Final Battle

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Gaga clambered out of the hole, and the moment she saw the sunlight, tears glistened in her small, mung bean-sized eyes.

"Freedom at last! Gaga is truly free!" she shouted, excitedly pounding her chest.

"Enough, Gaga!"

Ethan grimaced, rubbing his ears against the booming volume of her voice.

Turning his gaze toward the village, where thick black smoke rose into the sky, Ethan's expression grew concerned.

He didn't know what could be happening there, but the sight filled him with worry.

"Gaga, I'm heading to the village. You… stay here for now."

Ethan glanced back at her uncertainly, wondering where she might be safest.

"Mr. Ethan! Gaga wants to help! Mr. Ethan is a good person!"

Gaga insisted, her eyes shining with determination.

After a moment's hesitation, Ethan nodded.

"Alright. An extra pair of hands can only help."

Together, they hurried toward the village. Gaga, finally savoring her freedom, buzzed with excitement the entire way.

She scooped up two handfuls of snow, shoving them into her mouth—only to yelp in shock at the icy coldness.

As they approached, Ethan began to hear gunshots and the fierce howls of the canines from the village. A puzzled frown crossed his face; why would monsters attack the village now?

Finally, they reached the edge of the village and saw the chaotic scene unfolding. Canines encircled the village, snarling, and shaggy forms pressed close to the outer walls.

Perched atop the village wall, wizards were trying to hold off the attackers, though their magic seemed weak and limited.

Ethan spotted Reznov among them, wielding a massive elephant-hunting gun. With each loud shot, a canine would be blasted apart—but it barely seemed to thin their numbers.

The wizards were only managing basic attack spells, and while they slowed them down, some managed to scramble up the wall, where fierce, close combat ensued.

Desperate screams filled the air as dog people overtook sections of the wall.

Ethan instinctively raised his wand, prepared to cast a Fiendfyre to drive back the attackers, but quickly reconsidered.

He remembered the Fiendfyre Spell worked well against these creatures in a closed stone room.

However, in Poland's dry winter forest, an uncontrolled fire would spread quickly, endangering the wizards and the village itself.

He reluctantly lowered his wand.

"Gaga," he said firmly, "it's time to fight."

"Yes! Gaga will beat up those big bad dogs!" she declared, her little fists clenched, ready for the battle.

Ethan took a deep breath, pointed the tip of his wand to his heart, and chanted, "Amado, Animo, Anima, Animagus."

His body transformed instantly—two massive wings erupted from his back, and a thick coat of black and gold feathers enveloped him.

In moments, Ethan had become a griffin.

Gaga's eyes widened as she stared at the giant griffin standing before her.

"Oh my goodness! Mr. Ethan! You're incredible!" she exclaimed, her voice full of admiration.

Then, she plucked a black feather from his wing with curiosity and caution.

Ethan let out an indignant squawk and snapped at her hand with his beak, making her retreat with a playful, sheepish grin.

Ethan would have given her a stern lesson if it hadn't been for the battle raging in the village. But now, there was no time to waste.

With a powerful sweep of his wings, he launched into the sky, then plummeted toward the mass of canine creatures like a striking sword.

Caught off guard, the dog people fell into disarray as Ethan tore through them with his sharp claws and beak, leaving long, bloody streaks on the ground below.

Seeing the enormous griffin wreaking havoc, Reznov and the wizards on the village wall were briefly stunned.

Some even raised their wands to attack until Reznov barked, "Hold your fire! That creature's on our side!"

Just as Reznov's words sank in, a hulking figure burst out of the snow, charging toward the dog people. Before the creatures could react, the giant seized two of them, slamming their heads together with a sickening crunch.

Reznov blinked in bewilderment, watching the griffin and giant fight alongside his people. Why were these strange allies helping him? Shaking off his confusion, he ordered the wizards to avoid targeting the griffin and the giant.

High above, the castle steward watched the battle intently from a tower window, his gaze lingering on Ethan. After a moment, he turned away and disappeared back inside.

The canines quickly regrouped and attacked Ethan and Gaga with renewed intensity. But their efforts were futile; their claws and teeth barely scratched Gaga, and her punches felled each one she struck.

Ethan's griffin form proved equally formidable. His dense feathers acted like armor, and the canines couldn't penetrate them. He grabbed several of them in his iron-like talons, soaring into the sky as they clung desperately to him.

With a powerful shake, Ethan released them, sending them plummeting to the ground like rain. Those who fell lay still, crushed by the fall.

Observing the dog-people's erratic fighting style, Ethan quickly realized they were no longer coordinated or strategic. They fought wildly, without any hint of intelligence.

It dawned on him that they'd lost their leader, Rasputin. Without his command, they'd reverted to pure, primal chaos, fighting more like frenzied animals than organized forces.