Just as the beast was overpowering the wounded warriors, a loud horn blast echoed from beyond the gate. The piercing call sent ripples through the battlefield, momentarily stilling both fighters and spectators alike.
Then came the sound of galloping hooves—an unrelenting thunderstorm of steel and muscle.
A squadron of knights burst through the city gates, their armor gleaming silver, banners snapping violently in the wind. Their formation was precise, disciplined.
At the forefront, a colossal knight, clad from head to toe in layers upon layers of silver steel, launched from his horse with inhuman strength, sailing through the air before crashing into the beast's side.
BOOM!
The impact shook the earth, sending a deafening shockwave through the battlefield.
The Armored Ground Dragon let out a surprised, ear-splitting roar as its balance was disrupted, its massive body toppling sideways.
Dust and debris erupted from the force, momentarily obscuring the creature's form.
As the dust settled, the damage was revealed—a deep dent marred the beast's seemingly indestructible scales, a testament to the knight's sheer power.
The giant knight stood tall, raising his sword as his voice boomed like a war drum across the battlefield. "Knights of Greythorne! Pin the beast down!"
The knights surged forward, a wall of steel and fury.
Lances were lowered. Shields locked into formation. Hooves pounded against the ground as dozens of warhorses charged in perfect synchronization.
The first wave struck, their lances piercing into the weaker joints of the dragon's legs, forcing it lower.
The beast roared, thrashing, but it could not fully regain its footing before the second wave descended upon it.
The giant knight, wasting no time, lunged forward again, sword raised high. He swung with terrifying precision and force, aiming for the fractured section of the beast's armor left behind from his first strike.
The blade crashed down, sending another shockwave rippling outward.
The beast screamed, blood spurting from the widening wound.
"Hold it down!" the knight bellowed, and his subordinates obeyed without hesitation.
A squad of heavily armored knights rushed in, their shields raised high as they surrounded the creature's front limbs. They began forcing the beast's claws to the ground, preventing it from swiping at them freely.
Another group of knights wielding chains galloped in from behind, their whips coiling around the dragon's hind legs. With a coordinated yank, they pulled, trying to unbalance it further.
"Keep pulling!" one knight roared as the ground itself trembled beneath their struggle.
The warriors from before, battered and bleeding, took the chance to regroup. The axe-wielder wiped the blood from his brow and snarled. "About damn time!"
He didn't wait for orders—he sprinted forward, axe gleaming under the sun as he aimed directly at the beast's exposed joints.
With a guttural yell, he swung with all his might, his weapon biting into tender flesh beneath the cracked armor.
The chain-wielder, still recovering from his earlier wound, forced himself up. He hurled his chains once more, this time aiding the knights in holding the beast down.
The dagger-wielder, limping but determined, joined the fight again. "That thing's still not giving in," she hissed, tightening her grip on her bloodied daggers. "We need to go for the head."
The archer, perched high on the remains of a collapsed stall, loosed another black-tipped arrow—this time, aimed directly at the beast's throat. The arrow found its mark, piercing deep into softer tissue.
The Armored Ground Dragon's movements became more frantic, its roars turning desperate as pain surged through its body.
Yet, despite the mounting injuries, it refused to fall.
It suddenly lurched forward, its massive jaw snapping at the knights attempting to hold it down. One knight was too slow—his shield shattered as he was flung through the air, crashing against a building. He did not rise.
Another knight cried out as the beast's tail whipped out, sending him and his horse skidding across the battlefield.
Even with their numbers and discipline, the knights were not invincible.
The giant knight, seeing his men being thrown around like ragdolls, roared furiously. He raised his greatsword high. "Press forward! Do not let it regain its footing!"
He charged, his blade flashing as he struck the beast's snout, breaking another piece of its armored plating.
"NOW! ATTACK ITS HEAD!" he ordered.
The knights and warriors rallied together, pushing forward with renewed aggression.
But the dragon was far from defeated.
It let out a final, deafening bellow—and then, to everyone's horror, its body began to glow faintly.
A sudden, unnatural heat rippled outward from its core, its breath turning molten.
The giant knight's eyes widened.
"Everyone—FALL BACK!" he roared, but the warning came just a second too late.
The Armored Ground Dragon inhaled deeply—then unleashed a torrent of molten fire.
The battlefield became an inferno.