Athena nodded, raising her staff high. She focused all her remaining energy into a single point, creating a massive, glowing orb of Aether that pulsed with raw power. The creatures immediately reacted, their tentacles surging toward the orb, abandoning their attacks on the two adventurers.
Cyrus watched as the beasts converged on the orb, their writhing bodies merging into one giant mass. He knew they only had one chance. With a roar, he charged forward, his blade glowing with Aetheric energy. He leaped into the air, bringing his blade down in a powerful, two-handed strike.
The blade pierced the heart of the creature's mass, and for a brief moment, everything went still. Then, in a blinding flash of light, the mass of tentacles exploded, disintegrating into dust.
Cyrus landed on the ground, panting, his heart racing. Athena lowered her staff, her face pale but triumphant.
