The dragon's roar shook the cavern walls again, **louder than before**, carrying its unbridled rage across the entire chamber. Lava veins on the ground pulsed brighter as though the beast's fury spread into the very earth. Arios steadied himself, his wooden sword raised, though the weapon already showed signs of stress from earlier strikes, his last true defense against this overwhelming power.
The dragon lunged. Its claws ripped through the floor, stone and fire erupting upward. Arios jumped aside, rolling across the ground before springing back to his feet. He could feel the **sharp wind pressure** of the claws grazing his side. Even dodging by a fraction could have meant death.
