The assault was expertly executed. While she focused on the primary threat of the cobra, the secondary attackers exploited her divided attention, forcing her to fight on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Pain shot through Selphira’s side where the bat’s claws had found their mark, but she didn’t allow it to slow her down. Four centuries of combat had taught her to fight through pain, to use injury as fuel for rage rather than weakness.
"Impressive coordination!" she shouted, though there was sarcasm in her voice. "But it’s not enough!"
Selphira summoned her favorite ice spear from her serpent’s mouth and released an area attack simultaneously, ice needles that sprouted from moisture in the air with extra help from a portion of her mana. The Royal Hawk dodged them with aerial maneuvers, but the Shadow Bat was less fortunate when Selphira hurled her spear at it. Several needles pierced its membranous wings as it took the hit and couldn’t continue dodging, sending it crashing into a nearby house.
But the distraction cost her attention in the main combat.
The Crimson Royal Cobra had found a crack in her serpent’s ice armor and sank its fangs deep. Venom began spreading, making the ice brittle and weak.
"My venom will dissolve your protection!" Chilong roared. "And then your rear beast along with you!"
Selphira snarled, feeling how the venom affected not only the armor but also the serpent beneath. She had to finish this quickly or lose her mobility advantage.
Although she hadn’t wanted to spend too much mana on a "secondary character," he hadn’t left her any choice but to let the ’Storm’ lose.
She began charging a more powerful attack, a famous technique to her name that would require approximately an additional 10 to 15% of her energy but should be sufficient to eliminate the three remaining opponents.
Energy accumulated around her like a concentrated winter storm. The air thickened with power that made even the attackers hesitate before the magnitude of what she was preparing.
The buildup was terrifying to witness. Frost began forming on nearby surfaces, and the very air seemed to crystallize around her as raw power condensed into something approaching the fundamental forces of nature.
Chilong, recognizing the danger and realizing there was no time to escape anymore, directed his cobra in a desperate attack to interrupt the charge. The Hawk also descended, sacrificing defense for speed in an attempt to reach her before she could complete the attack.
And just as Selphira was about to release all the mana from the devastating technique, the earth beneath the Crimson Royal Cobra opened.
Julius emerged from the ground riding his Earth Wolverine, his Qilin’s horns shining intensely on his forehead. His arrival was so sudden that Chilong had no time to react.
"I’ll help you, Selphira!" Julius shouted as his Wolverine grabbed the cobra’s tail with its enormous claws.
Selphira instantly realized the new advantage in the situation and didn’t waste the opportunity. Instead of using her costly signature attack, she redirected part of the accumulated energy into a more efficient and precise strike.
Ice spears emerged directly beneath the Crimson Royal Cobra, piercing its body at multiple points while Julius’s Wolverine held it immobile. The structural damage to the creature was enormous, making it disappear instantly.
The Storm Hawk, seeing that the battle had become impossible to win, used its huge free fall speed to catch Chilong and fled toward the horizon.
"Perfect timing," Selphira gasped, canceling the greater attack she had been preparing. "Thank you."
"Conserve your energy," Julius responded, emerging completely from the underground tunnel. "You’re going to need it."
Selphira mentally checked her reserves. Approximately 35% of her total mana left... less than ideal, but it would have to be sufficient.
"Where is Kharzan? His energy signature should be big," she asked while using her mastery of water mana to heal her accumulated wounds and those of her serpent. Even the strong venom was purified instantly.
Julius pointed toward the center of the enemy army.
"There. But he’s exactly in the center now, surrounded by thousands of soldiers."
"Of course he is," Selphira smiled with icy anticipation. "Cowards always hide behind others. Take me to the center." She turned, ready to finish what she had started.
"Wait!" Julius stopped her with a hand on her arm. "We can’t approach, even if from below... thousands of soldiers with beasts sensitive to vibrations would detect and attack us before we were close, even with my control advantage."
Selphira turned toward him, irritation flashing in her eyes.
"And what do you suggest? That I stay here while he takes his idiots to the bridge to let Yino pass into our city?"
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