The turtle surged forward.
Its bulk tore up grass and soil as it lunged, mouth wide enough to snap a man in half. The air trembled with the force of its charge.
Lilia didn't flinch.
Her sword flared with white-blue light—a concentrated burst of elemental energy—and she met the creature head-on, ducking low and slashing upward in one fluid motion. The blade scraped across the turtle's thick shell, sending a shower of sparks into the air but barely leaving a mark.
The turtle roared in irritation, not pain.
Too tough, Julian realized.
Even with a clean strike, it barely felt it.
A blast of fire exploded beside the turtle's head as another awakened soldier joined the fray, aiming for its eyes. The beast flinched, pulling back slightly, but not retreating. Instead, it swung its heavy body sideways, sending two soldiers flying like ragdolls.
Julian ducked instinctively, heart hammering in his chest.
"Celeste! Now!" Lilia barked.
Celeste didn't respond. She simply moved.
