The creature lunged again, its claws slicing through the air. We barely managed to dodge, stumbling forward as it landed behind us with a thunderous crash.
"This thing doesn't give up!" Aiko shouted, her voice filled with both fear and frustration.
"Neither do we," I said firmly, glancing at her. "We've made it this far, Aiko. We're not going to let it win."
She met my gaze, her pink eyes burning with determination despite the fear etched on her face. "You're right," she said, adjusting her hold on Arakan. "We can do this. We have to."
The creature snarled, its claws scraping against the ground as it prepared to charge again.
"We need to find cover!" I shouted, my mind racing.
"There!" Aiko pointed to an alleyway up ahead, its narrow entrance barely visible in the dim light.
