The air on the 95th floor was thick with black smoke.

  The stone columns seemed to pulse as if they were alive, and each step echoed like a death omen.

  Anatoly advanced slowly, like a hunter stalking prey with nowhere to run.

  — Little mouse… by little mouse… I will tear you all apart.

  Valquíria charged with a roar, her war hammer echoing through the air. The impact shook the ground, but Anatoly caught it with his claw and pushed her back as if she were a child. Luiz seized the opportunity, his spear tracing an arc and piercing the monster’s flank. Black blood gushed… but he didn’t even flinch.

  — Is that all? — he growled, swinging horizontally.

  The strike went through Kátia of the Copas before she could react. The metallic crack of her chest splitting echoed through the hall. She fell lifeless.

  — KáTIA! — Valquíria screamed, but it was already too late.

  Alenna tried to retaliate, advancing with precision, but Anatoly tilted his body and, in a swift motion, his black blade slit her throat. She fell to her knees, her eyes already dull.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  Boudica roared, planting one spear in the ground and using the other to strike repeatedly. But Anatoly let out a roar and unleashed a barrage of black spikes. The sound of metal piercing flesh echoed as the shards tore through her armor and sank deep. She fell to her side, still clutching her weapon.

  Lukas moved to cover the flank, but then he saw a strike that froze his blood: Adriele running to help him, not noticing the shadow growing behind her.

  — LELI! — he shouted.

  Anatoly’s claw formed an arc and cut across her waist. She staggered, clutching the wound, blood already soaking her uniform.

  In a reflex, Lukas, Luiz, and Valquíria threw themselves in front of her. Luiz pierced Anatoly’s knee, Valquíria smashed his exposed rib, and Lukas pulled Adriele back.

  He quickly assessed the wound — it was deep, but not fatal.

  — It didn’t go too far… you will survive. — he said, keeping his voice firm.

  Anatoly watched them, the predatory smile returning to his face.

  — First the blood… then the flesh… then the souls. I will devour everything.

  Caesar’s voice echoed in Lukas’s mind: Hold strong, boy. A legionary never gives up easily. We fight to the end, even if it means death.

  Lukas: I know, partner. You’d nag me to death if I collapsed now.

  Caesar: That’s the spirit, young legionary.

  Every muscle in Lukas’s body screamed to stop.

  The weight of the shield and the gladius felt three times heavier, and yet he knew:

  the next exchange of blows could very well be the last.