A guttural 'Ugh!' tore from my throat as my back slammed against the massive tree, the impact forcing a harsh, violent cough that erupted with a spray of blood from my nose.
'Close call.' I rose to my feet.
At the same instant, Lucy sidestepped the enormous dire wolf's razor-sharp claws, executing four fluid backflips that rapidly brought her closer.
From the cluster of trees, fifteen wolves materialized, their green eyes glowing with predatory intent as they advanced.
Lucy stood beside me, the massive tree a solid, unyielding wall at our backs. We exchanged glances with the dire wolves, their jaws opening, saliva dripping in eager anticipation of devouring us.
'Ba-dum! Ba-dum!'
I stepped back, glancing at Lucy, whose expression remained fearless.
The surroundings were adorned with yellow grasses and glowing red flowers, a stark contrast to the terror unfolding.
I gasped, my lungs burning, each breath a desperate, ragged pull. Cold sweat slicked off my palms, making the two shields slick and treacherous.
With a desperate 'Aaah!', I lunged toward the wolves, my feet tearing at the dirt. Their bloodlust surged, meeting my charge head-on.
As the distance vanished, the lead wolf's claw flashed out. Horrified, I thrust a shield up to guard my face.
The sharp claw struck my shield with bone-jarring force, sending me stumbling backward.
Simultaneously, Lucy sprang from behind, executing a mid-air spin. Her blood-sword flashed, ruthlessly decapitating the wolf that had attacked me.
As she descended, another wolf launched itself at her, its jaws clamping down mid-air, a sickening crunch against her armor.
Distracted by Lucy, I barely registered another wolf lunging, its jaws wide, aiming for my left arm.
"Blood Art Technique: Negative Touch!"
My heart hammered, a frantic drum against my ribs, as a raw force of gravity surged through my veins, culminating in a violent rupture at my clenched fist. A concussive wave exploded outward, slamming into the wolf.
The blast generated a powerful recoil, propelling me backward and causing me to collide forcefully with the enormous tree.
The wolf's head was instantly severed by the immense force, its body dropping lifelessly.
[Ding... Mana: 50%]
Lucy had already stabbed the rib-crushing wolf, but now five more snarling wolves encircled her.
A claw swiped at her head; she ducked. Another wolf lunged, fangs bared for her leg, but Lucy sidestepped with blurring speed.
Before she could reposition her foot, a sharp claw struck her back, causing her to bleed.
My left arm screamed in protest, dislocated from the skill's recoil, yet I gripped the two shields, a fierce determination overriding the pain as I lunged toward Lucy.
Instead of falling, Lucy's back erupted with elongated blood spikes, impaling the wolf and piercing its brain.
Lucy fled in the direction of the wolf she had slain.
After surveying the battlefield, she changed direction and dashed toward me with the wolves pursuing her closely.
We sprinted toward each other, feet pounding against the dirt until we collided at the center.
Lucy leaped forward and landed on my shield. I swung it, catapulting her into the night sky. Her body twisted mid-air as she conjured four blood daggers, clutching them tightly.
Focusing on the necks of the four wolves, Lucy hurled the daggers with precision, striking and impaling them.
The wolves froze, and their bodies dropped like sacks of potatoes.
But the wolves weren't the only ones to fall. Lucy, losing her balance, collapsed heavily to the ground.
When I reached her, her body was already pale, her skin turning the color of snow.
"Hang in there," I said, taking hold of her hand and gently placing her body on my lap.
"I've lost too much blood," Lucy rasped, a weak, almost defiant smile touching her lips.
"Did you know I was a virgin before I met you?" Her eyes turned toward the approaching group of eight remaining wolves.
"I had hoped you would endure for at least two minutes," she remarked, a chuckle escaping her lips as she coughed up blood.
"Stop speaking; you are losing too much blood." I gripped her hand firmly and turned my gaze toward the advancing wolves. "I will protect you."
Lucy raised her left hand, slowly pointing at the wolves. 'A goddess protects her disciple, not the other way around.'
"Blood Art Technique: Inferno."
Lucy snapped her fingers. Instantly, a massive fireball materialized where the wolves had been.
It pulsed and writhed, mirroring the frantic beat of her heart. The eight wolves combusted and incinerated in an instant.
'I wouldn't have done that,' a mysterious voice echoed from the dense trees ahead. 'Draining all your mana at once is a death sentence,' it added.
Our greatest fear materialized; the knight stepped forward from the shadows and stood before us.
Lucy coughed, a single droplet of blood landing on my hand as she struggled, her fingers clutching desperately at my shirt. 'You should run; I will be fine.'
Her body radiated an infernal heat as if she were a living ember; the devastating toll of her trump card was clear.