Rick and Clay were struggling against that stronger Scythe for a good while until then.
They couldn't really land a powerful blow on a lethal spot, nor harm him much in any way. That Dread was a very stubborn one and seemed to be eager to get out alive from that battle, even though he didn't have anywhere to run and his comrades got killed by Rick's group.
However, even being cornered and pressured like that, the Scythe didn't back away one inch. It was always pressing forward and attacking the enemy back.
Clay's arrows were getting weaker over time, and he couldn't unleash a powerful attack on that Dread for two reasons: First, he would run out of "Willpower" if he was to shot an arrow with energy enough to pierce through it's carapace. Second, that Dread was way too rapid for him to be sure that he would strike a shot on it. If he missed the target, he would be out of that fight.
The strategy of the ranger was to deliver weaker blows to disturb the Dread and give Rick an opening to lay a slash on him. It wasn't going well until that point, but that was the most useful thing that he could do now.
Rick was trying to pull through with his own battle style, but it was being quite harsh on him. His swings weren't quick enough to catch up with the Scythe's speed. That was due to his sword be a longsword. It wasn't as heavy as a greatsword, but still heavy enough to make someone slower when wielding with just one hand.
'Should I leave the sword aside and use just my chain or do the contrary? I don't know if it is advantageous for us. If I use the chain, I will need to get distant, and it won't let me do so. However, just with the sword, I will match its speed just to be able to defend...' The leader of the group was in a dilemma for a good while.
Nonetheless, his dilemma ended when reinforcements came.
"Rick!" Kevin shouted, showing himself present on the battle now. Dean was coming along behind him and didn't say anything but his eyes met Rick's.
'Tsk... I will need to fight with this boy now, but I got no choice. We will end with this sooner if he is with us.' Rick tried to make himself the more neutral as possible and just focus on the battle.
Kevin stepped in, trying to hit the Dread with his sword. The latter, though, could avoid it easily, even though the attack was coming from behind.
'Their antennas are way too sensitive to any movement. They basically have a 360° field of vision there. No matter which direction the attack comes, it will defend or dodge like it is too predictable. Kevin probably already knows but he needs to use...'
Dean didn't even finish his reasoning and Kevin stomped the ground with his foot, inflating his lungs and then shouting with all his might.
"Hatred!" His voice echoed as he chanted the spell.
All the body of that insect contracted and twisted once the spell reached it.
The Scythe looked backward, its claws were twitching and moving around. It was clearly trying to visualize Kevin.
Without previous warning, it jumped swiftly towards Kevin, delivering a flurry of blows toward the man.
Dean was circling the Dread from mid-range, trying to find an opening to go and attack together with Rick. They were sure that they could subdue that creature if it was them.
'I don't think that Kevin can use any spell anymore. He used way too many already. The good thing is that his Titanium Armor is still ongoing, so he will be able to withstand its attacks for a while. Nevertheless, it won't last forever, so we need to be quick here and go help him as fast as possible.'
Dean wanted to go and infight that beast. However, there was no way that he would do that just to get hurt, disturb Kevin, and even get friend fire. There were better options to help.
He had memorized the attack patterns of the group both individually and cooperatively. They were all the same most times, so it was easy to catch up and come with something to add.
As the Dread kept attacking Kevin while retaliating against Rick at the same time, the Scythe began to act strange.
It didn't have the same swift movements as before, nor its strength was the same.
After all, after getting shot by Clay for several minutes, and then battle against two swordsmen at the same time, it was impossible that the Dread wasn't tired.
"It is getting exhausted, everyone! Do your best and keep pressing forward! It's time to spend some more spells here!"
Hector finally recovered some more. He would be able to release his combo now, but two times as weak as before. However, damage was damage. Now that the Dread was tired, they should only increase it until it fell to the knees.
"Drain!" He chanted.
"And... Shot!" His attack punished the Dread. Its power was very low, but not insignificant.
Clay began to input more "Willpower" into his arrows. Cracks appeared on the armor of that Dread as the arrows forced their way until its gross and nasty interiors.
Rick and Kevin were going at their peak on that battle, giving their all to knock that Dread out already.
The only one who didn't charge before that situation was Dean.
Instead of getting excited to attack and get his share of participation on the monster kill, he got thoughtful.
'His movements aren't exactly that of someone who is weaker and running out of energy... They are steps that I would usually see drunk or drugged people doing.'
He thought for a little more until reality struck him hard on the head.
"Everyone! Stay away from it! It is going to evolve!" His voice crossed the battlefield like a thunder clapping.
Everyone in the middle of that fight looked at him with astonished expressions but didn't move an inch to run away.
However, even if they did so, they wouldn't be able to run away anymore.
Suddenly, the Dread stopped to move and retaliate, it just stood on the ground like that.
Then, a scene very familiar to Dean happened in front of their eyes.