Chapter 177: Fighting for Survival

The earth trembled as the colossal bear lumbered into view. It was a monstrosity, easily twice the size of a warhorse, and sported a thick coat of shaggy, brown fur matted with grime and dried blood. Six massive legs, each thicker than Lucian's torso, propelled the beast forward with a bone-jarring thud. Its head, a snarling mass of teeth and drool, was dominated by a pair of glowing red eyes that glinted with primal ferocity. A collective gasp escaped the group. Even the battle-hardened Sir Gareth seemed momentarily stunned by the sheer size and ferocity of the creature. "By the gods," he muttered, his voice laced with a hint of awe. "It's like something out of a nightmare." Lucian, however, knew there was no time for awe. This was a fight for survival. He quickly assessed the situation, his years of training kicking in. The bear's size was both its advantage and its weakness. It would be a powerhouse in a straight-up fight, but its bulk would also make it slow and cumbersome. "Si