"What's going on with him?" I asked, gaining some distance from the menacing minotaur.
Venidith unleashed her attack, a vivid purple light streaming toward the minotaur's head, causing blood to spurt from the wound.
The minotaur staggered back, its gaze shifting between Ayesha and me. It bellowed in anger, crouching slightly as it drew its massive sword.
"Hold on, Ayesha!" I shouted, flinging her towards Venidith. Ayesha gasped as her chains wrapped around Venidith's hands.
The minotaur leaped, creating a deep dent in the ground, its enormous sword at the ready as it met mine.
With a clang of metal against metal, I managed to parry the sword, causing the minotaur to lose its balance mid-air and crash onto its back, shaking the ground.
It roared, presumably from pain, and I ceased my aerial maneuvers as I descended toward it like a striking eagle. However, it swiftly recovered, swinging its sword just as I swung mine, sending me flying backward.
Utilizing my left arm, I skillfully avoided falling onto my back as the minotaur pursued, sword in hand.
I somersaulted away from the minotaur, its sword slamming into the ground, creating a deep fissure. Upon closer inspection, it became evident that this creature wasn't your typical minotaur. It looked more like a horse's head on a minotaur's body—a tikbalang with horns.
Typically, a tikbalang is portrayed as a giant humanoid with elongated limbs, but this one appeared to be a unique blend of a minotaur and a horse.
The battle between the minotaur and I raged on, the air thick with tension and the pungent scent of combat. As I gracefully evaded its swinging sword, I realized the need for quick strategizing. This wasn't any ordinary minotaur; it was a menacing fusion of a horse and a minotaur, a tikbalang.
With adrenaline pumping through my veins, I cautiously circled the tikbalang, maintaining a safe distance while carefully studying its movements. Each time its hooves struck the ground, chunks of soil were sent flying as it charged at me once more, its massive sword glinting menacingly in the moonlight.
The timing was crucial. As the tikbalang closed in, I seized the moment, lunging forward with my sword aimed at its vulnerable chest. Our weapons clashed once more, the sound of metal meeting metal echoing through the night. While I managed to strike its chest plate, it was clear that my efforts alone wouldn't be enough to incapacitate this formidable adversary.
The tikbalang responded with lightning-quick retaliation, swinging its sword with raw power. I had barely a moment to react, and the blade grazed my shoulder, sending a searing pain coursing down my arm. I clenched my teeth, determined not to let the pain become a distraction.
With my left arm throbbing, I executed a graceful somersault backward, creating some much-needed distance between us. The tikbalang, undeterred, charged forward once again, leaving deep furrows in the ground with every thunderous step. This time, I was prepared.
As the tikbalang's sword arced down in a deadly trajectory, I sidestepped with lightning agility, allowing the blade to crash forcefully into the earth. The ground quaked beneath the impact. Seizing the opportunity, I lunged again, this time targeting its exposed flank.
My sword struck true, slicing through the tikbalang's tough hide. Blood sprayed from the wound, and the creature emitted an ear-piercing shriek of agony. It staggered, momentarily disoriented by the searing pain.
Seizing the advantage, I pressed forward, delivering a rapid succession of strikes. My sword moved gracefully through the air, seeking out weak points in its armor. Each blow appeared to wear the creature down, as its movements grew slower and less coordinated.
Yet, I couldn't afford to underestimate him. The tikbalang summoned its inner strength and unleashed a mighty kick with its massive hooves. I barely managed to block the blow with my sword, but the sheer force behind it sent me tumbling backward, crashing hard into the ground.
Struggling to my feet, I gasped for breath, every muscle aching with exertion. The tikbalang, too, showed visible signs of injury, its breath coming in labored gasps. Our eyes locked, both of us acknowledging that the battle was far from over.
The creature charged once more, but this time, I stood my ground, my sword held unwaveringly. As the tikbalang swung its sword in a final, desperate strike, I met it head-on.
Metal clashed against metal one last time, but this time, the outcome was different. A surge of determination and newfound strength coursed through me, overpowering the tikbalang. Its sword was wrenched from its grasp, and it stumbled backward, its balance thrown off-kilter.
With unwavering resolve, I delivered a final, decisive blow, driving my sword deep into the tikbalang's chest, piercing its heart. The creature emitted a haunting, guttural cry before collapsing to the ground, lifeless.
The forest fell into an eerie silence, broken only by the heavy panting of exhaustion. I stood there, triumphant yet battered, my heart still racing with adrenaline. The monstrous form of the tikbalang lay motionless before me, a testament to the fierce battle we had just endured.
"Now, where's the villagers," I said, looking at the two flying.