The streets of Mailie remained eerily silent, the once-bustling town now a ghostly shell under the lockdown. The distant howls of the Omega Dire Wolf echoed faintly, a chilling reminder of the danger lurking nearby. The battle at the town's edge had taken its toll, and Tedric, Tiara, Oliver, and Yug stood battered but resolute, their weapons ready as they prepared for the next round.
The wolf's massive frame loomed as it rose again, its glowing crimson eyes filled with unyielding fury. A low growl rumbled from its throat, vibrating through the ground and sending shivers down their spines.
"Damn thing doesn't know when to quit," Yug muttered, gripping his daggers tightly.
Tedric, sweat dripping down his face, barked, "Stay focused! It's not over yet."
Before the battle could resume, a new voice cut through the tense air. "Move aside!"
The group turned, stunned, as Almond sprinted into view, his yellow aura blazing around him like a wildfire. Behind him, Razille and Lina shouted in vain, their voices filled with desperation.
"Almond, no!" Razille called, but her words fell on deaf ears.
The boy's determination was unshakable as he charged forward. "You think I'm staying behind while Mailie is under attack? Forget it!"
With a defiant yell, Almond leapt into the fray, his fists glowing with raw energy. He landed directly in front of the Omega Dire Wolf and threw a powerful punch, slamming into the beast's jaw. The impact sent a shockwave rippling through the air, forcing the wolf to stagger back slightly.
"Almond, you idiot!" Tiara shouted, but her voice carried a mix of concern and admiration.
The Omega Dire Wolf snarled, its massive claws swiping toward Almond. The young Postknight ducked and weaved with surprising agility, delivering a series of rapid punches to the creature's side. Each blow radiated with his yellow aura, forcing the beast to falter under the relentless assault.
"He's holding his own…barely," Yug muttered, his admiration tinged with disbelief.
Realizing Almond needed more than just his fists, Yug sprinted forward, tossing one of his daggers. "Here, kid! Use this!"
Almond caught the dagger mid-air and immediately fell into a combat stance. With newfound precision, he slashed at the wolf's legs and torso, each strike drawing blood. The creature roared in pain, its movements becoming slower as injuries piled up.
The battle raged on, the group coordinating their attacks to keep the Omega Dire Wolf on the defensive. Tedric's sword, Tiara's war hammer, Oliver's staff, Yug's daggers, and Almond's aura-infused strikes all combined to push the beast to its limits.
But just as the tide seemed to turn, Tedric's sharp eyes caught something unusual in the forest behind the battlefield—a shadowy figure standing among the trees, their hands raised as they chanted an incantation. The air around them shimmered with dark energy.
"Someone's out there," Tedric growled. "And they're casting something."
"What?" Tiara shouted, barely dodging the wolf's swipe.
Tedric didn't wait for an answer. He sprinted toward the forest, his sword in hand, but the figure's spell reached its climax before he could intervene. A dark magic shield erupted around the Omega Dire Wolf, crackling with black lightning.
"No!" Tedric yelled as he charged at the figure.
But it was too late. The shield surged outward, creating a barrier between the wolf and its attackers. Almond, undeterred by the shield's ominous energy, raised his fist, his yellow aura flaring brighter than ever.
"I'm not letting this thing win!" he roared, driving his fist into the barrier.
The instant his fist connected, the shield reacted violently. A surge of dark electricity coursed through Almond's body, sending him flying backward with a pained cry. He crashed into the ground, his aura flickering as he struggled to stand.
"Almond!" Tiara screamed, rushing to his side.
Tedric stopped short of the figure, his fists clenched as the shadowy figure disappeared into the forest. His jaw tightened. Whoever they were, their interference had shifted the balance of the battle—and not in their favor.
The Omega Dire Wolf, now fully protected by the dark shield, rose again, its wounds seemingly mending as the shield pulsed with energy. It let out another bloodcurdling howl, its eyes glowing even brighter with a sinister red light.
"This isn't over," Tedric said through gritted teeth as he returned to the group. "But now we're up against more than just a beast. Someone's pulling the strings, and we need to find out who."
Oliver knelt beside Almond, casting a healing spell. "We can't afford to lose anyone now. That shield… it's unnatural. It reeks of the magic used during the 13-Year War."
"Then we'll break through it," Tiara said, her voice filled with determination.
Tedric nodded, his gaze locked on the wolf. "We don't stop until this thing is down. For Mailie."
The group steeled themselves, ready for the next round against the now even deadlier foe.