Faced with the massive creature that was Boozer, the tension was palpable. The demon, a gigantic gorilla with spider-like legs, gripped two enormous battle axes firmly. He surveyed his adversaries with a carnivorous grin and said in a gruff voice: "The Capelobo has weakened you. I must admit, I didn't think I'd see you still standing."
Lanny, furious at Boozer's arrogance, drew an arrow and recited an elvish incantation. The arrow, imbued with magic, shot straight at the demon. But to everyone's surprise, Boozer remained still, as if the attack had no effect. He looked down at the broken arrow at his feet and sighed disdainfully: "Is that all you can do?"
Gaynor, the dwarf, and Zotoun, the massive green-skinned goblin, took defensive stances, ready to strike back. However, Boozer did not wait for their attack. His spider legs struck the ground, and he muttered: "Spider ground."
In an instant, the stone floor turned into a gigantic, sticky web, paralyzing several elven soldiers. Then Boozer used another technique, throwing a net of webbing that wrapped around Lanny, pulling him straight to him. The elf found himself entangled, his body completely covered in webbing, even his mouth. Unable to speak or defend himself, he could only gaze at his executioner.
Boozer burst into laughter upon seeing the helpless elf: "Hahaha! So, you're the one who boasted earlier? You wanted to kill me, you, a weakling? Pathetic."
He raised his massive fists and began striking Lanny relentlessly. Each blow sounded like thunder, and the elf's frail body took increasingly severe wounds. Niniel, an elven friend of Lanny, watched the scene with tears in her eyes. Her trembling hand gripped the hilt of her sword. Overcome with emotion, she screamed: "I'm going to kill you, monster!"
She charged to rescue Lanny, but a firm hand landed on her shoulder. It was Zotoun, his gigantic hammer in hand. "Calm down," he said in a deep voice. "Can't you see that's exactly what he wants?"
Niniel looked at him, still burning with rage in her eyes. "So what am I supposed to do? Let Lanny die?!"
Gaynor, trying to calm the situation, intervened: "We're in the middle of a battlefield, Niniel. One wrong move could condemn us all. This demon is trying to break our unity."
The words of her two companions finally soothed Niniel. She lowered her head and whispered: "Forgive me, Lord Gaynor."
Meanwhile, Poltyx, a tiny fairy resting in Zotoun's hand, stirred weakly. Her soft voice was heard: "I... I can still fight."
Zotoun looked at her with a mix of respect and concern. "Don't overexert yourself, Poltyx. You've already given a lot against the Capelobo."
On the other side, Boozer watched the scene with contempt. He sniffed loudly before declaring: "Hmmp. I was hoping one of you would come to me... Goblin, you should have let that elf female attack me. I would have killed her without hesitation."
Suddenly, his attention shifted to Thaloria, sitting atop Sleipnir, her loyal steed. The elf remained motionless, her bow drawn, her eyes fixed on the demon. Boozer followed her gaze and grinned upon seeing Lanny, his face battered and covered in bruises.
"I understand now," he said, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "You, elf. Is he your husband? Or perhaps your brother?"
Thaloria remained silent, impassive. Boozer continued, toying with her emotions. "I have an offer for you. You impressed me by facing the Capelobo. Prince Niolz values strong individuals. Abandon Azulferia. Your kingdom is destined to fall anyway."
To emphasize his words, Boozer placed his massive hands on the ground and roared: "Wall of Web!"
A thick barrier of black webbing formed between Thaloria and her allies, distorting the space around them. Gaynor, furious, shouted: "This bastard! Let's climb this wall and join her!"
But before they could act, demons appeared, surrounding the elven soldiers and preventing any movement. Zotoun, striking the ground with his hammer, ordered: "Trust Thaloria. She knows what she's doing."
On the other side of the web, Thaloria stood alone facing Boozer. She looked at her brother, Lanny, whose face was nearly unrecognizable due to the blows. He had managed to free his mouth from the webs, tearing them apart with his teeth. In a final effort, he shouted: "Sister! Don't worry about me! Kill this monster!"
Annoyed, Boozer turned and roared: "Who gave you permission to speak, vermin?!"
With a powerful punch, he hurled Lanny into a tree-house, where he collapsed, unconscious. Boozer then turned back to Thaloria. A cruel smile lit up his face. "So? What's your answer? Will you abandon Azulferia, or would you rather die?"
Thaloria closed her eyes for a moment. Silence settled, broken only by the rustling of the wind. When she opened her eyes again, her gaze was filled with unwavering determination.
"I refuse."
Without hesitation, she charged on Sleipnir, her bow ready to release a magic-infused arrow. Boozer burst into laughter in response. "Then you'll just have to die!"