The Pale Crown's laughter didn't stop. That guttural, scraping noise—like bones grinding against stone—rattled the cavern walls as it stalked forward step by deliberate step.
Theo and Flint stood shoulder to shoulder, united now under a single strategy. Their breaths were slow but sharp, the air trembling around them from the beast's presence.
Far behind, Kairo and Lilian kept their distance. Lilian's voice cracked as she stared at the monstrous figure. "They're going to die… Theo, Flint… please…"
Kairo clenched his fists, eyes fixed on his friends. (You two… be careful)
"Flint," Theo muttered, eyes never leaving the towering creature, "follow my lead. If we go one by one, we die. But together—"
"We can hurt this thing, I get it," Flint grumbled, cracking his neck as flames curled around his fist. He swung his axe, steadying his grip. "Not planning on dying to an overgrown mole. Tell me where you need me."
The Pale Crown's head tilted sharply to the side, observing them with an eerie, almost eager curiosity, amused by their bravado. The grin stretched wider across its pale, scar-cut face…
…and then, without warning, it moved.
Fast.
Theo's grip tightened on his sword. "Here it comes—get ready!"
Flint crouched low, flames simmering along his arm. Theo followed right behind him, boots scraping against the stone floor as the Pale Crown lowered itself like a predator ready to pounce.
The monster moved first.
Its massive claws stretched outward with horrifying speed, slicing straight toward Flint's neck. The air itself split from the force.
(Please work… please work!) Flint begged in his head.
And then—
BOOM!
Fire erupted from Flint's back, blasting him forward in a burst of speed so abrupt it left a streak of embers behind. He ducked under the sweeping claws with barely an inch to spare.
"YEAH! IT WORKED!" Flint roared, exhilarated.
The Pale Crown's eyes widened, its grin flickering with brief confusion.
Theo didn't waste that moment.
"Dash!"
His body flickered, shadows rippling around him as he blurred toward the beast's arm. He leapt onto its forearm, boots finding grip on the creature's dense fur.
"Rattle of the Deep!"
Theo's sword vibrated with dark energy as he thrust downward—
—but the blade didn't pierce deep. It carved a shallow line, barely a scratch on the Pale Crown's thick hide.
The monster's grin returned.
It swung its arm violently, trying to fling Theo off, but Flint came in again from the side, fire blasting from his heels as he vaulted upward and swung his axe toward the creature's ribs.
CLANG!
The axe bounced off like it had struck iron.
"Damn it!" Flint snarled.
The Pale Crown turned, striking with its other claw, but Flint fired off a mid-air burst from his foot, twisting away just in time. Theo landed beside him, sliding across the stone.
"That's two attacks where it didn't follow fast enough," Theo said quickly. "We hit together—same spot—over and over."
Flint grinned. "Then let's break this bastard down!"
They dashed again.
Flint shot forward with flame-boosted bursts, aiming high at the creature's shoulder. Theo stayed low, flickering in and out of vision with Dash, aiming at the same joint.
The Pale Crown growled, its shadow swelling—and struck.
Flint ducked under the massive swing, skidding on the ground, while Theo leapt and slashed across the same scar-lined patch of skin they had targeted before, deepening the damage by a fraction.
For the first time—
The Pale Crown recoiled.
Not from pain.
From excitement.
Its grin widened unnaturally as it leaned forward, shadow pulsing, claws spreading—
Eager.
Hungry.
Ready for the next round.
Theo barely ducked as the Pale Crown's claws carved through the air, the strike smashing into the stone pillar behind him and splitting it clean in half. Dust exploded everywhere.
"Too slow!" Theo shouted, sliding under the monster's arm. He dashed once—twice—then flickered behind the beast, Rattle of the Deep slicing toward its spine.
Clang!
The blade bounced off, sending a sharp sting through Theo's arm.
"Tch—still can't pierce it!"
The Pale Crown twisted its head at an unnatural angle, red eyes locking onto him with cruel amusement. Then—
WHOOM!
It lunged. Much faster than before.
Theo barely back-stepped, but the shockwave of the beast's movement still shoved him off balance. Before he could recover, a massive foot swept sideways.
Theo crossed his arms—block!—but the kick sent him tumbling.
"THEO!" Flint yelled, flames erupting from his back as he rocketed forward. He swung his axe down in a heavy arc.
The Pale Crown caught it with one claw. Just caught it—effortlessly.
"What—?!" Flint's eyes widened.
The Pale Crown lunged, its massive arm sweeping through the air like a falling boulder. Flint braced with crossed arms—but the impact still launched him like a fired arrow. His body slammed into the cave wall with a deep crack, stone dust bursting outward.
"FLINT!" Theo's voice tore through the chaos. Lilian gasped, hands over her mouth.
Flint dropped from the shattered wall, hitting the ground hard. Before he could even groan, the Pale Crown flicked its claws with wicked speed—sending Flint's rolling body skidding straight toward Kairo and Lilian like a thrown sack.
Kairo froze for half a heartbeat. Everything blurred.
"Flint!" he yelled as the kabolt crumpled to the ground just a few feet away.
Kairo rushed to his side, sliding on one knee. "Flint! Talk to me! Are you hurt?"
Flint coughed once, then forced a grin even through clenched teeth. "I—I'm okay, boss… just a little scratch…"
It was definitely not "just a little scratch," but he was alive. That was enough—for now.
Theo's eyes burned with fury. "YOU—!" he shouted at the looming Pale Crown. "I'll kill you, you bastard!"
Theo dashed forward recklessly, sword dragging sparks against stone.
But something else grabbed Kairo's attention. He glanced at the wall Flint had hit—deep cracks spiderwebbed across it. The cave trembled faintly, pebbles skipping across the ground.
"If that collapses…" Kairo whispered.
"Kairo!" Lilian tugged his arm. "The cave—"
"I know."
Theo clashed with the monster before Kairo could stop him.
"Theo! STOP!" Kairo shouted.
But Theo didn't listen. He never listened when he was angry. He dashed left, then right—circling the Pale Crown, Rattle of the Deep slicing out in fast, controlled arcs. Sparks flew each time he struck the beast's hide. He wasn't strong enough to cut it—but he was fast enough to avoid its retaliation, weaving between its arms with desperate precision.
Kairo's heart pounded. Theo was holding on for now, but the Pale Crown's movements were getting faster—more serious.
He turned to Lilian. "Lilian! Can you use your magic now? Even if it's weak?"
Lilian flinched. "I… I don't know if it'll work here. My magic—that cave wall—if I mess up, we could all—"
"Lilian." Kairo grabbed her shoulder. "That is exactly what we want Right now."
Lilian stared at Flint's slumped body… then at Theo struggling to evade the Pale Crown's claws. Her hands trembled—then slowly tightened into fists.
"O-Okay…" she whispered. "I'll try."
The Pale Crown laughed—its chilling, guttural rumble shaking dust from the ceiling—as it cornered Theo against a broken pillar.
Kairo stood, eyes sharp.
"Lilian—get ready. This is our only chance."
The cave trembled harder.
The battle was far from over
To be continued.....