Ouroboros

The Deathwing Terminators swiftly deployed into formation, their Storm Bolters pouring fire into the monster.

The bolts struck the monster's scales, leaving only shallow dents without even penetrating the surface. Some were deflected and exploded in midair, scattering sparks in every direction.

One of the monster's heads lunged forward violently. A Terminator failed to evade in time and was sent flying by the impact, his Power Armor screeching against itself.

Another Terminator smashed his Power Fist into the monster's leg, but it left only a white mark on the scales. The monster was completely unharmed.

"Its defenses are too strong!" a Terminator reported over the comms. "Conventional weapons are ineffective!"

Leona gripped the Lion King Sword tightly and charged forward. Her movements were nimble, the servos of her Power Armor giving off a low hum.

One of the Hydra's heads snapped at her. She twisted aside, and her blade slashed across its neck, but only cut through the outer scales without inflicting a fatal wound. The monster let out an enraged hiss as its other heads attacked her simultaneously.

Ezekiel raised his Force Staff and chanted an ancient incantation.

The crystal atop the staff flared with intense blue light, and a Psychic Barrier appeared before Leona, blocking the monster's repeated attacks.

Ripples spread across the barrier under the impacts, but it held.

"Its weakness is its heart!" Ezekiel shouted. "I need to use psychic power to lock onto its core!"

He focused his mind, spreading his Psychic Perception over the monster like a net as he tried to locate the point where its energy converged.

The Hydra's enormous body of rock and flesh suddenly shuddered. The scarlet gazes of all its heads instantly focused on Leona—or, more precisely, on the Lion King Sword in her hand, which radiated an aura