When the Viper's mouth opened wide to deliver a deadly strike to the vulnerable Marik who now laying on the ground, John's and Amel's eyes went wide in disbelief.The beast's gaping maw seemed to be a momentary nightmare that froze them for a split second.Amel's breath caught in her throat and she gasped, unable to tear her gaze from the massive fangs that were moments from tearing into Marik's flesh and unable to do anything.Without thinking, John acted. His heart hammered in his chest but his mind was calm, focused.In one quick move, he gripped his sword and hurled it toward the Viper, his arm snapping forward with brutal force. The sword spun through the air flashing in the dim light and it slammed into the open mouth of the Bladed Spine Viper.The beast let out a horrific screech, the blade puncturing deep into its throat. Blood spurted from the wound, drenching the floor as the Viper recoiled violently, thrashing in pain.John could hear its anguished hiss echo through the chamber, but there was no time to savor the victory.Irene was already in motion. With a speed that seemed unnatural, she darted toward the Viper's underbelly that was now exposed.Her form blurred as she closed the distance in a blink of an eye and with a swift and strong swing, she drove her blade into the creature's soft underbelly, her sword cutting through flesh that not covered in red scales with terrifying squelch.The Viper's body spasmed violently, a guttural scream escaping from its throat as it reeled back in agony then retreating several meter from Irene's assault.The Beast's body twisted, trying to pull away from its torment as it staggered, desperate to escape."Now, Inky! Miki!" John commanded urgently with sharp and clear thoughts to his Beast's mind.The Beasts, having already been poised for action, surged forward without hesitation.From the shadows, Inky and Miki emerged with deadly move. Inky darted low, while Miki jumping and running, using his speed and agility to circle around the Viper's flank.Inky's sharp claws lashed at the creature's exposed underbelly, the force of each slashes causing the Viper to hiss and thrash in pain.Miki scurried up the Viper's side, his teeth sinking into the beast's other side underbelly, his tiny but powerful jaws tearing through flesh with shocking strength.The Viper's cries were deafening as it struggled, its movements growing more erratic and desperate with each attack. But with the Beasts closing in from all sides, it was only a matter of time before its resistance faltered.John watched with bated breath as Inky, Miki, and Irene continued to press their assault.The Viper was reeling, its fiery eyes wide with terror, realizing too late that it was outmatched.John knew they had the advantage now. His Beasts and his friends were all in perfect sync, working together as though they had trained for this moment their entire lives.While the Viper's body writhed in agony from the relentless assault. Then a fleeting thought crossed John's mind."What if I tame it?" The idea of adding such a powerful Beast to his growing army was tempting, especially a Beast with the strength and abilities the Viper possessed. It would be a valuable addition, no doubt.But before he could entertain the thought further, a sharp sting of discomfort throbbed at the back of his mind. His vision flickered, and a message appeared, causing his focus to waver.-----"You cannot tame any more Beasts at this point!""Your Mental Sphere is not able to contain more Beast's soul!"-----John winced, a headache blossoming in his temples as the words etched themselves into his mind.He understood the message, but it left a feeling of frustration bubbling up inside him."Urgh... Mental Sphere? What exactly is it?"But now wasn't the time for that line of questioning. There was a fight to finish, and the Viper was still writhing in its death throes.He shook off the discomfort and focused back on the battle.Meanwhile, Marik, now back on his feet then immediately charged forward. The impact from the Viper's earlier assault hadn't make him waver, if anything, it seemed to fuel his determination.His massive turtle companion, also recovered, moved to flank the Viper, pushing the creature even closer to the ground as it tried to crawl away from the assault.The Viper's underbelly was wide open now, fully exposed to their attacks.With a powerful roar, Marik swung his shield at the Viper's side, slamming it into the beast's body with a force that made the creature stagger.John watched, his breath steady, his eyes sharp. This was the moment. They had it now. Every strike aimed at the same weakness he had exposed.As the Viper lurched in its final moments, its once-glistening scales now bloodied and torn, Inky and Miki pressed ferociously.Miki nipped at its side, pulling back just enough to let Inky's claws rip through the creature's exposed underbelly.Irene and Marik, and the Beast's all perfectly synchronized and they did not let up.Each attack pushing the Viper closer to its end. The creature's struggles grew weaker with every passing second.Finally, after one last vicious slash from Irene and a savage bite from Inky, the Viper's massive body went still.The sound of its last breath, a wheezing rasp, filled the chamber before all was silent.John let out a slow exhale, his heart still racing from the intensity of the fight even though he just standing behind.They'd done it. The Viper is dead now.As the echoes of battle faded, the group stood in the aftermath, catching their breath. Blood covered the floor.John's thoughts began to wander, a small part of him still curious about what the Mental Sphere was."Later, I'll figure it out later," he thought.But then, when they thought that they have just done with danger, another quake happened. And something formed from the blood of the Bladed Spine Viper.---