He managed a nervous laugh, trying to brush off the tension. Jade, assessing his condition with a critical eye, noted, "Those moves must have taken a lot out of you. You're at about 100 right now on your energy levels. Let's refrain from using your fire as much as possible as we try to aim for—"
Her strategic advice was abruptly interrupted as Rosa, with quick reflexes, shoved her out of harm's way. The creature had stealthily appeared behind them, its weapon raised for a deadly strike. Rosa, ever vigilant, conjured a protective barrier of fire in the nick of time.
The fire web enveloped them, a glowing shield against the creature's aggression. As they skidded to a halt, Rosa and Jade positioned themselves defiantly in front of Oscar, whose face was marked with the signs of battle, the blood from his wound beginning to dry.
The creature, pausing to survey the scene, finally spoke, its tone carrying a mix of amusement and revelation. "I guess I understand why the dogs have struggled for so long. But to be honest, this planet was sort of just forgotten about.
No matter, The lord of the Vale was right to send me, switching my place last second for a test. Once I kill you three, I will relay this information about this planet to him, and we can proceed properly."
Rosa's nervous laughter, barely masking her apprehension, filled the air as Jade caught sight of her leg trembling subtly. In a defiant gesture, Rosa shed her cloak, signaling her readiness for the confrontation. "Well, I guess we will just have to kill you first, huh?" she declared, adopting a battle-ready stance. Her fists ignited, wrapping in tendrils of fire, showcasing her resolve.
The creature, unfazed, responded with a chuckle of its own, brandishing a hiltless blade that resembled a sharp, frozen ice spear more than a traditional weapon. "Come dance as well," it taunted, before launching itself at Rosa with a swift dash.
Jade, keenly observing the exchange, called out, "Keep him distracted while I focus on finding a way to hit his weak point!" Her strategy aimed to capitalize on the creature's momentary focus on Rosa, searching for an opening to exploit its vulnerability.
In a desperate bid to turn the tide, the creature, now free of the flames, lashed out with a powerful kick to Rosa's chest. The force of the impact sent her skidding across the concrete to land in a puddle of water, struggling for breath.
Meanwhile, Jade, having circled to the creature's rear, seized her chance. With the creature distracted by its assault on Rosa and Oscar, she aimed for the red gem on its lower back, the identified weak point.
!Jade's command cut through the chaos, her eyes blazing with an intensified white flame, a visible testament to her focus and power. "Rosa!! Burn the ground right now!" she yelled, her voice echoing with urgency.
In the same breath, she hurled the small knife, its blade tinged with an oil-spilled hue—a gift from the director—towards the creature. "Throw your sword now, Oscar, and put all of your flame into it, whatever you have left!" she instructed, rallying her teammates for a coordinated strike.
The creature, momentarily caught off guard by the rapid sequence of events, reacted instinctively. As the dagger drew near, it stamped its foot down, attempting to deflect the incoming weapon with a familiar technique. However, Jade's unwavering gaze and Oscar's flaming sword combined in a relentless assault.
The sword, empowered by Oscar's remaining energy, cleaved through the creature's watery defenses, striking true at the gem embedded in its back. The creature, caught by surprise, whirled around only to find the water beneath it evaporated by Rosa's fiery command.
With a desperate gesture, the creature faced Jade, recognizing her as the linchpin in their strategy. "You're the nuisance seeing through all of my attacks, huh?!" it accused, as it launched a barrage of water spikes from its palm.
Jade, her agility on full display, weaved through the spikes, her eyes betraying the strain of her heightened state. Closing the distance, she delivered a powerful punch to the creature's face, a bold move that left her momentarily vulnerable. The creature seized this chance, capturing Jade by the neck in a swift counter.
Yet, Jade's smirk was the prelude to her final gambit; she placed her hand on the creature's chest and unleashed a surge of energy. The force of the blast tore through, leaving a gaping hole where the creature's heart should have been.