“You really think we can take this thing down?” I asked Shun.

“If we work together, yeah,” He said, drawing his sword.

"Focus attacks on the head," Arya said. She drew her bow and fired a flaming arrow. It neared the dragon's head but was caught in the beam of energy.

"Do you guys need some help?" Someone asked from above them. We all looked up to see Skorch flying down on silky white wings, holding Fei and Nexus in each hand. Once she neared the ground, she let them go before dropping to the grass as well.

"Any help is appreciated," Shun said. "Let's do this."

I focused a ball of electricity in my hands before launching the spell toward the dragon. Fei and Nexus also launched elemental spells. The spells flew in an arc before landing on the dragon's hide. They puffed as they contacted the scales, disappearing without leaving a single mark.

"What?!" Arya said. "The spells didn't do anything!"

"It has the [Impervious Scales] skill," Ariel said. "Spells won't do a thing."

"Damn!" Nexus said. "How do we get close enough to damage it physically, then?"

"Easy," Skorch said. She pulled a shining metal object from her pocket. With a flash of energy, her hands and the end of her tail were engulfed in flames. The fire quickly caught on the metal, which was shaped like a shuriken.

Skorch threw the star-shaped piece of metal, which flew through the air and sliced across a scale, leaving a burning trail behind. The dragon roared.

"Only physical attacks will work," She said.

"How many of those metal stars do you have?" I asked Skorch.

"As many as I want," She said. "Need any?"

"Yeah," I said. She handed me five. "Thanks."

"You're welcome," Skorch replied. She drew back her hand again and threw another star. It sliced across the neck of the dragon. In response, it turned its head toward us and opened its mouth. A bright glow emanated from the throat.

"It's gonna attack!" Juden yelled. The beam shot forth, and it seemed like it was going to kill us all.

But someone suddenly appeared in front of us, taking the shot directly. The blast of energy blasted into the silhouette of a person.

When the beam stopped, the person smirked.

"How did you just tank that hit?" Shun asked. "There's no way you did that."

"Hah!" The person said. "I can with the [Sheild] skill. It's [Level 100]."

"What!?" Arya shouted. "[Level 100]?!"

"Yep!" The person said. "The name's Rayne, by the way."

"Well, Rayne," I said. "We can certainly use your help."

"Why not?" Rayne said. "I'll tank the hits while you guys attack from afar."

"Gotcha," Shun said. "Let's do this!"