"That was a good plan boss. There is no way those scrubs will kill the bear. All we need to do is wait for the bear to kill them, then we beat the tired and wounded bear." Daniel said cheerfully as he reviewed the plan.
The group laughed enjoying their brilliant plan.
"The best part is that we don't have to share the loot! All the rewards go to us…and those idiot scrubs paid us 10,000 coins on top of everything!" Cliff said laughing in appreciation of his brilliant strategy.
"Hey guys…I think the bear is headed straight for us!" Brad yelled in a high-pitched voice as he realized something big was approaching from behind.
The group turned around and to their horror they saw the giant bear charging straight for them…like an unstoppable landslide of muscle and claws.
"SHIT!" Cliff screamed as he realized it useless to run.
[…]
"We don't have much time…maybe another 30 seconds or so by the sounds of things." Arthos whispered to the group.
"We can't run, and we can't hide…we will need to defeat the bear if we want to leave here alive. Wain, focus your fire on his neck and belly. Kristan focus on defending and staying alive, I will attack every opening…we can do this."
Less than a minute later the bear triumphantly returned to his den as the sounds of screams and shouts faded into nothing. His homecoming celebration was cut short as soon as he spotted more unwelcomed guests gathered inside his den. It charged forward like a crazed bull…faster and faster it went gaining momentum.
"WAIN! HIT HIM!!!"
Wain closed his eyes, gathering his mana into the next attack…it would require sizeable mana. An enormous fire-spear formed around Wain's hands. He held it tightly as he planted his feet in a wide stance…drawing his shoulders and elbow high…and in one quick snap he released the spear.
"FLAME LANCE!!!" Wain shouted.
An enormous fire-filled lance jettisoned across the air striking the charging bear on the chest.
GGRRRWWW!
The bear let out a painful scream as fire scorched its flesh. With the bear's momentum broken, the team took advantage to press the attack. Arthos unleashed a barrage of attacks, striking the bear on its chest, shoulders and neck while Kristan smashed her shield onto the bear's arms keeping it from attacking.
The bear pushed through the pain and retaliated by stomping down with both arms onto Kristan's shield. The force, weight, and momentum were too great to block even with ANCHOR skill.
SNAP!
Kristan's left arm snapped loudly…followed by a painful scream. The bear took advantage of this shift in the battle and landed a powerful right claw/blow cutting deep into Kristan's shoulder.
"GAH!"
Kristan let out a muffled sound of pain mixed with frustration. Arm broken and shoulder torn, her eyes shined even brighter with determination and defiance.
"I got you…I got you." Hector said as he pulled Kristan back from the frontline and performed his healing.
"I'll keep him busy…how long will you need to heal her?" Arthos shouted as he attacked the bear.
"Her left arm is shot to shit…I will need 2 minutes to patch her and 10—15 minutes to fully heal her." Hector replied in a loud voice.
Arthos gracefully dodged and evaded the bear's attacks while landing minor blows at every opportunity. Wain supported by repeatedly striking the bear with fire on its chest and neck. As the battled dragged on…Arthos' speed and reflexes slowed down until finally the bear managed to land a solid blow that knocked Arthos flat on the ground.
"Ah no!!! What do we do now?" Wain asked in desperation.
Hector stopped his healing and walked calmly towards the bear.
"People ask me why a big man like myself is a healer instead of a tank or fighter…let me show you why." Hector said calmly as his hands bent light around him…completely covering his body with light.
He quickly casted 5-6 buffs on himself…which oddly transformed his body. His size stretched out while his muscles grew larger and denser. Without a sound he hurled himself straight at the bear, punching and pummeling it with his bare hands. The bear defended itself with powerful blows which Hector blocked or dodged like an expert boxer.
The battle morphed into a street brawl between two lethal fighters.