Kira's body writhed in torment as Morgana's Hexbound Chains of Agony coiled tightly around her, ensnaring every inch of her body. Each attempt to break free only resulted in convulsions that sent searing waves of pain through her limbs. The excruciating torment, intensified by the relentless grip of the magical chains, pushed Kira to the brink of endurance.
The chains seemed to tighten with each movement, each convulsion amplifying the torment. As Kira fought against the relentless bonds, she could feel the magic coursing through her, a malevolent force that sought to break not just her body but her spirit as well.
"There's no point in struggling, there is no escape from my chains," Morgana said, laughing evilly. Her Chains of Agony were one of her favorite attacks, used for torture, capture, and experimentation.
As Morgana's laughter echoed through the air, she turned her attention to Alexei, a wicked smile playing on her lips. The malevolence in her gaze bore witness to the twisted pleasure she derived from the suffering around her.
"So... Alexei, what will you do now?" Morgana inquired, her tone carrying a dark curiosity. "Return to the underground, or help Kira?"
The weight of the decision hung in the air, and Alexei, torn between her own desires and the friendship she felt for Kira, found herself at a crossroads. Her ultimate goal, breaking free from Morgana's influence, warred with the good she harbored for Kira.
After a contemplative pause, Alexei's gaze shifted between Kira, ensnared in the Hexbound Chains of Agony, and Morgana, the source of her torment as she made a choice. She wouldn't stand idly by and allow Kira to suffer further but she needed help.
Bending down, Alexei placed her hand onto the dirt-covered ground With slow, deliberate breaths, a sharp bone emerged from her palm, etching pain onto her face. She endured the discomfort in silence.
"Alexei, is that what I think you're doing?" Morgana asked, recognizing a familiar movement that Alexei had done in the past.
As Alexei stood with closed eyes, breathing heavily, a skeletal hand emerged from the dirt, followed by several more bone arms slowly rising from the ground. Soon, a multitude of skeletons surfaced, revealing over a hundred of these eerie skeletons, reminiscent of the ones from underground.
Kira was surprised, thinking, 'It's like a skeleton army.' While she did know that Alexei created and controlled the skeletons, she wasn't aware of the extent of it.
"Alexei, do you really believe your army stands a chance against mine?" Morgana remarked with a touch of sarcasm.
"Why won't it? They're the same," Alexei replied, questioning Morgana's skepticism.
"Oh, really?"
As Morgana channeled her blue energy into the ground, multiple skeletal hands emerged, mirroring Alexei's bone-manipulating abilities. However, what sent a shock through Alexei was the stark difference in these skeletons compared to her own creations.
Morgana's skeletons wore ancient, tattered armor adorned with symbols of corruption. Their glowing blue eyes bore the malevolent influence of Morgana, reflecting the darkness that emanated from her. Each bone in its skeletal body carried forbidden runes, etched with the essence of Morgana's twisted power.
The revelation struck Alexei with a sense of disbelief. While she had indeed created skeletons for Morgana in the past to help her whenever she needed it but, how did she do that? the extent of Morgana's influence over them, infusing them with her own dark powers, was beyond anything Alexei had imagined. The sight of Morgana's skeletal army, clad in corrupted armor and bearing forbidden runes
"Now, Alexei, let's find out whose army truly holds the upper hand," Morgana said in a condescending tone, her words carrying an air of superiority.
Morgana raised her hand, a silent command that set her skeletal army in motion. A union of corrupted souls and twisted beings, they moved with an eerie and synchronized cadence, each step leaving a skeletal imprint on the ground as they advanced.
On the opposing side, Alexei, shocked by the unfolding situation, swiftly reacted, she directed her own Bone army, a gathering of skeletal warriors, to meet the impending threat. The clash between the two otherworldly forces created a surreal battlefield, where the echoes of conflict reverberated through the air.
'Now, with Morgana distracted, I can free Kira,' Alexei thought as she slithered behind her marching skeleton army.
"Alexei, what's happening? Why is Morgana's army similar to yours?" Kira whispered, noticing the resemblance between Alexei's skeletons with black bones and Morgana's army.
"I'll tell you later, but for now, I should get you out of these chains," Alexei whispered, torn between revealing the truth and not wanting Kira to dislike her because of it.
Alexei extended a sharp bone from her hand. "How will you get these chains off?" Kira asked.
"You just have to hit a certain spot."
"Are you sure?"
"Mhh... 50/50. I saw it happen already."
"50/50—" Kira was shocked, but before she could say anything, Alexei had already sent her bone down, hitting the chain and easily destroying it as it disappeared into a wisp of energy, The unexpected success left Kira in awe.
The two armies erupted into a chaotic symphony of clashing bones and the eerie sounds of attack unleashed.
Yet, despite the skill and determination of Alexei's creations, Morgana's army appeared inexhaustible. The corrupted skeletons were struck with a strength that seemed to defy the laws of death, overwhelming Alexei's army. The battle raged on, bones colliding in a cacophony that echoed through the forest.
Weirdly, every time Morgana's Legion made contact with Alexei's army, a peculiar transformation occurred. The skeletons, upon impact, crashed into a pond of bone, and at times, their bodies changed, mirroring the appearance of Morgana's own skeleton army.
Amidst the chaos, Morgana's attention abruptly shifted. She sensed the Hexbound Chains of Agony breaking, the magical link severed. With a calculated stride, she walked around the ongoing battle, her intent clear to confront Kira and Alexei directly.
"So, you've chosen to save her, huh?" Morgana said, a tinge of disappointment in her voice. She still believed that Kira had filled Alexei's mind with lies, but Alexei genuinely desired change.
"Yes...you have been going to far for these past years and I should stop you more early but I didn't" Alexei answered back
"Fine... I suppose this is where we cease to be family, given that you've chosen to betray the only family you have left," Morgana said with a tone of anger, the disappointment palpable in her words.
"It's your fault that it had to come to this"
To Alexei, Morgana had been more than a leader; she was a mother, a sister, and even a grandmother. However, in the face of betrayal, Morgana's perception of Alexei shifted, causing her heart considerable pain. Despite the emotional turmoil, Alexei recognized that she had no choice. She understood that if Morgana continued unchecked, harm would befall not only herself but also others who didn't deserve it.
"Well when you are both dead there won't be anyone's fault," Morgana said
Raising her hand, Morgana revealed a unique manifestation of her power. On her right, a mist of flowing blue energy surrounded her her control over the corruption bloodline. Concurrently, on her left, a mist of dark energy swirled, signifying her control of curse magic. In a world where some nexarcs wielded their bloodline's abilities, you can learn magic from other bloodlines and use it for your own but it takes years of practice.
Alexei extracted her long, sharp bone with her teeth bared. "I'll kill you before you get the chance to end me," she declared ruthlessly, her words carrying a cold determination.
As Alexei and Kira dashed forward Alexei made a decisive move. Activating her "Bone Shatter Wave," she commanded her skeletal forces to unleash a shockwave that rippled through the bones, emitting a bone-chilling sound. The wave disrupted Morgana's mental control, causing her skeletal army to crumble into piles of bones as she already had to control two other powers.
Seizing the opportunity, Alexei continued her assault, uttering, "Bone Spike Barrage." With focused intent, she channeled bone spear-like projectiles from her own skeletal structure. Swiftly launched, these spikes raced toward Morgana with incredible speed and precision, challenging her to evade the impending barrage.