes with his sword and then countered with a vicious kick to the gut, sending the beast reeling back. He followed up with a swift strike to the monster's leg, severing its limb. It fell with a pained cry, writhing in agony on the ground.

Before Bjorn could deliver the finishing blow, a mottled-green Kungwan spewed a spray of caustic acid at him, drenching his left arm in the corrosive liquid. He grunted in pain as the liquid burned his flesh, causing him to drop his sword.

He clenched his jaw and cursed under his breath, backing away to create space.

The Kungwan, however, refused to let up, and lunged at Bjorn, attempting to tear him apart with its teeth. It swiped with its claws, narrowly missing his chest, but striking his side. The sharp edges of its talons scraped across the Ebonwood breastplate, but the hard material held firm, deflecting the strike.

Serrandyl quickly interjected, striking at the monster with a flurry of rapid punches. Her fists lashed out in a blur, hitting the beast repeatedly as she landed blow after blow on its body, beating it down to the ground.

The monster twitched, struggling feebly to rise, but Serrandyl hammered her fists down, crushing its ribcage in a single, decisive strike. It gave a final wheeze and fell silent.

Bjorn panted, wincing in pain as the acid burned through his armor and ate away at his skin. He desperately reached for his pouch and withdrew a small, clear vial of potion. He hastily uncorked the vessel, brought the container to his lips, and drank the contents in a single gulp.

The bitter liquid stung his tongue, but the potent elixir worked fast. Within moments, Bjorn felt his wounds begin to close, and the burning sensation subside.

His skin tingled as the potion coursed through his veins. The effect wasn't pleasant, but the alternative of having his arm eaten away to the bone was far worse. He flexed his hand experimentally and sighed in relief when he found his movements to be unimpeded.

Serrandyl returned to his side, panting heavily, covered in soot, but otherwise unscathed.

"You alright?" she inquired, cocking an eyebrow at his disheveled state. "I mean, after the whole getting melted thing. Hope you got more of those potions around."

Bjorn chuckled dryly and patted her on the shoulder. "I'll survive. But unfortunately, this is the only one I have left. Let's try not to get in any more situations where I have to use it."

Serrandyl nodded, and the pair set off to join the fray again, aiding the battle as best they could.

Meanwhile, the Seraphidae pressed the offensive. Led by their commanders, the group advanced, overwhelming their enemies through sheer strength and coordination. They formed a wall, using their shields to block the Kungwan's attacks, and their spears to counter, piercing the monsters' carapaces with their pointed tips.

They maintained this formation, slowly driving back the creatures and gaining the upper hand.

The tide of the battle shifted, and the Kungwan's aggression waned. The monsters gradually retreated, pulling back and circling around the Seraphidae warily.

"Now's our chance! Attack!" Ophis ordered, motioning for his troops to advance. The Seraphidae warriors let out a rallying cry, their voices echoing through the clearing. They surged forward, pursuing the fleeing monsters.

Bjorn and Serrandyl sprinted after them. They crossed a ravine filled with murky water and entered a dense grove of willow trees. As they raced through the underbrush, several large Kungwan Blightfroths dropped down from above, landing in front of them and blocking their path.

The beasts unleashed streams of corrosive bile at them, forcing the pair to duck behind cover. Bjorn barely managed to evade one shot, narrowly dodging the projectile as it splattered on a nearby tree trunk. He darted left, weaving through the thick undergrowth as more spurts of acidic spit came his way.

Serrandyl did not fare as well. A glob of green fluid hit her directly in the chest, searing through her leather armor and melting through her clothing. She swore loudly as the acrid liquid seeped into her wounds.

Bjorn dashed forward, hoping to distract the creatures and allow Serrandyl a moment to recover. He rolled out of the way of another spurt of liquid and slashed with his weapon, catching one of the Kungwans in the side with a glancing cut. The monster let out an angry roar, swiping at him with its clawed hand. He dodged to the left, but not fast enough. One of the monster's claws sliced across his upper arm, leaving a shallow cut.

Bjorn hissed through gritted teeth as the wound stung, but ignored the pain. He focused on staying mobile, circling around the creatures, and slashing at them from behind. The monsters responded by splitting into two groups. One group targeted Serrandyl, who had gotten to her feet and had begun to charge them, while the other group concentrated on Bjorn.

The first group unleashed another torrent of caustic fluid, blasting Serrandyl, who narrowly managed to dodge by somersaulting forward. She regained her footing and rushed straight at the Kungwans, her gauntlets crackling with lightning. She threw a punch, her fist connecting with a creature's face, sending the Blightfroth flying into a tree with a loud crack.

The other Kungwan spat acidic bile at her, but she moved in a zigzag pattern, avoiding the liquid. She delivered a swift kick to the creature's leg, knocking it off balance, and then punched the monster in the face. Her gauntlet's power reacted, releasing a discharge of electricity through the creature's body.

The monster let out a strangled grunt and collapsed, convulsing.

At the same time, Bjorn faced off against the other group of Kungwan Blightfroths. He tried his best to avoid the spittle as he engaged his adversaries. He dodged and ducked, using the nearby vegetation for cover. He avoided another burst of toxic bile, then closed in, slashing his silver sword at a Kungwan, inflicting a series of cuts across its hide.

Bjorn snarled and thrust his blade deep into the monster's stomach. He yanked the blade out, and then spun, severing its head with a powerful strike.

The Kungwan slumped lifelessly to the ground, a pool of ichor forming underneath it.

Bjorn dispatched the remaining monster in a similar fashion, and soon, they were victorious.

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The rest of the Kungwan's fled as quickly as possible, and Bjorn and Serrandyl paused, trying to catch their breath. The marshland around them was eerily silent, save for the distant sounds of battle and the occasional screech of a Kungwan.

Bjorn wiped his blade clean and sheathed his sword. He scanned the area, making sure the coast was clear. Then, he turned his attention to Serrandyl, who grimaced as she pulled off her ruined armor, and tossed the sizzling pieces into the marsh.

"You good?" he asked, as he checked his own wounds, noting several burns, bruises, and scratches.

She shrugged. "Eh, I'll live. Still breathing, right? Haha. Not the worst beatdown I've been in. But yeah, I could use some healing right about now, too."

Bjorn examined the marks on her skin, which had begun to turn an ugly shade of purple. The burns on her arms and chest looked painful, and her clothes were still smoldering in several spots.

Lira caught up to the pair and hurried over, examining the damage. She raised her hands and concentrated. A soothing sensation spread across Serrandyl's injuries, and the dark blotches vanished. Serrandyl let out a sigh of relief, cracking her knuckles and flexing her fingers experimentally.

"Ahhh, much better. Thanks, Lir!" she grinned and slapped the druid on the back.

Lira flinched, coughing and rubbing her shoulder. "Uhm, yes. Don't mention it."

The rest of the Seraphidae emerged from the undergrowth, having finished dispatching the Kungwan, and Ophis approached the group, eyeing the remains of the battle.

"Excellent work," he remarked. "However, we cannot linger here. After we've joined with the other group, the last bastion of the Kungwans awaits. Be vigilant, everyone, the nest is near."

"Let's hurry, then. Lead the way," Bjorn said, gesturing towards the South.

----------------------------------------

Over the course of the afternoon, the skirmish shifted back and forth. Bjorn and the others played their parts, fighting alongside the Seraphidae, and with every fallen Kungwan, the Seraphidae pushed the monsters further back toward their lair.

Bjorn spied the Kungwan alpha in the fray, fighting valiantly against the Seraphidae, and he set out to confront it. The enormous monster, comparable to a Titan yet also distinct in its own appearance, towered above its kin, swinging its massive arms in wide, sweeping arcs and driving back its smaller adversaries.

It spewed fire from its maw, scorching the earth and turning the soil into a blazing inferno. A group of Seraphidae perished before Bjorn's eyes, their flesh melting beneath the heat as they wailed in anguish.

Bjorn scowled and charged forward, vaulting over a boulder to avoid the flames. He rolled as he hit the ground and stood, sprinting toward the enemy leader.

The creature turned in his direction, fixing its yellow, beady eyes on him.

Bjorn narrowed his eyes, drawing his sword. The metal blade glowed brightly, as the runes engraved on the surface activated, emitting a faint light.

With a fierce growl, the monster lunged.

Bjorn met its charge, readying a slash. As the distance closed, he ducked, slashing in a downward arc, cleaving the creature's thigh. He followed through, pivoting around its side and bringing his weapon in a swift upward motion, carving through its hide and drawing blood.

The Kungwan roared in anger, swinging its claws in a wild, vicious strike.

Bjorn rolled under the attack, avoiding the deadly swipe. As he sprang to his feet, he leaped backwards, putting space between himself and his foe.

To his surprise, the wounds he inflicted began to close, the monster's severed flesh knitting itself back together at the same rate that a Regenerator's would.

"Damned beast," he muttered through clenched teeth. "So you have the abilities of all your ilk?"

The monster bellowed and slammed its forelimbs onto the ground, sending tremors through the earth.

Bjorn held his stance, awaiting the creature's move.

With a savage roar, the Kungwan alpha charged, running at full speed on its four limbs, leaping at him.

Bjorn rolled under the assault, but the monster anticipated the dodge, twisting its body and swiping with its claw, catching Bjorn with the full force of the blow.

The impact sent Bjorn flying several meters through the air, as he struck the ground with a grunt. The force knocked the breath from his lungs. He grimaced, gasping for air, his vision blurry as stars danced across his vision.

The creature bounded towards him, but a bolt of lightning streaked from the sky, slamming into its side and sending it careening off course.

Bjorn shook his head, forcing himself back to his feet as the creature struggled to stand.

He cast a glance over his shoulder, spotting Th'maine in the distance. The old Archanist nodded before making a hasty retreat as a pair of lesser Kungwans gave chase.

"Thanks," Bjorn yelled. He turned his attention back to the Kungwan alpha, which now rose, shaking its head and growling.

The Kungwan charged again, but this time, Bjorn was prepared. He sidestepped the attack, ducking as the creature barreled past, narrowly missing him.

The monster continued forward, crashing into a nearby boulder with a thunderous crash. The rock shattered into pieces as the creature smashed through, sending shrapnel flying.

Bjorn winced, raising a hand to shield his face from the debris. His gaze flicked around, scanning his surroundings. The battle between the Seraphidae and the Kungwan had moved elsewhere, and they were now isolated within the rocky terrain.

He glanced up to the sky, and a grimace of annoyance crept upon his features. He called out to Th'maine, but the Arcanist was preoccupied with a different group of Kungwan. Cursing inwardly, he returned his attention to the Kungwan alpha, which had recovered and now fixed its attention on him once more.

The monster charged again. Bjorn braced himself, readying his blade. As the beast drew near, he leaped, letting loose a powerful swing at its throat. His attack struck true, slicing into its flesh, and the creature roared in agony as blood sprayed from its neck.

But Bjorn's strike did little damage, and the wound healed as quickly as it had opened.

"Dammit!" he hissed in frustration.

The Kungwan snarled, swiping at him. He dodged back, but the monster anticipated his movements and knocked him to the ground with a powerful kick.

Bjorn rolled across the earth, coming to a stop on his back. His vision swam as he blinked the dirt from his eyes, trying to clear his sight. The world spun, and his thoughts grew clouded, but he forced himself back to his feet, steadying his body with his sword.

The monster bore down on him, its maw gaping wide. Flames flared from within as it inhaled, preparing to incinerate him.

In desperation, Bjorn used his Hersir ability, Shield of the North, summoning a spectral shield of ice and wind. The shield surrounded him in a swirling vortex of elemental energy, protecting him from the Kungwan's flames.

The beast's breath enveloped him, but the barrier held strong, deflecting the searing heat.

As the flames subsided, Bjorn used the opportunity to move closer to the beast, driving his sword into the monster's midsection, stabbing at its gut. He twisted the blade as he ripped it out, tearing open the creature's insides.

Blood gushed from the wound, but the monster simply shrugged off the injury. The wound closed, and the creature turned to face him once more.

Bjorn growled in frustration as the creature attacked. He managed to parry the blows, but the monster kept pressing the attack, forcing him on the defensive. He cursed as he barely evaded an oncoming strike, rolling aside to escape its clutches.

Things were looking grim, and Bjorn considered retreat. The Seraphidae that he sought to assist had already perished, and he needed to focus on ensuring his own survival. However, he noted that the others were embroiled in their own fights, and if the Kungwan alpha was left unchecked, it might decimate them as they fared with their own foes.

"Curse me and my noble heart," he grumbled, readying his blade once more.

Defeating the Kungwan alpha by himself was an insurmountable task, even for one as skilled as him. All he could do was to keep its attention for as long as possible until backup arrived, and hopefully, a combined effort by everyone present would bring the monster down. He silently prayed to Ebonheim that she and Calyxia would arrive sooner rather than later.

He eyed the monster's injuries as he blocked another barrage of attacks. He focused on its weaknesses, searching for any avenue of victory, but nothing presented itself. His body ached from the exertion, and exhaustion threatened to overtake him.

Desperation set in, but Bjorn did his best to push down the panic creeping within his mind. He channeled his experience as a veteran soldier and calmed himself. His muscles tensed as he readied for the next strike.

As the beast launched another volley of claws, Bjorn held his ground, swatting aside one blow, and then another.

Then, in an unexpected move, the Kungwan alpha spun around, smacking his armored body with a powerful backswing. The force of the strike hurled him through the air. He hit the ground and tumbled over, slamming into the base of a nearby cliffside.

Dazed, his vision blurred and his ears rang. He groaned and lifted his head, squinting in the direction of the beast. Its shadow loomed over him as it approached.

Time seemed to slow as the beast loomed overhead, preparing to deliver the killing blow. He willed his aching body to move, but all his strength had left him.

This is how I die...he mused as a feeling of helplessness overtook him. How pitiful.

Just as the Kungwan was about to land the final strike, a blinding flash of golden light washed passed his head, striking the Kungwan alpha in the face and causing it to stagger.

The monster cried out in pain as the beam burned through its flesh, leaving a scorched, cauterized hole in its wake. The monster teetered on its feet, clutching at its face. It stumbled back, flailing wildly, striking the rocky terrain in a rage.

Bjorn took advantage of the distraction to regain his composure. He slowly staggered upright, leaning on his sword as support. The world still spun, but his senses were returning.

He turned to see a lithe figure in a white dress jumping over him, using his head as a springboard to vault over his form and land deftly on the other side.

Bjorn blinked and rubbed his eyes, squinting to focus on the new arrival's face.

His eyes widened, and then he breathed a sigh of relief. There was no mistaking her iridescent silver hair and earthen-toned skin, nor the divine aura she exuded.

"You're late," he remarked, grinning wryly.

"Fashionably late, you mean," Ebonheim replied without looking back. She placed one hand on her hip while the other formed a thumbs-up gesture.

"Of course," he said, nodding. His lips curled up into a small, tired smile. "Glad you made it."

"After all this, you and the others will get a well-deserved scolding from me. I was the only one supposed to get involved in this war, and yet I see you fools in the thick of it as well." She shook her head, finally looking back at him with a soft smile. "But...you've fought bravely. I'm here now, so leave the rest to me."