Spirit Game

Santi and Helliana were next. They moved in sync, blades flashing as they darted in to strike.

Helliana's daggers aimed for the joints in Balaur's armor, while Santi's sword arced toward his neck.

However, Balaur's response was swift and brutal. He lashed out with a speed that defied his massive size, his claws raking across Helliana's chest, sending her flying back with a deep wound.

Santi managed to land a blow, but it barely scratched his skin before Balaur retaliated, knocking her to the ground with a forceful backhand.

Both women lay gravely injured, the might of the dragon god proving far too great for even their combined strength.

Rylan and Kaelen were gone in the blink of an eye, their lives snuffed out like candles in a storm. The suddenness of it all left the survivors in shock, disbelief etched on their faces.

Elora was trembling, and her usual calm shattered as he couldn't hold it in any longer. Fear consumed her as she turned, instinct taking over — she had to flee.

They couldn't defeat something like that. Balaur was not just stronger than Gorm; he was a hundred times more powerful, a living force of destruction.

But she never made it far.

Balaur moved with terrifying speed, intercepting her in a single stride. His massive hand shot out, grasping Elora before she could even draw her next breath. There was no mercy in his eyes, only the cold hunger of a god.

With a cruel twist, he ended her life on the spot. Elora's body crumpled to the ground, lifeless, as the others watched in stunned horror.

"Elora, NO!" Santi chocked and spat out blood.

Rain glanced at Santi, who sat with her back against a rock, her eyes closed as Golly continued to work on her wound. Tears streaming down her face.

"My lord, you need to go!" Ri urged, his voice strained as he stepped forward, ready to intercept Balaur before the monstrous god could reach Rain and the others.

At the edge of the battlefield, #4 hesitated, unsure of what to do. His hands trembled as he frantically healed the wounded around him, doing his best to patch up their injuries, but he could only do so much. His gaze kept flickering toward the impending doom that was Balaur.

Chick and Chill darted forward without hesitation, their small forms a blur of speed as they charged toward Balaur once more. They knew they couldn't stop the godlike beast, but they couldn't stand idle while their comrades faced certain death.

"We can't stop that thing! Let's just run!" Golly cried, his voice rising in panic as he gripped Rain's arm. "We need to get out of here now!"

But Rain stood frozen, his mind racing. He knew Golly was right but . . . they couldn't outrun Balaur. The dragon, god of war, would hunt them down, tear them apart, no matter how far they ran.

The only option was to stand and fight.

"RaAarRghH!" A ferocious battle cry echoed through the air as Thorgar launched himself at Balaur. "I'll hold him off! You guys run! Get out of here while you can! Run as fast as you can!"

"Thorgar!" Thraigar shouted, his voice breaking as he watched his friend charge headlong toward the unstoppable force.

Thorgar glanced back, his lips curling into a wild grin. "Thraigar, you need to return to the tribe," he called out. "You have to warn them. Let them know what we're up against. You have to go back and run away with them!"

"No! Thorgar, don't!" Thraigar's voice was thick with desperation, his hands clenched into fists, his heart warring with the urge to join his friend in the suicidal charge.

But Thorgar's only grinned widely as he gave his final order. "GO! All of you, GO!" he bellowed, his eyes blazing, his decision final.

Without waiting for a response, Thorgar leaped at Balaur, his weapon raised high, ready to face the unstoppable monster.

"Thorgar!" Thraigar cried again, but it was too late. His brother had already made his choice.

Balaur barely flinched as Thorgar collided with him, his adamantine fist swinging in a devastating arc. The impact cracked the earth beneath them, but Thorgar stood firm, his defiance clear in every fiber of his being.

"GO!" Thorgar's voice roared above the chaos, as Balaur's shadow loomed over him, the god of war's bloodlust burning brighter than ever.

Rain finally snapped into action. His hand gripped the hilt of his sword, his resolve hardening. They couldn't just flee — there's no running from that thing.

"We fight!" Rain's voice cut through the air.

"What are you talking about?!" Thorgar roared, his eyes wide with disbelief.

"There's no running from that thing!" Rain shot back, his gaze fixed on Balaur's monstrous form. "Chi!" He called out, locking eyes with his commander, and without hesitation, Chi knew exactly what he wanted to do.

In a flash of energy, the two fused, their bodies merging into one. Power surged through Rain as he and Chi became a single force. Without a second thought, they charged at Balaur.

Santi and Helliana exchanged a look, their decision made in an instant. There was no turning back now.

They rushed forward, following Rain's lead, weapons drawn, their hearts steeled for the battle ahead.

"Damn youngsters," Golly muttered under his breath, spitting on the ground. He was scrambling for ideas to aid everyone and defeat Balaur.

Thraigar clenched his jaw and tightened his grip on his weapon. With a roar, he charged into battle as well, his body moving before his mind could fully process the madness of it all.

Thorgar was still standing tall, and took a deep breath, watching his friend and the others rush headlong toward Balaur.

"Such idiots," Thorgar muttered under his breath, but a grin spread across his face. He couldn't help it. The reckless bravery, the unyielding spirit — they were all in this together, and he loves the thrill of battle.

If they were going to die, then they would die in battle.

Balaur's eyes narrowed, his amusement shifting to something darker. The god of war was ready, eager to see if these mortals had any hope of standing against him.

His bloodlust surged as Rain, Ri, and the others closed in, and the battle began in a thunderous clash of power.