Gate disaster (1)

The air chilled further as the cursed werewolves loomed over us, their glowing crimson eyes like embers burning in the icy haze. Their twisted forms were colossal, nearly ten meters tall, and their wings cast jagged shadows across the jagged terrain. I could feel their aura pressing against me—a suffocating, feral malice that clawed at my resolve.

"Stay alert," I muttered to Zainab, who coiled beside me. Her massive serpentine body rippled with tension, her scales gleaming faintly in the frost-laden air.

"Do not presume to command me, human," she hissed, her eyes locked onto the five werewolves advancing toward us.

"Well, someone's grumpy," I replied, hefting my spear, though I kept my tone light to mask my unease.

The Earth Dragon snarled, its deep, resonant growl vibrating through the ground as it squared off against the other seven werewolves. Its golden eyes glowed with primal fury, and its wings spread wide, blocking out the faint light filtering through the ruined sky.

The werewolves moved first.

One lunged at Zainab, its claws glowing faintly with icy energy as it activated Frost Fang, slashing through the air with blinding speed. Zainab shifted slightly, letting the attack glance off her scales. The impact sent a spray of sparks and frost flying, but she held her ground. However, thin lines of frost crept across her scales where the claws had struck, the chilling energy seeping into her body.

"Pathetic," she muttered, countering with a whip-like strike of her tail. The werewolf staggered, its ribs cracking audibly, but it didn't fall.

Two more cursed werewolves closed in on her, their claws a blur as they unleashed a flurry of slashes, each strike carrying the weight of raw, feral power. Zainab hissed in irritation as the relentless attacks forced her to retreat slightly, the frost gathering across her coiled body slowing her movements.

I darted to her side, the golden light from my Possession State flickering around me. With a thought, I focused the energy into a blinding flash aimed at one of the werewolves.

The beast howled, its attack faltering as it clawed at its face. "Strike now!" I yelled.

Zainab didn't hesitate. Her body coiled tightly before lunging forward, her massive jaws clamping down on the werewolf's neck. With a violent shake, she tore the creature apart, its blood spraying across the icy ground.

"That's one," she hissed, though her voice betrayed a slight rasp—she was straining more than she let on.

Another werewolf snarled, raising its claws to summon a volley of Ice Spikes. The jagged projectiles erupted from the ground, racing toward us. I acted quickly, conjuring a Wall of Light to intercept the attack. The spikes shattered against the barrier, shards of ice scattering harmlessly around us.

"Keep up, little human," Zainab sneered, slithering forward to engage the next werewolf. Despite her taunts, I noticed the faint tremble in her coils—the frost from the earlier strikes was still affecting her.

***

While Zainab and I battled the five werewolves, the Earth Dragon faced her own relentless onslaught. She crushed one werewolf underfoot, her massive claws piercing through the creature's chest. Another two flanked her, their claws glowing as they launched a barrage of Frost Fang attacks.

The dragon roared, twisting her massive body to deflect the strikes with her wings. However, one of the werewolves managed to carve deep gashes into her right flank, the icy energy leaving frost-rimed wounds that oozed a thick, molten-like ichor. Stone spikes erupted from the ground in response, impaling one of the attackers and sending the other scrambling back.

But the werewolves were relentless. One of them leapt onto the dragon's back, its claws digging into her rocky scales as it tried to bite down on her neck. Her roar of pain was earth-shaking as she bucked and twisted, dislodging the creature and flinging it into a nearby boulder. The impact shattered both the rock and the beast's spine, but the effort cost her—her movements slowed, her breath coming in heavy, labored growls.

***

Zainab and I had managed to kill three of the five werewolves, but the remaining two were proving more difficult. One activated Ice Projection, coating the ground around us in a slick, freezing layer that made movement treacherous.

Zainab hissed in frustration as her coils slipped on the icy surface. Her movements became sluggish, and her strikes lacked their usual force.

"I'll handle it," I said, focusing the light energy coursing through me. With a sweep of my hand, I unleashed a burst of golden light that melted the ice around her, freeing her from the chilling effect.

She didn't bother thanking me, instead lunging at the nearest werewolf. The creature tried to retaliate with another volley of Ice Spikes, but Zainab powered through the attack, her scales absorbing the blows. However, the strain was evident—her scales were now riddled with frost cracks, and her breathing was heavy.

Despite this, she slammed into the werewolf with a feral roar, her jaws tearing into its shoulder as her tail crushed its legs. "Four down," she said, spitting out a chunk of fur and flesh.

The last werewolf roared, charging at me with reckless abandon. Its claws raked the air, glowing with icy energy as it activated Frost Fang. I raised my spear, channeling golden light through the blade.

"Flowing Style: Fourth Form – Torrent Barrage!" I yelled, unleashing a rapid series of water blasts. The attacks struck the werewolf head-on, staggering it. Before it could recover, Zainab finished it off with a brutal strike from her tail, smashing its skull into the ground.

***

We turned to see how the Earth Dragon was faring. Three of her seven werewolves lay dead, their broken bodies scattered across the battlefield. The remaining four continued to press the attack, their claws and icy abilities keeping her on the defensive.

Despite her immense power, the dragon was clearly injured. Her once-pristine scales were marred with deep gashes, and frost clung stubbornly to her wings and legs, hampering her movements. Her breaths came in heavy, rumbling growls, and the molten ichor dripping from her wounds hissed as it hit the frozen ground.

Zainab didn't wait for an invitation. She slithered forward, her body coiling tightly as she prepared to strike.

"Be careful," I called after her, but she ignored me, her focus entirely on the fight.

I followed close behind, using my light abilities to blind and distract the werewolves while Zainab and the dragon dealt the finishing blows.

Together, we managed to turn the tide. The dragon's massive claws crushed one werewolf, while Zainab tore into another with her venom-laced fangs. I provided support, my light energy searing through the frost shielding the werewolves and leaving them vulnerable to our attacks.

By the time the last werewolf fell, its body crumpling to the ground, the battlefield was eerily silent.

Zainab's scales were cracked and frostbitten, her movements sluggish as she coiled into a resting position. The Earth Dragon, though victorious, was visibly drained, her massive form trembling slightly as she folded her wings and surveyed the carnage.

I leaned on my spear, my breaths coming in ragged gasps. My body ached from the strain of maintaining my Possession State, and the icy aura of the werewolves had left a lingering chill in my bones.

"Next time," Zainab rasped, "try not to take so long. My patience has limits, human."

I chuckled weakly. "You're welcome."

The Earth Dragon snorted, her golden eyes narrowing as she addressed us. "You fought well… for lesser beings. But do not presume this means I see you as equals."

"Such gratitude," I muttered under my breath.