The man-made beast roared, ripping chunks of ancient stone from the ruined chapel walls. Its breath burned like sulfur, its claws dripping sigil-stained light.

  Rell and Thessia stood firm, backs to a group of terrified children. His body still shook from the earlier clash, and her sword hand trembled beneath blood-soaked bandages.

  “It not stop,” Rell muttered, eyes narrowing.

  “Then we don’t either,” Thessia said, stepping up beside him.

  The monster charged — they split. Rell flanked right, conjuring a burst of fire to blind it. Thessia cut low, aiming for a joint in the creature’s leg.

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  The attacks barely made it stumble.

  One of the beast’s backhands caught a column and sent it flying. Stone crashed into the wall, nearly caving the ceiling. Dust filled the air.

  “Kids… move!” Rell shouted, gesturing toward a gap in the wreckage that led outside.

  Thessia shielded them with her body as they sprinted — one by one — into the blinding daylight. Screams rang from the streets as the children spilled into the open, just past the church walls.

  ?

  Behind the Church – Jungle Crew

  “Another one down,” Ko Mala said, adjusting his grip on his staff.

  Umbwe cracked his neck, blood smearing his black mane. “They keep coming.”

  The final wave of guards fell. Ducalin crawled away, broken and coughing, trying to escape through a side alley.

  Umbwe pounced — one paw slammed him to the wall.

  “You… too late,” Ducalin wheezed. “He won’t… win.”

  Umbwe narrowed his eyes. But just as he raised his claw, a deafening roar echoed from within the church’s depths — one he recognized instantly.

  His ears twitched.

  “Rell,” he growled.

  He dropped Ducalin, who slumped down, wheezing. “Another time…” Umbwe growled before vanishing toward the ruined chapel.

  Umbwe launched himself toward the main structure, vanishing in a blur of divine speed.

  Behind him, Ducalin groaned. “This… not over…”