The tree line in front of us crackled as an enormous Feral ape appeared mowing down a path. Two stories high with shades of dark gray and black fur. Definitely deserved the name as it struck fear in anyone unlucky enough to come into contact with one. I didn’t want to give up before trying, but damn that’s one big ape.

“Eris, stay back. Try not to grab its attention and focus on support.” Eris nodded her head as I moved to the vanguard.

The ape made the first move, but it didn’t take long before both of us charged directly at each other. Both of my daggers were held horizontally with the backup fang secured along the waste of my pants. Really not the wisest plan I could’ve come up with.

Its fist swung with full force in an attempt to swat me out of the air. I leaped directly up off the ground in hopes to stab anywhere at its head. The moment the fist was about to connect Eris erected a mana shield, protecting me from death. A loud audible bang boomed from the hit as the shield produced web-like cracks, but still maintained its form.

Its right eye was left completely open. I stabbed multiple times before the ape flung me off its head using its other arm. My body plummeted back towards Eris and I was already in a horrible state before crashing to the ground.

Twelve crushed ribs and a broken arm when its fist connected. Eris immediately ran over to begin healing. All broken bones reconnected and healed in a matter of seconds as I found my footing.

At least half its vision is gone, but I also lost one of my daggers which was plucked out and thrown somewhere far away in anger.

“Eris, I need you to create mana barriers as stepping platforms for when I’m in the air. You’ll need to be quick, can you do that?” Eris nodded in confirmation as I held the lion’s fang in one hand and a dagger in the other.

The Feral ape charged again. This time I jumped straight up into the air. Instead of falling, I landed on an impromptu platform and jumped forward around the height of the ape’s charging body. The ape went straight for a grab forcing an early dodge until I was eventually jumping circles around it. It was close to knocking me out of the air so I pushed harder and increased the encirclement radius setting me right outside of reach.

The circling shortened before long, placing me as close as possible without getting hit. This was when I made my move, aiming at the nape of its neck. Plunging dagger first as blood dyed the ape’s fur crimson. I was that annoying mosquito you could never catch.

The Feral ape roared incessantly, enraged that it couldn’t capture its prey. No matter how many stab wounds, it seemed like this was only making the ape stronger and frankly more pissed. This was heading nowhere and fast, but my main concern surfaced, that being the moment the bloodied ape changed targets.

It took its sweet time to figure out that the barriers were being made by Eris. Though now it completely ignored me and charged at her, knocking away debris into the surrounding trees. Eris didn’t falter and continued placing foundations for my jumps. I caught up enough to dig my dagger deep into the side of the ape’s neck.

The change of direction made it difficult to escape in time as I left my dagger behind and a barrier erected to stop the oncoming ape’s hand. I’m not sure why, but this time the barrier wasn’t able to completely stop the blow. It shattered serving its purpose, giving enough time to escape the swat. The force of pressure created from the blow made me lose control and crash down to the ground.

The fear of being stomped to death surfaced as I stood back up. I looked up to see Eris entering into that fate meters from the Feral ape. Her mana barrier fully deployed, as both abnormally massive arms came crashing down. I sprinted as fast as possible to rescue Eris.

The earth trembled as her mana barrier withstood the full force of the ape’s continuous onslaught. Her personal barrier was many times tougher than projected ones, since cracks that formed, instantly resealed. Blow after blow Eris sank into the ground as her circular barrier kept her safe. The situation took a turn for the worst in a matter of seconds as the pounding intensified. Her mana deficiency was apparent in her repairing, as larger cracks accumulated until her shield dissipated entirely.

I yelled hoping to somehow grab the ape’s attention as I stabbed the lion’s fang straight into the back of its head. The foot-long fang only entered several inches passing the fur and skin but stopping at the skull not being able to pierce bone. The ape ignored my attack and swung again at the defenseless Eris, completely tunnel-visioned on her.

I quickly pulled out the fang and dropped down to strike at the back of the neck. With a glimpse of Eris as I repositioned, there was no way I’d make it in time. All I could hear and feel was one final ground tremor as the fang drove entirely into the back of its neck.

The Feral ape toppled over with a loud thump to its side. “Eris!” I shouted, not wanting to envision meat paste and hoping she was still alive enough to respond.