A Dance with Death: The Lion-Man's Last Roar

The room trembled as the lion-man bared his fangs, tightening his grip on the war hammer. His massive frame loomed over Carl, radiating raw, primal power.

Carl exhaled slowly, steadying his stance. His enchanted sword gleamed under the flickering torchlight, its edge sharp enough to cut through steel.

The beast grinned. "Come, human. Let's see if you're worthy of dying by my hands."

Then he charged.

A blur of fur and muscle, the lion-man moved with terrifying speed for his size. His war hammer swung in a horizontal arc, aiming to crush Carl in a single blow.

Carl sidestepped, his honed instincts kicking in. The hammer whooshed past him, shattering a marble pillar like it was made of glass.

Without hesitation, Carl countered. He lunged forward, his blade slicing toward the beast's exposed side.

**CLANG!**