Ethan wiped blood from his lip, glaring at the beast. "Damn it… It's only at the early intermediate rank, but its strength… it's monstrous."
Randall stood shakily, voice low and tense."Coupled with its size and elemental power, this thing is closer to a late-stage beast. Monsters will always be stronger than men… unless we too can wield elements like they do or have superior skills."
"Let's not lose hope.As long as we can wear it down,we will win."
The air was cold, the torches flickered, and the Ice Bear's growl filled the clearing giving a sense of trepidation.
Ethan and Randall, along with three men of middle novice rank, stood their ground against the Ice Bear. The air was cold and heavy, every breath turning into mist. The ground trembled each time the beast moved while its massive paws left deep marks in the snow-dusted soil.
Early Novice rank guards had distanced themselves and kept on shooting arrows that were coated in poison and sedative.
Ethan raised his shield just in time as the bear swung a paw down.
The impact rattled his arm, but he held firm and pushed back the steel edge of his shield scraping against the beast's fur. He used his sword to block the second swipe.
CLANG!
Sparks flew as claws of Ice bear clashed with the metal.
Randall took the chance to move in from the side, slashing fast and retreating before the bear's jaws could snap down.
The three men circled in, striking at the bear's legs and body. Their blades left shallow cuts, but the beast's thick hide held strong. Still, the teamwork showed effect.
Ethan held the front line, defending each crushing blow, while Randall darted in and out dealing minor wounds using his sharp and aggressive movements. The others kept the beast from focusing on one target, forcing it to spin and snarl in all directions.
The Ice Bear roared, its breath icy and visible in the cold air. It slammed its paw against the ground, sending snow and loose stones scattering around.
Ethan slid to the side, feeling the ground crack where he had been standing. He gritted his teeth and shifted his footing, staying low and balanced.
The fight dragged on, both sides straining. Neither could gain the upper hand. With each attack, the bear grew angrier. Its eyes burned with rage as it swung wildly, claws tearing into the ground.
Then Randall saw an opening. He lowered himself, crouching close to the ground, and slipped around behind the beast. He lifted his sword and prepared to strike deep. But before the blow could land, the Ice Bear spun with shocking speed.
Its massive hind leg lifted, and with a force no one expected, it kicked. The strike slammed into Randall's arms as he crossed them to protect his body.
A cacophony of rattling of bones rang making Randal screams.
"Daaamnnnnn!"
Randall was hurled through the air, crashing into the ground with a heavy thud.Gasps broke out from the men.
Ethan's eyes widened on seeing such a weird move by a beast.
"What… the hell? Is this thing trained in a circus?" Ethan muttered, breathless but steady.
His body tensed a bit, yet he didn't panic. He slammed his sword against his shield, the metallic clang echoing across the clearing, drawing the beast's focus.
The Ice Bear snapped its head toward him and opened its jaws. A rush of blue light surged out, that shot a blast of freezing ice.
Ethan threw himself to the side, rolling across the rough ground. The blast exploded where he had been, coating rocks and walls in a thick layer of frost. He darted left and right, forcing the beast to chase him.
Each blast of ice left the battlefield layered with more frost, the air growing colder with every strike.
But then Ethan noticed the bear's heavy breaths. Its chest rose and fell hard, mist escaping from its nostrils in uneven bursts.
"Is the poison taking effect?"
"The blasts are draining it," Ethan thought. "It's running low on mana."
"Time to act." He signaled the men with a sharp gesture.
The soldiers moved in quickly. Ethan charged forward again, the bear's paw swiping down. This time he slid low across the ground, the claws slicing just above his head. As the beast turned to stomp, its hind legs suddenly caught on a rope hidden beneath the snow.
"GRRRRR!"
"RRRE!"
The Ice Bear roared in fury, pulling back, but more ropes shot out. A metallic chain snapped around its neck, digging into the thick fur. More ropes followed, fired from crossbows and weighted hooks.
The beast thrashed around as its massive body twisted pulling the men along with it. They dug their heels against the rocks and the frozen ground, anchoring the ropes to the walls of the pass.
"Hold it down!" Ethan shouted.
The beast's roars shook the ground, its body lurching as the ropes tightened. Snow and dirt scattered as it clawed at the restraints.
"Now!" Ethan roared.
He and Randall, who had pushed himself back up, rushed forward together. Their swords gleamed under the pale light as they struck at the beast's chest. Randall's blade cut deep into the thick hide, blood spraying against the snow. Ethan aimed straight for the heart, thrusting with all his strength.
But his sword stopped midway, wedged against bone. His arms trembled as he pushed harder.
"Damn it!" Ethan growled, straining to pull it free. Randall grabbed the hilt with him, both of them pulling.
The Ice Bear's eyes snapped open wide. For a moment, they glowed with an ominous blue light. Ethan froze, caught in the beast's stare.
The hump on its back pulsed, glowing like a core of ice. Ethan's blood ran cold.
"Everyone, run!" he shouted at the top of his lungs.
The sword was stuck fast, and he didn't dare stay longer. He and Randall abandoned it and sprinted back.
They had barely taken a few steps when a massive explosion of ice erupted behind them. The blast swallowed the place as snow and shards flew like blades.
The men screamed as the shockwave slammed into them, hurling their bodies back into the wall of frost. Ethan's vision blurred as the freezing air burned his lungs.
The last scene he saw was the battlefield was swallowed in white.