Breaking Them and Talking

Boom!

The earth shook, and a huge wave of white air burst from the center of the battle. It swept outward, flattening swaths of trees.

Dago used no wizard spells. He fought the Great Ice Serpent with his body alone.

It was like watching two ancient beasts grapple and tear at each other. Before long, they had reduced the surrounding forest to wreckage.

Boom!

Boom!

Bang!

Dago and the Great Ice Serpent collided head-on again and again. Both fought with utter savagery, pitting their physical strength against each other while struggling for control of the ice-element particles in the air.

Dago still held the upper hand in his transformed state.

But the Great Ice Serpent was an ancient breed, and its growth was simply absurd.

Dago had only gone to the Mirror Forest for a few days. In that time, the serpent had nearly grown into a Mid-Second Circle magical beast.

Boom—

Dago sent the massive serpent flying with a punch. His fist, wreathed in blazing light, smashed through the ice-crystal scales and drew blood from its body.

It roared in pain, but that only made it fiercer. Its bloodline seemed to awaken further, power surging within it as it prepared to lunge at Dago again.

Dago narrowed his eyes without a trace of expression and slowly gathered his strength.

To tame an ancient creature this wild, he had to hurt it and beat it down again and again. Only when it truly feared him could he bring it to heel.

That might take a long time while the Great Ice Serpent was still growing so rapidly, but Dago had time and patience to spare.

Dago drew a deep breath and raised both arms. Currents of ancient, mysterious power circled him, and the space around him grew thick and distorted.