First step: ensure that Impeto has an easy target.
To do this, I'll need to make sure the Drake is either on its side or on its back. It's already on its side, and considering how its legs twisted when I transferred my injuries, it will remain that way for a while.
But to ensure a precise strike and minimize his chances of retaliation, it's best if he's lying on his back.
And how do I achieve that?
Easy, by pushing.
Pushing. An injured, enraged, and more than a little heavy Earth Drake. It sounds easy when I put it that way, right?.
True. If I, Impeto and Lumi tried to push the Drake normally, it wouldn't work; he'd crush us either with his straight legs or his tail, not to mention he could still use his magic (at least I think it was magic).
Keyword: normally.
Luckily, there's a much easier way to flip something big, using a support. What kind?
A log.
A eucalyptus log, a great wood used for decorative furniture, papermaking, and even as improvised shoring beams in some constructions (as temporary support).
Where there would be a eucalyptus tree around here, exactly the one Impeto and Lumi were on top of, a beautiful eucalyptus 30 cm in diameter and about 5 meters tall. If my math is correct, then if I cut off the base, the log should weigh between 200 to almost 350 kilos, not counting the branches.
That should be enough to flip the Drake onto his back, right?. Especially when you add the speed factor, the impact has to be significant. Even if it's the size of a two-story house, this thing shouldn't weigh more than a ton, right? (As if that weren't a lot).
Honestly, I don't have a better plan, and as they say in the movies: a bad plan is better than no plan. So...
"[Shadow Cut]"
A quick, point-blank movement opened a gash near the base of the tree, but because it was such a straight cut, it didn't start to fall. A push back and...
*Trrrrnnnn, Boommm*
On the ground.
'Now the problem is how to use this. If I approach slowly, the Drake will catch me; if I throw it (assuming I manage to), the branches will get in the way, and I don't have time to cut them with the [Shadow Cut] or my obsidian claws. Therefore—'
Better to cut a section of the fallen trunk on the ground; this will make it lighter, but considering the impact, it should still be enough to make the Drake flip over... I hope.
With another [Shadow Cut], I removed the highest point of the tree; I felt it would start to thin out, and I left the branches. So the 5-meter tree must have ended up being just over 4 meters tall, not quite 4 and a half meters, and still with several branches.
'It'll have to do.'
Lumi was already launching his glowing balls at some kobolds that managed to get past the wall, and Impeto was ready for an attack.
Why not attack now with the Drake in the sideway?
Even sideway, I doubt he won't try to defend himself, and Impeto can only use his phoenix form once a day. Hitting him with the eucalyptus will also distract him and prevent him from noticing Impeto until it's too late.
Putting the log on my right shoulder (still slightly dislocated), I advanced as fast as I could, dragging part of the log on the ground. When I reached the beginning of the park's uphill climb, I stomped so hard that my foot went numb and I ended up making a slight depression, and from there I sent the log flying towards the Drake.
The branches scratched my shoulder and back, but with a short run I mustered the strength to throw it right into Drake's rib area before he could defend himself.
With a bang, part of the eucalyptus base simply exploded when it hit Drake's body; some of the sharp splinters even managed to pierce the softer skin on Drake's underside and dig deep inside.
As planned, the impact made the Drake flip over, but unexpectedly, because part of the eucalyptus tree burst open on impact, leaving splinters that stuck to his body. While the other part only grazed the side, slightly scratching the scales on his tougher skin. The impact of flipping caused the trunk to split. This created a small, unexpected ladder or bridge above the Drake.
Impeto didn't miss this chance and ran to the "bridge," leaping into the air and assuming his phoenix form. But instead of attacking the Drake, he flew over the wall of roots and set it ablaze, relieving Lumi of the burden, who, unbeknownst to me, had been cornered.
'I feel like I'm going to get a lecture when I get home. Or better, waaayyy more than one.'
With a graceful and imposing turn, he positioned himself above the Drake again, his light shining even more intensely, and used the same attack he tried to use on me yesterday, sending "a tornado of flames" directly at the protrusion in Drake's throat.
Distracted by the pain of the impact and the tree embedded in his flesh, the Drake didn't notice the attack until Impetus was above him once more. Before he could use his magic, Impetus's attack struck him.
Like a drill, the "tornado of flames" hit the protrusion in Drake's throat, sending a blast of air across the park. The Drake, as expected of a creature with dragon blood, did not accept the attack passively.
Even with Impeto's attack clearly causing damage, and from my point of view I could see the protrusion burning and slowly melting, Drake still inflated his mouth, causing the protrusion to expand and facilitating Impetus's attack. But the instant he deflated for the attack, he moved his neck like a snake, causing the sand blast to go directly onto Impetus.
Thanks to Drake's inflation and deflation, Impetus' attack managed to pierce through the protoberant and reach Drake's inner layer. Even from here I could see the intense pain contraction in Drake's pupils.
'Knew it. He really was vulnerable inside.'
Impeto also seemed to realize this and intensified the "fire tornado" to the point of being able to pierce through the Drake. But soon after managing to do so, the flames protecting Impeto began to fail due to the wingless dragon's counter-attack.
The cover of flames managed to hold the bulk of the attack long enough for him to inflict maximum damage and stop his own attack. Thus he maneged to get out of the line of fire, but he still took part of the blow.
I ran, jumped, and caught him.
Well, "caught" is an exaggeration, he more like fell on top of me. And, obviously, I got the worst of it.
[-5 HP]
That was to be expected, Impeto is heavy, has sharp claws and a sharp beak, not to mention the fact that he's still on fire.
[HP: 7/110
MP: 18/85]
'Yeah... my HP is pretty low. After this, he better not complain about giving me some blood.'
The thought died almost instantly in my head when I saw Impetus's state after the flames went out.
Even though the flames took most of the damage, a part still reached him. His right wing, where most of the blow landed, was missing several feathers and had abrasions ranging from superficial to deep.
Part of his chest had also been hit, leaving a hole, which thankfully wasn't deep, but certainly painful. Part of the blast even hit his head, causing him to faint instantly.
'Bad injuries, but none fatal; he probably passed out from both the blow to the head and exhaustion.'
Not that you can blame him, I'm also running low on HP and energy.
'I really hope my life isn't limited to just this from now on.'
Despite wishing for that, my instinct tells me things aren't going to get much better from here on out.
...
'Haven't I complained about this before?'