Jade felt her energy reserves plummet, the number '2' flashing ominously in her mind's eye. "Just off one attack?" she questioned internally, the reality of her situation sinking in.
The creature, now wounded and reeling from the impact, crashed against a yellow forklift. The heavy machinery crumpled under the force, echoing the creature's pained frustration. "How the hell were you able to predict all my moves that quick? There's no way a mere human should be able to do this!" it bellowed, addressing Jade, incredulous at the foresight she had displayed.
"I will just drown you all in one go and use my precious fish to end this instantly. Then I can heal back in the master's quarters!" The creature's proclamation was one of desperation and resolve. It clapped its hands together, signaling the preparation for a devastating attack. At that moment, an ominous sign of "Death" appeared over the creature's hand in Jade's vision.
Her eyes widened in alarm. She glanced at Rosa, who was trying to stand, then back to Oscar, both battered and bleeding but refusing to yield. "He's about to release a major attack. Do you all have any ideas?!" Jade called out to them, urgency clear in her voice.
The gravity of the situation dawned on Jade as she realized the dire state of their opponent. "Oscar wasn't joking when he said we needed to end this fast. How the hell is he even standing with a hole in his chest!?" she wondered, both impressed and horrified by the creature's resilience.
At that critical juncture, Oscar issued a command that cut through the tension. "Grab your cross now and state 'return now!'" His voice was firm, and the command brooked no argument.
Rosa, amidst the chaos, voiced her concern, her voice tinged with panic. "Are you sure?! What about the cooldown?!"
"Are you okay?" Rosa cried out, her words almost lost to the growing gale that now whipped around them
Jade's voice trembled with urgency, yet it was clear and commanding despite her physical struggle to remain upright. "I have an idea," she declared, her knees shaking violently beneath her. "We can still beat him. On my count, jump in the air, Rosa!"
Her gaze then shifted to Oscar, her instructions crisp and decisive. "Oscar, take one step to the right and get ready to channel all of your fire into the ground, just like at the start, but this time, use your hands."
Understanding the gravity of Jade's plan, Oscar grasped the cross in his hand, only to tuck it back into his pocket with a resolute gesture. He braced himself, his focus narrowing as Jade started the countdown.
"One... Two... Three... Now!"
The word "Now!" was the signal for chaos to erupt. From every direction, torrents of water surged towards them, each stream bursting forth from its own small portal. Oscar, moving precisely as instructed, dodged to his right. The water pillars missed him by mere inches, his shock at the onslaught evident in his wide eyes.
Shaking off the momentary daze, Oscar channeled all the remaining heat into his hands. "Damn it, girl, you better not get me killed!" he muttered, half in frustration, half in trust, as he prepared for his part in Jade's desperate gambit. Another water pillar zoomed by, grazing his face and drawing blood, leaving a fresh gash on his already battle-worn cheek.
Yet, Oscar's determination did not waver. With a defiant roar, he slammed his hands into the ground, unleashing a fiery inferno that erupted from beneath him
X x x