Lyria darted in first, slicing across the Guardian's knee joint. Steam burst out. Garron followed with a heavy punch, cracking the stone further. Halik unleashed a burst of dragonfire — blue flames rolling out of his mouth and striking the Guardian's chest.
Riko raised his tiny dagger. "I'll help too!"
Maera grabbed his collar. "No. You'll help by staying alive."
"But I—"
"Nope."
Meanwhile Aeron stepped forward, heat radiating from his palms.
"I feel… something inside it," he muttered. "Like a core. A heart."
"That's where its power is," Halik shouted. "Destroy the heart!"
The Guardian roared, magma bleeding from its cracks. It swung both arms outward, sending arcs of molten rock flying.
One shard hit Kethra, knocking her backward. She roared in pain, but pulled herself up again, fury blazing in her eyes.
"You hit the wrong dwarf!"
She hurled her hammer with such force that it smashed into the Guardian's shoulder and embedded itself deep inside before melting.
"Ugh," she groaned. "I liked that hammer."
Aeron closed his eyes, focusing on the burning within him.
The Guardian slowed. Its flames flickered.
Aeron whispered, "I'm sorry… but I have to do this."
He thrust both hands outward.
A surge of silver fire shot from his palms, hitting the Guardian straight in its core. It roared in agony as cracks spread across its chest. Garron and Maera moved in at the same time, delivering a final blow — Maera's blades slicing deep, Garron's iron fist punching straight into the core.
The Guardian shattered.
The pieces hit the ground like cooling iron, glowing…and then slowly dimming.
Aeron collapsed to his knees.
Lyria rushed to him. "Aeron! Are you—"
He lifted a shaky hand. "I'm okay… I think."
Maera sheathed her blades. "That was terrifying."
Garron nodded. "Not bad for the kid with the glowing eyes."
Riko poked one of the Guardian shards with a stick. "Do you think it'll come back?"
The shard twitched.
Riko screamed and jumped behind Maera.
She sighed. "Honestly… this is my life now."