“Do it! Fast!” Jared said. Sword in hand, dashed toward the bear, each stride striking sparks, every heartbeat measuring Flaxseed’s dwindling seconds.

The Blackshade Demon Bear saw the challenger return and erupted, paws the size of ox-carts swiping with world-ending fury. Jared weaved beneath the blows, streaks of silver sword energy nicking its flank, drawing its wrath away from Flaxseed.

The black-robed man arrived a breath later, hesitation flickering at the sight of the beast, then vanishing as joined the slaughter with merciless intent.

Jared now fought inside a lethal triangle, bear before him, assassin at his back, and each misstep promised shattered bones.

Calm as a stone in rapids, spun, parried, and sidestepped, his Dragonslayer Sword sketching bright lines that kept both foes from breaching the invisible wall around Flaxseed.

Behind that fragile perimeter, Flaxseed’s brush flew across talisman paper, lines of glowing ink coiling into ancient sigils as quickly as his shaking hands could birth them.

Jared poured every last drop of spiritual energy into the half-finished talisman. The world beyond  dissolved to a blur while beads of sweat gathered on his brow, slid down the bridge of his nose, and spattered onto the parchment.