The air grew heavier as they descended the final steps to the tenth floor. The oppressive silence of the dungeon was broken only by the distant drip of water and the occasional rumble that seemed to vibrate through the stone walls. Each floor had been more dangerous than the last, the monsters fiercer, faster, and deadlier. And now, as they stood before the final chamber of the tenth floor, the tension was palpable.
"Ready?" Jaxon asked, his symbiote rippling beneath his armor, already braced for the fight ahead.
"As ready as we'll ever be," Sinthia said, her grip tight on her sword. Despite her steady voice, there was a flicker of unease in her green eyes.
Reed glanced at Starshadow, who chirped softly on his shoulder, then nodded. "Let's end this."
Kade's chains shifted lazily around him, their metallic sheen catching the dim light. "If we stick to the plan, we'll be fine."
Elias tossed a card into the air and caught it again, his usual grin hiding the nervous energy in his chest. "Let's hope this boss doesn't have a nasty surprise waiting for us."
The massive stone doors ahead of them groaned as they pushed them open, revealing a vast, circular chamber. The ceiling was high, disappearing into darkness, and the floor was made of cracked stone tiles covered in glowing runes. In the center of the room, a monstrous figure stood, its eyes gleaming with malevolent intelligence.
It was a Dire Warg, easily twice the size of the wolves they had faced on the first floor. Its fur was pitch black, streaked with crimson, and its fangs were as long as daggers. Most terrifying, though, was the aura of haste magic surrounding it, making it blur slightly at the edges, as if it were constantly moving even while standing still.
"Looks fast," Elias said, narrowing his eyes.
"Then we need to be faster," Jaxon replied, his symbiote already shifting into a pair of jagged blades.
The Warg let out a deafening roar and charged, its speed almost too fast to track.
Jaxon's symbiote reacted instantly, forming a shield that deflected the beast's initial attack. Kade's chains lashed out, trying to ensnare its legs, but the Warg moved too quickly, dodging the attack and snapping its jaws at Elias, who barely dodged in time.
"We need to slow it down!" Sinthia shouted, darting forward and slashing at the Warg's flank. Her blade barely grazed its fur before the beast turned on her with lightning speed, swiping at her with a massive paw.
Elias threw a card—a blast of wind magic knocked Sinthia back just in time to avoid the blow, but she hit the ground hard, gasping for breath.
"Thanks," she breathed, glancing up at him.
"Anytime," Elias said, helping her to her feet.
Meanwhile, Jaxon and Kade were keeping the Warg busy. Jaxon's symbiote shifted constantly, forming weapons, shields, and tendrils to block and counter the beast's attacks. Kade's chains wove through the air, striking at any opening they could find, but the Warg's speed made it difficult to land a solid hit.
"Reed, now!" Jaxon called.
Reed placed his hands on the ground, channeling his power. Vines erupted from the floor, wrapping around the Warg's legs and slowing it down just enough for Kade's chains to latch on.
"Got it!" Kade growled, pulling tight.
The Warg roared in rage, struggling against the bonds, but Jaxon was already moving. His symbiote formed a massive spear, and he lunged forward, driving it into the beast's side. The Warg howled in pain, its blood splattering across the stone floor.
But it wasn't done yet. With a burst of speed, it broke free from the vines and chains, knocking Jaxon back and turning its glowing red eyes on Sinthia.
Before anyone could react, the Warg charged.
Sinthia raised her sword, but she wasn't fast enough. The beast was on her in an instant, its jaws snapping shut inches from her face. She stumbled back, tripping over a loose stone and falling to the ground.
"Sinthia!" Elias shouted.
Without thinking, he threw a card. It glowed brightly as it transformed midair, turning into a spectral barrier that blocked the Warg's next attack. But the beast was relentless, slamming against the barrier again and again.
Elias ran to her side, grabbing her hand and pulling her to her feet. "Come on, we've got to move!"
But before they could escape, the Warg broke through the barrier. It lunged at them, its jaws wide—
Elias shoved Sinthia out of the way and threw another card. This one exploded in a burst of fire, hitting the Warg in the face and forcing it back.
"Are you okay?" he asked, turning to Sinthia.
She nodded, her eyes wide. "You… you saved me."
"Of course I did," Elias said, grinning despite the danger. "Can't let you get eaten by an oversized mutt, can I?"
Sinthia blinked, then smiled—a small, genuine smile that made Elias's heart skip a beat.
"Thanks," she said softly.
"Anytime," he replied, his cheeks flushing slightly.
Before they could say anything else, Jaxon's voice cut through the air. "Elias, Sinthia—focus! We're not done yet!"
Elias shook himself, turning back to the fight. The Warg was weakened, its movements slower and more erratic. Jaxon, Kade, and Reed were closing in, delivering coordinated attacks that kept the beast off balance.
"Let's finish this," Sinthia said, her grip tightening on her sword.
Together, they charged. Elias threw a barrage of spectral daggers, weakening the Warg further, while Sinthia darted in and slashed at its legs. Jaxon's symbiote formed a massive hammer, which he brought down on the beast's skull with a sickening crunch.
The Warg let out one final, pitiful growl before collapsing to the ground, dead.
Silence fell over the chamber.
"We did it," Reed said, breathing heavily.
Jaxon nodded. "One floor down. Ninety more to go."
As they stood over the Warg's corpse, Elias glanced at Sinthia. She caught his eye and smiled again, and for the first time in a long time, Elias felt a warmth in his chest that had nothing to do with magic.