The clearing shook started forming under their feet
Emil's footsteps froze as his eyes got fixed on the fiendish form before him. It was Standing like a mountain which was built of muscle and the rage was a twisted two-headed ogre, its red eyes were blazing like bloody coals in the faint dungeon light. The creature's bulking mass cast a huge shadow, its heavy gray skin was covered in curved scars and bony knobs. It was almost thirty feet tall which is around three times that of an average ogre and both its mouths growled with rage and hunger
Kael clicked his tongue. "What the hell. That's not an ordinary beast, and why is that thing in the trials?"
"It's. It's gigantic" Luin whispered, as he started stepping back
Emil narrowed his eyes. "Stay close. This thing's no ordinary test and we can even get seriously hurt if we don't stay focused"
Both of the ogre's heads roared in unison, shaking the canopy above as birds scattered. The temperature around them dropped—or maybe it was just the weight of fear settling in.
Emil stepped forward and shouted "Formation: Kael to the front. Riven, circle left and distract the igre. Luin, hang back and prepare your strongest spell. I'll coordinate the team"
Kael cracked his neck and said "Heh, finally something worth slashing" He charged in with his sword drawn "Come here, you ugly bastard! I will crush your skull"
Kael sprinted ahead like a blur, fire dancing around the rim of his blade. With a mad shout, he struck at the ogre's knee, leaving a heavy line of black blood. The monster let out a pain-filled roar, one head snapping down to bite Kael flipped back just in time
Riven glided to the side, he was icy cold. As Silent as a ghost, he fired a few sharp aura slashes from mid-range, which landed on the ogre's shoulder.
"Trash human" one of the ogre heads roared as it swung his huge fist at Riven. The boy dodged just in time and slid along the ground
"Move! Kael, don't charge alone! Let Riven help you too" Emil shouted
"I know, I know" Kael jumped back. "This thing's stronger than it looks"
In the meantime, Luin stood behind a tree, holding his staff. His fingers shook, but his eyes narrowed in concentration. "I just need a few more seconds and then my spell will be prepared to use" he whispered, few magical symbols started appearing in the air around him
"Riven, push right! I'll bait it for you" Emil yelled
With no hesitation, Emil rushed forward, his started casting Shadow Bind, which was enveloping the ogre's leg with coils of dark mana
The creature stumbled, but just a little.
"Attack now" Emil shouted
Kael charged once more, his sword aglow, and cut along the ogre's thigh. But before he could move back, a giant fist slammed Kael in the air and sent him crashing into a boulder
"Kael!" Luin bellowed
The ogre raised its other arm, charging toward Riven now. The cold-eyed boy tried to counter, but he was too slow and he got hit
WHAM
The blow hit him hard across the chest, which sent Riven flying into a tree with a bone-jarring crash. He crumpled to the ground
"Riven, are you fine" Emil's voice cracked with panic
Luin gasped. "We, we can't"
"No!" Emil shouted "We're not done, not yet at least"
Kael groaned from the boulder and started coughing, blood was dripping from his mouth. "Tch, that bastard hits hard, and way too hard on too of that"
The beast turned toward Luin now, both heads of the ogre were grinning like devils
"Luin, focus" Emil yelled "It's all on us now. Charge your spell we will finish this in one go"
Luin's hands shook, but he nodded "Alright, I'll do i"
A shimmering aura enveloped Luin. Mana burst forth as his staff glowed with vibrant blue energy. Arcane glyphs whirled with increasing speed
The ogre shrieked and charged forward. Emil stepped before Luin, holding up his arms
"I won't let it get to you, Luin"
He unleashed Dark Vortex, a whirling corkscrew of dark air that collided with the ogre's chest and pushed it off balance for a moment just a moment
The creature charged
"NOW, LUIN, use your spell" Emil yelled
"THIRD CIRCLE SPELL:- FROST LANCE BARRAGE"
A dozen blinding blue spears burst forward in a spiral. They hit the ogre in the chest, shoulders, and lastly the head
BOOM
With a deafening crash, the ogre fell, both heads spasming before going limp
Silence descended on the battlefield
Riven stirred first, wincing. Kael heaved himself up with a snort
Luin fell to his knees, he was turned but he started smiling weakly
Emil let out a breath, heart racing
"You did it, Luin" Emil whispered
"I, I guess so" Luin gasped
"You were amazing," Emil grinned and put a hand on his shoulder
"I just got lucky" Luin mumbled, his cheeks flushed
"No luck in a good hit" Kael coughed, and started grinning "Alright, I'll admit you all aren't half bad"
Riven, sitting up against a tree now, gave Emil a look. It wasn't cold at all. It was curious
Emil raised an eyebrow "What?"
"Nothing," Riven said, voice low. "Just thinking something"
"Oh? Thinking something fun?" Emil joked
Luin jumped in "Share it with us too, Riven"
Riven smiled faintly "No. Just thoughts. Don't mind them"
Email huffed "So dramatic"
Kael coughed out a laugh and said "Alright, maybe I don't need to carry all of you"
"We never needed carrying in the first place" Emil muttered, but secretly, he knew that he was the only one who needed the carry the most
Just then Emil heard a ding
A golden notification lit up in front of Emil
[System Quest Update]
Defeat: Two-Headed Crimson Ogre – COMPLETE
Special Condition Met: "Victory with Luin's Support Magic"
New Quest Unlocked – [Awaken the Mage of Golden Flame]
Emil's breath caught
"What is this?"
His eyes opened wide then narrowed, gazing into the flickering golden light