The Stone Wyrm kept its glowing eyes fixed on us, a low growl rumbling from its throat as its massive, scaled body trembled, causing faint vibrations to ripple across the ground. Its snake-like form began to shift, slithering slowly but deliberately in our direction, each movement exuding an ominous weight.
I tightened my grip on the staff in my hands, taking a steadying breath. My mind raced as I quickly assessed the situation and issued orders to Mirelle.
"Mirelle, attract its attention and draw it further back. Keep moving and don't let it pin you down!"
Mirelle gave a sharp nod, her muddy body springing into action. She darted across the battlefield, her movements fluid and swift as the Stone Wyrm turned its massive head to track her. As she ran, I circled around the creature, carefully observing its body. Its scales shimmered like polished stone, their hard texture promising resistance to conventional attacks. My mind worked furiously, cataloging details and searching for a weakness.
The Stone Wyrm, frustrated by Mirelle's evasive maneuvers, let out a deafening roar. Raising its head high, it opened its cavernous mouth, revealing rows of jagged, crystalline teeth. With shocking speed, it lunged at Mirelle, attempting to swallow her whole.
Mirelle, ever vigilant, dove to the side just in time. The wyrm's momentum carried it forward, slamming into the dungeon wall with a thunderous crash. The force shook the entire room, sending dust and debris cascading from the ceiling. A jagged groove was left in the stone floor where the wyrm had passed, its destructive power evident.
Seizing the moment, Mirelle lunged at the wyrm's exposed neck. Her muddy arms swung her sword with all the strength her golem body could muster. The blade struck true, but instead of sinking into flesh, it clashed against the wyrm's scales with a metallic clang. Sparks erupted from the impact, and to both our shock, the sword shattered into pieces.
I stared in disbelief at the fragments of the weapon. Though it had been crafted hastily using [Creation Magic], I had prioritized durability and toughness over sharpness. I hadn't anticipated that the wyrm's scales would be so impervious.
Mirelle, undeterred by the failure of her weapon, raised her arms high and clasped her hands together. With immense force, she brought them crashing down onto the wyrm's neck. The ground around her seemed to tremble under the sheer power of her attack. A network of cracks formed on the scales, a testament to her strength, but the wyrm remained unyielding.
The wyrm retaliated, swinging its massive head toward Mirelle with deadly speed. My heart clenched as I realized she wouldn't be able to block the attack in time.
"Mirelle, dodge now!" I shouted desperately. To my relief, Mirelle had anticipated the strike. She used the force of her previous attack to propel herself backward, narrowly avoiding the wyrm's crushing blow.The spot where she had been standing was obliterated, the floor reduced to rubble.
Weaponless but undeterred, Mirelle continued to evade and counterattack with her bare hands. Her movements were a blur of precision and agility as she danced around the wyrm's relentless strikes, keeping its attention locked on her. This gave me precious moments to analyze its movements and search for an opening.
The wyrm's impenetrable scales left me with few options. Its eyes were too high and protected, and its mouth only opened briefly during moments of frustration. But then it clicked.
"That's it!" I exclaimed; my voice filled with determination.
Creating another sword with [Creation Magic], I threw it toward Mirelle, who caught it mid-leap with practiced ease. The new blade gleamed faintly, crafted to endure at least a few powerful strikes.
"Mirelle, make it open its mouth again!" I called out.
"Miii~!" Mirelle responded confidently. She resumed her erratic movements, weaving in and out of the wyrm's reach. Her agility forced the creature to lash out in frustration, its attacks growing wilder with each miss.
Mirelle shifted her strategy, focusing on baiting the wyrm into repeated lunges. She feigned a stumble, drawing the wyrm's attention to what it perceived as an opening. It lunged, jaws snapping shut just as Mirelle darted away. Each failed attempt stoked the wyrm's rage, and it began snapping more aggressively, its movements growing increasingly predictable.
When the wyrm raised its head and opened its maw for another snap, Mirelle sprang into action. This time, she grabbed onto its snout, using her strength and weight to keep its head down. The wyrm thrashed, but Mirelle clung on, leveraging her position to force its jaws wider. Her muddy hands strained as she pushed against the wyrm's maw, using every ounce of her strength.
"Hold it, Mirelle!" I shouted, preparing for the next step. Mirelle growled, her determination unyielding as the wyrm's mouth began to open wider under her relentless effort. The beast's glowing eyes flared with fury, but Mirelle's sheer force and positioning kept her firmly in control, her strength prevailing over its writhing resistance.
The wyrm let out a guttural roar, its maw now fully open. Mirelle jumped back just as the creature's jaw snapped shut, narrowly avoiding the deadly trap. The brief glimpse into the wyrm's mouth revealed an opportunity—its unarmored interior.
Seizing the moment, Mirelle leaped onto the wyrm's snout again, driving the sword toward its open mouth. The wyrm thrashed violently, trying to dislodge her. Her grip faltered as the blade struck the inner edge of the wyrm's jaw, splintering once again. The beast roared in anger, shaking its head to send her flying.
Mirelle landed with a heavy thud but immediately rolled to her feet, her focus unwavering. The wyrm, now enraged, unleashed a new attack. Earthen spikes erupted from the ground, narrowly missing Mirelle as she dodged. The dungeon itself seemed to come alive with the wyrm's fury.
"It can use magic?!" I gasped, realizing the escalating danger. We couldn't afford to prolong this fight any further.
Mirelle charged again, her muddy hands glowing faintly with the raw power of her golem core. She leapt high, delivering a crushing double-fisted blow to the wyrm's already cracked scales. This time, the impact caused a chunk of the protective armor to shatter, exposing vulnerable flesh beneath.
The wyrm recoiled in pain, its thrashing movements growing increasingly erratic. Mirelle pressed her advantage, raining down strikes on the exposed area. But before she could land a decisive blow, the wyrm reared up, letting out an earsplitting roar. Its body coiled tightly, its glowing eyes narrowing as it prepared for a powerful counterattack.
"Mirelle, pull back!" I called out urgently.
She obeyed instantly, retreating to my side. The wyrm's massive form uncoiled with explosive force, sending a shockwave through the room. Dust and debris filled the air, obscuring our vision.
As the dust settled, the wyrm's imposing figure loomed once more, its exposed wound still bleeding but far from fatal. It let out a guttural growl, its gaze locked on us with renewed fury. I placed a hand on Mirelle's shoulder, meeting her determined eyes.
"You did great, Mirelle. We've shown it we're not easy prey. For now, let's regroup and plan our next move."
Mirelle nodded, her muddy form battered but unbroken. Together, we retreated to a safer distance, the Stone Wyrm watching our every move.
The battle wasn't over, but we had made our mark. Mirelle's growth and strength were undeniable, and as we prepared for the next chapter of this fight, I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride in her resilience.