Even as his mana lashed out at the monster, Lloyd could feel the drain as it left him. Not as bad as when he'd used Beast, but still leaving him winded, his muscles a little weak and rubbery. If only he could sit down and catch his breath-

But there wasn't any time! The hands hadn't let go, and now there were fingers, strands of hair and darkness, wrapping around every part of Al he could see, and if they didn't do something-

"Edward, cut the hair!"

If they couldn't kill the monster - and it certainly hadn't acted like it cared about his attacks! - then they needed to get Al out of its grasp, and they needed to do it now! He sliced his dagger into the black strands nearest to Al's head. They couldn't let it suffocate Al before they cut him free!