The two colossi rose again.
The beast was first.
Its forelegs trembled beneath its weight as it pushed itself from the ground, dragging one damaged leg behind it. Blood continued to seep from the wounds beneath its jaw and around its joints, staining the black stone beneath it.
The elemental rose more slowly.
The impact had left a deep fracture across its torso. Through the broken stone, its core burned openly, a concentrated mass of orange-white light that pulsed beneath the cracked shell of its body.
Neither looked healthy.
Neither looked ready to die.
The four of them had little time to appreciate the distinction.
The beast lurched forward.
Vaelyn moved first.
The roots that had spread throughout the cavern tightened.
They did not attempt to hold the creature.
Instead, they pulled the ground beneath its injured leg sideways.
The beast's weight shifted.
Its next step landed badly.
Nahara was already there.
Sand burst beneath her feet, throwing her forward.
