The dragon breathed out a massive stream of blue flames. If Zetto hadn't reacted in time, there would've been nothing left of either carriage or anyone in them. Zetto reached out his hand, hitting the dragon with the most powerful offensive spell he could imagine.
A huge, rushing beam of red magical energy shot from his hand, tearing up a small stretch of ground in front of them. The beam hit the dragon and… didn't even scratch it. Shock written all over his face, Zetto tried again, this time with a different spell – a simple fireball –focusing on protecting both carriages. The fireball hit the dragon's scales and exploded into tiny sparks of magical red dust.
No doubt about it. It's immune to magic attacks.
"Tae," he called to the tigress, who had jumped off the wagon at the same time. "I need you as my blade."
"Finally, I get to use the weapon you bought me for something other than front-line fighting."
"Yeah. I'll focus on protecting you and the others. Please, be careful" he said, giving her a quick kiss, but full of feeling.
Tae nodded and charged forward. Zetto first cast a spell to protect her from the dragon's fire, then another to boost her speed. The dragon studied them with its eyes, preparing for its next attack. As if that wasn't enough, Ora suddenly ran out from the coach. The little girl wore a coat that matched her hair.
"Ora, get back inside, now!" Zetto shouted, scolding, worried about her safety.
"But I want to help! My skill will make you cast your spells faster, Zetto."
"Ora… this isn't the time. And where's Maghra? She was supposed to watch you."
"She fell asleep," Ora replied calmly.
"I'll have a serious talk about this with her later," said Zetto with a slightly irritated look.
"Zetto!" Alice shouted.
Despite his little chat with Ora, the Messenger had everything under control. Tae was already at the dragon's claws, digging her daggers into its limb and climbing up the massive body of the beast. The dragon unleashed its fire a second time, but this time the flame came out more like a dense, black smoke.
Zetto watched in horror as his protective magic started to break down under the dragon's breath.
"Tae! Watch out!" he shouted at the top of his lungs. He stretched out his hand toward the tigress, and his barrier appeared around her faster, thanks to Ora standing next to him. The barrier was stronger than usual, glowing gold instead of green.
Huh, what's going on? I don't remember Ora having a skill like this.
Zetto's status appeared in front of him, with Ora's status next to it. Under her skills, there was now a small note:
Hidden Sub-Ability of Golden Feathers: If an Owl Parent uses Golden Feathers support, their attack speed increases from 5% to 50%, and all magical skills are upgraded, even if they've already reached max level, granting additional bonuses.
"Ora, I'm sorry for yelling at you. You were right, but I was just worried about you."
The owl girl nodded at him with a smile.
"Yeah, I know. It's okay, don't worry," she said, then hugged him.
"Keep going, Tae, you can do it!" Alice shouted. The only thing she could do was cheer them on.
At the same time, the tigress drove one of her blades into the dragon's rib. The beast howled, snapping at her with its teeth. Tae barely avoided getting her leg bitten off. Not waiting for a second attack, she drove another dagger in all the way to the hilt, then, without hesitation, pushed off the dragon's body with her muscular legs, gripping her blade tightly. She spun in circles, then leapt up and landed on the dragon's back.
If it weren't for Zetto and his magic, I'd be dead or permanently injured by now. Thank you for being here with me, Zetto.
And now I'll show you the true strength of Tiriga – and that you've never been, and will never be, alone in your fight.
From afar, Tae smiled at Zetto, who was putting her barrier up again. With shaky steps, she started climbing up the dragon's neck toward its head, planning first to blind it, and then, through the wound in its eyes, reach its brain and kill it. It didn't go as smoothly as she'd imagined. The dragon suddenly shot up into the air. Tae had to drive another dagger into the beast's neck, so she wouldn't fall.
"Tae!" Zetto and Alice called out.
Meime, yawning, stepped out of the carriage. She woke up from a short nap. Yarick had been driving the wagon with Varii and Tiriga for a while now.
"What's all the noise? What's happening with Tae?" she asked, stretching.
"Look up," Zetto replied, staring at Meime in disbelief, slightly annoyed at her nonchalant attitude.
The beast started diving straight down toward at the carriages.
"Get Ora out of here!" Zetto shouted.
Meime nodded and picked up Ora like a toy. The skinny little owl girl was so tiny that muscular Meime could hold her with one hand.
"No, Zetto! I want to help, Zetto!" Ora started struggling, tears in her eyes.
"Like all of us, sweetie," Meime said, "but sometimes we have to let it go."
Ora started crying, saying she wanted to keep helping Zetto and tried to break free, but Meime ignored her and didn't hesitate for a second longer. She carried her to the coach with Varii and Tiriga. Yarick and Alice cracked their whips, urging the horses forward. The animals moved a few steps away.
The dragon dove down, its wings and claws almost reaching the second vehicle if it weren't for Zetto.
The Messenger stood with his arms raised, casting a barrier over the impact zone. The dragon kept pressing forward, and a crater formed under Zetto's feet. The Messenger's hands trembled, and his legs began to buckle. Zetto gritted his teeth, pushing himself.
Fuck! I'm barely holding on. I have to survive. How the hell is this beast fighting me head-on like this, despite my level and spells? Even my strongest offensive and defensive magic can barely keep up…
He glanced at Tae, gripping the dagger stuck in the dragon's neck. A thin, flowing stream of navy blue blood sparkled and immediately turned into snow. The force of the impact whipped the wind through Tae's hair and clothes, almost throwing her off the beast's back.
Tae grabbed one of the dragon's scales with her claws, then pulled out her dagger, hoping to keep moving forward.
That was a mistake.
The dragon pushed harder against Zetto, creating an even stronger wind blast. Tae almost fell from several meters above the ground, but at the last second, she hooked her dagger on the dragon's scales and slid along its throat, leaving a shallow but wide cut.
"Tae!" Zetto screamed.
The Messenger exchanged a look with the dragon.
He felt mockery and disdain in its eyes, and responded with a gaze full of anger.
The beast pulled back for a clash, suddenly leaping upward. The force was so strong that Tae couldn't hold on and started falling.
Sorry, Zetto.
I failed you. And I failed all of my people.
At the same time, the dragon changed direction, flying full force toward the carriages. It couldn't break through Zetto's defense with its fiery breath, but it knew that the hit of its magic-filled, massive body combined with sheer brute strength would crush the messenger's barrier – and everything he was so desperately protecting.
Shit! I can't save everyone at once!, Zetto thought in terror.
Still, he tried to do what he could. He started dashing toward Tae, casting more protective spells toward the wagons as he ran to catch her.