Bear's grip tightened on his axe haft as the monstrous Hound Lord Kane emerged from the swirling portal, flanked by slavering beasts with glowing red eyes.

"So, these are the vaunted heroes who come to defy my master," Kane rumbled in contempt. He bared his fangs. "I shall relish feasting on your souls."

Bear stepped forward, axe at the ready. "Not today, hellhound. No beast from the abyss will pass me by." He glanced back at Booker, standing determined behind him. "Stay sharp, lad. This will be bloody work."

Kane threw back his head, laughing cruelly. "The mortal whelp thinks to scare me. I have laid low far mightier champions than you."

With shocking speed, the Hound Lord lunged, claws raking for Bear's throat. Only honed battle instincts saved Bear, twisting aside as those talons whistled past his ear.

Bear pivoted, bringing his axe around in a sweeping blow aimed at Kane's flank. But the massive wolf-creature anticipated the move, catching the axe haft and stopping it cold. The two titans strained against each other.

"A worthy effort, but futile," Kane growled. With contemptuous ease, he flung Bear back. The warrior went crashing into a pile of rubble.

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As Kane loomed over the fallen Bear, a blast of brilliant mana energy struck him from the side. Booker stood with hands outstretched, face set in determination.

"Pick on someone your own size, ugly!" the youth shouted. Kane turned with a snarl, lumbering toward this new threat.

Bear seized the distraction, surging up and tackling Kane's leg. The Hound Lord staggered, then smashed Bear aside once more. But they had Kane's full attention now.

Booker gritted his teeth as another massive paw smashed into his hastily erected shield of mana energy. Beside him, Bear let out a fierce roar and charged the hulking Hound Lord Kane, axe swinging in a broad arc.

Kane barely flinched as the weapon glanced off his matted fur. "Foolish mortal whelps. I shall feast on your bones!" the monstrous wolf-beast growled, baring dripping fangs.

"Not today, mutt," Bear shot back. With a grunt, he grappled Kane, massive muscles straining. Booker saw an opening and launched sphere after sphere of mana, pummeling Kane's exposed flank.

The Hound Lord snarled in pain and anger, then heaved himself upwards, slamming Bear brutally into the ground before rounding on Booker.

"Now you've made me angry, boy," Kane rumbled as he stalked toward Booker. "I was going to give you a quick death, but now I'll take my time ripping you apart."

Booker raised trembling hands, willing his mana reserves to hold out. But the prolonged fight had drained him, his attacks fizzling weakly now. Kane loomed closer, death glittering in his feral eyes.

Just as Kane pounced, a piercing battle cry rang out. Bear tackled the beast from the side, driving him away from Booker. The two titans grappled and tore at each other viciously.

"Booker, now!" Bear shouted, pinning Kane beneath his bulk for a precious moment. "Hit him with all you've got left!"

Knowing his friend was sacrificing himself, Booker screamed in desperation, channeling every last ounce of power. The tidal wave of mana enveloped Kane in an explosion of blinding light. When it faded, only charred earth remained where the Hound Lord had stood.

Booker fell to his knees, spent. Bear limped over and clasped his shoulder.

"We did it, lad. But we're not done yet," the big man rumbled affectionately. "Once you've caught your breath, we've more beasts that need culling."

Though exhausted, Booker managed a fierce grin. Together, they turned to rejoin the raging battle.