Frostbound

Time seemed to slow as the tail descended and it gave me time to watch with rapt attention as the appendage made its way toward me. I poured everything I had into getting my skill to upgrade and could only hope that it was enough.

When the two finally met, cracks shot out from the impact site running in every direction. With my mana as saturated into the wall as it was, I felt it crack, I heard it crack, and I saw it crack.

My fears manifested. It wasn't enough.

As the cracks spread out and threatened to shatter completely, the tail ended its descent.

As soon as I saw that the tail stopped I wanted to jump for joy. It held. I thought that it was done for when the cracks started spreading and the wall was going to shatter, but it didn't.

The energy of the tail dissipated as the ice cracked and absorbed the blow. My skill worked.

Being as excited as I was that it worked, I didn't see the boss turn around to continue its attack. I was so focused on the one attack that I didn't think about what would follow.

The lizard came around with its mouth and chomped straight through the remnants of my shield of ice. I had enough wherewithal and battle experience to react quickly, but I was a step behind.

The boss clamped down on my right arm with its powerful jaws and sharp teeth easily penetrating the skill-empowered skin.

"Ahh." I let out a scream at the sudden pain and the feeling of teeth digging into my arm. It felt like they were scraping bone they were so deep.

The pain jumpstarted my mind into focus and I fought through it to come up with everything I could do.

I didn't have a weapon to attack, the boss was already clamped on my arm, and my mana was running low after using it to defend.