A hot puff of air washed over me and the world went quiet. I opened my eyes to a great black hole. It flared and twitched, causing thick slimy hair to wiggle in my face.

Chestnut brown fur pulled apart, revealing a line of sharp yellow teeth. A tongue dropped out of the mouth, wet with saliva, and flicked towards me.

I froze, holding my breath as a foul stench wafted down my nostrils and hot slime covered me.

My mind raced to put a name to the monster that nearly consumed me. It was big as house, or maybe larger, with shaggy brown hair covering its body. Off to my left I noticed one of its hands balled into a fist, supporting the creature as it sniffed me again.

Was it checking to see if I was dead?

That must be it! I told myself when the creature snorted heavily.

Its eyes appeared to be seared shut, at least that’s how they looked to me. I wasn’t confident in concluding it was blind. Especially not after it reacted to a bird flying past by punching it out of the air.

The beast stood on two legs, looking around the beach as if trying to recall its way back home.

The thing must be blind or maybe it couldn't smell through its own stench, or maybe both.

If I was wrong and it did have a way to track me, then I was dead anyway. After seeing its full bulk, and the iron plate that covered its belly and chest, I was certain. This beast was a hammer fist, and I couldn’t think of any creature more deserving of the name Crusher.

The monster grunted as it beat a hand on the ground. Each pound sending tremors through the earth and ripples up the creature’s fleshy arm.

Was it trying to crush me? No, it clearly knew where I was, at least for now, and it wasn’t striking anywhere near me. Maybe the thing was somehow mapping the environment, or it could have just been a hammer fist thing.

I took a slow breath, inhaling as quietly as I could.

For his fist to shake the earth, even when punching sand, made it obvious just how strong the hammer fist was. I hadn’t forgotten his point value either. At two hundred points, Crusher was worth eight frost wolves. It took four of us to barely survive five of them but I was alone and Val was gone too.

It was only dumb luck that the beast hadn’t swallowed me already.

The creature continued to stomp and beat around. I wasn't sure if the beast could feel the vibrations and was tracking that or if it could sense something else entirely, but whatever it was I was thankful it wasn’t looking at me.

I was beside the ocean, at least a few dozen meters from a river that likely ran from the canyon before emptying here. I figured the water was my best shot, but I had to chose the right moment to move.

Crusher went still, his face turning to the sky. He stayed like that for several moments, letting his arms hang by his side. He didn’t move much, but the creature tensed, then readied himself for something.

The way he moved his head, I was sure he could see something.

He raised his arms, stepping forward with a mighty thump, then clapped the air like he was smashing a bug.

The sound was deafening and my ears rang as a gust of air rippled across the beach.

A roar followed. I could only hear it as a muffled noise, but even then it was overwhelming and frightening. The vibrations it sent rolling over me threatened to shatter my bones.

Crusher roared back, but I couldn’t hear the sound; I only saw as he beat both hands on his chest and opened his mouth wide. Spit flew out over the treetops like sparks jumping from a fire.

The hammer fist leaned forward, bringing both hands in front of him.

His fists rose in unison, slamming together and sending shockwaves that toppled palm trees and rolled me into the ocean.

My mind reeled with shock the moment I felt the water, but I had to pull myself together.

I wanted to call out for Val, but I was too afraid that it might just draw Crushers attention, or whatever beast he was posturing against. It had to be Shebaltor, but I didn’t care to have the theory confirmed.

Val might not even be close enough to hear me. Or she might have been hiding nearby and waiting for the best moment to come to me. Either way, I felt alone, like my only true ally was gone, but I couldn't let myself think that. I had to believe she would find me.

My arms moved, my feet kicked, but I didn’t know where I was going. Where could I go that would be safe? A huge rock cut through the crashing into my path. It was a big enough obstacle that I could feel the currents shift as they veered around the rock, but it only pushed me back a little.

Crusher turned towards me just briefly, his mouth twisted in a snarl, then he turned back to the trees.

He must’ve heard me swimming and thrown the rock to stop me.

Stopping wasn’t an option. I dove underwater, kicking and swimming as hard as I could to put some distance between us. The water was blue, but too sandy to see much.

I could feel Crusher’s stomping and banging and used that to tell where the beach was. Then I would surface just long enough to gasp for air and get my bearings.

Valentina never left my mind. I didn’t see what happened to her after she punched Jyanna. Of course she was fine, but myheart ached to know, to see her. It didn’t feel right being apart, she belonged with me.

My chest started burning like a fire ignited inside me. My body stiffened, I couldn’t move!

Crusher let out a shriek then another, and another, but I couldn’t see what was happening. My world was just black. Pain ripped through my body like the vicious jaws of death and I was certain I would sink under the water and drown.

Then a small voice sounded in my ear.

“I’m here.”

I thought I might have been imagining things. I had to be. It couldn't be real, it wasn't real.

A hand reached through the darkness, it touched me gently then pulled me into a hug.

“Dexter,” Val whispered. Her breath was warm and comforting. It carried her words to me in a soothing song, filling me with a warmth and energy that melted away the pain.

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My vision came back in flashes. We were above the water, floating somehow, a blue flash destroyed a boulder as it sailed through the air.

The beach seemed to be getting closer, but I couldn’t see Crusher.

Valentina knelt beside me, her bright eyes full of concern as she stroked my hair.

Reinvigorated by her visage, I sat up and wrapped my arms tightly around her. She felt soft and delicate, like a beautiful rose just barely beginning to bloom.

My heart pounded in my chest as I felt her pulse in mine. I was relieved to have her back and determined to make sure nothing separated us again.

“I’m sorry, Val. I thought I was ready before, that I could do anything to find out what happened to my parents…” I pulled back, looking her in the eyes. “…I will find out what happened to them, but more importantly I will make sure nothing ever separates us again.”

She smiled, a faint pink glow covered her cheeks, then she turned, glancing over her shoulder. Her smile vanished, replaced by a cold frown as she looked down the beach.

I looked past her to find Crusher lying in the sand. The iron plate over his chest was crushed in, like something even bigger than him had stood on it. His hairy face was half melted and he wasn’t moving. If he wasn’t dead, he would probably be soon unless he some incredible healing abilities.

Val turned back to face me. “You found both Crusher and Shebaltor Dex. Even with Crusher down, I don’t think we’ll escape this beach, but of course I’ll try.”

“No, Val. We will survive this.”

“You should like a whole different person,” Amhir said from behind me.

I turned to see him sitting a few feet away. What I thought was a floating platform must’ve been his dark colossus.

He had a proud, almost gloating smile as he said, “That’s twice we’ve saved you now. The first time was a favor to Alex, but now you definitely owe me.”

I nodded. I was sure he wouldn’t ask for much anyway.

A series of lightning strikes pounded the sand, then the water.

Alex?

Then a blood curdling roar shook the world.

A beast at least twice Crusher’s size dashed through the air, following after Alex. The creature's wings blocked the sun and its black scales shone with a brilliant gleam.

A chill ran down my back as the thing passed over us, its shadow like a blanket of night. I looked around, taking in my surroundings for the first time since landing on the beach.

The beach was covered in trees and boulders. A series of cliffs loomed in the distance and a few rocks protruded from the sand, but it was otherwise flat.

I couldn’t identify any place such a large creature could’ve hidden, except for maybe under the water, but that felt an unlikely possibility.

The beast roared again, making my ears pop as it took a bite at Alex. The boy moved too quickly, vanishing in a blue flash, then reappearing far above. His tome in his hand crackled with lightning. He reached into the open pages, pulling out a heavy mallet.

Lightning struck the metal, sending him plummeting down in the creature’s neck like an arrow from the heavens.

The beast cried in agony as it flailed, nearly slamming Alex with a claw, but he vanished in a blue light again, moving faster than I could follow.

I caught the dark flash of Alex landing in the trees, but I couldn't see any movement.

“Take that you fucking lizard!” Amhir yelled. Quieter, with an almost consoling intonation, he continued. “I knew it. If anyone can beat that thing it’s Alex.”

I shook my head. “No, Alex is only buying time.” I turned to look at him, speaking calmly as I said, “After the frost wolves, he was vomiting blood and he fought them much more aggressively. Now he's just running away and trying to hold that thing’s attention. He also isn’t using his most powerful ability.”

Shebaltor turned sharply back to shore. The beast scanned the horizon, but apparently couldn’t find Alex because it dove underwater.

Amhir scoffed, rolling his eyes, then he said. “Exactly! That just shows he’s able to hold back.”

“I really hope you’re right, but I think Alex needs our help.”

Amhir looked towards the trees where Alex landed. His lips twitched and his jaw clenched as he said, “Well what the hell can we do? I don’t have a single spell that would hurt a beast like that!”

As if to signal agreement, Shebaltor emerged from the water right beside us with a roar.

The beast ripped the dark colossus from under us, throwing us into a massive wave that carried us to shore.

Valentina held on to my arm, refusing to let go as we crashed onto the beach.

I rushed to my feet, but barely took a step before the humongous creature slammed down onto the beach.

As the beast lunged, arching its neck and lowering its jaws to devour me.

There was no flash of lightning to save me. No dark mist to weaken the foe. Even if a dark colossus had been present it would only be swallowed along with me.

Valentina squeezed my hand as the beast's jaws approached.

I squeezed back. Then I leapt backwards, pulling her along. If the creature had come at me straight on I would have been dead. It was clear there was no room to hesitate or hold back. If I showed mercy it would be the end of me, and even if I survived being expelled from the school would mean losing Val.

Valentina seemed to understand my intent as she reverted, promptly flipping open to a spell in my hand.

I read without thinking. “Dark void reversal.”

Shebaltor swiped a claw at me, but missed as its body wouldn’t move forward. The beast snapped jaws, still unable to move as it looked at me with wrathful eyes. The beast jerked, then shrieked in pain as it collapsed with a great rumbling thud.

The magic was simple, but its effects were brutal. A dark void opened inside the beast, sucking it inside bit by bit. Still, there was a strong possibility that the beast could heal as fast, or even faster than the void could eat away at her.

I cast the dark hand spell, immediately followed by the fire beast magic, then finally added, “Cursed shadow spike of death, pierce my foe.”

Dark flames emerged, then a pillar of darkness burst up, pushing the beast up but not piercing her scales.

The spike only served to break Shebaltor free of my other spells. My heart jumped as the beast’s pained groaning became a vicious scream.

Valentina switched to a different spell, saying, “Quickly!” As Shebaltor’s great wings began to flap.

Shebaltor twisted, knocking me aside with a claw.

It felt like a building slammed into me. I glided over the beach until I crashed into the red stone cliff.

My whole body stung and blood streamed down my right arm, but I was entirely focused on killing the beast. I couldn’t stand, but Val was still in my hand.

“Dexter, try and hold it for a moment!” Alex shouted from somewhere.

He sounded close, but I couldn't see him anywhere. I had to assume he had a plan.

The beast opened its mouth wide, revealing a black abyss at the back of its throat. A violet glow sparked to life in her throat, illuminating the deadly tunnel with the light of a purple sun.

There wasn’t time…

“Phantom king, strike from the void with true aim!”

A phantom hand reached up from below Shebaltor. It grabbed her neck, squeezing her throat shut as it forced her head up.

A muffled groan rose from her throat as her neck jerked and purple flames fizzled out through her nostrils.

Her body stiffened.

A series of lightning strikes appeared around her in a circle. The blue bolts persisted, forming a dome, then they coalesced together into one huge bolt that crashed down into Shebaltor.

A moment later Alex appeared, standing next me with a dark iron longsword. Black blood dripped from its tip.

Shebaltor stopped moving, but the phantom hand didn’t release its long neck. It twisted and tightened its grip. Then shrieked with joy as it dragged Shebaltor into the void.

Alex started to laugh, then blood burst out from his mouth and he collapsed beside me.

I couldn’t feel any of my wounds anymore. I wanted to pass out, or sleep for a month, but my body was hot. It felt like my blood was turning to fire in my veins. The sensation forced a scream from my lips as the world distorted around me.

“Dexter!” Val screamed as white light enveloped me.