Chapter 20: Burnt Out

A second furious roar echoed from the beast, shaking the very air as it sluggishly rose from the lake's deep gorge, gradually picking up speed.

Firesong felt a primal terror wash over him, every hair on his body standing on end. "How did I miss something this huge?" he berated himself.

He turned to Bjorn and saw his condition was even worse. The beast's roar had shattered Bjorn's lightning armor, leaving him with internal injuries. Bjorn was on one knee, coughing up blood. Despite their enmity, Firesong couldn't help but admire Bjorn's guts and determination as a fellow cultivator.

“What is your name, kid?” Firesong asked suddenly.

Surprised, Bjorn saw no harm in answering since he needed a moment to stabilize himself. “I am Wildheart,” he declared with conviction.

“Remember that name, if you survive today,” Bjorn said with a bloody laugh that turned into a cough.

“Now you can die.” Firesong lunged at Bjorn to end the threat, but before he could reach him, a huge, armored, sca