The Alpha Astra beast snarled, its presence overwhelming as the students regrouped, their summons finally materializing one by one. The oppressive energy that had severed their bonds still lingered, but it was no longer enough to keep their summons at bay. Valkas stepped forward, his Infernal Boar pawing the ground, ready to charge.
"Aria, Kael's Royal Dragon—take the front! Mary, you and your Golden Lion flank it! Gail and I will provide ranged support," Valkas commanded, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade.
Elara frowned. Something about his plan felt off. The Alpha Astra beast was an opponent of unmatched agility and intelligence, and a direct assault wasn't going to work. Its sinewy body crouched lowand muscles coiled like springs.
"Wait," Elara said, stepping forward. Valkas glanced back, startled.
"What?" he asked, his tone impatient.
"That won't work," Elara said firmly. "This beast isn't just going to stand there and let us overpower it. If we spread out like that, it'll pick us off one by one."
"And your plan?" Valkas challenged, his crimson eyes narrowing.
Elara straightened, her Diamond Grimoire glowing faintly in her hand. "We need to box it in. Kael's Royal Dragon and Aria should push it into a narrow area where it can't use its speed as effectively. Mary's Golden Lion can guard the opening to block its escape. Meanwhile, you and Gail focus on targeting its weak points with ranged attacks."
Valkas hesitated, clearly unused to yielding control. Gail, however, smirked.
"Sounds better than charging in blindly," he said, folding his arms. "I'm in."
"Fine," Valkas said grudgingly. "But this better work."
Elara ignored the jab, turning to Aria. "Can you do it?"
Aria's black eyes glimmered faintly as she nodded. "Yes."
With the plan set, the group moved into position. Kael's Royal Dragon roared, its massive body taking the left flank, while Aria, small yet impossibly powerful, took the right. They advanced slowly, forcing the Alpha Astra beast backward. The creature snarled, its glowing eyes flicking between them as it crouched lower, ready to spring.
The oppressive air clung to the clearing as the Eclipser Serpent coiled itself tightly, its glowing eyes fixed on the group. Elara's heart pounded in her chest as she clutched her Diamond Grimoire. The serpent's crystalline scales shimmered ominously, catching the fading light like fractured glass.
Kael's Royal Dragon stood in front of them, its emerald-green scales gleaming with resolve. The massive beast exhaled, a low rumble echoing from its chest. "Stay sharp!" Kael called out. "The serpent's defense is no joke, and it's faster than it looks!"
The Royal Dragon roared, its presence commanding. Its Primary Trait: Dragon Heart flared to life, bolstering its endurance and determination. The surge of energy it exuded emboldened Kael, who stood firmly behind his summon.
"Kael, focus on containment!" Elara shouted, her voice steady. "Aria, stay close to the dragon and test the serpent's defenses!"
Aria nodded without a word, her movements fluid and deliberate. She darted forward, her restrained power still enough to leave small craters where her feet touched the ground. The serpent lashed out with its tail, aiming to crush her, but the Royal Dragon intercepted it with a swing of its tail, the impact sending a shockwave rippling through the clearing.
"Tertiary Trait: Royal Being," Kael muttered under his breath. The dragon's aura intensified, the sheer force of its presence forcing the serpent to shift focus momentarily.
Aria seized the opportunity, leaping toward the serpent's side. She struck its crystalline scales with a sharp, miasma-infused punch, but the blow merely ricocheted off with a dull clang. The serpent hissed, its Primary Trait: Crystalline Shroud shimmering as it absorbed the attack.
"That shield is too strong!" Kael growled.
"It's not invincible," Elara countered. "Keep pressuring it! Mary, summon your Golden Lion and go for the joints when the dragon creates an opening!"
Mary's grimoire flickered as the Golden Lion emerged, its radiant coat shimmering like sunlight. It darted forward with precision, using its Secondary Trait: Radiant Coat to repel the serpent's miasma-based counterattacks. As the Royal Dragon forced the serpent to retreat with a powerful tail strike, the lion leapt in, claws extended toward the serpent's vulnerable underbelly.
The serpent recoiled, its hissing intensifying. Suddenly, its aura darkened, and a strange energy rippled through the air. The Secondary Trait: Bond Severance activated, severing the fragile connections between the summoners and their beasts.
The Golden Lion flickered and vanished, and the Royal Dragon staggered back, its movements sluggish as the bond weakened. Mary stumbled, clutching her chest, and Kael's face twisted in frustration as he tried to maintain the link.
"Elara, what's the plan?" Valkas asked, his voice sharp as his grimoire dimmed.
"We don't stop!" Elara barked. "The serpent is using its bond-breaking trait to buy time, but it can't maintain it forever. Gail—where's your Royal Wolf?"
Gail's grimoire pulsed faintly, but the beast had yet to materialize. "Still blocked," he muttered, his jaw clenched.
"Focus, then!" Elara snapped. "We need every summon on the field!"
Kael gritted his teeth, urging his Royal Dragon forward. Despite the strain, the dragon roared again, its Secondary Trait: Dragon Scales activating. The shimmering green scales thickened, absorbing the serpent's vicious tail strike as it lunged. Kael's summon held firm, the serpent's attack bouncing off harmlessly.
"Aria, keep attacking its weak spots!" Elara commanded.
Aria nodded, her stoic expression unchanging as she darted back into the fray. The serpent struck at her with lightning speed, but her restrained power and agility allowed her to weave through its attacks. She landed a devastating punch to the serpent's jaw, causing it to falter briefly.
The serpent retaliated, opening its maw to release a torrent of concentrated energy, but Kael's Royal Dragon stepped forward, its Dragon Scales absorbing the blast. "Hold it!" Kael shouted, sweat dripping from his brow.
"Gail, now!" Elara urged.
With a sharp exhale, Gail's grimoire flared. From the light emerged the Royal Wolf, its obsidian-black fur glistening and its golden eyes glowing. The wolf let out a low growl, its Primary Trait: Shadow Pursuit activating as it locked onto the serpent's movements.
The Royal Wolf darted into the fray, weaving around the serpent with blinding speed. It leapt onto the serpent's back, claws digging into its crystalline scales. The serpent thrashed, its tail lashing out to dislodge the wolf, but the beast clung on, relentless.
"Good timing," Valkas said, a faint smile tugging at his lips.
"Don't waste it!" Elara shot back. "Kael, pressure its front! Aria, target its joints! Gail, keep the wolf on its back to disrupt its movements!"
The team moved in unison. Kael's Royal Dragon surged forward, its Dragon Heart giving it the endurance to withstand another powerful blow from the serpent. Aria darted beneath the beast, her punches finding purchase at the serpent's joints where the crystalline armor was weakest. The Royal Wolf continued to harass the serpent from above, its claws tearing through the shimmering scales.
The serpent hissed, its body coiling tighter as it attempted one final desperate attack. It lunged at Elara directly, its maw wide and glowing with energy.
"Elara!" Valkas shouted, panic evident in his voice.
Aria was there in an instant, her small frame intercepting the serpent's attack. Her restrained power flared as she caught the serpent's strike with her bare hands. "Elara, mine," she muttered, her voice calm but filled with resolve.
"Now!" Elara commanded.
Kael's Royal Dragon unleashed a devastating tail strike, shattering the serpent's remaining defenses. Aria followed with a precise punch, striking the beast's core. The Royal Wolf darted in, delivering the final blow as its claws tore through the serpent's neck.
The Alpha Astra beast let out a final, piercing hiss before collapsing to the ground. Its body shimmered briefly before dissolving into particles of light, leaving the clearing eerily silent.
The group stood frozen, their breaths heavy. Slowly, the oppressive aura lifted, and the tension in the air dissipated.
"We did it," Mary whispered, her voice trembling.
Elara exhaled, her shoulders sagging with relief. "We worked together. That's what made it possible."
Kael placed a hand on his Royal Dragon, which rumbled softly in response. Gail smirked, his Royal Wolf padding over to stand beside him. "Not bad, Lady Elara. Not bad at all."
Aria returned to Elara's side, slipping her hand into hers once more. Despite her stoic expression, there was a faint warmth in the gesture.
"You led us well," Valkas said softly, his crimson eyes meeting Elara's.
Elara smiled faintly. "We all played a part. That's what teamwork is about."