Chapter 44: Boss battle
Leya attempted to dodge, but the petal adjusted its trajectory mid-flight as if guided by malevolent intelligence.
Her shield proved worthless, the petal sliced through it like parchment before biting deep into her shoulder.
The organic projectile crumbled to dust immediately after impact, leaving behind a wound that burned with unnatural fire.
"Watch OUT!" Mitch’s warning came almost too late as another petal streaked toward Leya.
Desperate, she raised her sword to intercept the attack.
Her shield lay in useless pieces at her feet, bisected cleanly by the previous assault.
The ice on her blade flared to life as steel met organic razor, but instead of deflecting the petal, her weapon was cut cleanly instead.
Only a desperate twist at the last second saved her life, turning what should have been a killing blow into a deep gash across her neck. Blood flowed freely down her throat, warm and sticky.
The wooden woman retained only two petals now, but their demonstrated lethality made them more dangerous than their beautiful appearance.
Mitch had closed the distance during the exchange, his ironwood sword transforming as he channeled power through it.
The blade darkened to midnight black, its edge humming with destructive energy that could cleave through tier-two defenses.
A petal moved to intercept his strike with the same deadly precision it had shown against Leya.