Ashton and his summons rushed out of the cave, their bodies still pulsing with energy from their recent victory over the Drakonian. They were ready to celebrate their triumph and bask in the glory of their accomplishment.
However, their jubilation was short-lived as they were greeted by a sight that sent a shiver down their spines. A loud roar forced them to leave the cave and investigate what was happening outside, and what they discovered was utter chaos.
Standing before them was a Drakonian, unlike anything they had ever seen. It towered over them, its massive wings spread wide, casting a shadow over the entire clearing.
Its scales were darker and more menacing, shimmering with an ethereal glow. This Drakonian was a true force to be reckoned with.
Ashton's heart sank as he took in the sight. He knew their previous victory had been merely a prelude to the actual challenge that lay before them.
"Don't tell me the Drakonian we fought and killed was this fucker's child or something," Ashton mumbled, his eyes fixed on the massive creature. "If that's the case, then it'd make sense why the creature from before didn't use its signature fire attack against us."
This new Drakonian radiated power and malice, and it seemed to relish the opportunity to face off against these brave warriors who had dared to defy its kin.
The new Drakonian let out a thunderous roar, the sound echoing through the clearing. Its eyes burned with a fiery intensity, fixed upon the lowly insects below who dared to kill its baby.
Ashton raced towards the site where he knew Anna, Otiga, Kass, and his summoned creatures were battling the enormous Drakonian. He could see the fierce fighting from a distance, and it was evident that the battle was intense. He felt the adrenaline pumping through his veins as he approached the battlefield.
Most of Ashton's skeletal soldiers were useless against the Drakonian, as only those equipped with ranged weapons like Energy rifles and the mages under Celeste's guidance could attack the creature in the first place.
Anna was flying around the Drakonian, trying to find a weakness, while Otiga and Kass supported her from below. However, it wasn't an ideal situation at all.
"Numbers don't mean shit when there's a massive skill gap between them."
Ashton's heart sank as he saw the condition of his friends and the creatures. The Drakonian was much stronger than he had imagined, and it had them cornered. The battle was taking a toll on everyone, and it was only a matter of time before they were overwhelmed.
He quickly assessed the situation and realised that the Drakonian had some sort of impenetrable armour around its scales. Any attacks made by the group's weapons would have little effect on the beast.
Also, unlike the Drakonian he had fought, the one in front did not have any visible reverse scale, which made matters much worse. Ashton knew he had to act fast and devise a new strategy to defeat the monster.
However, his presence did not go unnoticed by the creature, who immediately identified the scent of its fallen child lingering all over, Ashton.
Moreover, he had consumed the creature's flesh and blood, which immediately angered the Drakonian. It bared its teeth and let out a deafening roar, ready to attack.
With a thunderous roar, it unleashed a scorching hot fire towards Ashton and his companions. Those unfortunate enough to be in the creature's vicinity were immediately incinerated. Thankfully, Anna was towards the Drakonian's backside, so she was safe.
As the flames grew closer and closer, time seemed to slow down for Ashton. He could feel the intense heat radiating from the Drakonian's fiery breath. Instinctively, he knew he had to act quickly to survive and protect everyone from the creature's assault.
Ashton's eyes widened with determination as he glanced at the Seraph's crystal embedded in his palm. It pulsed with vibrant energy, resonating with the power of fire that lay dormant within it.
Without hesitation, he extended his hand towards the blazing inferno, calling upon the crystal's ancient power.
"This Xyran crystal better not disappoint me now!"
[Just wanted to let you know I take no guarantees if this will work or not!]
Ashton gritted his teeth as this was the first time he was willing to exploit the crystal's ability. The crystal glowed brighter, and Ashton felt a surge of warmth coursing through his veins.
With a focused gaze, Ashton extended his hand further, stretching his palm towards the fiery onslaught. As the flames engulfed him, he absorbed them into the crystal, harnessing their destructive energy.
At that moment, he became one with the element of fire. His connection to the crystal allowed him to manipulate the flames, to bend them to his will.
"Woah..." Otiga mumbled as Ashton's palm ate away the fire which had begun to melt her gear away.
As for Kass, she was too stunned to put her thoughts into words. The moment the Drakonian let out its fiery breath, she thought it was game over for them, but Ashton appeared out of nowhere to say them.
The air crackled with anticipation as Ashton channelled the absorbed fire back into the palm of his hand. The flames danced within the crystal, swirling and intensifying. His eyes glowed with an ethereal light as he moulded the fire, shaping it according to his desires.
In an instant, Ashton unleashed the fire he had absorbed. It erupted from his palm and transformed into a concentrated scorching beam. The fiery stream collided with the Drakonian's onslaught, creating a mighty clash of elements.
"Anna, get back!" he yelled, and she immediately flew to safety, watching the fiery battle advance to ground-breaking limits.
The battlefield was engulfed in a dazzling display of fire and smoke. The intense heat radiated outward, causing the ground to tremble beneath their feet. Ashton's companions shielded themselves, their eyes wide with awe and disbelief at the spectacle unfolding before them.
Ashton stood at the epicentre of this fiery battle, his body illuminated by the brilliance of the flames. He could feel the power surging through him, the fire responding to his every command. With a deft flick of his wrist, he redirected the concentrated fire towards the Drakonian.
The beast let out a deafening roar of pain as the flames ravaged its scorched scales. Its mighty form thrashed and writhed, unable to withstand the intensity of Ashton's assault.
Ashton's eyes blazed with determination as he continued to manipulate the fire, directing it with precision and purpose.
It might have been impossible to find a specific weakness of the Drakonian, so Ashton decided to bathe the entire creature in hot flames, hoping it would be enough to either kill the beast or make its weakness easier to identify.
The battle soon reached its climax as the Drakonian let out one final, agonised cry. Its once-mighty form crumbled under the force of Ashton's fire manipulation before being reduced to a charred and lifeless husk.
The flames subsided, leaving a trail of smoke and ash in their wake. Ashton stood amidst the aftermath, his chest rising and falling with exertion. His companions stared at him from a distance, with their expressions mixed with fear, awe and reverence.
