Arthur’s claws flexed, digging deep into the blackened earth beneath him as he prepared for the battle ahead. The Crystallon Rex towered before him, its behemoth frame tense with energy, the crystal embedded in its forehead glowing brighter by the second. A predator through and through, the Rex was already scanning for weaknesses, instinctively prepared to crush anything in its path.
The ground rumbled as both monsters eyed each other, ready to unleash destruction at any moment.
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Arthur didn’t give the beast a chance to strike first. With a thunderous roar, he launched forward, his massive body thundering across the charred earth. His horns glowed faintly, psychic energy coiling within him as he focused on the Crystallon Rex. The air vibrated, the intensity of the battle already crackling between them.
But the Rex was fast—faster than Arthur anticipated. In a blur of motion, it swung its tail, a massive crystal-encrusted limb that hit Arthur’s side like a battering ram. The force knocked him off his feet, sending him crashing into a nearby spire, shattering it to pieces. The CLANG of crystal against his hardened carapace echoed across the battlefield.
Arthur’s eyes flickered with cold calculation. "Of course," he muttered. "This thing’s a walking fortress."
The Crystallon Rex lowered its head, the massive crystal on its forehead beginning to pulse with energy. Arthur barely had time to react as a beam of pure energy shot toward him, the searing light ripping through the space between them. He dove to the side, the beam grazing his scales as it exploded behind him, sending molten rock and debris flying.
WHAM!
Arthur’s thick tail whipped out in retaliation, slamming into the Rex’s side with a sickening crunch, but the impact barely fazed the beast. It roared, a primal scream that reverberated across the volcanic plains, and lunged at Arthur with speed that defied its bulk. The ground shook as the two titans collided, teeth and claws scraping against armor and crystal.
The Rex’s claws raked across Arthur’s chest, tearing into his flesh. Hot, burning pain shot through Arthur’s body, but he pushed it aside, focusing on survival. His Psychic energy flared, and he sent a wave of mental force crashing into the Rex’s mind. The beast staggered for a split second—just long enough for Arthur to capitalize on the opening.
With a snarl, he lunged forward, his molten claws glowing with destructive energy. He sank them deep into the Rex’s shoulder, tearing through muscle and sinew. Blood—thick and dark—poured from the wound, but the Crystallon Rex was far from defeated. It snapped its head around, its massive jaws closing around Arthur’s arm with a crushing force.
Arthur roared in pain, feeling the bone in his arm crack under the Rex’s grip. He struggled, using his wings to bat the beast’s face, but the Rex held on, shaking its head violently. Arthur felt the muscle tear, his vision blurring from the agony.
He had to think. He had to act.
Summoning every ounce of his Psychic ability, Arthur slammed a concentrated pulse of energy directly into the Rex’s mind, forcing it to release its grip. The mental strain nearly overwhelmed him, but the Rex staggered backward, momentarily dazed.
The Rex wasn’t done. It charged again, claws tearing up chunks of earth as it barreled forward. But Arthur had learned quickly—this beast wasn’t smart. It relied on brute strength and speed.
Arthur’s horns glowed brighter as he unleashed a burst of [Psychic] energy, aimed directly at the Rex’s mind. It faltered, just for a split second, its massive legs wobbling as it tried to shake off the mental assault. Arthur didn’t waste the opportunity—he lunged, his fangs bared as he aimed for the Rex’s throat.
But the Rex’s instincts were sharp. It snapped back to attention just in time, twisting its body and bringing its crystal-covered forearm up to block Arthur’s attack. The sound of his teeth scraping against the hardened crystal was like nails on a chalkboard, sending sparks flying as Arthur tried to sink his fangs into the beast’s flesh.
The Rex roared, a deafening, guttural sound that shook the ground beneath them. It swung its other arm, crystal-encrusted claws aiming for Arthur’s head. Arthur barely managed to dodge, twisting his body as the blow glanced off his shoulder, sending searing pain through his nerves. The force of the strike sent him skidding back, but Arthur refused to relent.
This was going to be a brutal fight.
Both monsters circled each other, eyes locked in a deadly standoff. The Rex’s nostrils flared, its crystal glowing brighter as it prepared its next move. Arthur could feel the energy building within the beast—the Laser Pulse was coming.
He had to act fast.
Arthur charged again, using his [Hardened Carapace] to absorb the blows from the Rex’s claws. But the Rex was relentless. It moved like a living fortress, each swing of its crystal-encrusted limbs like a hammer pounding against Arthur’s defenses. Arthur knew he couldn’t take much more of this—his energy was draining fast, and the Rex hadn’t even used its most powerful attack yet.
Just as Arthur dodged another swipe from the Rex’s claws, the crystal on its forehead flared to life. A beam of pure, concentrated energy shot out, aimed directly at Arthur’s chest. The air sizzled as the laser beam cut through it, molten heat radiating from the blast.
Arthur’s eyes widened as he barely had time to react. With a massive beat of his wings, he threw himself to the side, the laser grazing his arm as he rolled across the scorched ground. The searing pain was instant, his scales hissing and melting where the beam had struck.
"Damn thing…!" Arthur growled under his breath. His body ached, but he wasn’t about to let this overgrown beast finish him off.
He had to think. He had to act.
Summoning every ounce of his Psychic ability, Arthur slammed a concentrated pulse of energy directly into the Rex’s mind, forcing it to release its grip. The mental strain nearly overwhelmed him, but the Rex staggered backward, momentarily dazed.