Surtr, still kneeling, spat blood while the sphere formed by the Bloody Lily arrow emanated a pulsating energy. He slowly raised his head, the sadistic glint in his eyes not completely gone. With a tremendous movement, he stood up, his legs trembling but his spirit unbreakable.
"Did you really think that destroying a few hearts would be enough to defeat me?" He laughed, the sound echoing off the walls of the battlefield. "I have ten hearts, and destroying one of them means nothing to me."
Kaizen watched intently, his face bearing a grim satisfaction.
"So you bleed, Surtr. That means we can beat you." He said. His voice carried a renewed confidence, and he cast a determined glance at his companions. "Let's not give up now."
The energy around Surtr seemed to waver momentarily, as if it were readjusting to the new level of power. The flames that had previously danced around his body were now reduced, but hotter. He closed his eyes for a moment, concentrating on restoring his strength.
"You're stronger than I expected," he admitted, a rare acknowledgement of respect in his voice.
"Kaizen, we're going to need a new plan," Alina said, her voice breathless. She was clearly exhausted, but the determination in her eyes didn't waver.
"We need to keep attacking their hearts," Kaizen replied, his mind working quickly. "It's our only way of causing critical damage. Each attack needs to be precise and coordinated."
Andrew and Xisrith exchanged a look and nodded.
"We're ready," said Andrew, gripping his sword tightly.
Blood Lily, with her bow ready, was focused on Surtr. "I still have some special arrows," she said, her gaze fixed on the primordial god. "Let's use them wisely."
Surtr, now standing, transformed his right arm into a flaming sword. "You may have wounded me, but I'm still a primordial god! Prepare to face my true fury!"
Kaizen looked at his companions, strength in the determination reflected in his eyes. "Don't let him intimidate you. Remember our goal. We need to focus on his hearts and end this once and for all."
Alina's hands trembled slightly. "Kaizen's right. If we let these golems slow us down, we'll never be able to destroy the remaining hearts."
Andrew, his sword already imbued with holy magical energy, glared determinedly at Kaizen. "We're with you. Those golems won't stop us." He advanced, his sword glowing with a bluish light, cutting through the air as he launched himself at the first fire golem.
Xisrith, with his control over water, conjured up a series of jets of water to confront the golems. The water hissed and evaporated as it came into contact with the flames, creating a cloud of steam that enveloped the battlefield.
"Come on, Andrew! Let's attack together!" Her voice was a battle cry, charged with a mixture of adrenaline and courage.
Blood Lily, with her bow ready, kept her focus on Surtr. Her every move was calculated, each arrow held a promise of destruction. She pulled the bowstring, imbuing a new arrow with pulsating energy. Enjoy exclusive chapters from m-v l'e|-novelhall.net
"Kaizen, we need an opening. I just need a clear shot at another heart."
Kaizen nodded, his mind working quickly to formulate a new plan.
"Alina, focus on restricting Surtr again. Andrew and Xisrith, deal with the golems. Lily, I'll create the opening you need."
Surtr watched, a sadistic smile on his lips, as his fire golems advanced, melting the ground with their footsteps.
"You're pathetic! Fighting the inevitable. The flame of creation and destruction is in me, and none of you can extinguish it."
Kaizen then rose into the air and flew far above where the golems could reach. He was at Surtr's height and showed no hesitation in looking that god in the eye.
"You talk too much." Kaizen said and stepped forward.