Karl and the group jumped back, forming their line carefully. The battle spilled toward the cave mouth, each step cautious but determined. Thorn struck again and again, her vines lashing out, guiding the serpent into the open where they could finally face it properly, without the darkness where at last, they could face it on their own terms.
The serpent burst into the open with a roar that shook the ground, Small stones and dust rained down as its massive body slammed against the walls. Sunlight caught its scales, and Karl's breath hitched—this was no ordinary Bronze III beast.
Its hide gleamed like molten bronze, thick and strong, far tougher than the Dire Wolf's fur. Every movement radiated raw, dangerous power.
"Hold formation!" Karl shouted, gripping his spear tightly.
The serpent pulled back slightly, its throat swelling. Karl felt the air tense, ready to snap. Then, with a sudden lunge, it struck.
A jet of dark green venom shot forward. Dren threw himself to the side, the liquid missing him by only inches. The venom hit the rock with a sizzling hiss, smoke curling up as the stone bubbled and blackened.
The serpent's body slammed down onto the rocky floor. The ground trembled beneath them, as if the cave itself were shaking. Cracks raced outward from the impact, splitting the stone and sending small pebbles skittering across the floor.
Grok stumbled, barely keeping his balance. Tarran fell to one knee, bracing himself against the tremor. Renn pressed his spear into the ground, teeth clenched, fighting to stay upright as the shockwave threatened to knock him over.
Karl's voice cut through the chaos, sharp and commanding. "Circle around it!" he shouted, stepping forward, spear ready. The group tightened their formation, moving carefully but quickly, each of them feeling the weight and danger of the moment.
Above, Ember let out a sharp cry, her wings stretching wide as she swooped down toward the serpent. Her talons scratched across its eye, sparks flickering where claw met scale. The serpent hissed and jerked back, the sound of its scales scraping together like metal plates ringing through the cave.
But it was not finished. With a sudden, violent lunge, the serpent's long, twisting body shot outward. Grok, caught off-guard, stumbled as the coils wrapped around him like thick, living ropes. He gasped, bones creaking under the pressure, a rough sound escaping his chest.
"My Lord! Grrrahhh!" he shouted, straining against the serpent's grip.
Karl didn't hesitate. He lunged forward, his spear glinting in the faint crystal light. With all his strength, he drove it into the serpent's side. The bronze-colored scales parted just enough and hot, acidic blood sprayed, sizzling against the dirt. The serpent shuddered violently, but its coils only tightened further around Grok, the danger far from over.
The fight raged on. Claws scraped against shields, spears struck at flashing scales, and Ember's sharp winds cut through the air. The serpent writhed and hissed, every strike shaking the ground beneath them.
High above, where the trees grew thick along the ridge, something stirred. Small shapes slipped quietly between the shadows, unseen by Karl or his companions. They were scouts. Two of them. Sent by the rival lord.
For a moment, they stood frozen, eyes wide, staring down at the clash below. They saw everything—the Bronze III serpent thrashing, the glitter of the crystal veins glowing inside the cave, and Karl's group fighting with all their strength. Their hearts pounded, caught between awe and fear.
Without hesitation, they turned and retreated back toward their lord's camp, desperate to relay the sight of Karl's team, the serpent, and the valuable crystals.
Down below, Karl and his companions were too focused on the battle. None of them noticed the scouts above. Every bit of their focus, every heartbeat, was spent on fighting serpent
The battle pressed on, every breath heavy, every strike desperate. Karl's eyes darted up to Ember circling above. The time had come.
"Ember! Now!" he shouted, his voice carrying over the chaos.
With a sharp cry, Ember folded her wings and dove, a white streak against the sky. Her claws slashed across the serpent's brow, sparks flying as scale met talon. At the same moment, Thorn lashed out. His vine whipped upward, wrapping tightly around the serpent's other eye.
The great beast screeched, its body twisting in pain. For the first time, its crushing coils loosened. Grok stumbled free, crashing to the ground. He clutched his ribs, blood on his lips, but his legs still held him.
For a heartbeat, everything went still. The serpent's huge body shuddered, motionless except for the faint rise and fall of its chest.
Karl's grip tightened on his spear. Something was wrong.
Then he felt it—an invisible weight pressing against his chest. The serpent's aura heavier than before, like thunderclouds gathering before a storm.
Karl's whisper slipped out, barely heard over the silence.
"It's not done…"
The air felt heavy, pressing down on them all. Karl's warning still echoed, a low crackling sound filled the surrounding. At first, it was faint, like stone breaking under pressure. Then it grew louder.
The serpent's body began to change. Its bronze scales split open, cracking one after another. Shards of metal-like skin flaked off and clattered onto the ground, ringing like fallen coins.
Beneath the old layer, new scales gleamed. They were brighter, sharper, and harder, catching the light like polished blades. Its muscles swelled thicker, each movement stronger than before.
Its eyes snapped open, blazing with molten light.
Renn's voice trembled as he stared.
"It's… it's evolving."