Dwarf and barbarian. Natural predators to both of us.

Unlike Sam's previous battle, these opponents would not fall with a single strike.

The Butcher and The Giant charged forward, their heavy footfalls shaking the ground like war drums. But oddly enough, Sam felt calm. This time, he had Sir Erynd by his side.

Without hesitation, Sam raised a hand. "Cyclone Blast!"

A furious gale burst forth. Wind howled across the battlefield, slamming into the oncoming enemies. The dwarf, lighter and shorter, was torn off his feet and hurled backward like a ragdoll. He crashed into the dirt with a grunt. The barbarian, however, lowered his stance and dug in. Wind lashed against his frame, but he remained rooted.

"This is bad," Sam muttered. "He's holding his ground!"

[Gorgroth's Call cast]

The ground shuddered as a massive shape erupted before Sam. Nearly two meters tall, the summoned monstrosity loomed over its summoner. It resembled a grotesquely oversized carnivorous plant, thick vines twisting like sinewy muscles, roots burrowing deep into the soil. Its enormous maw gaped open like a venus flytrap, lined with jagged, bioluminescent teeth pulsating with eerie green energy.

Thick, leathery petals curled and uncurled around its head, moving in a slow, predatory rhythm, as if waiting for the perfect moment to strike. A pungent, earthy scent filled the air. A mix of damp soil and the unmistakable stench of decay, the remnants of prey that had strayed too close.

With a roar, Gorgroth fired three flaming projectiles. Each burst of fire slammed into The Giant, forcing the massive warrior to stumble. But he recovered quickly, rage building in his eyes.

"Now! Fireball!"

Sam didn't hesitate. A sphere of flame ignited in his palm and shot forward. It struck the barbarian square in the chest, engulfing him in fire.

When the smoke cleared, Sam's heart dropped.

The barbarian still stood.

His skin blistered, his beard smoldering, yet he barely reacted. With a guttural growl, he lowered his fists, embers glowing along his scarred flesh.

"No way," Sam breathed.

This was the same spell that had defeated the Manslayer. But now, it was barely a scratch.

For the first time in the fight, Sam felt fear.

***

"Stay behind me and focus on the dwarf," I told Sam, who looked visibly shaken.

The Giant bellowed and charged. The Butcher wasn't far behind. Fortunately, Gorgroth shielded us, its massive form twisting to intercept. The barbarian reached first, but Gorgroth lunged and sank its teeth into his arm. With the power of Inner Beast, it flung him across the battlefield.

Flames burst from Gorgroth's mouth as Spitfire went off cooldown. The Butcher shielded his face and pressed forward regardless.

I followed up with a blast of Mana shot from my staff, weak, ineffective. The Butcher didn't even flinch. Instead, he rushed forward.

Sam, still taking cover behind Gorgroth, lashed out with Aqua Whip, striking the Dwarf repeatedly.

"Hah! Is this supposed to hurt?" The Butcher mocked, laughing as the water lash struck his thick armor. The attacks barely made a dent. But despite the taunt, Sam didn't stop.

The dwarf's body swelled slightly as his form became denser.

Unyielding Stance. This skill made the user incredibly difficult to push back.

Knowing he couldn't bypass Gorgroth, The Butcher slammed his meat cleaver into Gorgroth's flank. The summon retaliated with bites and crushing strikes, but the dwarf's onslaught was relentless.

"Sir Erynd…" Sam's voice trembled.

I saw it too. Gorgroth's form was deteriorating.

I cast Rejuvenation and Tempest Shield to Gorgroth.

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"Wait until his size wears off," I said. "Then strike."

Steeling myself, I dashed forward. The barbarian returned, angrier, faster. I had no choice but to meet him head-on.

I fought defensively, absorbing blows with my body while trying to dodge.

His brass knuckles slammed into me again and again. Bruises bloomed, ribs cracked. Then one hit landed flush on my face.

Everything went white.

I hit the ground hard. My body screamed in protest.

But I can still fight.

I activated Galestride and stowed my staff.

Druid Boxer Mode.

The Giant grinned, stepping forward.

But I dashed past his punch and unleashed a barrage of precise strikes. His face twisted in surprise as my fists hammered into his gut and jaw. My blows weren't as strong as they'd be with the Fangbone Scepter, but they bled him.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw The Butcher falter.

Hey, keep your eyes on me!" The Giant sneered, stepping forward.

Sam was still standing.

Good.

This wasn't over.

***

Sam watched as the dwarf's swollen form began to shrink. He clenched his jaw.

"Now's my chance."

Cyclone Blast surged from his palm, battering The Butcher backward. Sam popped a Mana potion from his mentor, ignoring the taste, and felt a surge of energy course through his veins.

"Aqua Whip!"

Water lashed across the dwarf's armor. Still, The Butcher advanced, fury in his eyes.

"You little brat!" he snarled. "Once I'm done with that cursed plant, you're next!"

Sam gritted his teeth. "I don't think so."

He raised his hand to the sky.

[Lightning Strike cast]

BZZZZT!

The dwarf, soaked head to toe, convulsed as a bolt of lightning struck him dead-on from above.

KRAAAKK!

A second bolt followed. Sam didn't stop.

KZZZZZT!

The third strike brought The Butcher to his knees. Then flat to the ground, steam curling from his scorched beard.

Sam stood still, panting, stunned.

"…That was close."

***

I heard the crackle of lightning and the dwarf's agonized screams. Then silence.

He did it.

A small smile tugged at my lips. Sam actually pulled it off.

But there was no time to celebrate. My focus snapped back to the real threat. The Giant.

The worst thing about fighting a barbarian was that the lower their HP got, the more monstrous their combat abilities became.

The Giant rose again. Crimson energy pulsed around his fists. His eyes were bloodshot, filled with wild fury.

Not good.

He charged.

BOOM!

A fist crashed into my chest. Pain exploded inside me. I staggered, blood spilling from my lips.

I needed an opening.

I reached for my staff and activated Inner Beast. Power surged into me.

My staff vanished into sub-space.

"Urgh—!" The barbarian grunted as I slugged him across the liver.

That's it.

I stumbled back. No way could I beat him one-on-one—not like this.

BLAAAR!

A fiery explosion erupted in front of me. Samus' Fireball struck The Giant's head dead-on, buying me enough time.

I ducked behind Gorgroth, downed a potion, and cast Rejuvenation. Even with both, I could barely see straight.

Then the ground shook.

The barbarian's entire body was now coated in that pulsing red aura. His power surged to monstrous levels.

"Gorgroth, Spitfire!"

The blast of flames struck him—and he swatted it aside like a leaf.

"Darn it, Sam, fall back!" I shouted, raising my staff and casting Tempest Shield.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

He missed, but each punch sent shockwaves through the air. The explosions that followed each punch still ripped through me.

[Warning: Your HP has fallen below 10%]

BLAAAR!

An explosion took me off my feet.

[Warning: Your HP has fallen below 5%]

My vision blurred. My limbs felt like lead. My knees buckled.

I saw the Giant's fist, swinging straight for my head.

Then…

A snarl.

Gorgroth lunged, sinking his teeth into the barbarian's leg, pulling him away from me.

The last of my strength failed. I collapsed, barely conscious.

Gorgroth held on with everything it had. Blow after blow rained down until finally… it faded.

The Giant stood over me, grinning, his fists dripping green sap.

I tried to move. I couldn't. My HP was almost gone.

My Mana was depleted.

I had nothing left.

This… this is it.

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