Each floor of the Tower of Trials had presented its own unique challenges, pushing the group to their limits and forcing them to grow stronger with every battle.
the 5th floor had been filled with bird-like creatures that soared through the air with terrifying speed, their sharp talons and beaks making them deadly opponents.
The group had struggled at first, their usual tactics were useless against the flying foes. But they quickly adapted, using the environment to their advantage.
Lily's bow skills were constantly improving and she had proven invaluable, her arrows striking the creatures out of the sky.
AJ had also played a key role—being thrown by Ethan, he latched onto the birds, bringing them down to the ground for the others to finish off.
Another floor had been overrun with small, hyena-like creatures that moved quickly and attacked with ferocious aggression. Their small size and agility made them difficult to hit, and their sharp claws and teeth left the group with a few scratches each.
Ethan's strength had been mostly useless against such fast opponents, but Walter's precise strikes and Victor's quick reflexes had turned the tide.
Sam's spear had also been crucial—he had used it like a cricket bat, swatting at the creatures which threw them off balance, allowing the others to get their strikes in.
Each floor had tested them in different ways, forcing them to refine their tactics and work together as a team.
They had faced towering beasts, swarms of smaller creatures, and even environmental hazards like collapsing floors and traps.
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A week had passed in the blink of an eye. They had trained, rested, and battled on repeat. The group had climbed higher and higher through the Tower of Trials, each floor presenting new challenges that tested their limits.
Now, though, they stood at the threshold of the 10th floor, their hearts pounding with a mix of anticipation and dread. The air was thick with tension, the faint hum of the crystals lining the walls seeming to grow louder as they approached the massive doors.
AJ's efforts had paid off. Over the past week, he had continued to work tirelessly to refine the Ravager scales and claws even further.
Sam's spear was reinforced with Ravager scales, improving its defensive capabilities. Walter's cane had also been transformed, now being used as a formidable blunt weapon, its weight nicely balanced for his fighting style.
They had discovered that every 3rd floor was a reast floor, their training during the rest floors combined with the live practice against the enemies was paying off in spades.
Their movements were more fluid, their coordination tighter, and their control over mana had improved significantly.
They were no longer the same group that had stumbled into the Tower—they were becoming a well-oiled fighting machine.
The massive doors to the room creaked open, revealing the final challenge of the Tower of Trials. The group stepped inside, their weapons at the ready, their eyes scanning the vast chamber.
The room was enormous, its ceiling lost in darkness, and the walls lined with glowing crystals that cast an eerie, pulsating light.
In the centre of the room stood their final opponent—a colossal, mammoth looking creature that radiated an aura of primal power.
The creature was a sight to behold. Its massive, shaggy body was covered in thick, matted fur, and its eyes glowed with a fierce, almost intelligent light.
Its tusks were enormous, curving like swords and gleaming with a deadly sharpness. But what caught the group's attention most was its thick and muscular trunk.
Ethan tightened his grip on his axe, his eyes narrowing as he studied the creature. "That trunk's covered in scars," he muttered. "It's clearly not just for show."
Victor nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the creature's movements. "The tusks are obvious weapons, but don't underestimate the trunk."
Lily adjusted her grip on her bow, her mind already working overtime. "Look at how it's shifting its weight. It's ready to move at any time."
Walter, leaning on his cane, observed the creature with a calm but calculating gaze. "It's not just brute strength. That thing's smart. It's watching us, sizing us up."
AJ's gelatinous form rippled with tension and chimed in with a low hum. "It's... waiting for... us to... strike first."
The mammoth-like creature let out a deep, rumbling growl, its massive head lowering as it locked eyes with the group. Its trunk swayed slightly, the scars along its surface catching the light.
The group could feel the tension in the air, the creature's presence almost overwhelming.
Victor reminded them of their usual plan. "Ethan and Walter, you're on the front. Keep its attention. Lily and I will flank it, Sam, stay back and support us. AJ, make sure it doesn't get comfortable."
The group nodded, their expressions determined. They had faced multiple challenges to get here, and they weren't about to let this creature stand in their way.
The mammoth charged forward with surprising speed, its massive tusks gleaming like blades in the dim light of the chamber.
The ground trembled beneath its weight, and the air was filled with the sound of its heavy footsteps. Ethan stood his ground, his shield discarded at his side.
He knew it wouldn't hold against the mammoth's raw power. Instead, he gripped his axe tightly, his muscles coiled like springs as he waited for the right moment.
The mammoth was almost upon him, its tusks aimed directly at his chest. At the last second, Ethan spun to the side.
The mammoth's tusk grazed past him, missing by mere centimetres. Using the momentum of his spin, Ethan brought his axe around in a powerful arc, aiming for the creature's front leg.
The blade struck true, cleaving deep into the thick hide and muscle. The mammoth let out a deafening roar of pain, its charge faltering as it slowed to turn around.
Lily, positioned slightly to the side, seized the opportunity. She nocked an arrow, her eyes narrowing as she took aim.
With a sharp exhale, she released the arrow, followed quickly by two more. The arrows whistled through the air, each one finding its mark in the mammoth's thick fur and hide.
The creature roared again as the arrows pierced its skin, but the injuries, whilst painful, weren't doing any real damage.
As the mammoth turned, its massive head swinging toward Ethan, Walter stepped forward, gripping his cane tightly.
With a quick jab, he struck the mammoth's head, the end of his cane thudding against its thick skull.
The creature's attention immediately shifted, locking onto Walter. It let out a low, rumbling growl as its trunk lashed out toward him.
Walter didn't hesitate backing up quickly, his movements surprisingly agile. The mammoth's trunk whipped through the air where he had just been standing, completely missing him.
Walter's expression remained calm, but his heart was racing. He knew that getting hit by that trunk would be fatal.
Victor, meanwhile, had been circling around the mammoth. His dagger gleamed in the dim light as he darted in, aiming for it's side.
He struck quickly, his blade slicing through the thick fur and drawing blood. The mammoth bellowed, its massive body twisting as it tried to turn and face this new threat.
Victor was already moving, however, his movements swift as he dashed out of reach.
Sam, standing a short distance away, focused on supporting the group. He watched the battle closely, ready to intervene if anyone found themselves in serious danger.
AJ spread his slippery secretion all over the floor where the mammoth was standing. Its movements became more erratic as it lost its footing and balance whilst trying to deal with the constant barrage of attacks.
Suddenly, the mammoth's body began to emit a faint glow, a subtle but unmistakable aura of mana enveloping its massive form.
The air around it seemed to hum with energy, and the group could feel the shift in its presence. Its attention locked onto Walter and Ethan, the two who had been annoying it the most.
With a thunderous roar, the mammoth charged at Walter and Ethan, its movements unnaturally swift for a creature of its size.
The ground shook violently as it barrelled toward them, its tusks gleaming with deadly intent. Walter, his cane at the ready, began slowly distancing himself from Ethan.
Ethan, gripping his axe tightly, stood his ground, his muscles tense as he prepared to dodge out of the way.
As the mammoth closed in, Walter sidestepped, his movements swift. The force of the charge caused a gust of wind, making his hair flutter about.
Ethan, meanwhile, ducked and rolled out of the way. He was quick to get back on his feet, already swinging his axe at the mammoth's side.
The blade bit into its thick hide, drawing blood, but the creature barely seemed to notice, its glowing form shrugging off the injury.
Walter and Ethan exchanged a quick glance, as the mammoth turned around. They knew they couldn't keep dodging forever—eventually, the mammoth would catch up to them.
But, their job was to keep its attention focused on them, giving the others a chance to strike.
Lily took advantage of the mammoth's momentary pause. She nocked another arrow to her bow. This time, she focused on the creature's eyes, hoping to blind it or at least disrupt its vision.
Multiple arrows whistled through the air, most missed entirely. Only two finding the mammoth's body, one of which did manage to hit the mammoth's eye.
The mammoth roared in pain as the arrow struck its eye. It shook its head violently, dislodging the arrow, but the damage was done.
Victor saw another opportunity. He darted in, aiming for the creature's hind leg. He struck with precision, his blade slicing through the thick hide.
The mammoth tried twisted its body to strike at Victor but it was now moving slower, the strikes to its legs seeming to finally take effect.
The mammoth wasn't done yet though. Its body glowed brighter, the mana inside it surging as it prepared for its next move.
It didn't look like it was going to blindly charge at them anymore. The mammoth carefully backed up against one of the chamber walls and waited for them to approach.
The group knew things had just gotten much more complicated.