The massive beast loomed before them, its spectral chains rattling as it took a slow, measured step forward. The ground beneath Alex trembled at its sheer presence. Unlike the other creatures, this one exuded intelligence, its glowing eyes locked onto him with a calculating gaze.
Soren cursed under his breath. "That's no ordinary beast. This thing… it's guarding something."
Nyssa tensed beside Alex, her fingers tightening around her daggers. "We either defeat it or find another way around. I doubt it's just going to let us pass."
Alex could feel the mana radiating from the creature—it was unlike anything he had encountered before. His Saint blood stirred, reacting to the presence of something ancient.
The beast moved first. It swung a massive claw, faster than its size should allow. Alex barely managed to dodge, feeling the wind pressure nearly knock him off his feet. The operatives scattered, trying to find an opening.
"We need a strategy!" one of them shouted.
Soren raised his hands, summoning a pillar of fire that roared toward the creature. The flames crashed against the spectral chains, but instead of burning, they were absorbed. The beast let out a deep, rumbling growl.
"It's feeding on mana!" Soren realized too late. "Magic won't work like normal against it!"
Alex gritted his teeth. That meant he had to fight it directly.
His sword glowed with a deep azure hue as he channeled his mana, focusing on his blade rather than external magic. With a battle cry, he lunged forward, dodging another devastating swipe and slashing at the chains that bound the beast.
The moment his blade made contact, a shockwave of energy erupted.
A vision flooded Alex's mind—a glimpse of the past. He saw figures clad in robes, chanting in an ancient tongue as they sealed something deep within the ruins.
Then, he was back.
The beast recoiled, its chains flickering. It let out a deafening roar, but this time, there was hesitation in its movements.
Nyssa caught on. "That did something! Keep attacking the chains!"
Alex nodded. If he could break the chains, he could unlock whatever secret this guardian was protecting.
And he was determined to find out what it was.