Adrian's vision still swam from the venom, but he wasn't about to let that stop him. The manticore loomed large before him, its grotesque human face twisted into a snarl, jagged teeth bared.

The scorpion tail lashed dangerously behind it, dripping venom that sizzled as it hit the stone floor.

He felt the poison still coursing through his veins, slowing his movements, but he forced himself to stay upright, gripping his sword tightly in one hand and preparing his chains with the other.

"Selene, stay back," Adrian growled in a voice hoarse but firm voice.

Selene hesitated, her eyes flickering between Adrian and the beast. She was still catching her breath from the hypnotic hold it had on her, her hand clutching her dagger, her movements shaky. "But I can—"

"No!" Adrian cut her off. "You've been grazed by that thing's venom. Stay back and relax. I'll handle it."

Selene glanced at her arm, where a thin line of blood ran from a shallow cut. She had no idea when, but it seemed the manticore had nicked her with its tail.

Though the wound wasn't deep, she could already feel the venom burning beneath her skin, a slow fire spreading through her veins.

Sweat began to bead on her forehead, and her vision blurred slightly. She swallowed hard and nodded, backing away slowly, her breath coming in labored gasps.

Adrian turned his focus back to the manticore, his fiery chains swirling around him like living serpents, glowing with dark energy. The beast hissed at him, its eyes flashing with cruel intelligence.

"You think you can fight me, human?" the manticore snarled, its voice dripping with disdain. "You and your kind are nothing but playthings for me. This is my domain."

Adrian didn't respond.

Instead, he unleashed a wave of dark fire from his sword, sending the flames roaring toward the manticore in a blinding arc of black and crimson.

The flames crackled and hissed as they scorched the air, filling the chamber with a searing heat.

But the manticore was faster than Adrian anticipated.

With a powerful leap, it dodged the attack, its massive body twisting through the air with terrifying agility. The flames crashed into the stone walls behind it, leaving scorched marks in their wake.

The beast landed with a heavy thud, its claws digging into the stone as it skidded to a halt. Its tail lashed out again, striking at Adrian with lightning speed.

He barely had time to react, bringing up his sword just in time to deflect the venomous tip.

The force of the strike sent a shockwave up his arm, and he staggered back, his vision swimming.

The manticore growled in frustration, its claws scraping against the ground as it charged forward.

Adrian knew he had to keep his distance—the beast was too strong up close, and one more hit from that tail could be lethal.

With a flick of his wrist, Adrian sent his chains lashing toward the manticore, the spearheads at their tips gleaming with dark fire. The chains shot forward like vipers, wrapping around the creature's legs and tail, trying to bind it in place.

For a moment, it worked—the beast let out a furious roar as it struggled against the fiery chains, its muscles bulging as it fought to break free.

But the manticore was stronger than Adrian expected. With a mighty heave, it tore one of its legs free of the fiery chain, dragging Adrian forward a bit.

The beast lunged at Adrian again, its claws slashing through the air. Adrian ducked, narrowly avoiding the strike, but the movement sent a wave of dizziness through him.

The venom was taking its toll.

The manticore's scorpion tail came whipping around again, and this time, Adrian wasn't fast enough.

The venomous tip grazed his shoulder, tearing through his cloak and leaving a searing burn in its wake. He grunted in pain, staggering back as the poison surged through his body.

His sword arm felt heavy, his movements becoming kind of sluggish too.

But he couldn't afford to falter now.

With a roar of defiance, Adrian summoned every ounce of strength he had left. His fiery chains shot out again, this time targeting the manticore's scorpion tail.

The chains wrapped tightly around the tail, pulling it taut and holding it in place.

The manticore let out a furious shriek, thrashing wildly as it tried to free itself. Its claws scraped against the stone floor, sending sparks flying as it lunged at Adrian.

But this time, he was ready.

With a swift, powerful strike, Adrian swung his sword in a wide arc, the blade igniting with dark fire once more. The sword connected with the manticore's side, cutting deep into its flesh.

Blood sprayed from the wound, splattering across the stone floor as the beast howled in agony.

The manticore staggered back, its eyes blazing with fury and pain. Its human-like face twisted into a grotesque snarl, and for a moment, it looked as though it might retreat.

But then, with a final, desperate surge of strength, the beast lunged at Adrian again, its claws outstretched, its teeth bared.

Adrian didn't hesitate.

He met the manticore's charge head-on, his chains snapping forward in a deadly dance. The spearheads pierced the beast's side, burying deep into its flesh.

The manticore roared, thrashing violently as it tried to shake off the chains.

Adrian's vision blurred as he drove his sword forward, plunging it deep into the manticore's chest.

The dark fire surged through the blade, scorching the beast's flesh as it sank to the hilt.

The manticore let out one final, deafening roar, its eyes wide with shock and pain.

Then, with a shuddering gasp, its body went limp, collapsing to the ground in a heap of blood and fire.

Adrian stood over the fallen beast, his chest heaving as he tried to catch his breath. His entire body ached, the venom still burning through his veins, but he forced himself to stay upright.

The manticore was dead.

The battle was over.

He wiped the sweat from his brow, his gaze shifting to Selene.

She was slumped against the wall, her breathing labored, her skin slick with sweat. The cut on her arm was small, but the venom had taken hold, spreading through her system.

Adrian knelt beside her, his hand gently touching her forehead. She was burning up.

"Selene," he murmured, his voice soft but urgent.

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