Dragon was bleeding from the gut. Though he was still fighting alongside Tiger, he knew he didn’t have much time until he was forced unconscious. With the momentary distraction that Wolf had afforded them, he inhaled deeply.

“We are with Tak.” He said, voice raised. The man who was swinging towards him with a spear stopped inches away from the keeled Dragon who clutched at his side. Dragon glared at him, the pulsing of his heart beat was the only thing he could focus on for the moment. Blood continued to spurt out from his side.

“With Tak? Where is she?” The foe asked, still threatening him with his spear. His eyes were suspicious still, not that Dragon could blame him.

Dragon panted out, holding onto his side. “She went to scout for some food.” His voice was low and gruff.

“What?!” The man spit out, as if his tongue was tipped with venom. “You!” He then brought his spear up again.

Dragon wasn’t unprepared for this. He sighed and then tensed up as his Iron Body covered him, managing to cause the blow to bounce off of him. He followed up with a Dragon Claw, striking the man in the stomach with enough force that they slammed against a tree and shuddered against it before he stumbled towards Dragon with his spear. Yet Dragon pounced forward and then assaulted him.

Luckily Tiger was still fending off four others so he didn’t need to worry about it for the moment, so he was fine to step forward to meet this man. The man stepped forward to strike Dragon, but Dragon had already committed. This time he didn’t use Iron Body, taking the blow head on.

Dragon Rending was the technique that he learnt after Dragon Claw. It was a harsher ability in comparison. Though it was also a piercing technique, it’s point was much thinner in comparison, yet held a much more powerful force within that tiny point. Not only that, it also aimed to disrupt an opponents ki.

He struck the man right in the stomach, the skin at his stomach blew past to expose the sinew under. The veins within his body became visible as they pressed against the skin, but then they flashed black for a moment. The man stood tall with his spear planted to the ground, but was unconscious.

Yet it wasn’t without it’s price. Dragon coughed up blood and fell backwards. He had too little ki, and due to his failed awakening, he had disrupted the ki within his own body as well. He landed against a tree, holding onto his side. His skin had grown pale, paler than perhaps he had ever been. He heard Tiger call out to him, but the sound was distorted.

The world was spinning for him as his head fell. Then he saw the presence of a large figure charging towards him, a giant spear in hand. It was the one Wolf had been facing, though Wolf was nowhere to be seen. They swung their blade down. He heard the clash of metal together, the air bursting around him as he felt the pressure of the attack. Then he heard the figure call out another name, one that had recently become familiar with.

“Tak.” Dragon whispered as he looked up. The spear had stopped inches from his face, another spear blocking it’s way. His eyes fell ,growing weaker for a moment, and then he saw a pair of boots, following up he saw the form of the woman.