The battlefield was silent.
As the thick cloud of dust began to settle, all eyes turned toward the center of the chamber. Out of the haze, two figures could be seen.
On one side stood Kael, barely able to stay on his feet, his katana trembling in his hand. His breath was ragged, chest rising and falling in heavy, quick gulps. His eyes were locked on the figure in front of him.
And on the other side was Varnex.
A deep wound ran across his chest, scorched with blackfire, the skin around it dark and burned. He growled softly, not in pain, but in anger.
Kael let out a shaky breath. His katana lowered slightly. Then, suddenly, blood gushed from his mouth.
His sword slipped from his hand, clattering on the cracked stone floor.
And Kael dropped to one knee.
"Kael!" Nympera, the small creature always by his side, crawled towards him and perched on his shoulder, her little body shaking with rage. Her eyes glowed with fury as she hissed sharply at Varnex.
Varnex looked at her with amusement, though a twitch in his brow betrayed his frustration.
He let out a slow, irritated laugh.
"You really thought you could defeat me?" he said, voice cold. "Look at what you've done. This wound… You'll pay for it."
Darkness seeped out from the wound on his chest. Shadow-like tendrils, like ink in water, spread across his skin. The black matter twisted and pulsed, slowly closing the wound. His body tensed. His eyes filled with a swirling, dark mist.
The Corrupted Aura responded to his rage.
Lightning crackled around him, but it was no longer gold or white. It was a deep, eerie violet, laced with shadow.
With a roar, he lunged toward Kael.
But before he could strike, three figures stood in his way.
Orin, Cyrus, and Drakar.
Orin raised his spear and blocked Varnex's claw with a sharp clang. Cyrus threw a shield of wind, pushing Varnex slightly back. Drakar leapt with his axe, flames bursting beneath his feet.
They clashed with him, steel and flame against claw and thunder. Sparks flew. The ground cracked beneath their feet.
Kael fell back, breathing heavily, as Sylra raised her staff and gathered all her remaining energy.
With a shout, she launched a massive beam of glowing energy toward Varnex.
But Varnex, without hesitation, raised one claw and sliced it in half mid-air.
The energy scattered like falling stars.
Then he turned his gaze toward Sylra.
In a flash, he jumped, claws raised.
Sylra froze for a second.
Then Adrian appeared in front of her.
His sword shimmered with faint light. He raised it just in time to block Varnex's strike.
Claws and sword met. A sharp ringing echoed through the chamber.
For a few seconds, they stood locked.
Then, with a shattering sound, Adrian's sword cracked and broke.
The force threw Adrian backward. He hit the ground hard and rolled several feet away.
Varnex prepared for another attack, but Cyrus was already moving.
Sylra chanted quickly, her voice shaking. She summoned a series of support and healing spells, pouring everything she had left into Cyrus.
Cyrus's body glowed faintly. He looked at her and nodded.
Then he turned to face Varnex once more, with Orin and Drakar at his sides.
The battle continued. Varnex was faster, more brutal. But they refused to give up.
Then, with a sudden claw swipe, Varnex slashed Drakar across the chest. Blood flew. Drakar fell, unable to move.
Only Cyrus and Orin stood now.
They were battered, bruised, but they stood firm.
Then a new figure stepped forward.
Adrian, holding Darek's sword.
His arm shook, his steps were uneven, but there was fire in his eyes.
The three of them faced Varnex together. The fight raged on, each strike heavier, faster, more desperate.
Then, suddenly, Varnex stopped moving.
He stumbled slightly.
The shadows around his body began to swirl faster. The lightning turned even darker.
He clutched his head and let out a low, guttural growl.
The Corrupted Aura had taken too much from him. The darkness inside him started taking control.
His eyes turned pitch black.
He screamed.
And lost all control.
He began slashing wildly, spinning, roaring. He struck the ground with both claws, sending waves of thunder in all directions.
Cyrus, Orin, and Adrian were knocked back.
They barely stood, panting, arms covering their faces from the shockwaves.
Varnex roared again.
He brought both his palms together.
Thunder danced between them. Electricity pulsed, faster and faster, until a giant sphere of thunder formed between his hands. The energy inside it crackled, angry, hungry.
Cyrus's eyes widened.
"No... that's enough to kill all of us..."
He turned to the others. He knew what he had to do. He stepped forward.
"I have to stop him. Even if it means…" He didn't finish the sentence. He readied himself. He was ready to sacrifice everything. He took a breath.
Then...A flash. A sound.
And everything stopped.