The battle raged on, the forest growing darker and more twisted with each passing moment. Riven's tails crackled with energy, their power surging as he struck at the serpent. Thane's sword shone brighter, its glow illuminating the darkening forest. Zarek's daggers whispered secrets to each other, their blades slicing through the air with deadly precision.
But despite their valiant efforts, the serpent seemed to be gaining the upper hand. Its body was seemingly impervious to their attacks, and its counterstrikes were growing stronger and more precise.
Just as it seemed that the tide of the battle was turning in the serpent's favor, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman with long, flowing hair and eyes that burned with an otherworldly energy.
She raised her hands, and the air around her seemed to ripple and distort. The serpent's body began to glow with an eerie, pulsating light, its power surging as the woman channeled her energy into it.
Riven's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed intently on the woman. "Who are you?" he growled, his voice low and menacing.
The woman's eyes flashed with amusement, her lips curling into a sly smile. "I am Arachne," she whispered, her voice like a rusty gate. "And I am here to ensure that the serpent emerges victorious."
Riven's eyes blazed with determination as he charged forward, his nine tails flashing in a blur of motion. Thane and Zarek followed close behind, their blades shining with a fierce, battle-ready light.
Arachne's smile grew wider, her eyes gleaming with anticipation. She raised her hands, and the air around her seemed to ripple and distort. The serpent's body began to glow with an eerie, pulsating light, its power surging as Arachne channeled her energy into it.
Riven struck first, his tails cracking with energy as he slammed into the serpent's side. Thane and Zarek followed close behind, their blades slicing through the air with deadly precision. But despite their valiant efforts, the serpent seemed to be absorbing their attacks, its power growing stronger with each passing moment.
Arachne's laughter echoed through the forest, her voice like a cold, mirthless wind. "You fools," she whispered, her eyes gleaming with contempt. "You think you can defeat the serpent? It is a creature of darkness, a monster forged from the very essence of the forest."
As she spoke, the forest around them seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening into abyssal voids. The air was heavy with the scent of ozone and burning wood, the very essence of the forest seeming to be torn apart by the conflict.
Riven's eyes narrowed, his gaze fixed intently on the serpent. He could sense its power, feel the darkness emanating from it. But he also knew that every creature had a weakness, a vulnerability that could be exploited.
He signaled to Thane and Zarek, his tails flicking in a swift, precise motion. The two warriors nodded, their eyes locked onto the serpent.
Thane struck first, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. But instead of aiming for the serpent's body, he targeted its eyes. The serpent recoiled, its gaze faltering for a moment.
Zarek followed up, his daggers flashing in the dim light. He aimed for the serpent's scales, trying to find a weak point in its armor. The serpent hissed, its body flexing as it tried to shake off the attack.
Riven watched, his eyes analyzing the serpent's movements. He could sense its power, feel the darkness emanating from it. But he also knew that the serpent was starting to tire, its energy waning as the battle raged on.
Arachne's eyes flashed with anger, her face twisted in a snarl. "No," she whispered, her voice like a cold wind. "You will not defeat it."
She raised her hands, and the air around her seemed to ripple and distort. The serpent's body began to glow with an eerie, pulsating light, its power surging as Arachne channeled her energy into it.