Josh lunged out of the way of the large body heading straight his way. He rolled onto his feet, a shrill crack echoing behind him. He spun back to the ogre, and his eyes went wide. It growled before flinging a tree at him.

Channeling energy to his hand, he rushed out of the small tree's path and held his palm toward the ogre. The light shot from him and slammed right into the ogre's chest. It flew back from the impact.

Bullseye! Victory welled up in Josh's chest. That should slow it—

The ogre dug its feet into the ground, stopping its flight. It rubbed its chest, hate-filled eyes burning into Josh as it grunted and growled what sounded like words.

He didn't understand any of it, but he had a feeling he needed to clean his ears regardless.

I'm trying to find Cale's dragon. Boomer's voice wavered as he rushed out the words. He has to be around here somewhere. Josh, just don't... don't...

Don't worry, Boomer. He adjusted his stance so he stood in a ready position, his sword and shield between him and the ogre. The memory of Boomer's crumpled parents flashed through his mind. I'll survive. Somehow.

It was an impossible promise to make. He knew it, and he sensed Boomer knew it, but he needed something to steel his nerves. An impossible promise would have to do.

The light blast must have affected the ogre to some degree because it approached much slower in a small arch. Josh twisted on the balls of his feet to follow its path.

A black flash and sudden tingle provided his only warnings before a ball of darkness slammed into his shield arm. He clamped his jaw down against a yelp as a burning sensation spread from his shoulder. Annoying, but nothing unbearable—

The ogre charged forward. It had gotten off to his side while the woman's darkness ball distracted him, and he barely had time to get turned around and lift the shield between him and the beast's ginormous arm.

A numb tingle claimed the part of his arm that wasn't burning and his legs almost buckled from the impact.

Focus. If he could only focus and remember his training, he would be fine. But as the ogre swung again and he barely dodged, all that Ioana and Akachi had taught him felt as distant as the Sanctuary itself. In its place thrummed an insistent buzz of fear.

He slashed wildly, only aware enough through the fog of adrenaline and pain to keep the ogre between him and the possessed woman. The ogre grunted, dodging a few strikes before stepping forward. Josh's blade bit into its chest, but before it could sink very far, the ogre slammed a fist into his sternum.

The breath whooshed out of Josh as the blow sent him flying back. He collided with the ground, a breathless scream grating against his throat. A tear-blurred shadow passed over him. He rolled out of the way a second before the ogre crashed down where he had landed.

Survive. Josh's promise rang through his mind as he stood to his feet. He heaved for breath and lifted his shaking arms. All he needed to do was survive.

I can't find Ezraim, but Jodas is close. He can reach out to Ezraim, and he can tell Cale. Just a little bit longer, Boomer said.

Will do. Josh blocked another strike from the ogre and countered with a cut to its shoulder. Even with blood oozing from the new wound, the ogre continued to barrel at him unfazed.

He ducked and twisted around the ogre's next attack. His focus zeroed in on its exposed back. He lunged forward to strike—

A ball of darkness hit his thigh. His leg buckled, and he hit the ground on his knees. The woman cackled as he got up and spun, rushing out of the ogre's range.

"Looks like things are going so well for you," she said. "Weren't you supposed to have freed me by now, Paladin? It seems you're failing at your job."

Josh gritted his teeth and focused on the ogre. It had turned to face him again, and now it charged forward.

Everything became a blur of movement and instinct as he shot forward to meet the ogre. Block. Slash. Dodge. Slash. Stab.

"How much longer do you think you can continue like this?" the woman jeered. "I promised my little friend blood, and he will have it."

Duck. Move so the ogre was between him and the woman. A flurry of slashes, each slower than the next as a weight of exhaustion creeped along his limbs.

"Maybe if you don't let him kill you, I'll have to give this woman as a sacrifice anyways."

Josh faltered, and the ogre crashed its arm down on his shoulder. He slammed down onto the ground, his arms spread out to his sides, his shoulder screaming louder than the yelp he mustered. His entire body trembled. Exhaustion? Fear? He couldn't tell, but either way, when he tried to push himself up, his arms gave and he fell back down.

"Good. Now, kill him!" the woman called.

Survive. Tears blurred his vision. He chanted the word, but even as the ogre's shadow fell over him, he couldn't get back up. Despite seeping blood from multiple cuts, it emitted as much power and fury as when the fight began. Survive.

They're on their way. Just hold on a little longer.

Josh jerked as Boomer's voice resonated through his mind. It took a moment for the meaning of his words to sink in. Cale. Akachi. They would be able to handle this.

He just had to make sure the ogre didn't kill him first.

The monster raised both hands, clasping them together over its head.

Survive. He sent light to his hand and blasted it at the ogre. He'd been aiming for the throat, but the beam hit the ogre's face.

It stumbled back, roaring its fury as it rubbed its face. When it dropped its hands, blood smeared the lower half of its jaw. It flashed Josh a bloody snarl as it cocked its arm back. Josh channeled light to his arm once more and aimed. The ogre knocked his hand out of the way with its free fist, making the blast go wide, and then its punch came straight down for him.

"Get away from him!"

A flash of light zoomed over Josh and circled the ogre's face. Sharp caws cut through the ogre's cries as it stumbled back, batting at the assailants. Josh gritted his teeth, pushing himself to his side so he could see what was happening. His eyes widened.

He should have guessed from the sound, but he still gaped at the gigantic birds darting at the ogre, leaving scratches with their sharp talons before flying away. They were the size of vultures, but with the body of a black and brown falcon. A layer of light shimmered along their feathers.

He heard the pounding of feet a moment before Akachi burst from the surrounding trees. Without sparing Josh a glance, he sprinted up to the ogre and decked it in the jaw with his metal-coated fist. He pursued the creature, delivering punch after punch.

"No!" the woman shrieked. "Kill them you stupid—"

Her words morphed into an abrupt scream. Josh's muscles wailed their protest, but he threw himself into a roll to face the woman. He released a slow breath, the tension easing from his body. The now unconscious woman slumped in Cale's arms. Good. He must have released her from the Phoenix Dragon's possession.

Bracing himself for the pain, Josh inched backwards to lean against the tree. He groaned as he relaxed against the trunk. Even if he got pummeled by ogres every day for the rest of his life, he didn't think he would ever be used to feeling pain.

The ogre bellowed, refocusing Josh's attention on the battle. It swung its arm again. Akachi blocked it, but the force still sent him flying to the side. He skidded to a stop. Except for a small frown, he seemed unfazed.

Before the ogre could approach him, the giant birds cawed once more and descended on it. They clawed at any available spot, zipping past its arms. The few times its swinging arms got close to the birds, it jerked away with a wail, steam rising from its skin.

"Cale!" Akachi called. He lowered his stance and cocked his arm back. Josh's eyes widened and his mouth fell open as the metal squirmed like liquid silver. It flowed along his arm to concentrate around his hand. As it settled, the metal formed a glove with thick, sharp spikes protruding from the knuckles.

"On it," Cale said.

The birds retreated once more. The ogre hopped after them with a snarl. Before its feet could hit the ground, a pillar of earth shot upward to meet it. The pillar slammed into the ogre, sending the massive creature flying forward.

Straight at Akachi.

A light surrounded his steel-covered hand as he twisted his hips. As the ogre drew closer, he rotated forward and jabbed toward its face.

Josh turned his head away and winced. It didn't stop him from hearing the sickening crunch and thud of the body hitting the ground.

He slowly counted to five, sure that would be long enough for something to go wrong, before opening his eyes and peeking at Akachi. He stood with his arms at his sides and stared down at the ogre. Dark particles rose from its half-vanished body.

Josh watched, but nothing changed. It was really over. The ogre had been defeated. The woman had been freed. And by some miracle, Josh was alive.

Fun Fact: If Akachi hadn't been a Paladin, he would have been a vet.  Trying to think of what these people would be outside of the Paladin world is quite... interesting, I must say.  But yes, our punchy boi loves animals!

Josh survived... By the skin of his teeth, but he survived!  And we got to see some cool magical birds in the process :D Now to just see how Josh manages any consequences for his actions... Can't be worse than the ogre, right?  

Let me know your thoughts on the chapter down below, and if you enjoyed it, don't forget to vote and comment! I also have a discord open to anyone who wants to join, and we have a section there to discuss the book :D It's in my bio if you'd like to join!