The oppressive energy in Galud's central square grew heavier with every passing second. Leonard Durk, no longer resembling the man he once was, stood as a grotesque fusion of man and demon. His crimson eyes burned like embers, his twisted form radiating malevolence. Around him, the shattered remnants of the fountain lay scattered, jagged edges glinting under the faint, sickly glow of the corrupted sky.
Adrian tightened his grip on his sword, the weight of the moment pressing heavily on his shoulders. Beside him, Mohan flexed his gauntleted fists, his usual calm demeanor replaced by a grim determination.
Leonard's guttural voice rumbled through the square. "You've come so far, only to fall here. This is where your rebellion ends."
Mohan stepped forward, his gauntlets glowing faintly with arcane energy. "The only thing ending here is your reign of terror, Leonard. You've twisted yourself into something unrecognizable. The empire will see justice done."
Leonard snarled, his monstrous form shifting as he prepared to strike. "Justice? Is that what you call this? After what the empire did to me? After what he did to my son?" His burning gaze locked onto Adrian.
Adrian didn't flinch. "Terrance chose his path. He challenged me, and I had no choice but to defend myself. Don't blame me for your failures."
"Lies!" Leonard roared, his voice echoing across the square. "You took everything from me! Now, I'll take everything from you!"
With a deafening roar, Leonard lunged forward, claws extended.
Leonard's first strike came fast, his claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Adrian barely managed to block, his blade ringing out as it met the force of Leonard's attack. The impact sent a shockwave through his arms, but he held firm, refusing to give ground.
Mohan darted to Leonard's flank, his gauntlets glowing brighter as he unleashed a flurry of strikes. Each punch landed with a resonating thud, the arcane energy crackling as it met Leonard's corrupted form. But Leonard barely flinched, his monstrous body absorbing the blows with ease.
"You think your tricks can harm me?" Leonard sneered, swiping at Mohan with a massive claw.
Mohan ducked under the attack, his movements fluid and precise. "They've done well so far," he shot back, landing another blow to Leonard's side.
Adrian took the opportunity to press forward, his sword slicing through the air in a blur. He aimed for Leonard's legs, hoping to destabilize him, but Leonard anticipated the move. With unnatural speed, he turned, his claw catching Adrian's blade mid-swing.
"Predictable," Leonard growled, his strength forcing Adrian back.
Adrian gritted his teeth, pivoting to regain his footing. "Then let's try something else," he muttered, his aura flaring as he unleashed a powerful horizontal slash.
The attack connected, cutting deep into Leonard's side. Blackened blood sprayed across the cobblestones, sizzling as it hit the ground. Leonard howled in pain, his crimson eyes burning brighter.
"You'll pay for that!" he bellowed, his voice trembling with rage.
Leonard's movements became more erratic, his monstrous form twisting unnaturally as he lashed out with renewed fury. Adrian and Mohan worked in tandem, their strikes coordinated as they attempted to wear him down.
But Leonard was relentless. With a deafening roar, he focused his attention on Mohan, his claws striking with ferocious speed.
"Mohan, watch out!" Adrian shouted, but it was too late.
Leonard's massive claw caught Mohan square in the chest, the force of the blow sending him hurtling through the air. He crashed into a nearby wall with a sickening thud, the stone crumbling around him.
"Mohan!" Adrian cried, his heart sinking as he saw his comrade slump to the ground.
Mohan groaned, pain radiating through his body as he struggled to move. His gauntlets glowed faintly, but his strength was waning. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and every breath felt like fire in his lungs.
"Damn it," he muttered, his voice strained. He tried to push himself up, but his limbs refused to cooperate.
From his position, he could see Adrian standing alone, his sword raised as he faced Leonard.
"You've got this," Mohan whispered, forcing himself to stay conscious. "Don't let him win."
Adrian turned his attention back to Leonard, his grip on his sword tightening. With Mohan out of the fight, it was up to him to finish this.
"You're alone now, boy," Leonard sneered, his voice dripping with malice. "Do you really think you stand a chance against me?"
Adrian didn't respond. Instead, he took a deep breath, centering himself. He couldn't afford to let Leonard's words shake his resolve.
Leonard lunged, his claws slashing through the air with terrifying speed. Adrian sidestepped the attack, his movements precise as he countered with a quick thrust. His blade found its mark, piercing Leonard's shoulder.
Leonard roared in pain, his monstrous form convulsing. But instead of retreating, he pressed forward, using his bulk to force Adrian back.
Adrian ducked under Leonard's next swipe, his sword flashing as he aimed for the baron's legs. The attack landed, drawing another howl of pain from Leonard.
"You're persistent," Leonard growled, his eyes blazing. "But it won't be enough."
With a sudden burst of speed, Leonard closed the distance between them, his claws slamming into Adrian's sword. The force of the impact sent the blade flying from Adrian's hands, clattering across the square.
Adrian's heart raced as Leonard loomed over him, his massive form casting a shadow that seemed to swallow the light.
"You've lost," Leonard hissed, his voice a chilling blend of triumph and fury. "This is where it ends."
But Adrian refused to back down. Even unarmed, he wasn't out of the fight. With a surge of determination, he darted forward, closing the gap between himself and Leonard.
Leonard swung his claw, but Adrian was faster. He ducked under the attack, his movements fluid as he landed a powerful kick to Leonard's knee. The baron staggered, caught off guard by the sudden assault.
Using the opening, Adrian lunged toward his fallen sword, his fingers closing around the hilt just as Leonard regained his balance.
"You're resilient," Leonard admitted, his voice grudgingly impressed. "But it won't save you."
Adrian rose to his feet, his sword at the ready. His aura flared brightly, the energy crackling around him like lightning.
"This isn't about saving myself," Adrian said, his voice steady. "It's about stopping you."
The two combatants faced each other, their breaths heavy and their bodies battered. Around them, the square lay in ruins, the ground scorched and littered with debris.
Mohan, still slumped against the wall, watched the scene unfold with a mixture of pride and concern. "Come on, Adrian," he muttered. "Show him what you're made of."
Leonard's monstrous form shifted, his claws flexing as he prepared for the next exchange. Adrian mirrored the movement, his sword gleaming in the faint light.
For a moment, the world seemed to hold its breath.
And then they charged.