Leon stood frozen. His sword shook in his hands as a cold sweat ran down his forehead. The minotaur's roar reverberated through the Emberwood; it was a terrifying symphony of rage and power. He barely had time to register the creature's charge before it slammed its fists into the ground, pulverizing the earth where he had been standing just a moment before.
The minotaur swung its massive arm in a wide arc. Leon ducked, narrowly avoiding the blow, and retaliated with a desperate slash of his sword. The blade connected with the beast’s side, slicing through its thick hide, but Leon could tell that his cut didn’t run deep. A thin trickle of blood oozed from the wound, and it seemed to only enrage the creature further.
With a deafening roar, the minotaur lashed out, its fist connecting with Leon's chest. He was thrown backwards and he body crashed through the undergrowth, narrowly missing the trunk of a massive oak. He landed hard. With the air knocked from his lungs, a searing pain bloomed in his chest, and he coughed, blood dotting his lips.
The minotaur loomed over him, its monstrous form casted a long shadow of impending doom. Leon struggled to raise his sword as his body screamed in protest. He braced himself for the final blow.
Suddenly, a blinding flash of light erupted behind the minotaur, followed by the crackle of flames and a horrifying shriek of pain. Leon looked up, his vision blurred, to see the creature's back engulfed in flames, its gray skin now blistered and charred. In the distance, Simon, his face twisted from his injuries and fatigue, stood with one hand outstretched, his other hand gripping his sword for support. He had managed to summon his fire magic, despite his injuries.
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The minotaur, its rage amplified by the searing pain, turned towards Simon. It let loose another massive roar which shook the very foundations of the forest. "Leon!" Simon shouted, his voice strained. "Now! Attack!"
Leon, spurred by his brother's desperate plea, laboriously pushed himself to his feet, doing his best to ignore the agonizing pain in his chest. He focused his will, summoning his own fire magic. His hands ignited and flames danced around them like fiery serpents. He thrust his hands forward, unleashing a torrent of fire towards the minotaur's now exposed back.
The flames struck the creature with an explosive force, engulfing its already wounded flesh. The minotaur's cries echoed through the forest, a horrifying medley of agony and defeat. It stumbled as its massive legs collapsed beneath it. The flames died down, revealing the creature's charred and smoldering form.
"Now!" Leon cried, his voice hoarse but filled with determination.
Together, the brothers, their bodies battered and bruised, and their strength nearly spent, charged towards the fallen minotaur. They plunged their swords deep into its flesh, their blades meeting with a sickening crunch as they pierced its thick hide and bone. The minotaur let out a final, pitiful groan, its life force now extinguished.
Silence descended upon the Emberwood, broken only by the brothers' ragged breathing. They looked at each other, their faces streaked with sweat and grime, their eyes filled with a mixture of exhaustion and triumph. A faint smile formed on Leon's lips. They had done it. Together, they had faced this monstrous creature and emerged victorious.
They collapsed to the ground, both of them finally succumbing to the overwhelming exhaustion.