“DODGE right!”
“Jump outta the way!”
Aki set her sights on the demi-dragon in front of her while she heard the voices of fellow raid members rise around the Field.
This monster was stronger than anything she had faced before.
Though they worked together to time their attacks, the high-level Adventurers and guards only did enough damage to scratch its scales. Their attacks only infuriated the dragon and did nothing to lessen its forward assault.
Scorching breath spewed out from its ferocious fang-lined mouth, followed by it flapping its wide wings to cause torrential gales to rip across the plains. Even if they managed to evade those attacks, they usually ended up within range of its long serrated tail.
Can we not defeat it at our level?
Losing sight of any possible victory gradually depleted Aki’s ability to stay positive. She thought working with the other Adventurers would be enough to fend off the demi-dragon without Elias.
Throughout the battle her dress had torn, exposing bleeding and bruised skin caked with mud and dust from the several dozen times she had to roll on the ground to escape sharp claws or teeth. The stinging cuts were a painful reminder of how much battle experience she still lacked.
At the start of their skirmish with the demi-dragon, Priests cast heal every time she and the other Adventurers were injured. But as the battle prolonged, injuries skyrocketed, and the Priests ran out of magic. No one could count on being healed now.
This situation proved just how abnormal Leo and Johann were for being able to cast off powerful spells without breaking a sweat. Their presence allowed the Hero Party to blast away monsters in succession and for everyone to be constantly at full health with an endless supply of wide-area heals.
Leo, Johann…you’re lifesavers on the battlefield.
She wished they could be there to egg her on to victory. It’d be even better if Elias was standing at the forefront of the battle, his white cloak fluttering behind him as he raised the Holy Sword and flashed a smile that said everything would be okay.
“Elias…” she muttered the name of her beloved as she loosed another arrow and rolled away from the demi-dragon’s lashing tail.
Her eardrums shook as the dragon roared in pain.
For a minute, she wished that Elias would gallantly appear on the Field and save her and everyone else from this nightmare. But she bit her lip as she realized her bad habit of relying on him anytime the going got tough was rearing its ugly head again. He was so dependable, she often ran to him rather than handling the problem herself.
I hate just depending on others! She tightened her grip on the bow. I’ll never grow if I seek his help whenever I’m in a pinch!
Aki glared at the demi-dragon as it tilted its neck back and roared. She swiftly nocked another arrow and aimed for the moment when the large dragon inhaled the air around it to release another fire blast.
Fear stiffened her shoulders and caused her legs to knock together.
The demi-dragon’s fire breath was especially lethal as it scorched a wide area in quick succession. Many of her allies in this fight had sustained heavy burns from the ensuing flames.
Her strategy had been to run out of its range whenever she saw it prepping to blow fire again but doing that only caused their raid’s chained attacks to lose momentum.
If I want to win this, I can’t run from it. Our strategy isn’t getting us anywhere. We just need to keep pounding it with chained attacks to disrupt the attack.
Taking careful breaths, Aki bravely held her ground while everyone else scattered around her. Maybe her approach was foolhardy, but attacking and fleeing wasn’t accumulating enough damage. They were only tiring themselves out.
Imagining the single arrow dividing into a rapid-fire attack, Aki targeted the demi-dragon that was close enough to cast a shadow on her.
This will be the blow that takes it down!
“Lady Aki, run away!” one of the Adventurers cried out when they saw Aki squaring off with the demi-dragon.
Maybe it was wiser to retreat with the others. But Aki was sick of running from monsters. Their strategy certainly had flaws, but a piece of her was just fed up with running.
She wanted to put an end to her habit of bolting from her fears and leaving them for someone else to handle.
I don’t care how it looks. I want to face my fears head-on.
Aki bit the inside of her cheek to stop from shaking and held her ground. The fleeing Adventurers started to turn back when they noticed her aiming at the demi-dragon.
“Lady Aki…!”
“Hey! We have to turn back!”
Someone started calling out to the others and word passed around the Field until everyone stopped.
The Adventurers returned to surround the demi-dragon with their respective weapons drawn.
“Why?” she asked, her voice cracking.
The banged-up Adventurers flashed reassuring smiles and pounded their fists against their chests.
“If you’re gonna fight, we’ve got your back, Lady Aki!”
“Yeah!” someone else said, not wanting to be outshone. “Running hasn’t won us the battle yet!”
“Besides, the Hero might have our heads if we leave his Right-hand to fight alone!” someone else joked.
“That’s a given!” a Mage shouted from behind a Warrior.
Laughter erupted throughout the plains.
Aki swept her gaze over the Adventurers who remained as if she were witnessing an unbelievable miracle. Joyful tears stung her eyes, blurring their fearless smiles.
“Thank you, everyone…!” she said in an emotional, trembling voice. The others nodded and responded in kind.