Paola’s heart pounded in her chest as she stared across the square at Ta'huka. Her mind swirled with fragmented memories of the man she thought she had known—the cheery smile, the way they had laughed over drinks, his friendly manner. But now, all of that seemed like a distant memory. The figure standing before her wasn’t the Ta'huka she remembered. His eyes gleamed with something beyond primal, a rage so raw it felt inhuman. It chilled her to the core.

Her thoughts were interrupted by Poca’s voice, urgent and panicked. “Carter! Take Abraham and run! Get out of here!”

Everything seemed to move at once. Her instincts—ones she didn’t even know she had—kicked in. It was as if time had slowed, though she knew it hadn’t. She could feel her body tense, every muscle coiled and ready. Ayla drew her massive broadsword, and in an instant, she charged toward Ta’huka with a fierce battle cry. At the same time, Ta’huka lifted his tomahawk and shield, moving to meet her. The two clashed with a resounding crash that echoed across the square. Sparks flew from Ayla’s blade as it met Ta’huka’s shield, and the ground trembled beneath their feet.

But Paola had no time to focus on their duel. Behind Ta'huka, the River Lurkers moved with fluid precision, their eyes locked on her. Leonardo and Raphael. The sight of them sent a surge of adrenaline through her veins. They were powerful, their presence almost suffocating as they closed in on her, weapons gleaming.

Without thinking, Paola darted forward, her instincts taking over completely. Her daggers flashed in her hands as she met the brothers head-on. Her feet barely touched the ground as she utilized her slippers’ Meteor Speed, dashing from side to side with blinding agility. She struck out with her daggers, the edge of her blades glinting in the sunlight. Her Naked Blade ability amplified her strikes, each one precise and lethal, aiming for weak points in their armor.

Leonardo was quick to react, his dual katanas sweeping in a wide arc toward her. Paola ducked just in time, her daggers clashing with his blades in a shower of sparks. She spun to the side, narrowly avoiding Raphael’s strike with his dual kamas. But the brothers were relentless, their attacks perfectly synchronized, forcing Paola to stay on the defensive.

She grit her teeth, feeling the strain in her muscles as she evaded blow after blow. Despite her speed, Leonardo’s movements were sharp and calculated, his strikes precise and controlled. Raphael, on the other hand, fought with a raw, aggressive fury that made him unpredictable. Together, they were a deadly force.

Paola lunged forward, summoning a short sword with her Naked Arsenal ability, the blade materializing in her hand. She slashed at Leonardo’s side, but he deflected it with one of his katanas, the sound of metal ringing out as they collided. Before she could recover, Raphael was upon her, his kamas spinning in a deadly flurry of strikes. Paola twisted away, barely avoiding a slice that would have cut deep into her side.

Her breath came in ragged gasps as she summoned another weapon—a spear this time, crackling with elemental energy thanks to her Natural Selection ability. She spun it around, sweeping it at Raphael’s legs. He leaped back, but not before the tip of the spear grazed him, sending a jolt of electricity through his body. Raphael grunted in pain but didn’t slow down. If anything, the hit only seemed to fuel his rage.

Paola’s mind raced as she tried to keep up with their attacks. Every time she thought she had an opening, one of the brothers would close it off. They moved with a deadly grace, forcing her back again and again. She could feel the pressure mounting, the weight of their skill bearing down on her. Despite her abilities, her lack of experience was starting to show. She was fast, unpredictable, but they were relentless and far more practiced in the art of combat.

As the fight raged on, Paola realized she couldn’t keep this up forever. She needed to think, to find a way to break their rhythm. She gritted her teeth and activated her Exposed Evasion ability, moving with such fluid stealth that she became almost invisible, her naked form blending with the environment as she darted between Raphael and Leonardo. For a moment, she had the upper hand, her sudden disappearance throwing the brothers off balance.

She reappeared behind Raphael, her daggers aimed at his exposed back. She struck, but Raphael reacted faster than she expected, spinning around and deflecting her blades with his kamas. His eyes blazed with fury as he lashed out, catching Paola off guard. His strike connected with her side, and she staggered back, pain flaring up where his blade had cut her. Blood dripped from the wound, but Paola didn’t let it slow her down. She had to keep moving.

With a flick of her wrist, Paola activated Rapid Teleport of the T’shal’ara, vanishing in a burst of cosmic energy and reappearing several feet away. Her body hummed with the energy of the teleportation, and she felt a surge of power from the slippers, which granted her Nimble Escape. She grinned despite the pain, the thrill of the fight washing over her.

But Raphael and Leonardo were far from finished. Raphael roared in anger, charging at her with reckless abandon, his kamas gleaming in the sunlight. Leonardo followed close behind, his katanas held at the ready, his movements calm and controlled. Paola knew she had to be careful—one mistake could be fatal.

She summoned a pair of daggers with her Bare Necessities ability, her hands moving with practiced speed as she parried Raphael’s incoming blows. She ducked and weaved, dodging the deadly strikes with the agility granted by her Agility of the Rabbit. For a moment, she felt in control again, her speed allowing her to outmaneuver the two brothers. But then Leonardo struck, his katana slicing through the air with deadly precision. Paola barely managed to block it, the force of the blow sending her stumbling backward.

She could feel her stamina waning, her muscles burning with fatigue. Sweat dripped down her brow as she fought to regain her footing, her mind racing for a way out. But Raphael and Leonardo weren’t giving her any breathing room. They pressed their advantage, forcing Paola to retreat step by step.

Suddenly, she felt something click inside her—a surge of energy, a raw, untapped power she had never felt before. Her Cosmic Bunny Slippers glowed with a soft light, and instinctively, she leaped into the air, activating Moonlit Leap. The force of her jump propelled her high above the square, as if gravity itself had lessened its grip on her.

From her vantage point above, Paola could see the entire battlefield. Ta'huka and Ayla were locked in their own brutal duel, their weapons clashing with a force that sent shockwaves through the ground. She could see the crowd gathered at the edges of the square, their eyes wide with fear as they watched the chaos unfold.

And then, she saw Raphael and Leonardo below her, their heads tilted upward as they tracked her movements. Paola smirked, the exhilaration of the fight surging through her veins. She angled herself downward, aiming directly for Raphael, who had just enough time to raise his kamas in defense before she came crashing down.

The impact was explosive. Paola’s daggers clashed with Raphael’s kamas, sending a shockwave of energy through the ground. Raphael grunted, forced to take several steps back from the sheer force of the collision. Paola used the momentum to her advantage, spinning around and slashing at Leonardo, who had moved in to strike while she was distracted. Her daggers caught him off guard, and he stumbled, his katanas raised to block but not quickly enough to avoid the hit entirely.

Despite the small victory, Paola could feel herself wearing down. Her body ached from the strain of the battle, and the blood from her wound was starting to slow her movements. She was holding her own, yes, but she couldn’t keep this up much longer. Raphael and Leonardo were too skilled, too relentless. They were slowly but surely overwhelming her.

She gritted her teeth, pushing herself to keep fighting. She wasn’t going to give up. Not now. Not ever.

Raphael lunged at her again, his kamas flashing in the sunlight. Paola dodged to the side, but she wasn’t fast enough to avoid the blade entirely. It grazed her arm, drawing more blood. Pain flared through her body, but she fought through it, summoning another dagger with her Bare Efficiency ability. She lashed out at Raphael, her blade connecting with his side, but the wound wasn’t deep enough to slow him down.

Leonardo followed up with a quick, precise strike of his own, his katana slicing through the air toward her. Paola barely managed to block it, her arms trembling with the effort. She was running out of steam.

In a last-ditch effort, Paola activated Hide and Streak, vanishing from sight as she moved with blinding speed. She reappeared behind Leonardo, her dagger raised to strike, but he was ready for her this time. He spun around, his katana cutting through the air with deadly precision. Paola barely managed to twist out of the way, her breath coming in ragged gasps as she struggled to stay on her feet.

The two brothers closed in on her again, their eyes blazing with determination. Paola knew she couldn’t keep this up much longer. She had given everything she had, but it wasn’t enough.

As they prepared to strike again, Paola felt a surge of energy from within—a desperate, last-ditch effort to survive. She activated her Rapid Teleport of the T’shal’ara, disappearing in a flash of cosmic energy and reappearing several feet away. She repeated the teleportation, darting across the battlefield in rapid succession, trying to put as much distance between herself and the brothers as possible.

But as she landed, her body gave out, her legs buckling beneath her. She collapsed to the ground, gasping for breath. She had used up too much energy, pushed herself too far. Her vision blurred, and the sounds of the battle around her seemed to fade into the background.

She wasn’t sure how much longer she could hold on.

***

Ayla stood firm, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her broadsword as she faced Ta'huka across the town square. His once-cheerful demeanor had twisted into something dark and primal, his green eyes glowing with a feral intensity she had never seen before. The Ta'huka she had known was gone, replaced by a monster drenched in blood. Around them, the bodies of adventurers lay strewn across the cobblestone, a macabre testament to his unbridled rage.

Her heart pounded as she locked eyes with him. She could feel the tension in the air, thick and suffocating. This wasn’t just another battle. This was something much deeper, much more dangerous. Ta'huka was no ordinary opponent. He was a predator, and she was his prey.

The air between them seemed to crackle with energy as they stared each other down, the weight of the impending battle pressing on both of them. Without another word, Ta'huka charged, his tomahawk raised high. Ayla reacted instantly, her broadsword meeting his weapon with a deafening clang that echoed across the square. Sparks flew as the two collided, the force of the impact reverberating up her arms. Ta'huka's strength was immense, and Ayla gritted her teeth as she pushed back against him, refusing to give ground.

With a snarl, Ta'huka swung his tomahawk in a wide arc, aiming for her head. Ayla ducked under the blow, rolling to the side and coming up with her broadsword ready. She slashed at his side, the blade catching the edge of his deerskin bracers and drawing blood. But Ta'huka barely flinched. He turned on her with a roar, his shield raised as he slammed it into her with bone-crushing force.

Ayla gasped as the blow sent her stumbling back, her vision blurring for a moment. She barely had time to recover before Ta'huka was on her again, his tomahawk crashing down toward her. She raised her broadsword just in time to block the strike, but the force of it jarred her to her core. He was relentless, his attacks coming faster and harder with each passing second.

Gritting her teeth, Ayla focused on her breathing, centering herself as she began to weave between his strikes. She activated Frost Step, ice forming beneath her feet as she glided across the ground, her movements swift and precise. The freezing trail she left behind slowed Ta'huka’s pursuit, but it wasn’t enough to deter him. He was like a force of nature, plowing through the ice as if it were nothing.

She swung her sword in a wide arc, the blade coated in a layer of ice from her Winter’s Grasp ability. The freezing energy crackled along the edge of the sword as she struck, aiming for Ta'huka’s exposed flank. He turned just in time, his shield coming up to block the blow. The ice exploded on contact, sending a shower of freezing shards across his body, but he didn’t slow. With a growl, he lashed out with his tomahawk, the blade slicing through the air toward her throat.

Ayla twisted her body, narrowly avoiding the deadly strike. She felt the rush of air as the tomahawk passed inches from her skin, and she retaliated with a powerful upward slash of her own. Her blade connected with Ta'huka’s chest, cutting deep into his flesh. Blood sprayed across the ground, but Ta'huka didn’t falter. If anything, the pain seemed to fuel his rage. He let out a feral roar, his tomahawk crackling with electricity as he activated Storm’s Edge.

The tomahawk came down like a bolt of lightning, striking Ayla’s sword with a force that sent a jolt of electricity coursing through her body. Her muscles spasmed as the shock overwhelmed her senses, her vision going white for a split second. She staggered back, her limbs momentarily numb from the attack.

Ta'huka pressed his advantage, closing the distance between them with terrifying speed. He brought his shield up and slammed it into her chest, sending her crashing to the ground. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and she gasped for air as she struggled to push herself back up.

But Ta'huka wasn’t about to give her the chance. He raised his tomahawk high, ready to deliver the killing blow. Ayla’s instincts screamed at her to move, and with a desperate burst of energy, she rolled to the side just as the tomahawk came crashing down. The blade slammed into the ground where her head had been moments before, sending chunks of stone flying in all directions.

Ayla scrambled to her feet, her chest heaving with ragged breaths. Blood dripped from a cut on her temple, but she ignored the pain. She couldn’t afford to let it slow her down. With a determined shout, she activated Flame’s Cross, channeling the flames of Hades through her broadsword. The blade ignited with an intense fire, burning hot and bright as she slashed at Ta'huka.

The flames scorched his armor, searing his flesh as her blade cut across his torso. Ta'huka bellowed in pain, but instead of retreating, he lunged at her with renewed fury. His tomahawk came down in a vicious arc, and Ayla barely had time to block it. The impact sent a shockwave through her arms, but she held her ground.

Ta'huka roared again, this time slamming his shield into the ground with a deafening crash. He activated Seismic Slam, sending shockwaves through the earth that knocked Ayla off her feet. She tumbled backward, her body hitting the ground hard as the terrain shifted beneath her. The cobblestones cracked and split open, creating jagged fissures that threatened to swallow her whole.

Ayla gritted her teeth and forced herself to stand, using her broadsword to steady herself. Her muscles ached, her body bruised and battered from the relentless assault. She had fought countless battles before, but this one was different. Ta'huka was a force unlike anything she had faced. His power was overwhelming, his fury unrelenting.

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But she wasn’t about to give up. She couldn’t. Paola was depending on her.

With a deep breath, Ayla activated Inferno Charge, her body engulfed in flames as she charged forward with blinding speed. The fire crackled around her, burning hotter with every step as she closed the distance between her and Ta'huka. She swung her broadsword with all her strength, aiming for his exposed side.

Ta'huka raised his shield just in time, the flames licking at the edges as her sword connected with a resounding clang. The force of the blow sent Ta'huka stumbling back, his shield dented from the impact. Ayla pressed her advantage, slashing at him again and again, her movements fueled by adrenaline and desperation.

But Ta'huka was far from beaten. With a growl, he summoned the power of the storm around him, activating Raging Storm. Wind and rain whipped through the square, the storm swirling around him with violent intensity. The winds buffeted Ayla, slowing her movements and throwing off her balance. She could barely see through the sheets of rain that pounded against her, each drop like a small hammer against her skin.

Ta'huka moved like a ghost within the storm, his form barely visible as he attacked from all sides. His tomahawk and shield appeared out of the swirling chaos, striking at her from unexpected angles. Ayla fought back with everything she had, her broadsword slicing through the wind and rain, but she couldn’t keep up with his speed.

He came at her again, his tomahawk crackling with electricity as he brought it down toward her shoulder. Ayla raised her broadsword to block the blow, but the impact sent her stumbling backward. The force of the strike numbed her arms, and she barely managed to stay on her feet.

Ta'huka followed up with a vicious shield bash, slamming it into her chest with enough force to send her crashing into a nearby wall. The breath was knocked from her lungs, and she slumped to the ground, her body screaming in pain. Blood dripped from a deep gash in her arm, staining the cobblestones beneath her.

But Ayla refused to give up. She pushed herself to her feet, her vision swimming as she readied her broadsword once more. Her body was battered and bruised, her strength waning with every passing second. But she couldn’t stop. Not now. Not when Paola’s life was on the line.

She activated Frozen Fortress, her body encased in a protective layer of frost as she prepared for the next onslaught. The ice crackled around her, forming a barrier that would freeze any enemy who struck her. It wasn’t much, but it was all she had left.

Ta'huka charged at her once more, his tomahawk raised high as he prepared to strike. Ayla braced herself, ready for the impact. The tomahawk came down, and her frost armor exploded in a burst of ice, freezing Ta'huka in place for a brief moment. Ayla took the opportunity to strike, her broadsword cleaving through the air with deadly precision.

Her blade cut across Ta'huka’s chest, the force of the blow sending him stumbling back. Blood poured from the wound, staining the ground beneath him. But still, he didn’t fall. He straightened, his breathing heavy and labored, his eyes burning with an intensity that sent a chill down Ayla’s spine.

For a moment, they stood in a bloody stalemate, the only sounds in the square the crackling of Ayla’s frost armor and the labored breathing of both combatants. The wind howled around them, carrying the scent of blood and burning wood. Ta'huka’s chest heaved, blood running down his bare skin in crimson rivulets. His glowing green eyes locked onto Ayla with a murderous intensity, but there was a flicker of weariness there as well—a hint that even his relentless power had its limits.

Ayla wiped the blood from her brow with the back of her hand, never taking her eyes off him. She knew she was wearing him down. He was a beast, yes, but even beasts could bleed, and when they bled enough, they fell.

She drew in a shaky breath, her body screaming in pain, and summoned the last of her strength. With a fierce cry, Ayla activated Flame’s Wrath, her broadsword blazing with the inferno of Hades. She dashed forward, her flames cutting through the storm like a blazing comet. Each strike was filled with purpose, each movement calculated to push Ta'huka closer to his breaking point.

Ta'huka roared as he raised his shield, but Ayla’s strikes came faster and harder now, the flames licking at his skin, burning through his defenses. Her broadsword met his shield with a thunderous clang, and the flames exploded in a brilliant burst of light and heat. Ta'huka staggered back, his arms shaking under the relentless assault.

Ayla pressed forward, slashing at him again and again. Her blade carved through his defenses, leaving deep gashes across his chest and arms. Ta'huka’s breath was ragged, his movements slowing as the weight of his injuries began to take their toll. Blood dripped from his fingers as he struggled to maintain his grip on his tomahawk, his once-unstoppable power now faltering.

Ayla’s heart pounded with adrenaline as she saw her opening. She swung her sword in a wide arc, aiming to cleave through Ta'huka’s side and end this once and for all. Her blade moved with deadly speed, the flames roaring to life as they prepared to deliver the final blow.

But just as her blade was about to strike, Ayla felt a sudden, chilling presence behind her. Before she could react, a shadowy tentacle erupted from the ground with unnatural speed. It wrapped around her neck with an iron grip, yanking her backward with terrifying force.

Ayla gasped, her eyes widening in shock as she was lifted off the ground. Her broadsword slipped from her grasp, clattering uselessly to the cobblestones below. The shadowy tendril tightened around her throat, cutting off her air as she struggled to free herself. Her hands clawed at the tendril, but it was like trying to grip smoke—ethereal and unyielding.

With a violent pull, the tentacle slammed her into the ground. The impact knocked the wind out of her, and Ayla’s vision went white with pain. She gasped for breath, her chest heaving as she struggled to comprehend what had just happened. The shadowy tendril retracted back into the ground, leaving Ayla lying there, disoriented and vulnerable.

She tried to push herself up, but her limbs felt heavy, her strength drained by the sudden attack. Her broadsword lay just out of reach, the flames sputtering out as darkness began to close in around her.

Through her hazy vision, Ayla saw Ta'huka standing over her, his green eyes glowing brighter now, his body looming like a dark mountain against the morning sky. But something was different. His expression had changed. He wasn’t looking at her with the same murderous rage—he was looking beyond her, as if something far more sinister had just entered the battlefield.

Ayla’s heart raced as she fought to regain her breath, her mind spinning with questions. What was that thing? And who—or what—had summoned it?

Before she could gather her thoughts, another shadowy tendril burst forth from the ground behind her, wrapping around her waist this time. It pulled her back with alarming strength, slamming her against the cobblestones once again. Pain shot through her body, and she cried out, her fingers grasping futilely at the ground.

But she didn't pass out. Gritting her teeth, Ayla forced herself to focus through the pain, her warrior instincts kicking in. She twisted her body, trying to break free from the tendril’s grip. The shadowy force was strong, but Ayla was determined not to go down without a fight.

With a surge of effort, she reached for her broadsword, fingers brushing the hilt as she struggled against the tendril’s pull. The cold shadow wrapped tighter around her, trying to drag her away from the fight, but Ayla wasn’t about to let it win. She grabbed hold of the sword and swung it upward with all her remaining strength, the blade cutting through the shadowy tendril in a flash of fiery light.

The tendril recoiled, retreating back into the ground with an eerie hiss, but Ayla didn’t have time to rest. She scrambled to her feet, ignoring the pain that radiated through her body. Her eyes locked onto Ta'huka, who was now staring at her with a mixture of respect and something darker—something that hinted at fear.

Ayla’s breath was ragged, but she held her ground, sword at the ready. Blood dripped down her face and arms, staining the cobblestones beneath her. The shadowy presence still lingered, the air thick with its oppressive weight. Whatever it was, it had interrupted their battle, and Ayla knew that neither she nor Ta'huka could afford to ignore it.

***

Paola’s vision blurred, her body trembling with exhaustion as Leo and Raph closed in on her. Every muscle in her body ached, her mind barely able to process the impending danger. She tried to summon the strength to rise, but her limbs were heavy, her energy all but spent. Leo and Raph, relentless in their pursuit, moved with a deadly precision, their weapons gleaming in the morning light. Paola could see their cold determination, their eyes locked onto her as they prepared for the final blows.

And then, she heard it—like a voice from heaven, a sweet yet urgent cry cutting through the haze of pain.

“Carter! Save Paola! Fight! Now!”

Paola’s eyes widened. Poca? No, it couldn’t be… But then, she heard it again—Poca’s familiar accent, clear and desperate, growing louder as the sound of bare feet padded across the cobblestone.

Poca rushed toward her, her potato sack dress billowing slightly as she slid in next to Paola. Her face was full of worry, yet there was a determined fire in her eyes that Paola hadn’t seen before.

“Mon dieu, Paola, stay wiz me,” Poca whispered urgently, her hands already glowing with blue strings of mana. “Carter, show zese brutes what you are made of!”

Paola’s vision cleared just in time to see Carter spring into action. His once-eerie grin now seemed almost menacing as he charged toward Leo and Raph. The brothers, who had been ready to strike Paola down, were taken by surprise by Carter’s sudden ferocity. His wooden frame moved with incredible speed, his limbs extending with agility that seemed impossible for his wooden exterior. And then, with a quick, mechanical click, black steel blades shot out from his wrists, long and sharp.

Leo and Raph barely had time to react before Carter was upon them. He slashed at Leo with a precise swipe of his blade, forcing the blue-scaled River Lurker to parry with his katanas. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, the sheer strength of Carter’s strike causing Leo to stumble back.

“Zey will not ‘ave you, Paola,” Poca said, her voice calm but firm as she began to weave her strings of healing mana into Paola’s body. The soft blue threads of magic felt warm against Paola’s skin, soothing her wounds and slowly restoring her strength.

“Where’s Abraham?” Paola rasped, her voice weak but full of concern.

“Safe, chérie. Carter and I ‘id ‘im wiz ze townsfolk. Zey will protect ‘im,” Poca assured her, her hands moving gracefully as more mana flowed into Paola, stitching her back together as if she were a broken doll. “You just focus on getting better. I will ‘ave you back on your feet soon.”

As Poca worked, Paola’s strength began to return. She could feel her mana regenerating as well, her reserves filling up bit by bit. The pain in her body dulled, replaced by a tingling sensation as the magic did its work. Paola’s mind cleared, and for the first time since the battle began, she felt hope rekindling within her.

Before her, Carter was putting up an astonishing fight against Leo and Raph. The brothers, veterans of countless battles, were no strangers to skilled opponents, but Carter’s unpredictable movements and sheer strength were giving them pause. He moved with a fluid grace that belied his wooden form, dodging and weaving between their attacks with surprising agility.

Raph, snarling with frustration, lunged forward with his twin kamas, aiming to disarm Carter. But Carter was faster, his wrist blades flashing as he deflected the strikes with a series of rapid, precise parries. He spun on his heel, his wooden joints creaking slightly as he delivered a powerful kick to Raph’s chest, sending the red-scaled River Lurker stumbling back.

Leo, ever the tactician, tried to flank Carter, his katanas flashing in the air as he aimed for a critical strike. But Carter was ready for him. He twisted his body with a surprising fluidity, catching one of Leo’s blades with his wrist and twisting it just enough to send Leo off balance. Carter followed up with a quick slash of his hidden blades, aiming for Leo’s exposed side. The strike grazed Leo’s scales, drawing a thin line of blood that glistened in the morning sun.

“Get ‘im, Carter!” Poca cheered, her eyes wide with admiration as she watched her creation fight valiantly against the seasoned warriors. Her healing magic flowed steadily into Paola, the blue threads of mana now glowing brighter as they worked their way deeper into Paola’s wounds.

Paola, feeling her strength return, struggled to sit up, her eyes fixed on the chaotic battle before her. Carter was holding his own, but she could see the brothers starting to adjust to his movements. They were quick learners, their attacks becoming more coordinated as they began to understand Carter’s fighting style.

Raph moved with a fierce determination, his kamas spinning in a deadly dance as he tried to cut through Carter’s defenses. Leo, more measured in his approach, struck with precision, his katanas aiming for Carter’s joints in an attempt to disable him. They circled Carter like predators, their strikes coming faster and more calculated with each passing moment.

Carter, despite his agility and strength, was starting to show signs of wear. His wooden frame, though durable, wasn’t indestructible. Small chips and cracks began to appear along his limbs, and Paola could see the strain in his movements as the brothers pressed their advantage.

“They’re veterans,” Paola muttered, her voice still raspy but stronger now. “They’ll figure him out soon.”

Poca’s face tightened with worry, but she nodded. “Oui… but Carter is strong. He can buy us time.”

With a burst of speed, Raph launched himself at Carter, his kamas slashing through the air with deadly precision. Carter blocked the strikes with his wrist blades, but the force of Raph’s attacks was overwhelming. Carter staggered back, struggling to maintain his balance as Raph pressed forward, his strikes becoming more relentless.

Leo seized the opportunity and moved in from the other side, his katanas aimed at Carter’s back. Carter, sensing the danger, spun around just in time to deflect one of Leo’s strikes, but the second katana found its mark, slicing into Carter’s shoulder. Wood splintered under the force of the blow, and Carter let out a mechanical groan as he stumbled.

“No!” Poca cried out. Paola’s heart pounded as she watched Carter struggle against the River Lurkers. Poca’s desperate cries filled the air, her voice trembling with fear. “We must ‘elp ‘im! Paola, please!”

Paola could see the panic in Poca's eyes, her hands trembling as she desperately tried to maintain control. Carter was being overpowered—his wooden limbs cracking under the relentless assault of the two enraged River Lurkers. Raph and Leo, driven by fury, moved in a brutal and coordinated attack. Their strikes were aimed at dismembering Carter piece by piece, their weapons carving chunks out of his once-pristine frame. Even as Carter’s ever-present smile remained fixed on his face, it was clear that he couldn’t hold out much longer.

Paola’s heart clenched. Doubt flooded her mind, uncertainty washing over her like a tidal wave. Did she have enough strength left? Could she save Carter? Could she stop them?

Poca’s panicked sobs grew louder as she watched the River Lurkers inch closer to ending Carter once and for all. “Non, Carter! Please!” Tears streamed down Poca’s cheeks, her voice cracking with desperation as she watched her beloved protector struggle against the inevitable.

Paola’s instincts screamed at her to move, to act. Her hands shook, her body felt weak, but the sight of Poca’s anguish snapped something within her. She couldn’t let this happen. She wouldn’t let it happen.

“No,” Paola whispered to herself. Her gaze hardened, and she steadied her breath.

She couldn’t afford to doubt herself any longer. She was going to stop this.

With a sudden burst of resolve, Paola activated her Rapid Teleport of the T'Shal'ara. The world around her seemed to blur as she moved in rapid succession, her form flickering in and out of existence. The River Lurkers, too focused on dismantling Carter, didn’t even notice Paola’s sudden disappearance.

Then, in a flash, she reappeared behind Raph.

With her invisibility granted by her Barely There ability, she went unseen as she moved with meteor speed. She summoned the true obsidian dagger—her first weapon, the one Ayla had given her—and with a fierce battle cry, she drove it into Raphael’s back with all her might. The blade sank deep between his scales, and Raphael let out a roar of pain and surprise.

He barely had time to react before Paola released the dagger and immediately summoned another one. With a deadly precision, she brought it down into the back of his neck, the blade nearly severing his spine. Raphael staggered forward, his strength rapidly waning as blood poured from his wounds. He swung wildly in a desperate attempt to shake her off, but Paola was relentless.

Her mind was sharp now, her focus unyielding. She pulled back and summoned another dagger, her body moving faster than she had ever imagined. She slammed the blade into Raphael’s side, twisting it with a savage grunt. The red-scaled River Lurker fell to his knees, gasping for breath as his life slipped away.

In that moment, Carter managed to turn his attention to Leo, distracting him long enough for Paola to deliver the final blow. With a grim sense of determination, she summoned yet another dagger and, with one swift motion, plunged it deep into Raphael’s spine. The blade hit its mark, severing the last vestige of strength in Raphael’s body.

Raphael crumpled to the ground with a choked gasp, his eyes wide with shock and pain. Leo, standing just a few feet away, turned his head just in time to witness his brother’s death. His eyes widened in horror as he watched Paola pull her bloodied dagger from Raphael’s lifeless body.

“No…!” Leo’s voice was filled with rage and sorrow, but he didn’t have time to mourn.

Carter, mangled and missing parts of his wooden body, stepped forward with surprising speed and power. In one fluid motion, he drove his black steel blade into Leo’s stomach. Leo gasped in pain, clutching Carter’s arm as blood poured from the wound. The blue-scaled River Lurker twisted with fury and grief, slamming his foot into Carter’s chest with a roar of defiance.

Carter tumbled back, crashing into the ground, his wooden arm ripped from its socket and left dangling in Leo’s grasp. But Carter’s eerie smile never wavered, even as he struggled to rise once again.

Paola’s breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling from the exertion. She stood over Raphael’s lifeless body, her hands still clutching her daggers, her chest heaving as she tried to steady herself. Blood soaked the cobblestones beneath her, mixing with the dust of the town square.

And then, just as the adrenaline began to fade, she saw it.

A shadow—dark, twisted, and unnatural—slithered across the ground behind Ayla. Paola’s eyes widened in horror as an inky black tentacle erupted from the earth, wrapping itself around Ayla’s neck with terrifying speed. Before Ayla could react, the tentacle yanked her backward, slamming her into the ground with bone-rattling force.

“Ayla!” Paola screamed, her voice breaking with fear.

Ayla grunted in pain but immediately fought back, gripping her broadsword and slashing at the tentacle. But the shadowy figure that emerged from the darkness just beyond the fight made Paola’s blood run cold. The figure was humanoid, yet it seemed to flicker and warp, as if it were made of pure shadow and malice.

The battlefield fell eerily silent as the sinister presence filled the square. Paola’s heart pounded in her chest, her eyes darting between Ayla’s struggling form and the malevolent figure that now stood before them.

Whatever this new threat was, it was far more dangerous than anything they had faced before.

Paola gripped her daggers tightly, fear and determination warring within her.