But Milam wasn't done yet as she tried to conjure up another offensive spell by channeling her power into the ground to create a mighty column of fire underneath the battlefield.
"A suicidal move won't work on me... Little ones, do your thing," whispered Raiyen as the butterflies flew out and surrounded the attacking Pyromancer.
Due to the earlier scenario of the butterflies absorbing Milam's attack, they were now emitting icy flames with a slight tinge of blue and black flames, courtesy of Tomoe's fox flame. They then halted and aimed at the Pyromancer.
However, the enemy was quick enough to unleash her spell first, a giant column of fire. Raiyen glitched out of harm's way but could still see the arena. And he was undoubtedly impressed with the butterflies.
The creatures were still fluttering about, and now it was their turn to unleash Milam's spell back at her. Only this time, it was divided into nine tornados and rained down on Milam, causing her immense pain as the fox flame burned her skin.
"Ah, I did fail to mention a little fact about fox flames... Particularly those from the Nine Tails... Those flames affect anyone who hasn't reached at least 900 years of age," explained the Time Mage as he casually walked back to the dying enemy.
Once done, the area seemed still as Milam fell to her knees. With the colossal clash, the Husks had increased their movement. Raiyen closed the fan as he slowly approached Milam, who could not get off the ground.
"The product of Dragon and Pyromancer... Everyone you knew as a young girl has perished, yet you still stand, making you the oldest Pyromancer on Earth. It's a pity you decided to descend from your throne to madness, just like the Dragon that birthed you..."
"You've got it all wrong..."
Raiyen widened his eyes upon hearing the little girl's squeak.
"What did you say?"
"I said... You've got it wrong... I'm not a product, nor have I fused with anything... I-"
Milam started coughing up blood as she felt her body convulse due to the injuries and burn marks she had sustained. Raiyen gazed at her coldly, unsure of what she meant.
"I was dead a long time ago... Even before you came and taught me," murmured Milam as her head collided with the ashen ground.
Only then did the Time Mage realize that Milam's body was slowly fading into ashes. Raiyen may not possess an ounce of pity for the enemy before him but thought about how kind his lover was against an opponent at times.
If that's the case... Why did he take a step forward?
"Why show mercy to an enemy? Do you know that one day you're going to get yourself killed or stabbed in the back?" asked Raiyen towards the Valkyrie after she had defeated an opponent.
It was just some random Poison Mage fighting 'demons', a result of overusing his Element to the point that it dominated his sanity.
"Because if I don't... Then who will? And besides, the person's already dying... How can he possibly get up to kill me?" spat Mavislin as she continued sitting.
"The world isn't full of roses... Some thorns will come and prick you when all you're trying to do is help them... I'm worried for you."
"You don't have to be... And I know that the world isn't kind. Thus, even if it's a little bit, I'd like to show kindness to everyone, even if they have a black heart. Because, like my twin, no one is born evil. It's their environment that affects how their hearts change."
"You can be born poor..."
"But you can't be poor in family teachings... It's a Chinese saying that someone from the future once told me," finished the Time Mage as he sat beside the Valkyrie.
Back to the present, Raiyen found himself thinking about his enemy's circumstances. After all, Milam was forced into the position of Village Head at the ripe young age of ten so she hasn't got a chance to be a kid yet. Raiyen sighed and sat down beside her.
"Why are you-"
"Don't mention it. You're going to die now, and you're alone. Besides, it's not as if I'm in a rush. I might as well stay until you vanish," noted the Time Mage as he cracked his lower back.
"Do you not fear me? Since we are enemies..."
"What am I supposed to be cowering about? You're no longer able to fight nor even stand, so you aren't too much of a threat to me. And I could smack you down again. But I am puzzled... What do you mean by you were dead long ago?" quizzed Raiyen.
There was a slight pause before Milam roared with laughter, shocking the poor Time Boy.