The smoke from the explosions billowed thick and fast, cloaking the battlefield in a haze of fire and ash. For a few precious seconds the golems' vision was completely obstructed and that was all the ti Hund needed.
He bolted forward through the smog like a charging beast, his boots crushing scorched earth and shattered stone beneath them.
His breath was ragged but his grip on his sword was unyielding. This ti, he wouldn't split his attacks between both golems. He had a better plan now.
"Focus on one. Break that damned rock fast!" he growled to himself, eyes locked on the spear-wielding golem.
As he closed the distance, his sword began to glow. Thin strands of silver light crawled along the blade's surface, forming intricate runes that pulsed with energy.
He was invoking his Magic again then he felt the drain imdiately. The familiar tug in his chest and the dull ache in his core. This might be the last ti he could do it. His Magic energy were nearly gone.
"HAAAA!!!"
With a shout, Hund leapt into the air.
The golem that blinded and montarily confused by the smoke and the blasts, turned just a second too late. Hund ca down with all his weight behind the thrust, aiming for the sa crack they had worked so hard to create earlier.
His enchanted blade slamd into the golem's chest with a violent crunch, sliding deep into the fracture.
Sparks flew, runes on the sword flaring brighter as they made contact with the hard stone beneath. The golem's core trembled.
But then, with a grinding roar, the golem reacted.
It raised its massive arms, and one of its hands reached toward its chest toward Hund.
Hund's eyes widened. He didn't have ti to pull his blade free. Instead, he twisted it violently, putting every last ounce of strength and willpower into the motion. The crack groaned, splintering wider with a sudden SNAP—just as the golem's hand slamd into its own chest in an attempt to grab him.
But Hund had already let go.
He threw himself backward, hitting the ground hard and rolling across the scorched rubble. Dirt and ash flew up. Pain throbbed through his arms and side, but he kept rolling, getting as much distance as he could.
Then…
FWIP!
An arrow sliced through the air.
Jan had found his window and Hund knew that his aim was perfect.
The arrow slipped through the widened crack with surgical precision, striking the green core hidden within.
CRACK!
The core shattered.
For a heartbeat, the golem froze. Then, with a deep rumble, it began to collapse. Stone pieces slid and tumbled off its fra, and in monts, it was nothing more than rubble and dust.
Hund lay flat on his back a few ters away, coughing and blinking through the dust cloud that followed. He looked up to see the remains of the golem scattered like broken mountains.
"Nice shot…" he muttered.
Jan was already notching another arrow.
"One more," he said coldly, eyes already on the axe-wielding golem.
Hund sat up slowly, shaking off the debris. Esther was leaning on her staff now, almost drained, but she gave him a weak nod and stand straight again.
Annette was still huddled behind cover, watching with wide eyes and her hands clenched tightly.
There was only one golem left. And though their strength was nearly gone, they knew they could finish this.
Esthres's chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. Her limbs trembled, her Magic nearly spent but she wasn't done yet.
With shaky fingers, she reached into her pouch and pulled out a small, glimring pill. Not a potion—those were too slow in monts like this.
Annette had changed that. Her little knowledge in alchemy had fortunately managed turned Magic restoration potions into quick, easy-to-swallow pills. No more fumbling for corks and bottles mid-battle. Just one pill. Pop it, swallow, and keep fighting.
Esther did just that.
A second later, warmth surged back into her veins. Her Magic energy pulsed, only half full, but enough.
Her fingers wrapped tightly around her staff, the tip already flaring with renewed energy. She took a deep breath, eyes locking onto the axe-wielding golem that stood alone now among the ruins, its stone hide blackened by past spells and its steps growing more erratic with every movent.
No more hesitation.
She whispered her incantations in a flash, syllables slipping past her lips like sparks catching wind.
A fiery lance erupted from her staff, roaring as it shot forward and struck the golem square in the chest.
BOOM!
The force knocked the golem back slightly, its torso now marked with a fresh crack that hissed and burned from the fire's fury.
Esther didn't pause.
Wild and jagged crackling arcs of lightning burst forth slamming into the exact sa spot with a thunderous crack. The fire still burned, and now the lightning carved the fissure make it deeper and wider.
The golem staggered, its core flickering faintly behind the split stone. It reeled, axe twitching in its grip as its balance began to falter.
That was the mont Jan had waited for.
From atop a broken column, his eyes narrowed. He saw the gap. The fire and lightning still lingered in the air.
But that didn't stop him.
He exhaled. Steadied his hands. Pulled the bowstring taut.
FWIP!
The arrow shot forth, an arc of silver light cutting through the lingering flas and sparks.
It struck true.
A sound like shattering crystal rang out.
The golem's core broke. The energy inside burst and with it, the golem's entire fra collapsed. Its limbs dropped like sacks of stone, its axe hitting the ground with a final clang, and then silence.
Dust swept through the ruins once more.
Esther fell to one knee, panting. Jan lowered his bow, gaze still sharp. Hund groaned, forcing himself upright, and wiped the blood and ash from his face.
From behind cover, Annette finally let out the breath she'd been holding.
It was over.
All three golems lay in pieces. The team had won.
---
User Comments
0 comments from readers