A golden spike erupted from behind the beast, slamming into its back with a deafening crash.
The spike didn't pierce its hide, but the violent vibration disrupted its balance, throwing the massive body airborne and stunning it for a fraction of a second.
That was enough.
Ray dove.
The two figures overlapped in a blur.
The bear swung its claws wildly, but its movements were sluggish, its strength dulled by the resonance of the golden Silverfalls Vine vibrating through its body.
Ray met its claw with his own.
Clang!
Metal screamed against metal.
This time, he didn't fly back.
Gravity, momentum, and the reinforcing pull of his golden vines held him firm. Both arms recoiled from the impact—but Ray landed squarely on the bear's shoulder.
He raised his leg and kicked hard at its neck.
The impact felt like slamming into solid steel. Pain surged up his leg, but the bear's head still snapped sideways from the force.
