The Queen screeches, her massive claws slicing through the air as she charges forward, her towering form radiating pure ferocity.
Cole steps forward, his longsword gleaming under the chamber's light. His movements are fluid, almost unnervingly calm, as he sidesteps a vicious swipe from the Queen and retaliates with a precise slash across her forearm.
The blade bites, though not too deep. The Queen counters with a backhanded claw. Cole pivots gracefully, his sword flashing again as he carves another strike into her carapace.
"Stay coordinated!" he barks, his voice cutting through the chaos. "Focus on her weak spots!"
Eska darts in from the Queen's flank, her glowing claws raised as Marina's calm but stern voice guides her.
"Precision, Eska. Every strike matters—no wasted energy." She lunges, aiming for the cracks already forming in the Queen's carapace, but the Queen's agility defies her size.
The beast twists sharply, her massive claws forcing Eska to retreat as a deafening screech fills the air. Despite the missed strike, Eska presses forward, her movements sharper, more focused, as she seeks another opening.
Valen positions himself near the Queen's other side, his wind magic whipping through the chamber. He summons a sharp blast aimed at the Queen's face, disrupting her balance and forcing her to stagger.
Her antennae twitch violently, her screeching turning into a guttural growl as she refocuses on him. Valen grits his teeth, narrowly dodging a slashing claw before conjuring another gale, this one slamming into her side to buy Cole and Eska another opening.
"Keep her distracted!" he calls, his voice strained from the constant effort of casting.
Lenna moves with deadly efficiency, her slim blade flashing like lightning as she targets the Queen's weakened joints.
"Not so invincible, are you?" she spits, delivering a series of rapid strikes to the cracks in her carapace. The Queen reels, clearly injured, but her rage only intensifies. She pivots suddenly, her claws swiping toward Lenna with terrifying speed.
Lenna dives to the side, her agility saving her from a crushing blow as the claw slams into the resin-coated floor.
Around them, the Hivebreakers wage war against the unending horde of Thaxil pouring from the chamber walls. Knights stand firm, forming defensive barriers with their shields reinforced by magic, holding back the swarming soldiers and nurses.
Firebrand acolytes unleash devastating waves of fire, their flames consuming clusters of Thaxil in searing bursts, while hunters rain arrows and elemental magic into the chaotic fray. The hive echoes with the sounds of combat—shouts, explosions and the relentless hum of the Thaxil's antennae.
As the Queen rears up for another devastating strike, Eska steals a glance at the surrounding battle. The Hivebreakers are holding, their coordination keeping the horde from overwhelming the chamber, but the cost is evident in their weary movements and bloodied weapons.
Tightening her grip on her claws, Eska growls under her breath, "We're not done yet."
With renewed determination, she charges back into the fray alongside Cole, Valen and Lenna, their combined effort driving the Queen into a desperate fury.
The Queen screeches in rage as Lenna dives in close, her blade flashing like lightning as she targets the deep cracks in the carapace near the base of the Queen's massive arm. Her strikes are quick, widening the fractures with each well-placed blow.
Cole moves in tandem, his longsword arcing elegantly through the air as he follows up with a powerful slash aimed at the same joint. The Queen thrashes violently, her antennae twitching erratically as she tries to fend them off, but their coordinated assault leaves her no room to retaliate.
With a final, forceful swing, Cole's blade cuts through the weakened carapace entirely, severing the massive arm.
It crashes to the resin-coated floor with a sickening thud, ichor spilling from the wound as the Queen stumbles back, letting out a deafening, guttural roar that reverberates through the chamber.
It roars, her deafening cry reverberating through the cavern as her massive form lurches in desperation.
Bloodied and cornered, her antennae twitch erratically, signaling her growing panic.
With a sudden, violent motion, her remaining claw sweeps across the chamber. Lenna, caught mid-dodge, is struck by the claw's edge, her body flung back into a nearby wall with a sickening thud.
She crumples to the floor, groaning but alive, her blade clattering out of reach.
Cole attempts to retaliate, stepping forward with his longsword poised, but the Queen's frantic movements outpace him.
Her hind legs kick out wildly, one striking him hard in the chest and sending him skidding across the resin-coated floor.
He struggles to rise, coughing and clutching his ribs as he watches the Queen's erratic, frenzied movements with narrowed eyes. "Damn it," he mutters under his breath, unable to rejoin the fray.
Amidst the chaos, Eska's glowing claws blaze brighter than ever as she steps forward, the weight of the battle etched into her every movement.
Marina's voice pierces through her thoughts. "Now, Eska—strike where it matters most! Don't hesitate!"
As Eska steps forward, the chaotic sounds of the battle fade into the background, replaced by the steady thrum of her own heartbeat.
Each of the Queen's erratic movements becomes sharply defined—the sweep of her claw, the twitch of her antennae, the subtle shifts in her towering frame. Marina's voice cuts through the stillness.
"Focus. See the opening. Take it."
Eska inhales deeply, her glowing claws vibrating with raw energy as she locks her gaze onto the vulnerable spot beneath the Queen's neck.
With a burst of speed, Eska darts through the chaos, weaving past the Queen's wild swipes and erratic kicks.
Timing her leap perfectly, she launches herself onto the Queen's back, her claws cutting through the air with both power and accuracy. The sound of cracking carapace echoes through the chamber as the strike lands with devastating force, ichor spilling from the gaping wound.
The Queen lets out a guttural screech as Eska drives her claws deep into the vulnerable base of her neck.
The Queen shudders violently, her antennae spasming as the pain surges through her body.
For a moment, she freezes, her massive form swaying unsteadily as if unable to process the damage. Then, with a final, guttural roar, she bolts toward one of the shadowed tunnels, her massive frame crashing into walls as she retreats.
Ichor trails behind her, glistening in the dim light as the chamber grows eerily quiet.
The hunters, battered but alive, watch in stunned silence as the Queen's monstrous figure disappears into the darkness.
The scattered Thaxil follow, their frantic hums fading as they vanish into the recesses of the hive. Eska drops to her knees, her claws dimming as exhaustion overtakes her.
Valen is the first to move, rushing to her side with wide eyes as Lenna and Cole slowly pick themselves up.
Cole rises to his feet, his longsword held high and glinting with the Queen's ichor.
His chest heaves from exertion, but his eyes burn with fierce determination. Drawing in a deep breath, he lets out a thunderous shout that reverberates through the chamber, a sound filled with triumph.
"Victory!" His voice carries like a war horn, echoing into the tunnels where the fleeing Thaxil scatter. The hunters around him rally at the cry, their cheers joining his roar as the hive falls into a heavy silence, the once-dominant creatures now struck with a cold and unfamiliar terror.
Eska sits frozen, her wide eyes staring blankly into the chaotic aftermath of the battle.
The muffled sounds of cheers and victory chants swirl around her, distant and unreal. Hours of relentless fighting weigh heavily on her, leaving her in a daze, unable to process the sudden shift from survival to triumph.
Her breath catches as she glances around, lost in the noise and movement.
Then, a warm touch pulls her focus back. She turns slowly toward its source, her gaze meeting Valen's. He kneels beside her, his hand resting gently on her shoulder, his face calm and reassuring.
His smile, small but genuine, washes over her like a soothing wave, quieting the chaos in her mind. For the first time in what feels like eternity, Eska feels an unshakable sense of calm settle over her, grounding her in the moment.
"Hivebreaker Protocol! Move!" he barks and the guild springs into action with practiced precision. Hunters and knights begin gathering the wounded, their movements efficient despite their exhaustion, while others prepare for the final purge, their faces hardened with determination.
Cole strides toward Eska and Valen, his expression a mix of disbelief and relief. "Gods above! I've never seen anything like that in my life. You fell from that cursed hole hours ago—we thought you were all dead!"
His voice carries a raw edge, the disbelief nearly drowning his palpable relief.
Eska opens her mouth to reply but falters, her shoulders slumping as she lowers her gaze. "I… I couldn't save Nass," she says quietly, her voice trembling with regret.
The weight of her failure hangs heavy in the air.
Cole kneels slightly to meet her lowered eyes, his voice softening.
"None of us could," he says with calm assurance. "We can't save everyone, young lady. It's the hardest truth of this life."
A hint of sadness lingers in his tone, but it quickly gives way to a more reassuring warmth. "But today, you did more than anyone else could have. You saved lives—and sometimes, that's more than enough."
His words land with an unexpected weight, leaving Eska momentarily speechless.