The ground shook beneath Dave's feet as Lukan's power surged to new heights, his dark aura spreading like a storm across the battlefield. Every strike that landed on Dave rattled his bones, the sheer force overwhelming him. Blood dripped from cuts and bruises that covered his body, his breathing labored as he tried to hold on.
Lukan moved with terrifying speed, his attacks relentless. Dave barely managed to block each strike, the force behind every punch and kick sending waves of pain through his body. He tried to counterattack, but every move he made felt sluggish compared to Lukan's effortless precision.
'I'm not going to make it,' Dave thought, the realization settling in. He had never faced anyone like this before. Lukan was playing with him, toying with him as if Dave's best efforts meant nothing.
Lukan smirked, his eyes glowing with amusement as he landed another blow, sending Dave crashing into the ground with a sickening thud. Dave groaned in agony, the impact knocking the air from his lungs. His vision blurred, dark spots dancing before his eyes.
"Is that all you've got?" Lukan mocked, towering over Dave. "I expected more from someone who's caused so much chaos across the world. But maybe I overestimated you."
Dave struggled to get up, his body screaming in protest. His muscles felt like they were on fire, every movement sending sharp pain through him. But he couldn't give up now. He had come too far, survived too much to be defeated here.
He summoned what little energy he had left, forcing himself to his feet. Blood dripped from his lip as he raised his fists, his body swaying slightly. 'I can't stop now... I have to keep going...'
Lukan's smile widened. "Still standing? Impressive. But this is the end."
Before Dave could react, Lukan charged, his fist glowing with dark energy. The blow connected with Dave's chest, sending a shockwave of pain through his body. Dave's eyes widened as he felt his ribs crack under the force, the air leaving his lungs in a choked gasp. He stumbled back, his legs giving out beneath him.
His vision dimmed, his mind swimming in a haze of pain and exhaustion. 'I can't… I'm…' Dave's body hit the ground with a heavy thud, his consciousness slipping away. The world around him blurred, fading into darkness as he fainted.
Lukan stood over Dave's unconscious form, his eyes narrowing. "Pathetic. I thought you'd be worth the effort." He raised his hand, dark energy swirling around it, ready to deliver the final blow. "Let's end this."
But just as he prepared to strike, the air around them changed.
A powerful, otherworldly aura flooded the battlefield, so intense that it made Lukan freeze in place. His eyes widened in shock as he felt the overwhelming presence behind him. Slowly, he turned, his gaze falling on Aurora.
But this was not the innocent little girl who had been following Dave. No, something was different. Aurora's body glowed with an ethereal light, her once childlike figure growing taller, more mature. Her hair flowed like a river of silver, and her eyes burned with a power that shook the very fabric of reality.
Aurora stood before Lukan, no longer the timid, lost child. Her presence was commanding, her aura more potent than anything Lukan had ever felt.
"What… what are you?" Lukan whispered, his voice trembling with shock.
Aurora's expression was calm, but there was a sharp intensity in her gaze, one that made Lukan take an involuntary step back. She no longer resembled the innocent child who had been clinging to Dave's side. Now, she stood as a force to be reckoned with, her aura radiating a divine power that seemed beyond comprehension.
"Why are you here?" Lukan demanded, his voice a mix of confusion and fear. "You shouldn't be involved in Earth's matters. This is far below your status!"
Aurora's eyes narrowed slightly, her voice cool and controlled as she spoke for the first time in her new form. "You've overstepped your bounds, Lukan. This battle… is not yours to win."
Lukan's shock deepened, his fists clenching at his sides. "Why are you protecting this man?" He gestured toward Dave, who lay unconscious on the ground. "Why are you involving yourself with him? He's insignificant compared to you!"
Aurora's gaze didn't waver, her expression unreadable. "He is far more important than you can comprehend."
Lukan's breath caught in his throat as he stared at her, disbelief etched across his face. The air around them grew heavier with tension, the weight of Aurora's power pressing down on him like a tidal wave. This was no ordinary opponent. He had underestimated her—no, he had underestimated her entirely.
Lukan took a step back, his confidence shaken for the first time in their fight. He had faced many opponents in his life, but nothing had ever felt like this. This was beyond the power of any SSS-ranked superhuman. This was something else entirely.
"Why…" Lukan's voice wavered, "why are you following this man? You shouldn't even be here, in this world."
Aurora's eyes flashed with a light that sent chills down Lukan's spine. She stood tall, exuding an aura that seemed to transcend the boundaries of Earth itself.
And then, with a quiet, almost dangerous calm, she said, "You don't need to understand. You just need to leave."
Lukan's heart pounded in his chest, the weight of the situation finally sinking in. He wasn't dealing with a mere child. He was facing something far more terrifying.