In the heart-stopping moments of their descent into the abyss, Amukelo's determination was all that stood between them and certain doom. Eliss was unconscious from the impact with Leviathan's tail. Clutching her tightly, Amukelo concentrated on the mana surging within him, his mind racing to find a way to break their fall. The ground rushed up to meet them, an unforgiving expanse of shadow and stone. In a desperate bid for survival, Amukelo positioned himself beneath Eliss, ready to absorb the brunt of the impact.
As they hurtled toward the ground, Amukelo funneled his gathered mana into his left hand. He aimed the forceful blast of energy downwards, countering the pull of gravity. The mana exploded in contact with the ground, a shockwave of force that slowed their descent to a survivable speed. They hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud, the sound echoing through the desolate landscape.
Pain shot through Amukelo's body as he felt the crack of his arm and the sharp stab in his ribs. He grimaced, but his first concern was for Eliss, who lay limp in his arms. Gently, he shifted her into a more comfortable position and checked her for injuries. Her leg was clearly broken, the angle unnatural and jarring.
Eliss's eyes fluttered open, confusion and pain clouding her features. "What happened?" she murmured, her voice weak.
"You were falling... I couldn't just watch. But look... We survived," Amukelo explained, managing a reassuring smile despite the agony that wracked his body.
"Why did you do that? You could have lived. Now we are going to die here. You should have left me a long time ago, I am only a burden to you..." Eliss responded, tears welling in her eyes as she assessed their bleak situation.
Amukelo's hand gently caressed her cheek, his touch tender. "Eliss, That's not true, I can't imagine how many times you saved my life. We'll get through this together. I promise," he said firmly, his voice conveying a conviction he hoped would bolster her spirits.
Eliss looked down at her broken leg, despair evident in her expression. "I can't walk, your hand is broken and you are barely standing... How can we both get out alive? We have only one healing potion left, and it's not enough for both of us." The reality of their situation was setting in, and it was dire.
Amukelo's gaze didn't waver; his eyes locked on hers with an intensity that spoke volumes. "We will manage, as we always have. But first, let's find a safer place to recover, open space like this is the most dangerous." He insisted, the pain in his voice masked by the strength of his resolve.
With great effort, Amukelo helped Eliss to her feet, supporting her weight as best as he could with his good arm. Together, they hobbled towards the nearest cave, a sanctuary from the dangers of the open dungeon. Every step was agony for Amukelo, but he pushed through, driven by the need to protect Eliss. The darkness of the cave loomed ahead, offering a respite from their perilous situation, a moment to gather themselves and plan their next move.
. . .
The battle raged with unrelenting ferocity as Leviathan reveled in the chaos it wrought upon the remaining members of the Fallenhoods guild and their friends. The defensive circle they had formed was faltering under the constant barrage of dark magic and brute force Leviathan employed. The air was thick with the stench of fear and the cries of the wounded.
Brorin gripping his rune-etched hammer with both hands, was at the forefront, trying to fend off Leviathan's relentless assaults. In a devastating exchange, Leviathan's tail smashed against Brorin's hammer, the impact sending shockwaves through Brorin's arms and nearly dislocating his shoulders. Before Brorin could recover, Leviathan's claw, swift and unforgiving, slashed downwards. Krazthir reacted just in time, lunging forward to deflect the deadly swipe. The intervention turned a potentially fatal blow into a severe one as the claw sliced through Brorin's arm instead, spewing blood and eliciting a gut-wrenching scream from the dwarf.
Ida, driven by a mix of rage and despair from witnessing Yosue's grave injury, charged recklessly at Leviathan. His katana raised high, eyes blinded by vengeance, he aimed a desperate strike. Leviathan, amused by the feeble attempt, simply flicked its tail, striking Ida's hands with such force that the bones shattered, his katana clattering to the ground, leaving him defenseless and writhing in pain. He could be considered lucky because if Leviathan still had a blade on his tail it would be over for him.
From a distance, Zilthiss and Elandir unleashed a barrage of spells and arrows, hoping to find a weak spot in Leviathan's formidable defenses. Their efforts, however, seemed to merely scratch the surface, with each attack dissipating harmlessly against the dark energy that enveloped the monstrous entity.
As Leviathan prepared to deliver a finishing blow to the fallen Ida, Erohan intervened, his dragon-enhanced strength allowing him to momentarily hold back the beast. Krazthir joined him, and together, they managed a brief respite for their comrades, their combined efforts stalling Leviathan's advance.
Serah was torn amidst the chaos, her healing powers stretched to their limits. With Brorin, Ida, and Yosue in critical condition, her decision was agonizing. Each spell she cast could mean the difference between life and death, yet the cooldown of her stronger spells forced her into heartbreaking choices. The weaker healing spells were like drops of water on a scorching stone, barely making a difference against the severity of the wounds inflicted by Leviathan. She wanted to heal Brorin because he was her friend for a long time, but Yosue was in the worst condition. She just stood there helplessly without knowing what to do.
Amid the despair and the overwhelming odds, Krazthir's voice rose above the clamor, his tone fierce yet inspiring, "We can't lose hope! I know that at this point the only thing that we can hope for is a miracle. But miracles happen, and I know it will happen here as well." His words were meant to ignite a spark of courage in their battered spirits.
Leviathan laughed maliciously at Krazthir's proclamation, its voice booming through the cavern, echoing off the walls with scorn. "In your dreams," it taunted, its skeletal mouth twisting into a grotesque smile. "No miracle will save you."
The situation was dire, with every member of the group pushed to their limits, their bodies and spirits nearing the brink. Yet, amidst the shadow of death, the resolve to fight, to hope for that sliver of a miracle, flickered defiantly in their hearts.