Alex's dagger and staff moved like an extension of his own body, parrying Nivran's relentless tail swipes and claws.
Alice darted around the cavern, loosing arrow after arrow in a desperate bid to pierce the dragon's armor-like scales.
Each strike chipped away at the beast's massive health pool, their coordinated efforts showing glimmers of hope.
But Nivran was no ordinary foe.
The dragon let out a thunderous roar, the vibrations so intense that stalactites fell from the cavern ceiling.
His molten eyes locked onto Alex, radiating malice.
"Little mortal," Nivran growled, his voice deep and resonant, "your bravery borders on stupidity. Let us see how long you can survive my fury."
Alex didn't respond.
Words wouldn't save him here, and he knew it.
His body tensed as the dragon lunged forward, claws tearing into the ground with a deafening screech.