The trio was once again reunited. El, Raven, and Thailos scouted the affected areas where the intense Pantianac attack had occurred, hoping to encounter Serpentine. Jaku and Kentor joined the trio as well, as King Thorian had only agreed to allow El on the mission if his bodyguards accompanied him.
"Your highness, there is an enemy camp near the river. I think it would be best if we silently scout it," Jaku reported. Thailos couldn't help but interject, "Wait, hold up, why are you calling him 'your highness'?" He was clearly confused about what was happening.
"Oh, Prince El is King Thorian's cousin, and also the rightful heir of Biringan," Kentor explained matter-of-factly. This revelation left Thai, Raven, and even El himself in disbelief.
"What?!" Thai reacted with shock. "You mean this guy is the prince? Hey Raven, you're a princess too, and I just didn't know?" Raven was equally baffled by the revelation.
"Guys, this is really a bad place and time to explain what happened. But the King and I are cousins," El explained, trying to keep things concise. "Kentor, Jaku, you don't have to be formal with me. Call me El." He added, wanting to dispense with the royal formalities in the midst of their mission. "Yes sir-er I mean El." Jaku replied.
The scouts cautiously approached the river, and through their magic incantations, Raven could sense a powerful energy emanating from the camp. "I think it's not safe to attack head-on," Raven suggested, her intuition warning her.
"Serpentine is close," El confirmed, his determination evident. "Let's bide our time, see if we can catch Serpentine alone and unprepared." El's plan was to isolate their target and strike at the right moment.
The group waited patiently until nightfall to execute their attack plan. It appeared that Serpentine was indeed at the camp, judging by the chaos and screams that echoed from within. Raven found comfort in holding El's hand, and he reciprocated the gesture, both seeking solace in each other's presence.
"It's time," Kentor signaled, and the group silently approached the camp, their stealthy movements concealing their presence.
Thai threw a spear with precision, striking down a Pantianac who had been observing the outpost. El swiftly dispatched three Kapre without making a sound.
As the group moved closer to the tent, Raven's intuition grew stronger, and she felt a sense of urgency. "Hold up!" she signaled, a feeling of impending danger washing over her. "I think this is a trap."
But Jaku, eager to proceed, disagreed. "No, we press on," he insisted.
Just as he was about to open the tent, an explosion erupted, violently separating the group. Jaku found himself inside the tent, while El and Raven were together. Thai and Kentor were left to fend off the enemy on their own.
"I knew it!" Raven exclaimed as she helped El fend off the alerted enemy. The situation was becoming increasingly dire. "I think we can't hold on much longer, El!" Jaku shouted, struggling to maintain their ground.
Suddenly, El's eyes began to shine with a brilliant light, and a surge of power overcame him. With a burst of energy, he unleashed a stunning force that incapacitated all the enemies in the camp. It was a remarkable display of power, but it left El drained and collapsed on the ground.
"What was that?" Thai asked in astonishment, while El lay unconscious. Kentor, assessing the situation, made a quick decision. "Take the Prince, we have to retreat!" he urged, and the group promptly left the camp behind.
They retreated to a safer location, setting up camp a considerable distance from the river. El remained unconscious due to the immense exertion brought on by the power of the Malakas Blade. Raven watched over him, her concern evident as she stroked his hair, checking on him every minute to ensure he was alright.
"Did we find Serpentine there?" Thai inquired, his thoughts lingering on their elusive target.
"I believe we did," Raven replied, her brow furrowed. "But he vanished as if he knew we were going to attack, just before the explosion."
"I felt him too in the tent, but he disappeared right before the Prince could attack; I think he is watching us closely," Jaku responded, echoing Raven's suspicions about Serpentine's presence and actions.
After some time, El finally woke up, and Raven, who had been anxiously watching over him, couldn't help but express her relief. "You had me worried," she blurted out, her cheeks flushed with emotion. El gently held Raven's face and caressed it, assuring her, "I'm alright."
Concerned about the situation, El inquired about their current status. Kentor provided a detailed report of what had transpired, including the connection between El's unconsciousness and Serpentine's appearance and disappearance. Kentor suggested, "Your highness, I think it is better if we go back to the fortress first, and you take some rest."
El, however, was determined to press on. "No, I have to end this," he responded with unwavering resolve. Thai chimed in with support for the idea. "Actually, I agree with your bodyguards, man!" he added. "You can't control your powers yet, and I think it would be more dangerous if you keep getting unconscious after using that power."
"I also agree with them," Raven suggested, aligning herself with Kentor and Thai's concerns. El smiled, recognizing the wisdom in their words, and conceded, knowing he was outnumbered. "Alright, we'll head back for now," he replied. "But before we do, let's make a quick stop at Elder Tree. I need to see the state of the Capitol."
As daylight broke, the group continued their journey toward Elder Tree. Along the way, they encountered several enemy camps, but it was clear that the Elder Tree had been liberated. Some citizens had returned to their homes, but there was still no sign of the King's return. The situation remained tense, and the group had many questions and uncertainties about what had transpired in their absence.
They continued to travel cautiously as the outskirts of the territory were filled with enemy camps and bandits. Just before reaching the fortress, a sudden and powerful fireball struck Jaku from behind, catching the group off guard. "Take cover!" Thai shouted, and El swiftly shielded Jaku while the rest of the group sought cover. It was an ambush, and the group had to fight hard to fend off the ranged attacks.
Amid the chaos, a familiar voice echoed through the air. "Hi, young King!" the voice taunted. El immediately recognized it. "Show yourself, Serpentine!" El called out, brandishing the Malakas Blade in readiness. "I see you've brought your friends, and the daughter of a murderer," Serpentine's voice continued. "You see, young Raven's father was the one who awakened me," Serpentine revealed, provoking anger in Raven. She began launching fireballs in all directions, hoping to hit their elusive enemy.
"Your father was under no spell or incantation," Serpentine declared with a sinister tone. "He revived me willingly, that loyal servant of mine!" Raven, consumed by rage, desperately fired her magic spells in Serpentine's direction. However, El used his power to dispel the illusions around them, revealing Serpentine right in front of them.
El swung his sword at Serpentine, but the enemy was incredibly agile, easily dodging the attack. The group joined in the assault, attacking with all their might, but Serpentine's skills were unmatched, and they struggled to land a blow.
"Oh, the Malakas Blade, such a waste of power from an ignorant King!" Serpentine taunted as he raised his wand and unleashed a powerful bolt of lightning that struck El and the group, sending them flying in all directions.
Serpentine seized El by the hair, lifting him from the ground. "Your King will die today!" he declared, but Raven intervened with a powerful gust of wind, separating Serpentine from El. "I made your parents rich!" Serpentine shouted at Raven. "You ungrateful brat!" he added, trying to manipulate her emotions.
"Stay away from here, Serpentine! Your fight is with me," El declared, his determination unwavering. Thai stood beside El, ready to face the enemy. "Get Raven and Jaku away from here," El commanded. Kentor, despite his injuries, nodded and retreated with Raven and Jaku to safety.
El and Thailos fought Serpentine with all their might, using their magic and skills to try to gain the upper hand. El enchanted "Buhangin!" and they unleashed their attacks on Serpentine.
"Fools! You can't defeat me!" Serpentine exclaimed arrogantly. Thailos, seeking an opportunity, managed to get behind Serpentine and deliver a powerful strike to his back, while El pierced the enemy's right shoulder with the Malakas Blade.
"Lucky!" Serpentine snarled as he defended himself against their relentless assault. His frustration grew evident as they continued their relentless attacks.
"So be it!" Serpentine declared, and the dark clouds above them began to swirl. In an instant, Serpentine transformed into a massive dragon, filling the sky with his formidable presence. El, his eyes sparking with blue light, felt a surge of power within him as he prepared to confront the monstrous foe. Thailos, however, struggled to even comprehend what was happening, as the battle took a perilous turn.
The battlefield was filled with epic clashes as the dragon Serpentine and the Child of Prophecy, El, engaged in a fierce battle. The dark skies roared with thunder and crackled with lightning as the two adversaries exchanged powerful blows and devastating attacks.
Meanwhile, Raven, who had been running alongside Jaku and Kentor, suddenly stopped in her tracks. Despite the danger and the pleas of her companions to keep running, she couldn't abandon her friends.
"They need me!" Raven shouted as determination filled her heart. Ignoring the dangers that lay ahead.
As Thailos and Raven fought off the Pantianacs, they could see El and Serpentine locked in an intense battle in the skies above. The Malakas Blade pierced the serpent's skin, causing Serpentine to roar in pain. However, El was also wounded from the sharp claws of Serpentine.
"You cannot defeat me, fool!" Serpentine shouted triumphantly. "Your father, who is much wiser than you, couldn't even defeat me!" He added, taunting El.
Despite the pain and fatigue, El held his ground, determination burning in his eyes as he continued to clash with Serpentine in the aerial duel.
With a final, mighty blow, El managed to pierce the serpent on the neck, causing Serpentine to transform back into his human form. El, bleeding and exhausted, stood his ground, panting heavily. Serpentine clutched his wounded neck, trying to stop the blood from flowing.
"Do you really believe that you could defeat me?" Serpentine taunted, his voice filled with arrogance.
"He has us!" Thailos exclaimed, coming to El's side. Raven rushed over and enchanted him with a healing spell, providing him with some much-needed strength.
"King Aelus might be wise and powerful," El retorted, his voice filled with determination, "but he's got no friends who stood beside him!"
"Ha!" Serpentine exclaimed, his arrogance still evident. "You think friendship has power? In a battle, they are more of a liability!" he added with a sneer. "We are gods among men! Why stoop down to these mortals, young King?" Serpentine asked mockingly.
"I am no god," El responded with unwavering resolve, "I am just a mere farm boy ready to defeat you!"
"Beware, young King," Serpentine's voice echoed ominously, his words dripping with a sinister promise. "'Three as one, with courage as their guide, In unity, they shall triumph or be led astray by darkened souls.' That's part of your prophecy as well," he taunted El, his eyes gleaming with malevolence. "I'll have you in the dark side when I return!"
With his ominous words echoing in the air, Serpentine suddenly vanished, leaving the battleground. The dark skies cleared, and the immediate threat had passed
As Raven leaned in, her face gently caressed El's cheek, and he found solace in her presence. She spoke with determination, "I promise, I'll be there to guide you out of any darkness that may come." El responded by kissing Raven's cheek, their eyes locking in a meaningful gaze.
Their intimate moment was interrupted by Thai's playful remark, "Get a room, you two!"
El, Jaku, and Kentor regrouped after the intense battle with Serpentine. Kentor spoke with a sense of urgency, "We couldn't leave you here when Raven ran."
The group returned to the fortress, where a heartfelt reunion awaited them. As King Thorian spotted El and the group, he rushed toward them, enveloping El in a warm hug. "Oh, dear boy! You have saved us, my son!" King Thorian exclaimed with tears of joy.
"Make way for the Prince, the rightful King of Biringan, and the Hero of the realm!" Thorian shouted, and the guards immediately bowed in reverence. The people around cheered and celebrated the return of their long-lost prince and hero.