The oppressive air of the tunnel seemed to thrum with tension as Kalem steadied his breathing. Sweat dripped down his brow, mixing with the grime on his face, but his focus was unwavering. He concentrated on channeling his mana, attempting to integrate the techniques he'd pieced together from months of study. Though far from mastering battle aura, his rudimentary control allowed his muscles to hum with faint energy, sharpening his movements and bolstering his stamina.
The creature—now fully revealed as a Garon—emerged from the shadows, and its mere presence felt like a suffocating weight. Its crimson scales glinted like molten metal in the dim torchlight, while its azure eyes burned with predatory focus. The beast snarled, baring double rows of claws that scraped against the rocky floor, sending a piercing screech echoing through the tunnel.
"Tharic, this thing looks like it could chew through steel," Kalem muttered, gripping his pickaxe tighter.
"Lad, it has chewed through steel," Tharic replied, his usual humor replaced by grim determination. His own pickaxe rested firmly in his hands, though he glanced nervously at the bony tail thrashing behind the Garon. "We're not killing this thing. We're outsmarting it."
The Garon let out a roar that shook the very walls of the tunnel before launching itself forward. Despite its size, the beast was unnervingly fast, its movements a blur of crimson and shadow.
Kalem barely dodged the first swipe of its claws, the force of the attack sending a gust of wind past his face. "This thing is relentless!" he shouted, ducking as the bony tail swung overhead, smashing into the wall and sending shards of rock flying.
"We need to lead it to the weaker section of the tunnel," Tharic yelled, already sprinting down the passageway. "If we can bring the roof down on it, we might just survive this!"
Kalem didn't hesitate, falling in behind Tharic. The Garon roared again, its claws scraping the ground as it gave chase.
The tunnels twisted and turned, their uneven surfaces and sharp angles providing Kalem and Tharic with temporary cover. The Garon, however, was undeterred, its keen senses tracking them through the darkness.
"Over here, you overgrown lizard!" Tharic shouted, hurling a loose rock at the creature's head. The rock glanced off the Garon's scales with a dull thud, barely fazing it, but it succeeded in drawing the beast's attention.
Kalem seized the opportunity, channeling his mana into his legs for an extra burst of speed. He darted past the Garon, slashing at its tail with his pickaxe. The blow landed with a metallic clang, leaving only a shallow gouge in the creature's bony armor.
"It's like hitting a mountain!" Kalem cursed, narrowly dodging as the Garon whipped its tail toward him in retaliation.
"Don't waste energy trying to hurt it!" Tharic called. "Focus on the plan!"
After several frantic minutes of running, they reached the targeted section of the tunnel. The area was held up by a series of ancient support beams, their wood cracked and splintered from years of strain.
"These beams are barely holding the roof up," Tharic said, his voice strained. "If we take them out, the whole thing will come down."
Kalem nodded, gripping his pickaxe tightly. "Let's make it quick before that thing catches up."
The Garon's roar echoed down the tunnel, growing louder as it closed in on their position. Kalem and Tharic worked frantically, swinging their tools at the beams with all the strength they could muster.
The first beam splintered under Tharic's blow, sending a cascade of dust and pebbles raining down. Kalem focused his mana into his arms, his strikes becoming faster and more precise. Each swing chipped away at the aged wood, bringing them closer to their goal.
Before the final beam could be destroyed, the Garon burst into the chamber, its azure eyes glowing with fury. It snarled, baring its teeth as it charged toward them.
"Keep going!" Tharic shouted, planting himself between the creature and Kalem.
Kalem hesitated, his heart pounding as he watched Tharic swing his pickaxe at the Garon. The beast dodged the attack with unsettling ease, retaliating with a swipe of its claws. Tharic stumbled backward, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow.
"Finish it, lad!" Tharic yelled, his voice hoarse but resolute.
Kalem steeled himself, pouring every ounce of mana he could muster into his final strike. His pickaxe collided with the last beam, shattering it in a single blow.
The tunnel groaned ominously before the ceiling gave way. Tons of rock and debris crashed down, engulfing the Garon in a deafening roar of destruction. Dust filled the air, choking and blinding them as they scrambled to escape the collapse.
Kalem grabbed Tharic by the arm, dragging him toward a nearby side passage. The ground trembled beneath their feet as the last of the rocks settled, leaving an eerie silence in the tunnel.
They collapsed against the wall of the side passage, coughing and gasping for air. Kalem's limbs felt like lead, his mana reserves depleted and his body aching from the exertion.
"Think that did it?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.
"For now," Tharic replied, wiping dust from his face. "But something tells me that thing won't stay buried for long. Creatures like that… they don't go down easy."
Kalem nodded, his mind racing with thoughts of the beast they had just faced. Its crimson scales, its deadly claws, its unrelenting fury—it wasn't something he would forget anytime soon.
As they made their way back to the surface, Kalem couldn't shake the feeling that this wasn't the end. If the Garon could cause such devastation in the mines, what would happen if it surfaced?
"What exactly is that thing?" Kalem asked, breaking the silence.
Tharic sighed heavily. "A Garon. Apex predator of the deep. It doesn't care what it's up against—kingdoms, armies, gods—it'll attack anything it sees. They're rare, thank the gods, but when one shows up, it's a disaster waiting to happen."
Kalem shuddered at the thought. "If it gets out of the mines…"
"Then we've got a problem bigger than any of us can handle," Tharic finished grimly.
As they stepped into the cool night air, Kalem felt a mix of relief and dread. The Garon was buried, but for how long? The responsibility of what they had discovered weighed heavily on his shoulders.
"This isn't over," Kalem said, his voice steady despite his exhaustion.
Tharic clapped him on the shoulder. "No, it's not. But you've got fire in you, lad. Let's hope it's enough to keep us all alive."
Kalem looked out at the dark horizon, his resolve hardening. The fight wasn't over—not with the Garon, and not with himself. The storm had come, and he knew it was only just beginning.