Chapter 32 - Fangs And Fury

The enormous serpent loomed over the group, its venomous fangs glinting in the dim cavern light. Its hissing filled the air with a sound like escaping steam, rattling their nerves. Its eyes, cold and unfeeling, locked onto Lukas and Ronan. Then, with terrifying speed, it lunged.

Ronan dived to the side just in time, the snake’s massive head missing him by inches. Lukas hit the ground hard, scrambling to his knees. With his single arm, he fumbled for his sword, the familiar weight of the blade comforting. Before he could fully regain his footing, the serpent’s glowing eyes turned to him. It reared back and whipped its tail like a living battering ram.

Lukas twisted out of the way, but the force of the tailstrike shattered the ground beside him. Shards of rock exploded outward, slamming into his body and sending him sprawling. Gritting his teeth, he rolled to his feet, his chest heaving. The serpent coiled, its massive frame towering over him. Its forked tongue flickered.

“Lukas!” Mary’s voice cut through the chaos, sharp and urgent. She looked towards Yumiko, “Cover me!” She said, dashing past her friend, heading straight toward the beast.

Lukas barely registered her words. He was too focused on the serpent hovering above him, its gaze unrelenting. A bead of sweat trickled down his temple, the seconds stretching into an eternity. He tightened his grip on his sword, his mind racing. One wrong move now would mean death.

Before the serpent could strike, a massive boulder hurtled through the air, slamming into its head with a deafening crash. The serpent recoiled, momentarily stunned.

“Get some distance!” Mary shouted, waving frantically at Lukas. Her grin was strained. “That barely slowed it down. Great…”

The serpent shook its head, its piercing eyes narrowing on her now. With a guttural hiss, it lunged.

“Not so fast!” Yumiko yelled, her bowstring taut. She unleashed a volley of explosive arrows, each one detonating in brilliant flashes of light as they struck the creature’s head. Smoke billowed around the serpent, but when it emerged, it was entirely unscathed. Undeterred, it surged toward Mary, its jaws snapping.

Lukas tried to intervene, but a voice from behind called. “Forget about me?”

Ronan’s taunt came with the force of a thunderclap. The man descended from above, slamming his fist into the ground where Lukas had been standing a split second before. The impact created a crater, rocks flying outward in all directions. Lukas staggered, shielding his face as debris pelted him.

Ronan straightened, flexing his hand with a smirk. “You’ve got quick reactions. But how much fight do you have left?” His eyes gleamed as he took in Lukas’s unsteady stance and the wavering sword in his grip. “It must be tiring using a two-handed weapon with just one arm.” He smiled, watching Lukas’ chest heave quickly.

With blinding speed, Ronan closed the gap. His strikes came fast and furious, each one a killing blow aimed to overwhelm. Lukas had no room to counter, forced to dodge and retreat under the relentless assault.

Across the cavern, Mary sprinted, her heart pounding as the serpent’s massive jaws snapped inches behind her. Thinking fast, she summoned a wall of stone, the ground trembling as it erupted between her and the beast. But the serpent plowed through the barrier as though it were paper, shards of rock raining down like deadly shrapnel.

Yumiko fired arrows as fast as her hands could manage, but each one bounced harmlessly off the serpent’s stone scales. Desperation clawed at her as the creature bore down on Mary, its intent clear.

‘I have to stop it. If I don’t, it’ll kill her!’ Yumiko took a steadying breath, pulling a single enchanted arrow from her quiver. Her fingers trembled, but she forced herself to focus. The air around her grew still, the sounds of the cavern fading into the background.

She began to channel her mana into the arrow, a soft glow radiating from the shaft. Her voice was a quiet prayer, yet each word carried the weight of her will. “Goddess of wind, Sora the swift, hear my plea. Guide my arrow to its mark… Wind Road!”

A vortex of wind swirled around Yumiko, her short hair whipping wildly as she poured her mana into the enchanted arrow. With a sharp exhale, she released it. The force sent a shockwave through the cavern, rattling loose stones from the walls. The serpent froze, its massive head snapping toward her just as the arrow streaked through the air.

The arrow flew too fast for the creature to react. With surgical precision, it embedded itself between the serpent's scales, striking true. For a brief moment, there was silence. Then, a thunderous crack echoed through the cave, the sound reverberating like a clap of thunder. The serpent writhed, its agonized scream filling the chamber as a plume of dark smoke erupted around it.

Mary whipped around, her chest heaving as she tried to steady her breath. Her eyes widened as she saw the serpent thrashing within the haze. "We’ve got to do something about that thing…” she muttered under her breath, clutching her hammer tightly.

Her gaze darted across the room to Lukas. He was barely holding his ground against Ronan, each clash of sword against gauntlets driving him further back. Mary tightened her grip on her hammer, pointing it toward the fray. “Yumiko! Go help Lukas! The sooner we deal with that psycho, the sooner we can focus on the snake!”

The serpent’s head emerged from the smoke, its glowing eyes scanning the room. Its forked tongue flickered as it seemed to debate which of the women to attack.

“But the snake—” Yumiko hesitated, her eyes darting between Mary and the massive creature.

“At this rate, Lukas is not going to make it!” Mary shouted, her tone leaving no room for argument. “I’ll hold it off. Just go!”

Mary charged toward the serpent, her hammer glowing faintly as she slammed it into the ground. A massive stone pillar erupted upward, striking the snake square in the chest and forcing it to recoil with an enraged screech. She glanced over her shoulder, shouting again. “Go!”

Yumiko swallowed hard and nodded, sprinting toward Lukas with almost supernatural speed. She skidded to a stop a safe distance away, bow raised. Her sharp eyes tracked the fight between the two men, searching for an opening.

Ronan unleashed a brutal haymaker, his gauntlet glowing faintly with an aura of dark energy. Lukas barely managed to block, raising his sword just in time. The force of the blow sent him sliding backward, his boots scraping against the rough stone floor.

Ronan glared, sweat dripping from his brow. “Why won’t you just die already?” His voice was venomous, filled with frustration.

Lukas stumbled but didn’t fall. His blonde hair was matted with sweat and dust, yet his piercing glare remained fixed on Ronan. Despite the pain wracking his body, his resolve didn’t waver.

Yumiko saw her chance. She loosed an arrow towards her target. Ronan heard the faint whistle of the shot and twisted to avoid it, but the enchanted arrow was too fast. It pierced his thigh, sinking deep into the muscle.

Ronan roared in pain, his gaze snapping to Yumiko. “You—”

Before he could react further, Lukas seized the opportunity, lunging forward with his blade. Ronan barely raised his gauntlet in time, catching the blade mid-swing. Sparks flew as the steel met enchanted metal. The force of the strike made Ronan grimace, and his teeth clenched tightly.

“Still swinging that blade?” Ronan sneered, though his voice betrayed his strain. “Your sword’s nothing compared to the gauntlets bestowed upon me by my master!” With a snarl, he shoved the blade aside, forcing Lukas back.

In his peripheral vision, Ronan saw Yumiko repositioning for another shot. Her speed and tenacity were beginning to irritate him. He pivoted, delivering a brutal kick to Lukas’s ribs. The blow sent the swordsman flying, his body hitting the ground with a sickening thud.

Yumiko fired three arrows in rapid succession. Ronan dodged the first two with ease, the third he swatted out of the air with a casual sweep of his gauntlet. His lip curled in disdain as he stepped onto Lukas’s fallen sword, keeping it pinned beneath his weight.

He glared at Yumiko. “You’re starting to get on my nerves,” he muttered, his thoughts racing. This Eastern woman is more trouble than she’s worth.

Ronan bent down, his hand closing around a jagged rock, and hurled it toward Yumiko with terrifying speed. The projectile cut through the air like a bullet, forcing Yumiko to sprint as it smashed into the ground behind her. The impact left a crater, dirt and debris flying in every direction.

Her heart pounded in her chest, the rush of adrenaline sharpening her every movement as she dodged another incoming rock. Each strike thundered against the cavern walls. “He’s just throwing rocks, but they’re like cannonballs!” she thought, her breath coming in short gasps. “If one hits me, it’s over.”

“Quit moving!” Ronan roared, his voice echoing off the stone walls.

Across the battlefield, Lukas had staggered to his feet, shaking off the dust and pain. Determined, he began moving toward Ronan. But the moment Ronan noticed, his lips curled into a cruel grin. Without missing a beat, he scooped up a handful of rocks and hurled them at Lukas with devastating force.

Lukas’s eyes widened as the rocks tore through the air. He raised his arm to shield himself, bracing for impact. The barrage struck the ground near him, and an explosion of smoke and debris filled the space, obscuring him from view.

“Lukas!” Yumiko screamed, skidding to a halt, panic flashing in her eyes.

Ronan smirked, turning his attention back to her. “Now, where were we?” He cracked his neck with a sharp motion, his intense glare locking onto her. “Back to one-on-one.”

Yumiko’s breath hitched as sweat trickled down her temple. Her mind raced. “He’s just as strong as that ice woman… If I try to outmatch him in strength, I’m dead. I need to outthink him.” Slowly, she unsummoned her bow, her mana fading from its form.

Ronan raised a brow, a flicker of curiosity crossing his face. “What’s this now?”

In response, Yumiko pulled a kunai knife from her side. She gripped it tightly in trembling hands, her knuckles white. With a deep breath, she steadied herself and dashed toward him.

Ronan’s grin widened. “Finally, no more hiding at range. Let’s finish this!”

As she closed the gap, Ronan swiped at her with his right gauntlet, his fist tearing through the air with incredible speed. Yumiko ducked and pivoted, narrowly avoiding the strike. She countered with a quick slash of her kunai, but Ronan blocked it with ease, his gauntlet sparking against the blade.

Yumiko tried to backpedal, her movements swift but measured, yet Ronan was faster. He lunged forward, raising his fist high for a crushing blow. Yumiko crossed her arms in defense and, at the last possible moment, unleashed a burst of wind magic.

The force of the attack still hit her hard, sending her hurtling backward. She skidded across the rough cave floor, coming to a stop in a cloud of dust. Gritting her teeth, she pushed herself up, her body trembling from the effort.

Ronan stood tall, glaring at her. “Tsk. Used wind magic to lessen the hit, huh? Clever, but it won’t save you for long.” He took a step forward, his boots crunching against the stone floor. Then, something rolled beneath his feet—two small, round objects.

His eyes flicked down just as the pepper bombs detonated, engulfing him in a thick, stinging orange cloud.

“Not this trick again!” Ronan roared, stumbling backward and clawing at his face. His voice was hoarse as he bellowed in frustration, his hands instinctively covering his burning eyes.

Yumiko staggered to her feet, one arm cradling the other. Pain coursed through her body as she winced. “How did Lukas take a hit like that head-on and keep fighting?”

Ronan, still within the blinding haze of the pepper bombs, growled through clenched teeth. His hand shot to his chest, a faint green glow emanating from his palm. “Healing!” he shouted, the magic rippling outward. An ethereal light enveloped him, soothing his injuries and restoring his strength.

“No way!” Yumiko shouted, her voice trembling as she watched Ronan shake his head as he regained his vision.

“I don’t like to use this,” Ronan muttered, his voice low and gravelly. His crimson eyes locked onto Yumiko, burning with malevolence. “It takes so much mana… but I will do anything to win. Anything.”

The weight of his words settled over Yumiko like a shroud. Her heart pounded against her ribcage, and an icy chill crept through her veins. The aura of malice radiating from him rooted her to the spot. She couldn’t move.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

“It’s over,” Ronan said, each step bringing him closer. His voice was calm, almost eerily so, as he sneered at her. “No more games.”

Suddenly, a voice roared from behind him.

Ronan froze, his head snapping around. His eyes widened as he saw Lukas charging at him, his left arm hanging uselessly at his side, blood dripping from his fingers.

“What?” Ronan snarled, his face twisting in frustration. “How is he still standing?”

Fueled by rage, Ronan turned and sprinted toward Lukas. “Stay down!” he bellowed, his voice cracking with fury. He lashed out with a vicious haymaker, his fist cutting through the air with deadly force.

But Lukas ducked, slipping under the blow with surprising speed. Ronan growled and followed up with an uppercut, but Lukas was faster. His fist shot forward, forcing Ronan to stumble back to avoid the strike.

Ronan’s irritation turned to alarm as his eyes locked onto Lukas’s damaged arm. The limb, limp and useless moments before, was glowing red-hot, flames flickering across the torn flesh.

“What the—?” Ronan’s heart sank as he realized what was coming.

Lukas’s voice was low, steady, and filled with resolve. “Shower of flames,” he whispered, the words barely audible before he shouted them with a burst of energy.

A massive fireball erupted from Lukas’s hand, the explosion consuming the space between them. Ronan barely managed to lift his arms in defense before the flames engulfed him. The sheer force of the blast hurled both men backward, crashing them into the unforgiving ground.

Lukas tumbled to a stop, clutching his arm and crying out in pain. The air around him crackled with chaotic energy, his mana spiraling out of control.

“Lukas!” Yumiko screamed, running to his side. She knelt next to him, her hands hovering as she tried to steady him. His body was trembling violently, his breaths coming in short, uneven gasps. Something’s wrong, she realized, her panic mounting. His mana… it’s fighting him again!

From behind them, Ronan staggered to his feet, his movements unsteady. “You… bastard,” he growled, his voice hoarse and broken.

Yumiko turned, her breath catching in her throat. Ronan was a horrifying sight. Half of his face was charred black, the skin around his right eye fused shut. What remained of his once-bright orange hair was now a scorched mess, smoke rising faintly from his head.

And yet, he kept moving. Each step was a testament to his sheer willpower.

Yumiko swallowed hard, frozen as Ronan dragged himself closer.

Before he could close the gap, a massive boulder slammed into the ground beside him, shattering into pieces. The force sent a shockwave through the cavern, forcing Ronan to pause.

Mary’s voice rang out from across the chamber. “Heads up! This thing is pissed!”

The massive serpent loomed behind her, its fanged maw snapping wildly as it chased her down. Mary sprinted toward the group, barely managing to dodge the serpent’s strike. With a calculated roll, she sent the creature veering toward Ronan.

Ronan turned just in time to see the enormous serpent lunging at him, its jaws wide open. He had no choice but to pivot, engaging the beast instead.

Mary skidded to a halt near Yumiko and Lukas, her hammer clutched tightly in one hand. She glanced down at Lukas, wincing at the sight of his mangled arm. “Damn it, his arm’s in bad shape. And his mana… it’s rebounding again?”

Yumiko nodded, her expression helpless. “It’s… chaotic. I don’t know what to do.”

Mary knelt briefly, placing a hand on Yumiko’s shoulder. Her tone was firm. “Calm down. He doesn’t need a full recovery—just enough to get back in the fight. Do it carefully. We need him for this.”

“I could barely heal the wound you had,” Yumiko murmured, her voice tinged with frustration and fear. She glanced at Lukas, her hands trembling as she gestured helplessly. “Even with two potions, it was hardly enough to get you back on your feet… I don’t know if I can do more than—”

“Even easing the pain would help,” Mary interrupted, her tone firm but strained. She paused, inhaling deeply, but her breath caught. A harsh cough tore from her throat, and when she pulled her hand away, blood streaked her palm.

She stared at it, her expression hardening as she clenched her hand into a fist. “Something’s still broken inside me,” she admitted, her voice quieter now. “It’s only a matter of time before I burn out too.” She shook her head, as if trying to banish the thought, and fixed Yumiko with a determined look. “But we need every ounce of strength we can muster .Use the best enchantment you’ve got, even if it’s just for a second. ”

Yumiko nodded, swallowing her doubt as she turned her focus back to Lukas. She knelt beside him and placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. Lukas winced, his body trembling from the pain, but he managed to meet her gaze.

“Hold on,” Yumiko said softly, her voice a mix of reassurance and resolve. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she centered herself. Her voice rose in a steady incantation, clear and purposeful.

“Goddess of healing, grant me the power to restore and renew. Let my hands bring comfort, and my heart the strength to mend. By your light, heal the wounded and cleanse the pain. Greater Healing!”

Mary watched as a brilliant, golden light enveloped Lukas, bathing him in a radiant glow. The light seemed to pulse, warm and alive, filling the room with a sense of calm amidst the chaos. Slowly, the lines of agony on Lukas’s face softened. His breathing steadied, and the violent trembling in his body ceased.

Lukas glanced down at his injured arm, marveling as the discolored, swollen flesh began to return to a healthier shade. The fiery chaos in his body dulled, soothed by Yumiko’s magic.

He took a deep breath, testing his movements. “It’s still broken,” he said, his voice low, “but much better. And some of the other damage… it’s gone.”

Yumiko swayed slightly, the exertion of the spell taking its toll, but she steadied herself quickly. “Can you fight?” Mary asked, extending her hand to Lukas.

Lukas locked eyes with her, his cool blue gaze steady. After a moment, he nodded and grasped her hand, pulling himself upright. His eyes flicked to his sword lying a few feet away. Walking over, he picked it up, inspecting the blade before leaning on it.

“I don’t like involving others in my fights,” he admitted, his voice quiet yet resolute. “But I have a plan.” He turned toward Mary, his eyes narrowing with intent.

Across the chamber, Vanessa stirred, groaning softly as she tried to push herself off the ground. Blood trickled from her temple, and her head pounded with a dizzying pain. She lifted a shaking hand to her face, smearing crimson streaks across her cheek as she tried to steady her vision.

Her blurred eyes found Ronan, still locked in a desperate fight with the serpent. Every instinct told her to help him, but when she tried to rise, her legs gave out beneath her. She collapsed again, her hands clawing at the jagged stone floor in frustration. She punched her legs in frustration, “Move, damnit!”

Lukas, Mary, and Yumiko moved into position. Mary summoned massive boulders, hurling them with precision at the serpent, while Yumiko loosed a flurry of enchanted arrows. The projectiles streaked through the air, shattering against the creature’s thick scales and eliciting an angry hiss.

The serpent’s attention shifted, its predatory eyes narrowing on the women. Ronan glanced up at the beast, momentarily freed from its relentless attacks.

Taking advantage of the distraction, Lukas charged. His movements were deliberate and calculated as he closed the distance between himself and Ronan.

Ronan barely had time to react before Lukas brought his sword down in a powerful arc. The blade struck the cave floor with a deafening crack, sending spiderweb fractures across the stone as Ronan dodged back just in time.

The larger man stared at the weapon embedded in the ground, his jaw tightening. “What the hell?” he muttered, his sharp eyes scrutinizing Lukas. “Did he get his strength back?”

Ronan’s gaze swept over Lukas’s form, noting the faint tremor in his body, the tension in his grip. His eyes lingered on the injured arm, still not fully healed. “No,” Ronan realized, his expression twisting into a snarl. “Most of him is still broken. But he’s fighting like he’s not.”

Ronan smirked as he called out to Lukas, his voice echoing through the cavern. “Tell me, boy, what do you plan to do with the staff once you obtain it?”

Lukas tightened his grip on his sword, his knuckles white against the hilt. His voice was sharp, cutting through the tension. “I couldn’t care less about that nonsense.”

Ronan chuckled, closing his one good eye as a sly grin spread across his burnt face. “I see. So, fate has brought us here as fighters, not competitors.” He slammed his fists together, the sound reverberating like thunder.

“So it would seem,” Lukas replied, his gaze locked onto Ronan’s glowing red eye.

Without another word, the two men charged. Their movements blurred as they closed the distance, the air crackling with energy. The clash of Lukas’ blade against Ronan’s enchanted gauntlets rang out like thunder, a symphony of violence that even drowned out the serpent’s relentless attacks on Mary and Yumiko in the background.

Yumiko loosed another explosive arrow at the beast, her voice rising above the chaos. “Are we sure we can leave him alone?”

Mary gritted her teeth, slamming another stone pillar into the serpent’s side. “Yes! We just need to wait for the right moment! Give him time!”

Meanwhile, Lukas brought his sword down with all his strength, aiming to cleave Ronan in two. Ronan surged forward, holding Lukas blade as more sparks flew, his head snapping forward in a brutal headbutt. “Is that all you’ve got?” he roared, his laughter dripping with mockery.

Lukas staggered back, blood trickling from his temple, but before he could recover, Ronan closed the gap. His fists moved like pistons, sending rapid jabs into Lukas’ body. Each blow felt like a hammer, driving Lukas to the brink.

Desperate, Lukas lashed out with a savage kick, his boot colliding with Ronan’s ribs. The larger man stumbled, coughing up blood as he hit the ground.

Lukas swayed on his feet, barely able to keep himself upright. But Ronan rose like a beast, wild and unrelenting, his face twisted into a feral snarl. He charged again, and their battle descended into a brutal exchange of blows. The floor beneath them cracked and splintered under their fury, blood splattering with every strike.

Ronan drove a kick into Lukas’ side, sending him sprawling. “Where is your god now?” he taunted, his voice venomous. He brought his metal-clad fist down, only for Lukas to catch it with his blade once more.

“We know she whispers in your group’s ears,” Ronan sneered, pressing forward. “Or have they left you behind?”

Lukas gritted his teeth, pushing Ronan back momentarily, but the larger man was relentless. He surged forward again, his fists raining down mercilessly. Lukas stumbled under the onslaught, barely able to defend himself.

“What will you do when your pathetic god loses? Or when you lose?” Ronan shouted, his fist slamming into Lukas’ head. The force sent the blonde man skidding across the cavern floor.

“And what will you do,” Ronan continued, his voice rising with manic fervor, “when you and your little friends die?” He punctuated the words with a devastating punch to Lukas’ jaw.

Lukas crashed to the ground, his body sliding to a halt. Ronan loomed over him like a shadow, his chest heaving. “We, The Chosen, are humanity’s next step. We are the answer. Soon, we will be gods. And you?” He laughed darkly, his voice dripping with scorn. “You’ll be nothing more than a godless little man that will be left behind.”

Lukas groaned as he pushed himself off the ground. The air around him seemed to shift, heavy with an ominous energy.

Ronan froze, his instincts screaming a warning. There was something different about Lukas now. His mana flared, raw and volatile, like a storm ready to break.

Lukas rose to his full height, his grip tightening on his sword as he lifted it from the ground. His icy blue eyes met Ronan’s blood-red gaze, but this time, they were darker, colder.

“God this, god that,” Lukas said, his voice low and filled with disdain. “All your talk of being superior… it’s just rambling.”

Ronan bristled, his fists clenching as Lukas took a step forward, his presence suffocating.

“You won’t be killing anyone,” Lukas continued, his tone steady, each word a blade of its own. “You won’t ascend. And you will vanish, swallowed by the pit of darkness where no one will remember you.”

“Is that so?” Ronan smirked, his voice dripping with mockery. “Let’s see who the gods favor more—me or the coward who can never face me alone!”

He lunged at Lukas, fists surging with dark energy. But as Ronan’s strike neared its target, his eyes caught a glint of something unusual. Lukas’ sword shimmered, the blade now radiating an ethereal glow. Ronan skidded to a halt, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

“The magic around his sword…” Ronan’s breath hitched as he stared. “It’s the same aura I’ve seen around those girls’ ears. No… could it be… is that a divine weapon?” He shook his head, forcing a growl through gritted teeth. “Impossible. Divine weapons are rare, practically a legend. There’s no way…”

Lukas raised the sword, its light illuminating the cavern in a golden hue. “What’s wrong? You look scared.” His voice was calm but laced with sharp defiance.

Ronan scowled, clenching his fists. Dark magic crackled around his gauntlets like tendrils of shadow, and the temperature in the cavern seemed to drop. Mary and Yumiko felt the oppressive energy surge, making their skin crawl.

Mary turned to Yumiko, her voice urgent. “This must be it! The final push!”

Yumiko nodded at her friend, shooting more arrows at the snake, “Ready when you are!”

Summoning her strength, Mary clapped her hands together, and two massive stone slabs emerged from the ground, slamming into the serpent’s flanks. The beast writhed and roared, but the slabs pinned it in place. Mary’s face twisted with effort. “Go! I don’t know how long I can hold it!”

Yumiko nodded and sprinted toward Lukas. Mary’s entire body shook as the creature screamed and squirmed, trying to release itself from her grip. She gritted her teeth, “Gods… Give me strength…” She begged, blood emerging from her mouth.

Ronan’s crimson eye glimmered with malice as he watched Lukas lift his glowing blade overhead. “Fool!” he spat. “You keep using the same attack! I’ll tear that sword from your hands!”

He charged forward, gauntlets extended to intercept the descending blade. But as the sword came down, it cut through the enchanted metal as if it were paper, slicing Ronan’s hand in half.

Blood spurted from the mangled fingers, and Ronan staggered back with a guttural scream. Desperate to create space, he lashed out with a powerful kick, striking Lukas in the ribs and sending him tumbling across the cavern floor.

Lukas rolled to a stop, coughing but undeterred. His voice echoed across the chamber. “Now!”

Mary’s eyes flared with determination. She pushed the slabs upward, heaving the serpent off the ground and directing its massive bulk toward Ronan. The snake writhed in fury, snapping its body and sending the shattered stones crashing into the ceiling. Dust and debris rained down as the beast landed with a deafening thud, its predatory eyes now locked on Ronan.

Ronan turned, panic flashing across his face. “Not this again!”

He dove to the side, narrowly avoiding the serpent’s snapping jaws. But before he could recover, a powerful gust of wind slammed into him. Ronan’s eyes widened as he spotted Yumiko, her hands outstretched, mana radiating like a storm around her.

With a guttural yell, Yumiko unleashed everything she had, hurling Ronan into the air like a ragdoll. The force of the wind left him spinning helplessly, unable to regain control.

The serpent recoiled, its body coiling tightly before striking with a speed and precision that defied its size.

Ronan’s eyes closed as he muttered a final prayer under his breath. The snake’s jaws snapped shut around him.

For a moment, the cavern was silent. Mary froze, holding her breath. “Did it get him?”

The serpent lifted its head, its massive form looming over the battlefield. As it rose, something fell to the ground with a sickening thud.

Ronan’s lower torso lay motionless, his legs severed and twitching. Blood pooled rapidly beneath the remains of his body.

Yumiko let out a shaky breath, her legs giving out as she slumped to the ground. Relief washed over her face as she whispered, “It’s over…”

But before anyone could celebrate, a blood-curdling scream tore through the cavern. “Ronan!”

All eyes turned to the source of the voice. Vanessa stood in the distance, her face streaked with tears. Her gaze was locked on Ronan’s remains, her expression a mix of rage and anguish.

Mary’s confidence sank. They had thrown everything they had into defeating Ronan. Lukas was battered, Yumiko’s mana was nearly depleted, and Mary herself was drained, her wounds aching with every breath. And now, Vanessa was back.

And the serpent still lived. The fight continues.