Cynthia's eyelids fluttered open, and her gaze met the dim, flickering torchlight that danced across the rough-hewn stone walls of the dungeon. The air was stale, heavy with the scent of damp earth and mold, and the sound of Spikes' powerful wings beating echoed off the cold, dark rock as they soared through the cavernous space. She sat astride Grey's majestic summoned hawk, its feathers ruffled by the wind rush, its piercing gaze fixed ahead.
"Spikes... What am I doing here?" Cynthia's thoughts slowly coalesced, memories flooding back. Lilia's lifeless body flashed before her mind's eye, and her thoughts shifted to a cherished memory.
In a lonely corridor, warm sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating Lilia's gentle smile. "This is your first raid, isn't it, Cynthia?" Lilia's voice was soft, reassuring.
Cynthia nodded, her eyes locked on Lilia's, drinking in the warmth.
"As healers, we see many unpleasant things," Lilia said, her voice steady. "What's important is never losing your cool. We must be prepared for any situation. And if you're ever in trouble,don't forget to rely on me."
Lilia's words wrapped around Cynthia like a comforting blanket. Her smile was warm, peaceful—like the sun's rays.
Back in the present, tears streamed from Cynthia's eyes, torn by the wind. Her voice hardened with determination. "Spikes, let's go back. I won't run away. I'm a healer."
Spikes growled softly, acknowledging Cynthia's resolve.
****
The furious ogre charged towards Zarek and Grey, its massive frame barreling forward. They dodged sideways, avoiding the attack by mere inches. The impact shattered rocks beneath, sending shards flying.
Zarek landed on the ogre's left, Grey on its right. Grey swiftly sprang into a four-legged stance, increasing his speed. He darted behind the ogre mid air, aiming to strike.
However, the ogre's swiftness belied its size. It snatched Grey in its bare hand, slamming him into the ground. The earth cracked, forming a web-like pattern. Blood splattered from Grey's mouth.
As the ogre raised its club to deliver the final blow, Zarek struck. His swift attack manifested as a blue line, visible to the naked eye. He targeted the ogre's legs, striking with precision.
The ogre's deafening roar echoed through the cavern as it swung its club backwards, creating a heavy gust. Zarek had already moved to the ogre's front, exploiting its momentary distraction.
Seizing the opportunity, Zarek grabbed Grey and swiftly created distance between themselves and the ogre. They slid to a stop, panting.
Zarek panted heavily. "Are you okay?"
Grey nodded, desperation etched on his face. "Yeah, I can still fight."
Zarek's voice trembled. "I tried to get away, but its club can destroy the ground, making us lose balance and fall."
Grey's eyes widened in alarm. "Zarek, look at that!"
The ogre's wound, inflicted by Zarek's previous strike, began to heal at an alarming rate. Steam rose from the injury, a testament to its unnatural regeneration. "It's just as I suspected - it has healing abilities."
Zarek's gaze locked onto Grey's. "Hey, wolf boy, I have a plan. Do you have any cards up your sleeves, any last resort moves?"
Grey nodded resolutely. "Yeah, of course I do."
"Then this might be the time to use them," Zarek said. "Concentrate every attack on its legs, immobilize it. Then we'll attack its eyes, blinding it, and escape before it heals. I don't know the extent of its healing properties, but this is our best shot. We've got six seconds before it heals, and my last resort will only last thirty seconds. Make it count."
Grey chuckled grimly. "Thirty seconds, huh? It'll be more than enough."
As the ogre launch towards them unleashing its fury, its massive club swooped down in a deadly arc. Zarek's warning shout pierced the air. "Watch out!"
The impact was crushing, sending them flying like rag dolls across the cavern floor. They bounced and rolled, their bodies battered, before finally coming to a stop.
As they regained their footing, Zarek and Grey found themselves on opposite sides of the ogre, several feet apart. Zarek's mind racing, he assessed his mana reserves.
"I've used my ability twice already. I can only use it four times total. My absorbed mana is at half percentage... just like a smartphone, I need to recharge before using it again." He made a split-second decision. "I'll use my remaining mana all at once, one last shot. If I survive, I can replenish it from the dungeon's mana-rich air."
With determination, Zarek took a runner's stance. "Grey, it's time!" he screamed.
Grey responded, his panting mingling with his words. "Dual Blade!" Small photons danced around him, and white light radiated from his being as he readied himself. "Graaaaah!"
Zarek focused his remaining mana into his legs. His eyes snapped open, blazing with resolve. "Mana Rush!"
In perfect sync, Grey shouted, "Limit Breaker!"
Their movements appeared as lines, streaking across the cavern as they darted around the ogre with incredible agility. The monster's gaze struggled to keep pace with their frenetic speed.
With surgical precision, they targeted the ogre's legs, unleashing a flurry of devastating strikes. The ogre's agonized roar echoed through the cavern, its massive body shuddering under the relentless onslaught. Zarek's blade and Grey's claws gleamed with blood.
Sharing a fleeting glance, they nodded in unison, their breathing synchronized. United, they prepared the final blow – a precision strike to the ogre's vulnerable eyes.
But the ogre countered with a desperate tactic, slamming its club onto the ground. A choking cloud of dust erupted, obscuring their vision. The ogre swung its club, propelling the dust toward them like a deadly projectile. Disoriented, they stumbled through the cloud, their speed faltering.
As the dust cloud cleared, the ogre's club slammed onto the ground leaving it's hands, its impact reverberating like a massive hammer striking rock. Zarek's blade bit deep into the ogre's eyes, unleashing a torrent of blood that flowed like crimson tears.
Despite their valiant efforts, both Zarek and Grey found themselves captured by the ogre's massive, crushing hands. The ogre's grip was unyielding, threatening to snap their bodies in two.
Grey, despite being captured, clawed at the ogre's eyes, rendering it blind. But the ogre's grip was unyielding, its fingers closing like a vice, threatening to crush them like eggshells.
Both Zarek and Grey coughed up blood, their eyes bloodshot from the intense pressure. Zarek's strength waned, his hand losing its grasp on the blade. It slipped from his fingers, clattering to the ground, freeing the ogre's eyes to begin healing.
The ogre's crushing grip tightened, making escape impossible. Zarek and Grey's vision began to fade, their bodies on the brink of collapse.
Grey's body, still clutched in the ogre's hand, started to transform back into his human form. The hound's body began to dissipate, separating from Grey.
Before the hound's body could hit the ground, it vanished into thin air.
Grey's human form remained, limp and helpless, within the ogre's grasp.
******
Small photons started radiating from Hawk's body. "Spikes, what's happening?" Cynthia asked, alarm etched on her face.
Spikes landed softly, and Cynthia dismounted. But before she could react, Spikes began vanishing, consumed by a brilliant white light.
Cynthia's face darkened with concern. "Zarek-san, Grey-san, please hold on! Just a little farther, and I'll reach you!"