Rain poured down steadily as the battlefield descended into chaos.
Dephore was sent flying, his body crashing hard into a tree. Leiofa sprinted toward him without hesitation while Neblaheim stepped forward, holding the death knight at bay. From the side, Arin rushed in and struck the death knight—its hand severed cleanly, only to grind and pull itself back into place moments later. The creature retaliated, slamming Arin back, but Neblaheim intercepted and forced it away.
"Hanase, heal Dephore!" Leiofa shouted, already turning back toward the fight.
Facing the others, he spoke quickly. "Arin, we have to attack in sync. We keep it in place until it's purified."
Neblaheim nodded. "I'll block its attacks. You strike from behind. After that, someone can use petrification."
Zhoran and Hugurou stepped in beside them. "We'll attack from the sides once petrification breaks."
"I can use petrification," Arin said firmly. "I'll do it."
The death knight leapt forward. Neblaheim and Hugurou blocked its strike head-on. Leiofa circled behind and attacked, but the creature twisted and kicked him away. Arin attempted to cast petrification, only to be knocked aside before he could finish.
Askiro moved in—fast, decisive. She stabbed the death knight and jumped back, rejoining the group as they regrouped.
"Askiro should hide," Leiofa said. "I'll distract it. She strikes when it's open."
"I'll push it toward Arin after that," Hugurou added.
"I'll petrify it," Arin said. "Then Hanase purifies."
Hanase returned, having stabilized Dephore. Arin told her to prepare the purify spell.
The death knight charged again, but Hugurou and Neblaheim intercepted it. Leiofa leapt into the air and struck, though the blow was blocked. In that opening, Askiro stabbed the creature once more. Hugurou shoved it backward.
Arin cast petrification.
For a moment, it worked.
Then the death knight broke free far too quickly.
It lunged forward and drove its blade into Askiro.
"ASKIRO!"
Arin caught her as she collapsed, lifting her into his arms. Hugurou and Neblaheim forced the death knight back while Hanase unleashed purify upon it. Arin held Askiro tightly, tears falling as he begged her to stay alive.
She smiled weakly. "Stop crying," she said.
Then she fell unconscious.
Hanase rushed over and began healing her immediately. The others gathered around, watching in silence as the rain continued to fall.
"Is she alive?" someone asked.
Hanase's hands trembled.
A tear slipped from her eye as she turned toward them.