Everything quiets down. Kevin feels sweat slide down his forehead, his breath growing hotter under the gauntlet.
The scent of rotten blood from the monster's breath overwhelms Kevin’s senses. Seraphina’s hand covering his face does little to help.
They stay still and quiet, breathing in a careful rhythm. A few minutes pass. The monster seems to have lost their trail.
KRA–CROOOM––––!
The massive tree sheltering them fractures abruptly under a powerful strike. Bark and splinters explode around them. A giant Komodo dragon which nearly as large as a basketball court, emerges behind them, its body covered in spikes like spears and swords. A row of horns bends backward from the tip of its mouth to the back of its head.
Screeeetch!
Its forked tongue swings with its gaping jaws, apparently sensing its prey.
“Damn! It smells us! Run!"
Seraphina drags a shocked Kevin to his feet, pulls him along, and bolts away from the monster.
The giant beast gives chase through the narrow forest, unimpeded. Trees snap beneath its weight, and the entire forest shakes with each thunderous footfall.
“We need to reach the deeper part of the forest! The trees are denser and stronger there! They'll slow it down!”
Kevin feels adrenaline surge through his veins. His survival instinct kicks in.
But the monster is fast! Too fast! It barrels forward relentlessly, crashing through every obstacle in its path.
“Keep running! I’m right behind you!”
Seraphina glances back. The monster is gaining. She has to slow it down.
She skids to a halt, momentum sliding her across the ground. A giant light blade crystallizes in her hands. She raises it high and brings it crashing down onto the monster’s head, meeting its momentum head-on.
The monster doesn't flinch. Its horns clash against the blade, and Seraphina feels the shock shudder up her arm. But it halts the beast's advance, if only for a moment.
“Haa–Ya!”
A flurry of precise slashes pummel the monster’s head, each strike targeting exposed gaps in its hide.
Screeeetch!
The monster shrieks in pain, but the damage is minor. Its skin is too tough, her slashes barely pierce it.
Still, the assault buys a few precious seconds. The monster reels, disoriented.
Seraphina takes off again. She has to ensure Kevin reaches safety. Behind her, the monster gives chase, its shrill screams shaking the treetops.
Leaping from the ground, she plants a foot on a tree trunk and launches herself into the air, angling downward from above. Her light blade thrusts into the monster’s head, digging into muscle. Blood spills.
The monster howls, then spins violently. Its long, spiked tail whips around, smashing into Seraphina and hurling her into a massive tree. She crashes into it, leaving a crater from the impact. Even with her blade raised to block the blow, the force rattles her entire body.
ROAR––––!
The beast charges at her again, tongue flicking, nearly brushing her armor. Until suddenly, tree branches like giant pythons lash out and wrap around the monster’s body, binding it in place.
Seraphina seizes the moment and escapes. Kevin rushes to her side, grabs her arm, and steadies her, ensuring she does not falter.
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