A fight to the death

As the basilisk reared high, Eli could make out its gaping maw in its shadow on the wall, right down to its sharp venomous fangs.

Eli cast a spell on himself. His feet flew, and with a quick sidestep, he ducked into the pipe behind him.

The basilisk was not about to let him escape. It lowered its head and thundered in after him.

The pipe was spacious enough for Eli to stand and run without difficulty, but the basilisk filled it completely as it entered. In other words, Eli had no way back.

Once man and serpent were inside the pitch-dark pipe, Eli pulled out several small balls with a faint metallic sheen.

Feeling the basilisk rapidly closing in behind him, Eli squeezed the balls bitterly. "So anyone you stare at dies, huh? Have a taste of this!"

Without looking back, he hurled the balls behind him. As they collided, the magic and runes sealed inside activated instantly.

In a flash, a white blaze seemed to descend into the pipe, its piercing radiance wiping everything from sight.

Outside, a terrifying burst of light erupted from the pipe, forcing Tom to retreat. His expression changed drastically.

The basilisk's ensuing roar—or rather, scream—brought a look of horror to Tom's face for the first time.

The instant Eli threw the balls, he ducked around a bend, turned his back to the light, and cast layer after layer of protective magic on himself.

The pipe shook constantly as the basilisk thrashed wildly. Eli was horrified by its power. Had its tail landed a solid blow on him earlier, he might have been reduced to a cloud of blood.

At the same time, though, he was secretly delighted. His plan had worked!

By luring the basilisk into this cramped, dark pipe and setting off