I wasted no time analyzing the snake.

  Bane Basilisk

  Level 4

  Hit Points: 180/200

  Mana: 100/100

  Status: Partially Blinded, Enraged

  The same amount of hit points as the dragon. Unease flickered through me before I shoved it aside. No use getting psyched out now. We had the phoenix on our side, and I could always use Retribution if it came to that.

  My resolve hardened as a plan began to take shape. Shutting the menu, I turned to Clover. “It’s not going to hold still for you to use your lance, so I’ll help the phoenix keep it in place. Stay back here.”

  She snorted. “Don’t worry. I have no intention of getting close to that thing.” With a determined waved, she added, “Go on. I’m ready if you need healing in the meantime.”

  I grinned at her before focusing on the battle. The phoenix darted in a series of dives, its talons flashing as it kept the basilisk’s attention fixed on the air. It seemed to be targeting the snake’s remaining eye, but the beast writhed and twisted, refusing to stay still for more than a second.

  Moving into its blind spot, I dodged its sweeping tail as I closed the distance. The phoenix’s strength was breathtaking, far beyond what I’d anticipated. Watching as it spun out of another graceful dive, I huffed.

  If it kept up like this, I wouldn’t need to do anything at all.

  Spirits hold these beings in high esteem for countless reasons. Their raw power is but one of them, my spirit said, her voice calm.

  I nodded, awed by the firebird’s precision and ferocity. But as the battle dragged on, a nagging doubt crept into my mind. The phoenix had mentioned being forcibly grounded by the basilisk before–so why wasn’t it using the same power now?

  Some abilities can only be used once in a certain timeframe, my spirit mused. It is entirely possible that this is one such instance…or it is a spell and the beast must remain still to use it.

  If that were true, the basilisk would need to make its move soon, giving the phoenix its chance to strike. Glancing at the one-sided battle ahead, I shoved my unease aside.

  It had probably caught the fire bird off guard the first time and now it had no such advantage. Despite that reassurance, dread weighed heavy at the back of my mind, hissing that something was wrong.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  Thanks, I said inwardly, focusing back on the fight.

  The basilisk’s movements grew more erratic with each passing moment, its rage mounting. In contrast, the phoenix seemed fueled by an ever-increasing fury. It dove again, its talons raking a yard-long gash through the serpent’s scales.

  With a hiss, the snake reared back, its lone eye blazing with hatred. Then, before I could react, it spun and lunged toward a hole in the wall.

  “You will not escape!” the phoenix shrieked, chasing after it in a blur of flame and feathers. Realization hit like a thunderclap as the basilisk’s eye shimmered with magic and my dread rose to scream in my ears.

  “Don’t!” I yelled, but it was too late.

  The air thickened with mana, and in the span of a heartbeat, a shimmering cloud of darkness enveloped the phoenix. It fell to the ground with a piercing cry, bound by the basilisk’s spell.

  The snake turned, its jaws opening wide to reveal dagger-like fangs dripping with black venom. The phoenix struggled against its magical restraints, but it was futile. My heart sank–the basilisk was poised for a killing strike, and they were across the room. I wouldn’t make it in time.

  “Illuminating Lance!”

  Clover’s voice rang out, and I spun to see a brilliant spiral of light streak through the air. The lance struck the basilisk’s head with a thunderous impact, sending it skidding back into the wall. From the corner of my eye, I saw Clover grin triumphantly, sweat glistening on her brow as she readied another lance. She caught my gaze and winked. “You can stare adoringly later, Darling!”

  I laughed, shaking off the tension, and refocused on the basilisk. A crater marked the spot where it had crashed, the edges barely visible through the dust cloud surrounding it. Sword at the ready, I moved forward cautiously.

  Before I could close the distance, something lashed out and slammed into my middle, the force hurling me into the wall. The impact echoed like a gong, and pain exploded through my body.

  “Frederick!”

  Clover’s voice pierced the fog in my mind as I fought the nausea rising in my throat. My lower back burned fiercely, and when I forced my eyes open, the world blurred and swam.

  Blinking rapidly, I managed to make out Clover running toward me, her face twisted in worry. Behind her though, was the basilisk.

  The phoenix was still trapped in the dark spell, struggling to no avail. The basilisk’s gaze was fixed on Clover’s unguarded back, its body coiled and ready to strike. My earlier promise rang in my head.

  I won’t let it get within striking distance of you, trust me.

  The distance between them was nothing for a creature that size. I had to move. I had to get up!

  Ignoring the pain, I pushed myself to my feet. My sword was out of reach, but that didn’t matter. The basilisk lunged, its venom-coated fangs bared. Clover was a yard away, her hand raised as the familiar glow of healing magic surrounded it.

  Something in my expression must have warned her, because she glanced over her shoulder and paled. Fear froze her features, sharp and unrelenting.

  It dug a blade into my gut and twisted, feeding the fire in my chest. That expression didn’t belong on her face. Nothing was allowed to terrify her like that.

  The fire in my chest roared to life, drowning out the pain. Power surged through my veins, and I launched myself forward, closing the gap in a single, adrenaline-fueled motion.

  Just as the basilisk’s massive jaws snapped shut, I threw myself between them.