The Coordinated Attack Begins
The three stood face-to-face with the azure dragon, which now seemed even angrier. Kenta glanced at Malik and Walid, speaking with confidence:
"I have a plan, but it depends on your ability to distract it."
"A plan? Please don't tell me it involves one of us sacrificing ourselves," Walid said with a sarcastic grin.
"If I'm the sacrifice, I'll agree—on the condition that I'm remembered as a legendary hero!" Kenta quipped, making Malik shake his head and say:
"No time for jokes. Focus on the mission."
Kenta charged directly at the dragon, using his long sword to deliver a series of swift strikes to its wings.
Walid's Witty Stand
As Kenta engaged the dragon, Walid took the opportunity to fire his lightning-infused arrows at the dragon's fins.
"Come on, you flying lizard! Show me what you've got!" Walid shouted, drawing a laugh from Kenta.
"You call that taunting? I've heard children issue better challenges."
"Oh, sorry, wise old man! But I'm pretty sure the dragon prefers my lightning arrows over your advice," Walid retorted with a confident grin.
Malik, observing the situation, spoke sternly:
"Enough! We're in the middle of a battle, not a comedy show."
Diving into the lake once more, Malik found the crystalline orb, still protected by its glowing shield. He began trying to break it with his energy-infused strikes, but each attempt drained his strength further.
Above the surface, Kenta and Walid were struggling to keep the dragon distracted as it grew fiercer. The beast unleashed a storm of winds that brought Kenta to his knees.
"Is that all you've got? I expected better!" Kenta shouted as he struggled back to his feet.
Walid, preparing another arrow, remarked sarcastically:
"Kenta, don't make me feel sorry for you. I need you to cover my back."
The three decided to coordinate their efforts. Kenta yelled:
"Malik, when I give the signal, hit the orb with everything you've got!"
Walid began firing a rapid series of lightning arrows at the dragon's eyes, causing it to flap its wings erratically. Meanwhile, Kenta leapt onto the dragon's back, stabbing its wings repeatedly with his sword, giving Malik the opportunity to deliver a decisive blow to the orb's shield.
As the crystalline orb shattered, the dragon let out one final roar before its body collapsed and dissolved into blue dust. The lake began to fade, leaving the three standing in a grand hall adorned with ancient Japanese symbols.
"Well, that was tough," Walid said, collapsing onto the floor.
"At least none of us died… except maybe my dignity when I was screaming like a child," Kenta said with a wry smile.
"This isn't the time for jokes. We have more floors to climb," Malik said as he surveyed the room.
On one of the walls, Japanese text appeared, reading: "He who defeats the Azure Dragon shall be granted the Warrior's Gift."
A small chest emerged from the wall, containing a blue metallic bracelet pulsing with energy.
"This one's mine, right? I'm the one who broke the shield!" Malik said with a grin.
"Oh, of course! Because we didn't do anything except cheer you on," Walid replied sarcastically.
Kenta, with a serious tone, added:
"The treasures will help us, but we need to share them wisely. This bracelet might be the key to the next floor."
…