[Center][Img]https://i.supaimg.com/1f90c485-4845-410c-847c-5ba04296f289.png[/img][/center]

The first arrow struck the smaller creature with a sharp crack, driving deep into the warped plates along its side. Black vapor burst outward in a furious hiss as the beast shrieked — a high, scraping note that split the cold air like breaking ice. The second volley hit moments later, one shaft biting into its back while the other glanced off its fused antlers in a spray of frost.

Enraged, the creature lunged.

Snow erupted beneath its limbs as it barreled forward, dragging its twisted hooves in long, gouging furrows. Its jaws gnashed wildly, steam pouring from the pit where a face should have been.

Before it reached flesh, Ironbelle thundered into place.

The mecha’s shields locked with a heavy clang just as the monster’s weight slammed against them. The impact rang through the clearing like struck anvils — metal grinding against bone, claws skittering across reinforced plates. Frost shattered around the frame, but the shield-line held, halting the creature’s momentum and forcing it back with a frustrated snarl.

Across the clearing, a flash of emerald light split the air.

The enchanted projectile struck the larger beast in a burst of sickly green flame, carving a ragged crater into the frost-slick hide along its shoulder. Chunks of frozen sinew and rotten meat sprayed across the snow in dark arcs. A single rib snapped loose, spinning end over end before embedding itself upright in the drift.

The monster staggered.

Its bulk swayed, locomotion faltering for the first time — not from pain, but from shock. The pulse within its hollow chest flickered, dimmed… then flared violently, as though anger stoked its corrupted heart.

Before it could steady itself, steel met flesh.

Andrea was already there — a blur against the beast’s towering silhouette. Her blade pierced the frozen hide at the base of the creature’s neck, runes burning faintly as they bit deep. Thick, dark sludge hissed from the wound, steaming as it hit the snow. The monster bellowed, a guttural, hollow noise that shook the air and sent a cascade of frost spilling from the branches overhead.

The clearing shifted.

The larger abomination twisted violently, trying to dislodge the attacker clinging to its back. Massive limbs swept through the air in brutal arcs, carving trenches through the snow with every movement. Its pulse — that unnatural green glow — throbbed harder, brighter, in anger.

The smaller creature, still locked against Ironbelle’s shields, changed tactics.

It skittered sideways, jagged limbs stabbing into the ground as it tried to slip around the metal wall and toward the less-armored travelers. Clods of churned snow and icy soil scattered behind it, its momentum jerky and frantic.

[hr][/hr]

Ooc:

Alright. Curly successfully blocked the smaller creature. But it's working it's way around the shields. 

Bromann landed a hit while the other glanced off. 

Rachel's arrow went off just barely in time to not hurt her and deal a glancing blow to the larger monster.

Andreas basic attack has the larger beast preoccupied now. But it won't last long. 

Still not within melee range but they will be next turn. 

You can take this turn to charge forward and meet it or to run back and put distance between the monsters and yourselves.