Hope's greatsword carved through the faceless lava monster's torso, golden light searing through its molten core. The creature shrieked, a sound like grinding stone, and collapsed into a pool of cooling rock.
But Andrey wasn't watching the monster dissolve. He was watching Hope's shoulders, the way her breathing had grown heavier, the slight tremor in her hands as she gripped her sword.
"That's the third one," Andrey said, stepping over the cooling remains. "He's sending them in waves."
Hope didn't answer immediately. She was staring at the distant cliffs, scanning for movement. "I know."
"And he's not even trying to kill us. Just... tire you out."
Hope's jaw tightened. She didn't deny it.
Another creature emerged from the lava river below, pulling itself onto a lower platform. This one was larger, more serpentine, with a maw that dripped molten rock. Its eyeless face turned toward them, and it began to climb.
