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Kael clung to Elías's arm, feeling the sticky warmth of blood soaking through his clothes. His blindness was a curse that reduced his world to the guttural roars of the approaching beasts, mixed with the rending sounds of the battle unfolding behind them.
Elías limped forward, his injured leg dragging with difficulty due to the deep wound left by a bite on his thigh. One of the men accompanying the young woman was his only support, guiding them essential along the torturous mountain path.
"Quickly, let's move!" the young woman urged them, her voice cutting through the air like a sharp dagger. "We can't stop now! The night shows no mercy, and the beasts won't rest until they've devoured us."
The mage's chants and the barbarian's strikes echoed in the night, a deadly melody marking the sacrifice of those left behind to ensure their escape.
The guttural roars of the beasts filled the air as they surged in an unrelenting tide toward the valiant warriors. The horde of beasts approaching was even more formidable than before, and the situation grew increasingly desperate.
The furious barbarian had unleashed his initial rage, his devastating blows inflicting significant damage on the weaker beasts they had faced before. However, he now found himself battling beasts that were much more powerful and resilient. Each charge of the creatures was like a battering ram, and the barbarian fought valiantly to stay on his feet, but his strength was rapidly waning.
The Fire Elementalist mage had cast fire spells with astonishing skill, creating a barrier of flames that had halted the beasts' advance. However, these new beasts were more resistant to fire and pressed through the flames with determined resolve. As the mage depleted his mana, his spells became less effective, and he knew his time was running out.
The barbarian and the mage found themselves amidst the whirlwind of battle, their eyes reflecting unwavering determination despite the evident disadvantage. Amidst the beasts' roars and the crackling of magic around them, they exchanged a look of camaraderie, a silent pact between two warriors ready to face any adversity.
"It's time to pay our debt, comrade! Let's fight with the fury of gods and the bravery of true warriors!" shouted the barbarian, raising his bloodied fists.
"That's right, my friend! Our magic and strength are more powerful than their claws and fangs! Let's make them regret challenging us!" responded the mage, sending a bolt of fire toward one of the creatures.
The battle was a frenzied dance of life and death amidst chaos. The furious barbarian, with tense muscles and eyes filled with rage, struck with inhuman ferocity. Each blow was a whirlwind of brute force, slicing through the air with a deadly hiss before landing with a dull thud on the encroaching beasts. However, even his seemingly endless fury was no match for the horde surrounding them. The beasts, with their muscular bodies and dark fur, lunged at him with supernatural speed. Sharp claws plunged into his skin, tearing chunks of flesh as jaws closed with a dull snap.
The Fire Elementalist, with his singed robes and trembling hands, struggled to summon the power of the elements once more. His gestures were clumsy, and the murmurs of spells barely audible over the deafening roar of the beasts. Despite his exhaustion, he managed to gather reserves of his mana and cast his spell. Fiery flames engulfed the nearby beasts, creating a fleeting barrier between them and the mage. However, the beasts, driven wild by the fire, advanced through the flames with relentless determination.
In an act of desperation and courage, the barbarian and the mage charged toward the heart of the beastly horde, facing the abyss with valor. The barbarian fought with a ferocity worthy of legends; his eyes gleamed with a wild light as he carved his way through the surrounding beasts. Despite mortal wounds, he didn't falter; every punch of his fists was a testament to his resilience and determination.
The mage, on the other hand, channeled his breath into a tear-inducing spell. He cast a ray of fire, illuminating the dark night sky with a fleeting glow. The beasts around him roared in agony, but their advance barely slowed. He knew this would be his last act, his final contribution to the fight. With trembling hands, he released his last breath of mana in a desperate attempt to hold the beasts at bay. But, ultimately, his magic dissipated, leaving him vulnerable to the creatures surrounding him.
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In a silent instant, the horde of beasts surged upon them with unstoppable ferocity. Claws and fangs gleamed in the moonlight, a sea of fury and violence. The barbarian and the mage fought with their last ounces of strength, but finally, the deadly embrace of the beasts enveloped them completely. A final roar echoed in the night, a cry of bravery lost in the wind as the valiant warriors fell before the overwhelming beasts.
A few paces from the mountain's base, a severely wounded young man, soaked in blood, halted his march. His blind gaze focused in the direction they had fled.
Kael, with an undisturbed countenance, turned his eyes toward the young woman leading the group. "Your men are no more." The words lingered in the air, as if trying to perceive, even with his incapacitated eyes, the leader's reaction to the loss of her companions.
"Losses are an inevitable cost, Kael. Now, our only path is to move forward. There's no time for lament or stopping. The town is near, and I won't let my men's deaths be in vain." Her lips barely moved as she spoke in a firm tone.
As the young woman's words resonated in the air, a wave of wounded, torn, and furious beasts emerged from the shadows. Ten creatures, with bloodstained fur and eyes full of voracious thirst, advanced toward them with a determination that contrasted with their injuries.
Kael's heart clenched as he realized his mistake; so focused was he on capturing every nuance of the clash between the mage and the barbarian that he overlooked the presence of the beasts that had slipped through their lines. A fatal oversight that left him vulnerable to the inexorable embrace of death.
The mysterious young woman clenched her teeth, facing the new threat looming over them. She watched with determination as the beasts surged, and in an instant, the tension of the moment seized the situation.
"Defenders!" exclaimed the young woman, addressing the two men accompanying her. One, an experienced swordsman, and the other, a skilled defender warrior. Both nodded in understanding, preparing to face the beasts' charge.
The swordsman drew his sword with a fluid motion and assumed a combat stance. Each movement was precise, a coordinated dance of steel reflecting his training. With a quick turn, he stood between the beasts and the group, challenging the creatures with his intense gaze.
The defender warrior, on the other hand, adopted a more resilient posture, raising his shield firmly. His defensive skill was backed by years of training, and he was determined to protect the young woman and her companions at all costs.
The beasts, wounded but still dangerous, surged against the defenders with renewed ferocity. The swordsman made precise cuts, seeking weaknesses in the creatures and using his agility to evade attacks. Meanwhile, the defender used his shield to block and absorb the blows, diverting the beasts' attention from the others.
The young woman, aware that every second counted, urged Kael and Elías to move faster. "We can't afford to stop! Let's keep going!" she shouted, her voice resonating over the din of battle.
Elías felt panic paralyzing him as he saw the beasts lunging toward them. He couldn't move, not even breathe. He only heard the creatures' roar and the thumping of his heart.
"Elías, you have to move now!" Kael yelled, shaking him forcefully.
In a fleeting moment, Elías managed to regain composure, gathering every ounce of will to face the fear and pain engulfing his body. With maximum effort, he tried to guide Kael in fleeing the infernal mountain. However, his body, weakened by excessive blood loss, finally succumbed to weakness.
Kael discerned Elías's deterioration as his groans intensified, and the rhythm of his steps changed. He felt the weight of his friend's body sagging onto him, but driven by unyielding will and unwavering determination, he persisted in carrying his friend.
He dragged Elías with all his might, but he felt his friend's weight becoming increasingly unbearable. The blood gushing from his wounds stained the ground red, marking the path they had taken. The mysterious young woman, a few steps ahead, realized they had fallen behind and turned toward them.
"Kael, let him go. He's a burden. You have to move forward," ordered the young woman, her expression hard and calculating.
But Kael, his eyes filled with fire, shook his head. "I won't abandon him. Not while I breathe!"
A sigh of frustration escaped the young woman's lips, but before she could retort, Elías collapsed to the ground, overcome by hemorrhage and exhaustion. Kael, ignoring his own pains and encroaching fatigue, knelt by his side.
"We need help! We can't do this alone!" Kael implored the young woman, but she only frowned and walked ahead. It seemed the young woman's will knew no bounds, but Kael was not ready to give up on Elías.
With almost superhuman strength, the young woman backtracked her steps. She grasped Elías's arm firmly, disregarding the painful groans escaping him. "Let's go then. But if you lag behind, I'll leave you behind."
Kael, surprised and grateful for the unexpected help, struggled to stand. The three resumed their escape, carrying Elías, whose pallor intensified with each step.
The pack of beasts roared with rage upon seeing their prey escaping.