As Amukelo regained his footing, Leviathan lunged at him. Despite his injuries, he had enough time to engage back in the fight with Leviathan, and not be thrown around like a rugby ball. Each parry and sidestep was not merely reactive but a part of a broader strategy to find the slightest opening in Leviathan's defenses. His body moved with the grace and precision of a dancer, albeit one dancing on the edge of a knife. The red aura enveloping him pulsed with every heartbeat, growing denser and more vibrant as he pushed his mana coat beyond its usual limits.
The frustration began to grow. As Amukelo was dodging Leviathan's deadly attacks, his mind raced repeating, 'Fater... Stronger... I need to be faster...' The beast's movements were monstrously fast, its claws slicing through the air with lethal intent. Yet, for every swipe that Leviathan unleashed, Amukelo was barely able to respond on time, his body responding on instinct to the dangers that flashed millimeters from his flesh.
Despite the speed and the ferocity of Leviathan's onslaught, Amukelo managed to keep the monster at bay, his swords clashing against Leviathan's claws in a symphony of sparks and eerie clangs. Each collision sent shockwaves through the cavern, the sounds echoing off the walls like the tolling of a doom-laden bell. With each block and counter, Amukelo's arms bore the brunt of Leviathan's supernatural strength, the impact resonating up his blades and jarring his bones.
Meanwhile, Eliss, far from idle, focused her energies on supporting Amukelo. She knew the gravity of their situation and the slim chance they had of overcoming such a formidable foe. Her spells, though not as flashy or destructive as Amukelo's swordplay, were helpful in keeping Leviathan's attention divided, but they didn't make any significant changes. Seeing that her spells were not effective, Eliss decided to change the approach and bet everything on her last trump card. She began to cast another powerful spell, probably even more powerful than the last one. She wove complex patterns with her hands, her voice a soft murmur lost amidst the cacophony of battle.
The strain of battle began to tell on Amukelo; his breaths came in ragged gasps, his movements tinged with a hint of desperation. The red aura that had been his support and bolster now flickered like a flame under assault from a relentless wind. Leviathan, sensing weakness, intensified its attacks, each move more aggressive and unpredictable than the last.
Amukelo's thoughts raced—each second elongated into eternity as he anticipated Leviathan's next move. The creature's eyes, dark as voids, were fixed on him with a malevolent intent. Amukelo knew he couldn't keep this up much longer. He needed to end this, to find a way to turn the tide permanently or fall trying.
As Amukelo continued his fierce battle with Leviathan, he noticed a subtle but significant shift. The beast's movements, though still lightning fast, began to lag ever so slightly behind his own. This was his chance, he thought, as Leviathan's previously vibrant red skin started to darken, a sign of its waning strength.
However, this moment of realization came at a cost. Distracted by his observation, Amukelo was caught off-guard when Leviathan's massive tail came crashing down towards him. Although his armor absorbed much of the blow, the force was enough to render his arm useless. Pain seared through him, but he could not afford to falter.
Amukelo began to dodge Leviathan's attacks. He tried to avoid every clash he could, as there was no possibility for him to counterattack with one arm. Sensing a slightly less accurate blow from Leviathan he backed away, nursing his injured arm, his breaths heavy and ragged. From the corner of his eye, he saw Eliss, her hands moving in a complex dance as she summoned her magic. A giant sphere of light formed above her, pulsating with energy before compressing into a watermelon-sized orb, then splitting into five smaller, intensely bright greenish orbs.
The sudden display of power drew Leviathan's attention, its monstrous head turning towards Eliss, allowing Amukelo a precious moment. Capitalizing on this brief distraction, he lunged forward, his remaining good arm wielding his blade with all the desperation and determination he could muster. His sword sliced through the air, cutting another of Leviathan's limbs.
As the creature roared in pain and surprise, Amukelo channeled every last reserve of his mana into a powerful kick, launching Leviathan upwards. The monster's once-threatening red hue faded further, signaling its diminished state.
Seeing his chance, Amukelo called out to Eliss, his voice echoing in the cavernous space, "Eliss! He's yours. Finish what you had to finish for all those years!"
Collapsing from sheer exhaustion, Amukelo hit the ground hard, his eyes fixed on Eliss as he struggled to catch his breath. He watched, heart pounding, as determination took over her features, her eyes glistening with unshed tears.
"I will do what I wasn't able to do that day!" Eliss whispered fiercely to herself. With a deep breath, she channeled all her power into the glowing orbs, which now hovered like vengeful spirits ready to strike. With a swift motion, she directed them towards the airborne Leviathan.
The orbs moved with lethal precision, cutting through the air towards their target. As Leviathan began to descend from its involuntary flight, Eliss lunged forward. Time seemed to slow as she moved, her every emotion, every memory of loss and pain fuelling her attack.