Forged Destiny [Book 1: Ch. 9]

"It's an Elder Grimm," Ren whispered. He needn't have. Anything that big had to be an Elder Grimm, much like the one we'd faced in that ruined village. Like the one we'd fought earlier when Ruby had nearly died. This one was bear-like in nature, with a bone white mask and great spikes jutting from its back. The word above its head shone in the light of lit torches; Ursa.

[...]

A moment later I was sent flying, though not by an attack. I was launched aside simply by the action of the Ursa raising its hind leg and lunging at Pyrrha.

[...]

Clutching the sword in my hand and strapping the shield onto my back, I rushed forward once more.

[...]

It somehow looked angrier. Its eyes brighter – its muscles bulging.

"It's got stages," Pyrrha hissed. I shot her a questioning look, so she shouted out for the rest of the party, "It must be close to death so it's gone berserk! Be careful, it'll be faster and stronger now – but it's nearly dead!"

[...]

Just in time to catch the beast's backhand.

If it had hit me with the front, I'd have died. Even as it was, I felt my aura slam down as the wind was blown from my lungs. The world seemed to lurch, an idle thought as to whether I would fall off the edge and die, before something soft and brittle broke my fall. And possibly my back, I felt, as my aura reserves continued to dwindle.

Fifty left? I gasped in shock. I'd never been so close to death in my life. I'm too low level for this kind of fight… Movement was difficult, arms and legs struggling to find the energy.

[...]

Is that what made a Hero, the willingness to fight, no matter the odds?

I wanted to mirror that. I had to mirror that, as I managed to plant one hand beneath me, pushing bones aside as I struggled to sit up.

[...]

Pushing myself up, I staggered over to her, holding my side with one hand as I tried to crouch down beside her. It hurt. I felt so weak that I doubted it would even be possible to help her up.

—Forged Destiny [Book 1: Ch. 9]