I take a deep breath. He's got this. I nod to myself.

As he finally turns his attention to the last one standing, another two men appear from behind.

My eyes widen.

But if that wasn't enough, something else is coming.

It all starts with the noise.

The sound of branches cracking and leaves whooshing. Then there's the echo of the birds flying out in the distance, their habitats destroyed by something enormous. The ground, too, trembles with its approach. I barely balance myself on my hands as I'm thrust forward by the quaking of the forest.

The men don't seem surprised.

Ze's features are hard to read, but he must be expecting the worst as he assumes a rigid stance.

After a few moments, the beast that disturbed the forest finally appears, leaving behind a deep trail in its wake.

It slithers closer to the clearing, its big body breaking through the green fence before it finally makes its appearance.

It's blue.

That's the first thing I notice. A combination of dark and light blue, the former on its back while the latter is on its front. Sixty to seventy percent of its body is that of a serpent, the inside of its skin marred by reptilian rings that spread from its belly to its sprawling tail that stretches for meters in the back—so much so I cannot even see where it ends. The upper part of its body is humanoid, or as close as possible to the appearance of a humanoid bar the blue skin.

Its abdomen ripples with strength as it flexes its muscular arms. Its mouth opens on a loud screech, two sharp teeth glinting dangerously.

That is...that must be the naga with the deadly venom.

Oh God!

Ze could handle the arrows, but can he handle the raw source of the venom?

My body trembles as anxiety builds inside of me. Fear engulfs me as my fight or flight response is activated. The logical move would be to run—save myself. But how could I ever do that to Ze? How could I abandon him when he's fighting for me?

The men align themselves to one side, forming a three-man formation, while the naga positions itself on the other side, trapping Ze between them.

"Ze..." I whisper, worried for him. He might be strong, but that venom... I don't even want to imagine what would happen to him if he got hit.

The naga releases a loud howl before it uses its tail to strike at Ze. He easily evades the blow, but I belatedly realize he wasn't the target in the first place.

A strangled cry is wrenched from me as the end of the tail wraps tightly around my midriff. The hold is bordering on painful as it restricts my breathing. Without warning, it yanks me out of the bushes and into the clearing, throwing me into the trunk of a tree. I yelp aloud as I fly through the air.