Bab 180: The Reckoning with Balaur    

Santi and Helliana were next. They moved in sync, blades flashing as they darted in to strike.

Helliana's daggers aimed for the joints in Balaur's armor, while Santi's sword arced toward his neck.

However, Balaur's response was swift and brutal. He lashed out with a speed that defied his massive size, his claws raking across Helliana's chest, sending her flying back with a deep wound.

Santi managed to land a blow, but it barely scratched his skin before Balaur retaliated, knocking her to the ground with a forceful backhand.

Both women lay gravely injured, the might of the dragon god proving far too great for even their combined strength.

Rylan and Kaelen were gone in the blink of an eye, their lives snuffed out like candles in a storm. The suddenness of it all left the survivors in shock, disbelief etched on their faces.