"ALICE!"
Mark's shout tore through the air just as the dragon crashed down on them.
The dragon's massive silhouette dropped on them like a mountain collapsing out of the sky, one of its gigantic claws shooting straight for the group.
Alice didn't hesitate, stepping forward to place herself between the creature and the others, crossing her arms over her head just as the claw came down on her.
The impact made the ground buckle beneath her feet, sinking several inches, kicking up a wave of dust that spread out in every direction.
But Alice held her ground.
Teeth clenched, muscles strained to their limit, she stopped the dragon's claw with her bare hands, bringing what should have been an unstoppable blow to a dead halt.
"Aria!" she shouted, not taking her eyes off the beast, her voice strained with effort. "Grab the Master and get away from here! Now!"
Aria didn't waste a second.
"Got it!" she answered, raising her hands to cast a spell.
[Protection Spell: Wall of Steel!]
