Xavier stood frozen for a fleeting moment, the chaos around him a blur as he struggled to comprehend the sudden surge of emotion that compelled him forward. It was instinct, a primal pull that yanked at his core, urging him into action. The faces of those he'd lost flashed in his mind, a montage of pain and sorrow that fueled his desperate need to protect the newfound family he'd forged within this team.
With a silent prayer on his lips, Xavier sprinted forward, each step a tumultuous collision of fear and determination. His heart pounded in his chest, the rush of adrenaline drowning out the cacophony of battle raging around him. His mind raced, pleading for swifter feet, for a time-altering miracle to bring him to Garrett's side in a blink.
But time, cruel and unyielding, continued its march. As Xavier closed the distance, his eyes widened in horror at the nightmarish scene unfolding before him. The Hairstalker, a relentless force of malevolence, raised its colossal claws, poised with merciless intent. Xavier's voice caught in his throat, an anguished cry echoing silently within him.
Before he could reach Garrett, before he could intervene, the monster swung with a ferocity that defied comprehension. The sheer power behind the strike rendered the moment surreal, an ungodly display of brutality that defied all reason. In a single, devastating motion, Garrett's head was severed from his body, a grotesque and irreversible act of violence.
Time slowed to a painful crawl as Xavier watched in horror, his mind unable to process the grotesque reality before him. His limbs felt heavy, his chest tight with despair. The world around him seemed to falter, the weight of the loss crashing down upon his shoulders with an unbearable weight. The prayer that had left his lips moments ago hung suspended in the air, unanswered and unheard.
Xavier's cry tore through the chaos, a primal roar that echoed with fury and determination. His short swords gripped tightly in his hands, he surged forward, eyes ablaze with a rage born of loss and a desperate need for vengeance. The Hairstalker, its malevolent gaze fixed upon him, raised its head to meet Xavier's furious glare. A twisted smile curled across the beast's face, mocking and taunting, stoking the flames of Xavier's anger to a roaring inferno.
As Xavier closed the distance, his focus locked on the monstrous adversary, the Hairstalker moved at an unnatural speed. Its massive hand lashed out like a bolt of lightning, aiming for Xavier's side. With lightning reflexes, Xavier raised his blades, attempting to parry the impending strike.
The collision was brutal and unforgiving. The force behind the Hairstalker's attack felt like a catastrophic collision, an overwhelming onslaught that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Xavier's blades met the creature's claws, a brief clash that reverberated through his entire being.
But the sheer strength of the Hairstalker was unimaginable. Despite Xavier's valiant effort, the impact was akin to being struck by a charging beast. His body, unable to withstand the overwhelming force, was sent hurtling through the air, a helpless figure spiraling out of control.
The ground rushed up to meet him, the impact jolting through his bones as he tumbled and rolled, a helpless leaf caught in a tempest. Pain surged through every fiber of his being, each rotation on the ground feeling like an eternity until finally, his motion came to an abrupt halt. Xavier lay still for a moment, breaths shallow and labored, the world a blur of agony and disorientation.
The battlefield trembled with tension as the arrow, a mere streak in the wind, sailed forward with deadly precision. It found its mark with an eerie accuracy, piercing the eye of the Hairstalker. The beast's agonized cry shattered the air, reverberating through the battleground as it writhed in pain.
As the monstrous creature sought the source of this sudden assault, its gaze fell upon Aria. Time seemed to stutter for a fleeting moment as her heart skipped a beat, locking eyes with the wrathful creature. Yet, despite the fear that threatened to grip her, a resolute calm settled within her.
With a deafening roar, the Hairstalker surged forward with a terrifying speed, a force capable of making even the bravest souls shiver in terror. But Aria stood her ground, her resolve unyielding. She and Felix, a synchronized duo amidst the chaos, unleashed a relentless barrage of arrows, each projectile finding its mark and sinking deep into the beast's flesh.
The Hairstalker, its form now resembling a porcupine with a multitude of arrows protruding from its body, continued its relentless charge, undeterred by the piercing onslaught. Its sheer power and ferocity seemed unyielding as if fueled by an insatiable hunger for destruction.
Aria's brow furrowed in grim determination as she exchanged a swift glance with Felix. Their volley of arrows intensified, a desperate attempt to slow down the unstoppable force hurtling towards them. But even as the beast staggered under the barrage, it pressed on, an embodiment of relentless fury and indomitable will that seemed impervious to their efforts.
The tension in the air crackled as the Hairstalker, mere meters away from Aria, bore down upon her with an insatiable hunger for destruction. But in that critical moment, Felix, fueled by an unyielding determination to protect his comrade, acted without hesitation.
Pulling out his dagger with a swift and determined motion, Felix charged forward with an unwavering resolve. The beast, seizing the advantage of its elongated limbs, swung one of its massive claws at Felix, a deadly strike aimed to halt his advance before he could intervene.
Yet, to the surprise of both the onlookers and the beast itself, Felix moved with lightning reflexes. In a fluid motion, he ducked beneath the menacing claw, a rush of air grazing the tips of his hair. With a swift twist of his body, he propelled himself forward, closing the distance between him and the monstrous adversary.
In a daring move, Felix sprang toward the Hairstalker, his dagger gleaming in the dim light as he aimed for the exposed chest of the beast. The blade found its mark with a sickening thud, sinking deep into the flesh of the creature. A roar of pain and fury erupted from the Hairstalker, its colossal form recoiling in agony at the unexpected assault.
Felix's eyes blazed with determination as he maintained his hold on the dagger, his muscles straining against the force of the creature's thrashing. With unwavering resolve, he clung to his position, the blade embedded in the beast's chest, determined to halt its relentless advance and protect Aria at all costs.