[Music recommendation: Ivan Torrent - Dandelion]
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Hera and Malakov stood frozen as the colossal winged serpent appeared out of thin air.
Hera had only ever heard stories about the giant beasts residing on the fifth level and how lethal they truly were. Ceri was the only high-level beast she had encountered so far, and while creatures like Ceri were intelligent and formidable, they were nowhere near this gigantic size. This was the first time she had ever laid eyes on one so monstrous.
Before she could process the danger, the serpent uncoiled and lunged straight toward Hera, opening its massive jaws in an attempt to swallow her whole.
Just as it closed in, a pair of strong arms wrapped around Hera's waist, pulling her out of harm's way.
Malakov had barely managed to draw her back when something else happened.
