The dragon swooped lower, its massive wings stirring the air into a frenzy. Sam could feel the heat radiating from its obsidian-scaled body, and the glow of its burning eyes made their stomach churn. It let out another deafening roar, the kind that rattled bones and promised imminent doom.
"Not how I pictured going out," Sam muttered, gripping the box as if it were a lifeline. "Thanks for nothing, Prophecy."
The dragon reared back, its chest swelling as flames began to gather in its throat. Sam's legs moved on instinct, carrying them behind the nearest boulder just as the beast unleashed a torrent of fire. The heat was suffocating, and even from their hiding spot, Sam could feel their eyebrows singe.
"Okay, think," Sam hissed, their voice barely audible over the roar of flames. "You can't fight it. Running's probably useless. So… yeah, you're dead. Great job."
The box pulsed sharply, as if chastising them. Sam glared at it. "Oh, don't you start. Unless you've got a plan, I'm—"
Another pulse, stronger this time. The box's glow intensified, casting golden light over the rocky terrain. Sam blinked as the light coalesced into a thin beam that shot skyward, striking the dragon squarely in the chest. The creature roared in surprise, its flight faltering as the beam pushed it back.
Sam stared at the box, dumbfounded. "You can do that?"
The box pulsed again, almost smugly. Sam gritted their teeth. "Alright, fine. Show-off. But if you're going to play hero, maybe aim for something that actually takes it down."
The dragon recovered quickly, shaking off the blow as it turned its blazing eyes toward Sam. Its lips curled into something that could've been a snarl or a smirk—either way, it wasn't good news. With a thunderous beat of its wings, it dove toward them.
"Oh, hell no," Sam muttered, scrambling to their feet. They bolted from the boulder, narrowly avoiding the dragon's claws as they raked through the stone, leaving deep gouges in the rock.
The box pulsed frantically now, its glow fluctuating as if trying to get Sam's attention. They risked a glance down at it, their heart hammering in their chest. "What? What do you want me to do?"
A soft hum emanated from the box, and Sam realized with a sinking feeling that it wasn't just glowing—it was vibrating. Before they could process what was happening, the artifact unleashed another burst of light. This time, the light didn't strike the dragon. It wrapped around Sam, forming a shimmering, translucent shield just as the dragon's claws came crashing down.
The impact sent shockwaves through the ground, but the shield held firm. Sam stared at it in disbelief, the golden barrier flickering faintly as the dragon reared back for another strike.
"Okay," Sam said, their voice shaking. "You get points for creativity, but we can't just sit here playing defense forever."
The box pulsed again, and the shield flared brighter. This time, the light flowed outward, forming a series of glowing runes in the air around Sam. The runes shimmered for a moment before launching toward the dragon, striking it in rapid succession. The beast roared in pain, staggering backward as the runes burned against its scales.
Sam let out a shaky laugh. "Alright, now we're talking! Keep it up, box!"
The dragon, however, wasn't finished. It shook off the attacks with a furious snarl, its tail lashing out to sweep across the ground. Sam barely had time to react before the tail struck the shield, sending them flying backward. They hit the ground hard, the impact knocking the wind out of them.
The shield flickered, its glow dimming as the box's pulses grew weaker. Sam groaned, pushing themselves up on one elbow. "You've got to be kidding me. Is this thing battery-operated?"
The dragon loomed over them now, its jaws opening to reveal rows of jagged teeth. Sam swallowed hard, their mind racing for options. The box was their only weapon, but it was clearly running out of steam. They needed a miracle, and fast.
As if on cue, a voice echoed in their mind—soft, but firm. "Trust the artifact. Let it guide you."
Sam's brow furrowed. "Let it guide me? That's the best advice you've got?"
The voice didn't respond, but the box pulsed one last time, its glow steady and insistent. Sam hesitated for a moment, then gripped the artifact tightly and raised it toward the dragon.
"Alright, glowing box," they muttered. "Do your thing."
The box flared to life, its light so bright that Sam had to shield their eyes. The dragon roared, thrashing wildly as the light enveloped it. For a moment, the air was filled with the sound of crackling energy and the dragon's furious cries. Then, as suddenly as it began, the light faded.
Sam lowered their arm cautiously, blinking against the afterimages. The dragon was gone—no ashes, no remains, just an empty patch of scorched earth where it had stood.
They stared at the spot for a long moment, their chest heaving. "Did we… did we win?"
The box pulsed softly, almost as if it were exhausted. Sam laughed weakly, slumping against a nearby rock. "I'll take that as a yes."
For the first time since this ridiculous journey began, Sam allowed themselves a moment to breathe. The box rested in their lap, its glow faint but steady. Whatever power it held, it had saved their life—twice now. And as much as they hated to admit it, they were starting to feel a strange sense of gratitude toward the infuriating little artifact.
"Alright, box," Sam said, their voice barely above a whisper. "You win. I'll keep going. But you'd better have a plan for the next one, because I'm fresh out of ideas."
The box pulsed once, and Sam couldn't help but smile. It wasn't much, but for now, it would have to be enough.